A lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure designed to get rid of loose skin and excess fat around the lower eyelids. The loose, saggy skin and fatty deposits found underneath the lower eyelids develop as we age, though lifestyle and heredity contribute to their formation as well. Some people will develop under-eye fat pockets and loose eyelid skin sooner than others, particularly if they spend a lot of time in the sun or if the aforementioned runs in the family.
Fatty deposits can be found under the eyes of young persons as well. Individuals that are genetically prone to them may have suffered from them their entire life.
Though a lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed on its own, many people elect to pair it with another surgery, for instance, a forehead lift, facelift or upper eyelid belpharoplasty. They may also choose to undergo a lower eyelid blepharoplasty or laser resurfacing. The latter helps to smooth out wrinkles.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty, in some form, was performed by surgeons as far back as the 1800s. Then, it was primarily used to fix deformitites caused by individuals who suffered from cancer in the eyelids. It was during this century that major developments were made which would have an effect on modern cosmetic procedures. In the 20th and 21st century, advances continued and continue to be made both generally and specifically in the area of eyelid surgery..
The effects of lower eyelid blepharoplasty are long lasting. The fat pockets shouldn’t return, though the skin around the person’s eyes may begin to loosen and sag with age.
There are two primary types of lower eyelid blepharoplasty. They are traditional lower eyelid blepharoplasty and Transconjunctival blepharoplasty. The former gets rid of both loose skin and fatty pockets underneath the lower eyelid. The latter, Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty, is used to remove excess fat and muscle under the eyelid. It does not include the removal of any skin.
Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty, is often a better fit for younger patients who have bags under their eyes but whose skin around the eye is still tight. These bags or fatty deposits the patient wants removed are typically the result of heredity, not age.
Traditional lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery is typically more appropriate for older patients who not only have fatty pockets underneath their lower eyelids but loose and saggy skin as a result of age.
Procedure
Traditional and Transconjunctival are the primary lower eyelid blepharoplasty procedures. They are used for different purposes. A transconjunctival blepharoplasty is used to excise fatty pockets under the eye. It is not used to remove extra skin. A traditional lower lid bllepharoplasty does both, remove extra skin and fatty deposits. Consequently, the procedures are a bit different.
Traditional lower lid blepharoplasty
Step 1: The surgeon will made an incision along the lash line and what are referred to as the smile creases.
Step 2: The surgeon will remove excess skin, muscle and fat.
Step 3: The surgeon will suture the incision.
Step 4: The stitches will be removed 3 to 5 days after surgery.
Transconjunctival blepharoplasty
Step 1: The surgeon will make an incision inside the lower eyelid. This type of incision won’t leave a scar.
Step 2: The doctor will remove the fatty tissue and muscle in the lower eyelids.
Step 3: The incision may or may not be closed with sutures.
Recovery
Following the surgery, the incision sites will likely be red. Scars will form but over time will flatten out and be difficult to detect. For women, makeup acts as a good cover up. The surgeon will remove the stitches within the first seven days following the surgery. Any inflammation and bruising will begin to subside and then completely disappear within 10 days.
A person may experience blurred vision for the first few days after surgery. Light sensitivity, dryness, and excessive tearing may also occur. Eye drops can provide some much needed relief.
For the first seven days individuals should rest their eyes as much as possible because there is the potential for them become excessively dry. Minimizing the amount of time spent on the computer, watching television or reading is a good idea. A person should refrain from wearing their contacts if at all possible. Sunglasses should be worn when outdoors to keep dust and other particles out of the eye. Sports are out for the first 3 to 4 weeks. Alcohol intake should be limited or eliminated because it can cause fluid retention.
Complications
Complications can arise during or after a lower lid blepharoplasty, though they rarely occur. Some complications are specific to the procedure while others are customary with any surgical procedure.
Infection, allergic reaction to the anesthesia, retrobulbar hematoma, loss of vision, excessive tearing, eye dryness, loss of sensation in the eyelid, scarring, poor healing, ectropion and difficulty with completely closing the eyes, are all possible complications from lower lid blepharoplasty surgery.
Cost
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery is typically considered to be cosmetic. However, if an upper blepharoplasty surgery is performed for medical reasons, for instance the upper eyelids is limiting a person’s periphery vision, then the insurance company may pay for the lower eyelid blepharoplasty if both surgeries are performed simultaneously.
A lower eyelid blepharoplasty will cost around $2,700. The exact cost of the procedure will depend on the surgeon, the state where it is performed, and the difficulty of the procedure. The cost of the anesthesiologist, the anesthesia and the operating room will factor into the price as well.
Questions to Ask
1. Have you completed a residency program for lower eyelid blepharoplasty?
2. Are you certified with the Academy Board of Plastic Surgery?
3. How long have you been performing the lower eyelid blepharoplasty procedure?
4. What will the recovery period be like?
5. What are the risks?
6. Will you re-do the surgery if the results aren’t what we agreed upon?
7. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance revoked, denied or suspended?
8. What kind of anesthesia will be used?
9. May I see some before and after pictures?
10. How much will the procedure cost?
PRP Treatment for Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
The old saying “the eyes have it” is especially true when it comes to aging. One of the very first places that many of us begin to age is around the eye area. Wrinkles, dark circles, bags, and crepe skin are all signs of aging. Fortunately, there are ways to improve the appearance of all-of-the-above. One of the most commonly used methods is blepharoplasty (cosmetic eye surgery).
PRP therapy is a very simple procedure but one that is proving to be quite effective. It is used to in treat a wide range of medical needs and has for some time. In recent years, it has been used in the fields of dermatology and cosmetic surgery. PRP injection treatments are being administered to fill out out wrinkles and tighten loose skin.
PRP treatment can be used in lieu of a lower eye blepharoplasty in certain cases. Individuals with only a mild amount of wrinkling and/or loose skin may find that the therapy helps to correct the aforementioned. It can also be used in conjunction with traditional blepharoplasty procedures.
PRP uses a patient’s own blood platelets to repair tissues. Platelets contain growth factors which help to rejuvenate damaged tissues and also regenerate them. When used for cosmetic purposes, the growth factors often plump up those underlying the skin. This helps to reduce wrinkles and fill out loose skin.
Prp treatment can used in conjunction with an outside eyelid surgical procedure. Prp can help in this procedure because an incision will be made in the muscle layer to gain access to the orbital fat. The goal is for the physician to pull the skin and muscle layers away from the orbital septum to gain access to the fat in the lower eyelid. The physician will the carefully remove any excess fat to improve the appearance of the lower eyelids. After fat removal, there may be extra skin that may need to removed with surgical scissors. The physician can then utilize PRP gel on the compromised soft tissue. Prp will often be mixed with calcium chloride and thrombin to activate the platelets, and to create a gel like substance when applied to the wound. Patients can expect less bruising, less scarring, less pain, less swelling, and accelerated healing of the suture line when PRP is used for this type of application.
When a patient undergoes PRP therapy, the doctor administering it will draw a small amount of blood. The amount may vary but is often between 20 and 50 cc. Some procedures require less, others more. The blood will then be placed in a centrifuge machine. This blood in spun at a high rate of speed to separate the components of blood. The concentrated platelets and growth factors are now ready to be applied to accelerate wound healing.
The cost of PRP therapy will vary based on a number of factors. They include the experience of the doctor, where the practice is based, and the amount of prp needed. Individuals should expect to pay at least $1000 considering the fact that PRP therapy costs between $500 and $1000.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
1. Is PRP therapy a good option for my under eye wrinkles and bags?
2. Do you suggest that I undergo PRP only or in conjunction with surgery?
3. How much will the procedure cost?
4. Does your office accept payments?
5. How much experience do you have administering PRP therapy?
6. What are the side effects of PRP therapy?
7. Will I experience any pain?
8. When should I expect to see results?
9. How drastic will the changes be?
