Where the incision is made
Below the lash line or inside the eyelid. These are two described approaches, and the choice depends on the medical assessment.
Dr. Gustavo Suárez · Facial surgery
Lower blepharoplastyfor under-eye bags.
The under-eye bags give a tired or older appearance. Lower blepharoplasty is lower eyelid surgery that addresses these bags and excess skin.
Request a consultation What is lower blepharoplasty?The problem it addresses
Bags
under the eyes.
Lower blepharoplasty addresses lower eyelid bags and excess skin on that eyelid. These are the usual reasons for a consultation about this area.
The surgery does not remove facial wrinkles or correct drooping eyebrows or pigmented dark circles. The assessment distinguishes between the bag, the hollow beneath the eye and pigmentation, as they require different approaches.
How it is performed
How it is
performed.
The incision may be placed beneath the lash line or inside the eyelid. Fat from the bag may be removed or repositioned to fill the hollow beneath the eye, and this distinction — removing or redistributing it — is what most distinguishes one lower blepharoplasty from another.
Removing or repositioning fat
Fat can be removed or redistributed to fill the hollow beneath the eye. The choice depends on the examination.
What it does not address
Facial wrinkles, drooping eyebrows and pigmented dark circles fall outside what this surgery treats.
Upper and lower eyelids
These are different procedures and may be considered together. Surgery on the upper eyelid has its own page: upper blepharoplasty.
What is assessed
What is assessed
before surgery.
During the consultation, the first step is to identify what is visible: a bag, a pronounced hollow or a coloured dark circle. This surgery targets bags and excess eyelid skin. It does not correct pigmented dark circles.
Expectations are part of the conversation. A good candidate seeks improvement rather than absolute perfection, is in good general health and has realistic expectations.
Meet Dr. SuárezPreparing for your visit
What to
have to hand.
As well as the eyelid, the assessment covers the eyes and general health. Having this information to hand helps complete it.
The eyes
Vision and tear production are assessed. It is helpful to know your ophthalmic history, particularly glaucoma, dry eye or retinal detachment.
Other health conditions
Thyroid disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes are taken into account as risk factors.
Medication, allergies and smoking
Regular medication, allergies and smoking habits form part of the history that is reviewed.
If you are also concerned about the upper eyelid
It is helpful to mention this at the same consultation. They are two different procedures that can be considered together.
After surgery
Care and
follow-up.
Recovery
Discomfort eases with medication. Swelling and bruising gradually subside, and relative rest is advised for the first few days. Returning to work, contact lenses and exercise is gradual. While swelling is still present, what you see in the mirror will continue to change.
Risks and limitations
Swelling, bruising and temporary blurred vision are part of the expected recovery and gradually subside. General complications of blepharoplasty include infection, bleeding, dry eye, asymmetric scarring and, exceptionally, changes in vision. The lower eyelid also has two specific complications: eyelid retraction, which exposes the white of the eye below the iris, and ectropion, where the edge of the eyelid turns outwards.
The result may not be as expected and may lead to a further procedure.
These complications are very rare. During the consultation, following medical assessment, they are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.
Before deciding
Frequently asked
questions.
Questions about surgery for under-eye bags and recovery.
What does lower blepharoplasty surgery involve?
The incision is placed beneath the lash line or inside the eyelid. The bag is treated through this incision: fat may be removed or repositioned to fill the hollow beneath the eye. Excess skin is also removed when indicated by the examination.
How long does recovery from lower blepharoplasty take?
There is no single recovery period for everyone. Discomfort eases with medication, swelling and bruising gradually subside, and returning to work, contact lenses and exercise is gradual, depending on each person's progress.
Can it be combined with upper blepharoplasty?
Yes. They are two different procedures that can be considered together. If the upper eyelid is also a concern, it is worth mentioning it during the same consultation. Upper blepharoplasty.
What is recovery after lower blepharoplasty like?
Relative rest is recommended for the first few days. Discomfort eases with medication, and swelling and bruising gradually subside. The initial appearance may still change. The return to activity is gradual and adjusted according to progress at follow-up appointments.
What should you avoid after blepharoplasty?
Usual advice includes relative rest for the first few days and avoiding an early return to work, contact lenses or exercise. Specific instructions come from the team performing the procedure and should be followed.
Related procedures
Other procedures
in the same area.
Upper blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery that removes excess skin and, where appropriate, fat.
Brow lift
Surgery that lifts a drooping eyebrow and reshapes its position and contour in the upper third of the face.