Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty in St. Louis, MO
What is Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is the name for eyelid surgery, but there are different types depending on what needs to be corrected. Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty in St. Louis may be a great option if you have developed unsightly eye bags in your lower eyelid area. Usually, aging is the cause of lower lid eye bags, but sometimes, they occur in younger people due to genetics or other medical conditions. Despite your reason for wanting a Blepharoplasty, the results could dramatically improve your appearance. The eyes are usually the first aspect of a face that people notice. So, improve the look of your under-eye area today.
To schedule a Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty consultation with John B. Holds, M.D., call our office now at 314-567-3567!
Can Lower Eyelid Surgery be Combined with Other Procedures?
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty Consultation
During your consultation, an examination is performed to look at any eye conditions such as dry eye, which could limit or alter the surgical plan or be a concern after your procedure. As a board-certified ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), as well as an ophthalmic plastic surgeon, our team is attuned to eye diseases and concerns. He is routinely referred patients by some of the best facial and cosmetic surgeons in the area because of this expertise and ability to safely operate on patients at higher risk for complications. Our team is well-known for his technique Transconjunctival fat repositioning which repositions the existing fat under the eye instead of transferring it. In addition, he has trained other doctors with this technique. Our team will ask you about what aspect of your eyelids bothers you and will discuss how this may relate to aging changes in nearby parts of your face. He will discuss with you exactly what your surgical goals are, what is attainable, and will create a plan to accomplish that. A mutual understanding of the goals, expectations, and outcomes is essential to a great result!
How Should I Prepare for a Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty?
When you arrive, you will need to provide a medical history, as we need to know about major illnesses and problems such as heart disease and hypertension. Prior surgery, especially facial surgery, is important. Medication history, including medications or supplements that thin the blood, are vital to disclose. All over-the-counter pain/fever reducers (except Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are off-limits for a week before eyelid surgery. Herbal medications such as Ginkgo Biloba and St. John’s Wort or high doses of fish oil, flaxseed oil, or vitamin E must also be avoided.
What to Expect During a Lower Eyelid Lift
The surgery is an outpatient procedure during which you are under sedation and a local anesthetic. You will still feel sleepy afterward, so it’s important to have someone with you to drive you home. The procedure can take 1-3 hours depending upon your specific case. Based on your anatomy, an incision is made inside the lower lid (our preferred location) or just below your lower eyelashes, so any minor scarring will not be visible after the healing process is complete. Sometimes, the doctor needs to remove excess skin, and other times, excess fat is removed or repositioned to smooth the lower lids.
Only experienced surgeons like our team perform Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty because it is more challenging than Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty. This is because the area surrounding the lower lids is more sensitive to surgical disturbance, and the aging changes here are more difficult to correct.
The team at Ophthalmic Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Inc. in St. Louis is highly experienced with Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty, having originally described a fat repositioning technique now used by hundreds of surgeons all over the world. Ours team have performed this technique on hundreds of patients with generally excellent results.
Lower Eyelid Surgery Before And After
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Recovery from Lower Eyelid Surgery
Most patients will be prescribed eye drops and a medicated ointment to relieve any burning or itching that may occur in the first days after the procedure. Ice packs or cold compresses should be used for the first few days to keep swelling down, and it is important to keep your head elevated for a day or two. For the majority of patients, the discomfort is very minimal and short-lived, but you can take pain medication, if necessary.
Most people experience some:
- tightness
- bruising
- swelling
- discomfort
You will probably be asked to return to the doctor’s office in about a week to have sutures removed and to check on your progress. If laser skin resurfacing or a chemical peel has also been performed, a follow-up visit will generally be necessary after 1-2 days.
While the length of time for full healing varies from person to person, most people are able to return to work within 10-14 days, although complete healing may take up to 3 months. You can usually use makeup to cover up any discoloration within 10-14 days of your procedure.
What Our Patients Say
“Dr. Holds is one of the few physicians who thoughtfully listens to patients concerns and discusses treatment options. Additionally, his office team is professional, pleasant and accommodating – they work to schedule quickly and keep appointment times (minimizing in office wait). Dr. Holds and his practice is a best in class experience. Thank you for the exceptional care.” – Carol D.