Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid Surgery) Los Angeles, Torrance, South Bay, California How do the eyelids age? As we age, so do our eyelids. The natural tendency of the upper eyelids is to descend vertically downwards while the lower eyelids tend to have a “bulging” of the fat surrounding the eye itself (leading to “bags under the eyes” appearance). The lower eyelid skin also becomes stretched out because of the fat protruding thus thinning out the skin even further (leading to the crepe-like appearance of the lower eyelids). What can be achieved with a lower eyelid blepharoplasty and who is a good candidate? Another one of the most commonly performed procedures in plastic surgery is lower eyelid blepharoplasty. This surgery can be fraught with complications unless performed by someone who is an expert in the area as Dr. Liu is. It is not as simple as removing "bags" or the excessive wrinkled skin on the lower eyelids. Too much or too little surgery can lead to devastating results, even blindness. It is traditionally known as an area with very little forgiveness in terms of uneven surgery. People who complain of unwanted bags or puffiness along the lower eyelid or excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower lids may seek to have a lower blepharoplasty. Many reasons contribute to these problems including normal aging of the skin to hereditary factors and also sun damage. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty can make a significant change in the appearance of the face, improving the appearance of tiredness and old age by eliminating the excess, wrinkly skin or puffiness under the eyes. The eyes appear fresher and more youthful, and the results may last for many years. This procedure involves not only removing the excessive skin, fat, and underlying tissue but also reshaping and returning the lower eyelid to the proper contour to function properly in protecting and lubricating the eye itself. There are many different approaches to lower eyelid surgery. Dr. Liu prefers the “scarless”, sutureless method of rejuvenating the lower eyelids from inside the eyelid. As opposed to making an incision on the outside part of the eyelid skin (where it will leave a permanent scar), Dr. Liu makes tiny incisions inside your lower eyelid that will heal very rapidly (within 2-4 days) and leave absolutely no visible scars. Additionally there are no stitches used at all. The lower eye “bags” can be removed or repositioned via this transconjunctival (inside lower eyelid) incision. Excessive skin can be addressed with laser, chemical peel, or direct excision (rarely needed) although more often than not, the lower eyelid skin will retract quite well after the fat is removed/repositioned. This advanced technique to lower eyelids leads to much faster recovery time and reduces potential complications dramatically (such as ectropion) as there is no incisional manipulations of the eyelid skin. What types of procedures may be combined with Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty? This surgery is also commonly performed concurrently with other procedures such as upper eyelid blepharoplasty, browlift, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), facelift or forehead lift to achieve an overall refreshed appearance. What type of anesthesia is used for this procedure? The surgery is performed under light sedation with local anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes to an hour to perform. It is a relatively shorter surgery without need for general anesthesia (unless combined with other procedures such as a facelift). What is the recovery like? Most patients experience minimal discomfort after the procedure. Discoloration is minimal. Majority of the swelling will generally improve over 5-7 days, but it will take several weeks for all the swelling to resolve. Most individuals will be able to return to work and social activities within 7 days although some swelling will still be present. Why should you choose an Oculoplastic Surgeon? Although many (plastic, dermatological, cosmetic, oral-maxillary, otolaryngologist) surgeons today perform facial surgery, very few actually limit their practice to specialize in the eyes and surrounding face. Dr. Liu limits 100% of his facial plastic surgery to this area. This is why Dr. Liu was voted (Daily Breeze, BestofLA) one of the top Oculoplastic and cosmetic surgeons. Dr. Liu has a global patient base, attracting patients from all over the country and internationally. I am interested! What do I do next? If you are considering this procedure we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Liu. During this visit he will listen to your concerns and discuss your options. He will tell you whether you are a suitable candidate for this procedure and inform you of the potential risks of the procedure. There is a great variety in eyelid shapes and features and each procedure must be custom tailored for the patient to get the best possible result. You will also have a chance to view before and after photo albums of his patients who have undergone procedures similar to what you are considering. To view before and after photos of Dr. Liu's patients, please click Eyelid/Eyebrow Before and After Photos and Asian Blepharoplasty. Helpful Links to learn more about the blepharoplasty procedure: www.wikipedia.org www.emedicine.com