Lower Eyelid Surgery (Transconjunctival Approach)

Procedure: An incision inside the lower eyelid is made; excess fatty tissue that creates the appearance of puffiness or bags under the eyes is removed.

Length: 45 minutes.

Anaesthesia: Local, with sedation.

In/Outpatient: Usually outpatient.

Side effects: Temporary bruising and swelling; itching and dryness; temporary blurriness, double vision or extra sensitivity to light.

Risks: Some of the risks include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, injury to lachrymal (tear producing) system, very rarely - loss of vision.

Recovery: Reading: 2 or 3 days. Back to work: 7 to 10 days. Contact lenses: one week or more. Strenuous activities, alcohol: about 3 weeks. Bruising and swelling gone: 7 to 10 days.

Duration of Results: 5 to 10 years.

Order now: +370 687 30773 (Any time)

₤ 700 per person

If You’re Considering Lower Eyelid Surgery...
People who have sagging or fatty areas below the eyes may benefit from having a surgery known as lower blepharoplasty. With age, some tissue elasticity around the eyes is lost, and the resultant sagging makes people look tired or aged. Lower blepharoplasty helps to tighten the areas beneath the eyes and create a younger appearance by removing fat. Undergoing lower blepharoplasty will not remove wrinkles from under the eyes, although it can make the skin smoother.
Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty is an eye surgery approach that goes through the inside of the lid, directly to the orbital fat. This technique reduces the risk of complications that may happen when performing the procedure through the lid from the outside. Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty helps to avoid cutting the nerves that run through the orbicularis muscle. Cutting the nerves occurs when the eyelid fat is approached from the skin side.
If you’re thinking of undergoing lower eyelid surgery, this information will give you general understanding of the procedure – when it can improve your appearance, how it’s done, and what outcomes can be expected. However, it can’t cover all questions you may have because many answers depend on the individual circumstances.

The Best Candidates For Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower blepharoplasty can improve your looks and enhance your self-esteem, but it won’t necessarily change your appearance to equal your ideal, or make other people treat you in a different way. Before you decide to undergo the surgery, think about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
This procedure is meant for people who have big fatty bags, but no loose skin or wrinkles. When the fat is eliminated, the skin becomes less tense, but then contracts. If your skin is loose or very inelastic, the operation isn’t right for you. The ideal patient is young, still unwrinkled and troubled by unattractive pouches under his/her eyes.
The best candidates are people in good general health, psychologically stable enough to cope with the recovery and to follow the plastic surgeon’s instructions for recuperation, and who have discussed their desires with the surgeon, arriving at realistic expectations for the results.
There are some conditions that make eyelid surgery more risky. For example, people with high blood pressure, glaucoma, dry eyes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or thyroid problems should be carefully interviewed and screened.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk
Typically, complications arising from transconjunctival blepharoplastry include rounding of the corner of the eye, pull-down or eversion of the lid margin with ensuing tear film problems, or dry eye symptoms and loss of function of the blink muscle located below the eyelashes.
Possible complications also include infection, bleeding, suture cysts, asymmetry of the eyes, insufficient or excessive fat removal, scarring problems, injury of the tear-producing gland, blurring or, in very rare cases, loss of vision.
In addition, there is an increased risk of temporary conjunctival swelling, which can make the thin membrane of tissue over the white of the eye look slightly ‘blistery’ for a few weeks.
Regardless of the various risks, the procedure is comparatively safe and effective when compared to many more widely invasive plastic surgeries. Most patients who have cosmetic eyelid surgery are thrilled with their results.

Planning Your Surgery
The first visit to the plastic surgeon is very important. He or she will need to know your full medical history, so be prepared to give this information. Tell your surgeon if you suffer from any allergies; if you smoke; and if you’re taking any vitamins, medications or other drugs.
During this meeting, your surgeon or a nurse will check your vision and evaluate your tear production. You should also give any important information from your eye doctor or the record of your latest eye examination. Patients who wear glasses or contact lenses should bring them along.
Your surgeon will tell what techniques and anaesthesia he or she will use, where the operation will be done, what risks and costs are involved.

Preparing For Your Surgery
Your cosmetic surgeon will give you some guidelines on how best to eat and drink, which vitamins and health products to take or avoid, on smoking, and on medications. Closely following these instructions you can expect a more smoothly going surgery.
While preparing for the surgery, make sure that someone will be able to drive you home after your surgery and be near for a few days if any help will be needed.

Types of Anaesthesia
Eyelid surgery is typically carried out under local anaesthesia, with oral or intravenous sedation. You’ll remain conscious but relaxed and pain-free.

The Surgery
The lower eyelid is carefully pulled away from the eyeball with a blunt retractor, while the eyeball is protected with a plastic plate. An incision is made on the eyelid lining, or conjuctiva, in order to reach the fat pockets just under the conjunctiva. The eyelid fat presents itself through the incision almost immediately. The incision may be enlarged using scissors, and the three fat pockets individually teased out of their capsules and into the surgical field. The surgeon may stop at any time, return the eyelid to its normal position, and evaluate the result in progress, thus allowing for excellent precision. At the conclusion of the procedure, the surgeon may choose to close the wound with one or two dissolving sutures, but more commonly no stitches are used.

After Your Surgery
After the procedure, the eyes are lubricated with ointment. You will be prescribed pain medication and will have to keep your head elevated for several days.
During the first week or so, the bruising will increase, but it will gradually settle down in the next weeks.
Dryness and some itching are common, so your plastic surgeon will prescribe eye drops. There may also be some temporary vision problems (extra sensitivity to light, blurriness or double vision).

Getting Back to Normal
Try to rest for a few days after the surgery. You’ll be able to watch TV and read after two or three days, but you won’t be able to wear contact lenses for two weeks or so.
You should be able to go out in public and back to work in 7 to 10 days.
Your eyes may be sensitive to sunlight, wind, and other irritants for a few weeks, so wearing sunglasses and a special sunblock made for eyelids when you go out are recommended.
For about 3 weeks, alcohol and any activity that might elevate your blood pressure should be avoided.

Your New Look
Lower blepharoplasty creates a more youthful look. The lower eyelid skin looks smoother and tighter. The duration of the results ranges from 5 to 10 years.

Notes: