LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY (EYEBAG REMOVAL) PROCEDURE
Lower blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a surgical intervention focused on enhancing the region beneath the eyes. This procedure is primarily employed to address issues such as noticeable or subtle under-eye bags, wrinkles, and surplus skin.
CONSULTATION
A consultation is a crucial step for anyone considering eyelid surgery. During this appointment, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your concerns with Dr Sandeep, learn more about the procedure, and determine if you’re a good candidate. It’s your opportunity to get all your questions answered, set realistic expectations, and ensure you’re making an informed decision.
Here’s a guide on what to expect and how to prepare:
- Preparation for the Consultation:
- Medical History: Be ready to provide a full medical history, including any medications you’re currently taking, past surgeries, and any known allergies.
- Photos: It might be helpful to bring older photos of yourself for Dr Sandeep to see how your eyelids have changed over time.
- Questions: Make a list of questions or concerns you’d like to address during the consultation.
- During the Consultation
- Health: A thorough medical history review is essential. Conditions like thyroid disorders, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases may affect surgical candidacy.
- Smoking: Smokers are advised to quit well before the surgery and during the recovery phase as smoking can complicate both the procedure and the healing process.
- Physical Examination: Dr Sandeep will examine your eyes, the surrounding area, and the rest of your face. He will assess the skin quality, amount of excess fat, muscle tone, and the overall facial structure. Certain measurements will be taken to aid with surgical planning.
- Discussion of Goals: You’ll be asked about what changes you’d like to see and what your primary concerns are. It’s essential to be open and honest about your expectations.
- Procedure Explanation: Dr Sandeep will explain the different surgical techniques, such as the transconjunctival and subciliary approaches, and recommend what’s best for your situation. They may also discuss alternatives or complementary procedures.
- Risks and Complications: Dr Sandeep will provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks associated with lower blepharoplasty. This is the time to voice any concerns or ask for clarifications.
- Recovery Time: Ask about the typical recovery timeline, when you can return to work, and when you can resume regular activities.
- Cost: Discuss the total cost of the procedure, including surgeon’s fees, facility fees, anaesthesia fees, and any potential additional expenses with our experience practice manager.
- Post-operative Care: It’s essential to understand the aftercare, including medications, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments. You will be provided with reading material to aid in your understanding of the procedure and care required before and after surgery.
- After the Consultation:
- Decision Time: After gathering all the information, take the time to think and decide whether the surgery aligns with your goals and if you’re comfortable with the potential risks. Dr Sandeep encourages his clients to have a discussion with close friends and family members before deciding to go ahead with surgery.
- Second Opinion: If you’re uncertain, there’s no harm in seeking a second opinion from another surgeon. Our team will be happy to make a recommendation.
- Scheduling: If you decide to proceed, you’ll work with our team to choose a date for your surgery and receive instructions for pre-operative preparations.
ANESTHESIA
The procedure can be done under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia, depending on the client’s preference, Dr Sandeep’s recommendation, and the extent of the surgery.
CLEANSING
The area around the eyes is thoroughly cleansed with an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
INCISION
Lower blepharoplasty may be performed by Dr Sandeep using one of the following approaches depending upon your unique anatomy, risk factors and aesthetic goals:
- Subciliary Approach: An incision is made just below the lower eyelashes, it allows for the removal or repositioning of fat and removal of excess skin. This approach leaves a very fine, barely perceptible scar.
- Transconjunctival Approach: An incision is made inside the lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. This method is usually chosen when there is no excess skin to be removed, only fat.
Lower blepharoplasty is primarily aimed at the rejuvenation of the lower eyelids. As we age, or due to genetic factors, the area beneath the eyes can develop:
- Fat Protrusion: Fat pads beneath the eyes can protrude, leading to a puffy appearance, commonly referred to as “bags under the eyes.” This may be addressed by:
- Fat Removal: The protruding fat located in the three fat pockets beneath the eye leads to bags under the eye. Dr Sandeep carefully excises the fat in these pockets to reduce the bulge while leaving enough fat to prevent a hollow appearance.
- Fat Repositioning: Some people might experience hollowing or a sunken appearance beneath the eyes, like the tear trough deformity. In these situations, Dr Sandeep redistributes fat as body’s natural filler material to areas with hollowing to give a more youthful appearance.
- Excess Skin: The skin loses elasticity with age, which can result in sagging or wrinkling of the skin under the eyes. The redundant skin is addressed by:
- Skin excision: The excess sagging skin is excised carefully.
- Skin Resurfacing: To improve skin texture and address fine wrinkles, additional procedures like laser resurfacing or chemical peels can be done concurrently.
- Muscle Adjustment: In some cases, the muscle beneath the skin might need adjustment to achieve the desired result.
- Lower Lid Tightening Procedures: This may be required If the lower lid is lax leading to the eyelashes everting or excessive tearing.
CLOSURE
If external incisions were made, they are closed with sutures. Sutures are removed after 1 week. Incisions inside the eyelid are usually closed with absorbable sutures, these do not need to be removed.
POST-OPERATIVE CARE
After the surgery, the client’s eyes might be lubricated and possibly covered with a cold compress or sterile bandage to minimize swelling. The client will receive post-operative instructions, including care for the surgical site, medications to take for pain relief and to reduce the risk of infection, and specific concerns to look for.
RECOVERY
- First Few Days: Clients may experience bruising, swelling, irritation, or dryness in the eyes. Eyes might feel tight or sore, and light sensitivity or blurred vision is possible. Most of the significant swelling and bruising subside within 1-2 weeks.
- Medications: Painkillers and antibiotics might be prescribed. Pain is generally minimal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medications.
- Activity Limitations: Avoid activities that increase blood flow to the eyes, including bending over, for several days. No heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for about 4 weeks. Clients are advised to keep their heads elevated, even during sleep, for the first few days and avoid activities that strain the eyes, such as reading, using a computer, or watching television.
- Eyecare: Sunglasses to protect from sunlight and wind are recommended. Lubricating eye drops might be prescribed if dryness or itching is experienced.
- Stiches: If non-dissolvable stiches are used they are usually removed about a week after the surgery.
RESULTS
- Duration: The benefits of a lower blepharoplasty are long-lasting. However, it does not stop the natural aging process. Over many years, the skin might begin to sag again, but the fat deposits typically remain improved.
- Expectation Management: Results can greatly improve the appearance, but they may not be “perfect.” Regular follow-ups and possibly touch-up procedures might be needed.
POTENTIAL RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Lower blepharoplasty is a popular cosmetic procedure with generally high satisfaction rates, but like any surgery, it carries inherent risks and potential complications. When considering this surgery, it’s important to understand these possible outcomes so you can make an informed decision. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Scarring: While Dr Sandeep endeavours to place incisions discreetly, there’s still the potential for visible scarring, especially with the subciliary approach. Over time, most scars fade and become less noticeable.
- Hematoma: A collection of blood can form beneath the skin, leading to pain and swelling. Small hematomas may resolve on their own, but larger ones can threaten vision and might require surgical drainage.
- Infection: Though rare, there’s a risk of infection at the surgical site. Symptoms include redness, warmth, pus discharge, and fever. Infections typically require antibiotic treatment.
- Ectropion: A condition where the lower eyelid turns or sags outward, away from the eyeball. This can cause irritation and dryness. Severe cases may require surgical correction.
- Entropion: A condition where the lower eyelid turns inward, towards the eyeball. This can cause the eyelashes to touch the eyeball leading to irritation, risk of corneal abrasion and watering from the eye. Severe cases may require surgical correction.
- Lower eyelid retraction: The lower eyelid can pull downward, exposing the white of the eye below the iris. This may need further surgical intervention to correct.
- Asymmetry: Sometimes, despite Dr Sandeep’s best efforts, the two eyes might heal differently, leading to an asymmetric appearance. In some cases, revision surgery may be needed.
- Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids which can cause itching, redness, and occasionally, a crusty discharge may occur, requiring treatment.
- Dry Eyes: The surgery can exacerbate or induce dry eye symptoms. This might manifest as redness, burning, or a feeling of grittiness in the eyes.
- Lagophthalmos: The inability to close the eyelids completely. Temporary lagophthalmos may occur due to post-operative swelling but usually resolves on its own. If persistent, it might require treatment to prevent eye complications.
- Loss of Sensation: Some clients might experience temporary numbness or decreased sensation in the eyelids, which typically resolves over time.
- Blurred or Double Vision: This can be temporary due to swelling or ointment applied post-operatively. Rarely double vision may be permanent due to injury to the inferior oblique or inferior rectus muscles that move the eyeball.
- Hollow appearance: Over-aggressive removal of fat can result in a hollowed or sunken appearance below the eyes.
- Adverse reaction to anaesthesia: While modern anaesthesia is generally safe, there’s always a slight risk of complications such as allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.
- Corneal abrasion or injury: Rarely, the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) might be scratched or injured during surgery, leading to pain and sensitivity to light.
- Visual loss: Although extremely rare, there are documented cases where clients have experienced vision loss after blepharoplasty. The cause is not always clear but may be related to a compromise in blood flow to the retina.
It’s important to note that complications are not common and many of these risks are rare. Proper surgical technique, adequate post-operative care, and choosing an experienced surgeon like Dr Sandeep can significantly minimize these risks. It’s also crucial for the client to follow all post-operative instructions and to communicate any concerns or unusual symptoms to their surgeon immediately.
REFRESH YOUR LOOK WITH LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY BY DR SANDEEP!
Revitalize your lower eyelids, reducing puffiness and signs of aging for a more youthful appearance. This subtle yet effective transformation enhances your overall facial harmony.
Book your Lower Blepharoplasty consultation with Dr Sandeep today for renewed natural beauty! Click here to schedule via WhatsApp.