A lower blepharoplasty (blef-ah-ro-plast-ee) or eyelid lift is a surgery designed to remove unwanted “bags” underneath the eye and smooth out excess skin.  Although this description is relatively simple, what you find displeasing about the area beneath your eyes can have many causes including: edema (swelling); muscle hypertrophy (overgrowth); and pseudoherniation (bulging) of fat, or excess skin.  In addition, the drooping of cheek tissue may cause a hollow or bony appearance underneath the lid.  When considering lower blepharoplasty it is important that you seek a physician that not only makes the correct diagnosis, but also has the skills to address these varied problems. 

Dr. Marotta is well versed in the various changes that can occur in the lower lid.  He is able to perform the most advanced lower blepharoplasty techniques including transconjunctival (no visible incision), subciliary/skin-only, subciliary/skin-muscle, and soof lift approaches.  In addition, if descent of the cheek tissue is the primary problem, Dr. Marotta offers the endoscopic midface lift in addition to lower blepharoplasty.  When you come in for your consultation, we can discuss what these terms mean and which method is right for you.

Reasons for getting a Lower Blepharoplasty

• “Bags” underneath the eyelids.
• Excessive wrinkling skin around the lower eyelid.

General Procedure

At our facility, a lower blepharoplasty is performed under deep sedation.  By itself, an lower eyelid lift takes about one hour.  A lower blepharoplasty is frequently combined with other procedures, most often the midface lift.

The incisions in a lower eyelid lift may be entirely hidden or just below the lashes depending upon the technique employed for your situation.  The underlying bulging fat is removed, overgrown muscle trimmed, cheek fat lifted, and the skin tightened.  If an incision is used, it is closed with very fine sutures and, with good healing, fades to the point of imperceptibility.

Recovery

Immediately after surgery, ice packs will be applied to the lids to help minimize swelling.  We recommend head of bed elevation and light activity in the immediate postoperative period.  Patients generally report little pain with eyelid surgery.  

You will have frequent postoperative visits with Dr. Marotta to monitor your progress.  The extent of your recovery largely depends on what other procedures may have been performed.  Recovery and healing from lower blepharoplasty alone can be quite rapid and if sutures are used, they are removed three days following surgery.  Some patients return to work in as little as one week.