Lower Eyelid Surgery Procedure Steps

Lower eyelid surgery is a safe and proven cosmetic surgery procedure for people who want to correct saggy or puffy lower eyelids. The procedure will involve surgical reduction of excess fat and tissue to create refreshed and more youthful looking eyes. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will explain the steps involved in lower blepharoplasty.

Patients who are aware of what the procedure entails will usually feel more confident and make the right decisions. They should feel free to ask questions about the procedure or even request for photographs or videos of the procedure.

Dedicated oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Hui provides lower eyelid surgery to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella Valley, Riverside, Redlands, Yucaipa, Loma Linda, and surrounding locations.

Pre-op Preparation

Once the patient has been cleared for lower eyelid surgery, they will be required to follow a few pre-operative instructions. If the patient is a smoker, they will have to stop the habit for a specified time period. The surgeon, in consultation with the physician, may also adjust the schedule of any prescription or non-prescription medications that the patient may be currently taking. Some patients may have to go through an eye medical test prior to the surgery, depending on their condition.

Anesthesia

Once the patient is ready for surgery and brought into the operating room, the first step will be to place them under anesthesia. Local anesthesia and mild sedation may be applied in case of lower eyelid surgery. However, if the surgery is combined with additional facial procedures, the surgeon may recommend general anesthesia. This decision will be made during the pre-op consultation with the patient.

Incision Placement

Incision placement will be pre-determined according to the customized surgical plan prepared in advance. This will be done on the basis of evaluation of factors such as the extent of sagging in the lower lids, underlying facial muscle structure, bone structure, and the eyebrow symmetry. The surgeon will determine the appropriate degree of skin, fat and muscle removal.

Precise markings will be made to indicate where the excess tissue will be removed in the lower eyelids. The surgeon will aim to hide the incision just below the lower lashes. Alternatively, if only excess fat removal is involved, the surgeon may place the incision inside the lower eyelid. This will avoid any external scarring.

Surgery

Through the incisions, the surgeon will remove tissue with the help of surgical instruments, including scalpels, scissors, RF cutting devices, and sometimes, lasers. Laser can be used along with surgery to tighten lower eyelid skin.

Excess fat may be redistributed in the lower lids to eliminate unsightly bulges or puffiness. If considerable muscle laxity is seen, the surgeon will tighten and reposition the underlying muscles through the same incision.

Incision Closure

Once the surgery is completed, the incisions will be carefully closed with fine sutures. Sutures are invisible to the eye and are usually self-dissolving.