Lower Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
The eyes are one of our most important features. They are the first thing we look at in the mirror. They are the primary object of attention during conversation. They are one of our primary tools for conveying emotion. They can also convey a general sense of health, vigor, and alertness. Wrinkles around the eyes may make you look older. Bags under the eyes may make you look tired. Dark circles may cause you to look ill or like a party animal. But there's hope for our Oakland, Walnut Creek, and San Francisco patients: lower eyelid surgery.
In addition to this safe, effective method for rejuvenating the eyes, we also offer non-surgical treatment options using Dermafillers. Request a consultation online, call us at 415-445-9513, or email us today.
Considering Lower Eyelid Surgery?
Although some people are born with puffy lower lids, for most of us, dull, droopy eyes are a sign of aging. As the years pass, our skin stretches, muscles weaken and fat can accumulate and cause bags. In addition to making you look "old and tired," this process can make you appear depressed, angry or sad.
A major cause for bags beneath the eyes is the presence of excess fat which pushes the skin out. This condition is called pseudoherniation of lower lid fat and is treated with a transconjunctival lower eyelid blepharoplasty for our San Francisco, Oakland and Walnut Creek patients. Eyelid surgery removes the fatty deposits that are protruding beneath the eyes, leaving your skin firm and tight, instantly refreshing your appearance.
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Note how this woman has fatty deposits protruding from the orbital rim of her eyes. This can be treated with Lower Lid Blepharoplasty surgery by removing the excess fat beneath the eyes.
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Lower Lid Bags
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Lower lid bags are caused by protusion of fat beneath the eyes. |
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Patient treated with lower lid blepharoplasty to remove lower lid bags. |
Lower Lid Blepharoplasty
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Cross section showing how fat underneath the eyes can bulge forward and cause bags. |
The blue arrow demonstrates the approach to remove the excess fat underneath the eyes. The fat is removed by going through the conjunctiva, not the skin, so there is no scar under the eye. |
How Much Pain Is Involved?
Blepharoplasty is a safe, straightforward procedure that can take years off your appearance. It is a nearly painless surgery performed under general anesthesia in an accredited hospital or surgery center. A board-certified anesthesiologist will administer medication to ensure you feel no pain during surgery and minimal discomfort or nausea afterward.
Depending on the complexity, your surgery may take 45 minutes to an hour. After surgery mild discomfort is normal, but most Oakland, Walnut Creek, and San Francisco blepharoplasty patients require only over-the-counter pain medication.
How Do I Prepare for Surgery?
To get ready for blepharoplasty surgery, think about the needs you'll have after surgery. You'll need to have someone pick you up and stay with you for a night, just until the effects of the anesthesia are completely gone. Dr. Mabrie's staff can help you make arrangements for assistance if you need extra help.
It's a good idea to have plenty of food in the house so you can stay home and relax for a few days. You'll also want to have a good pair of sunglasses on hand when you do go out, to both hide any residual bruising and protect your eyes from sun and wind. You may not be able to watch television for the first few days, so you may want to have plenty of music, books on tape and radio programs lined up to listen to.
What Is the Recovery Like?
When your surgery is complete, you can go home to rest. You'll need to keep your head elevated while you sleep for a few days. You'll return to Dr. Mabrie's office to have your sutures removed within a week. Depending on the type of work you do, you may return to your job in as little as two days. Slight bruising may be evident, and you may therefore want to plan to be away from work for several days. Almost all bruising and swelling should be gone within ten days. You can resume your exercise routine within three weeks. Scars will be either on the inside of your eyelids or hidden in the creases and typically fade very quickly.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
| Bandages | Suture Removal | Restaurant Ready* | 75% | 100% |
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| None | None-5 days | 4-8 days | 2-3 weeks | 2-3 months |
*Restaurant ready means you are ready to debut the new you! |
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Dermafillers: The Non-Surgical Alternative to Eyelid Surgery
A frequent cause of bags under the eyes is actually a paucity or loss of fat around the bony orbital rim, the tear trough area, the cheek, midface, or some combination. This condition is best treated with Dermafillers placed in the affected area.
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Dr. Mabrie treated this man with 2 syringes of Restylane® beneath his eyes to replace the loss of volume in his tear trough area. This is a great example of the non-surgical alternatives to surgery that are available.
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Combining Eyelid Surgery and Dermafillers
In some cases, patients experience a combination of both fat beneath the eyes and a deep tear trough area. When this is the case, Dr. Mabrie is able to follow the lower lid blepharoplasty surgery with non-surgical Dermafiller treatment to provide the perfect finishing touch.
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Picture 1: Puffiness and deep grooves in the tear trough area | Picture 2: After surgery to remove fatty deposits | Picture 3: After Dermafiller treatment to fill the tear trough area |
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The Surgeon For You
Dr. David Mabrie offers:
- Double board certification
- Excellent training & experience
- Specialization in the face and neck
