Eye Bags Surgery
Anesthesia: Local with sedation or general
Duration Of Results: Long-lasting
In/Outpatient: Outpatient
Procedure Time: 1-3 hours
Recovery Time: 5-14 days; strenuous activity in 3 weeks
What are some of the most common benefits of eye bags surgery?
Eye bags surgery in Arlington can make a remarkable difference in the appearance of the face, alleviating the appearance of tiredness and old age by eliminating the excess wrinkly skin beneath the eyes.
The eyes appear fresher and more youthful, and the results may last for many years. The degree of improvement varies from patient to patient.
Important note: Lower eyelid blepharoplasty will not eliminate dark circles, fine lines or wrinkles around the eyes, or alter sagging eyebrows. To enhance the results of your eyelid procedure, your doctor may also recommend:
- A brow lift to correct a drooping brow and smooth the forehead
- A facelift for saggy jowls
- Skin resurfacing to eliminate fine lines
Ideal candidates
In general, the best candidates for lower eyelid blepharoplasty:
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Are in good physical health
- Are psychologically stable
- Understand the procedure’s outcome
- Desire correction of droopy, baggy eyelids
- Have no known ophthalmic conditions such as glaucoma or detached retina
- Have no known medical conditions such as high blood pressure or circulatory problems
- Have realistic expectations for the outcome
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he / she considers you an ideal candidate for lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
Several types of pre-existing conditions can put you at risk. These include thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism, insufficient tear production or dryness of the eye, elevated blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Caution should be exercised if you have ophthalmic problems or other serious medical condition(s). In this case, your surgeon may require a clearance from your general practitioner or other physician.
Can eye bags surgery be combined with other procedures?
Lower eyelid surgery (lower blepharoplasty) is frequently combined with upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty), or with a face lift or forehead lift as part of an overall facial rejuvenation procedure.
It can also be combined with laser resurfacing or chemical peel to further enhance the results. Usually, a cosmetic surgeon will recommend the resurfacing as a separate procedure, although it can be combined in certain situations.
How is lower eyelid blepharoplasty performed?
For traditional lower lid blepharoplasty:
- An incision is made along the lash line.
- Excess fat, muscle, and skin are removed.
- Fine sutures are used to close the incision.
- Permanent stitches will be removed three to five days after the procedure.
If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but do not need to have any loose skin removed, your surgeon may recommend a transconjunctival blepharoplasty.
Transconjunctival blepharoplasty does not tighten the skin but instead is used to reduce the puffiness in the lower eyelid region. It is usually performed on younger patients with fatty lower eyelids.
For transconjunctival blepharoplasty:
- An incision is made on the inside of the lower eyelid (meaning no visible scar will be present).
- Excess fat and muscle are removed (no tightening or removing of skin).
- The incision is closed with self-dissolving sutures or will heal naturally without sutures.
How long does eyelid surgery take?
Eyelid surgery generally takes about one to three hours to complete, depending on the technique used and the extent of the repair.
What can I expect after surgery?
After surgery, the physician will lubricate your eyes with ointment to reduce dryness in this area. Your vision may be blurred temporarily from the ointment. Ointment is used in both methods.
The first evening after surgery, you should rest quietly with your head elevated. It will help to apply cold compresses to your eyelids. (Avoid any compress heavier than one ounce. A Ziploc bag with a few frozen peas works well.)
Your blood pressure should be monitored to avoid bleeding complications that can affect vision. And, although you can be up almost immediately, you should limit your activities.
What is the recovery period like?
At first the incisions will probably be red and somewhat bumpy. Eventually, the resulting scar should become flat and inconspicuous. Your sutures (stitches) will be removed sometime within the first week.
The swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside, and you’ll start to look and feel better each day. Swelling and bruising varies considerably from person to person. Bruising typically disappears within seven to 10 days. Within the first week, you will be permitted to use makeup, if desired, to conceal any discoloration.
Your vision may be somewhat blurry for a few days or longer. Your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to light, and you may experience excess tearing or dryness. You may receive eyedrops to help relieve any burning or itching.
For the first week, you’ll need to avoid activities that dry the eyes, including reading, watching television, wearing contacts, and using a computer. Also avoid excessive blinking, which leads to increased swelling. You should also wear dark sunglasses for a couple of weeks to protect your eyes from wind and sun irritation. The eyes may tire easily for several weeks; frequent naps are helpful.
For the first three or four weeks, you should avoid any activity that increases blood flow to the eyes, including bending, lifting, crying and sports. Your surgeon will let you know when you are ready for exercise. Also avoid drinking alcohol, which can lead to fluid retention and delay recovery.
Significant complications from aesthetic eyelid surgery are infrequent. Further surgery is uncommon but often may be quite straightforward. You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your facial surgeon, both before and after your eyelid surgery.
How much pain is there?
Initially, you may feel a tight sensation around the eyes after undereye bag surgery, with minor discomfort that lasts for a day or two. A mild pain reliever can be taken as needed. People who have had blepharoplasty are often surprised at how painless eyelid surgery can be.
Many times, isolated eyelid surgery can be performed under local anesthesia with a total recovery time as short as seven to 10 days. (Recovery time varies from person to person.)
What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
The more alert, youthful look that this surgery provides is usually long lasting. Thin scars may remain slightly pink for six months or so, but can easily be concealed with makeup. They eventually fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line. The removal of fat is permanent, but the looseness of the skin and fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may return in the future.
Even though the aging process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following eyelid surgery. Some patients find that they want to make additional improvements at a later time. If continued loss of skin tone in the forehead later causes sagging of the eyebrows, a forehead lift or second eyelid procedure may be performed.
Eye bags surgery cost
The price of an eye lift procedure is impacted by the total time required to perform the surgery. Additional factors that affect blepharoplasty cost include anesthesia fees, the exact techniques utilized, and the amount of tissue removed.
Contact us today
Eye bags surgery in Arlington is an excellent option for numerous patients. Find out more about this procedure by contacting our office and arranging a consultation with Dr. Anthony Tran.