Lower Blepharoplasty
Dr. Liu has helped thousands of individuals achieve their cosmetic goals and discover renewed confidence.
Cosmetic eyelid surgery (“blepharoplasty”) is a procedure that rejuvenates your eyelids. Many people have baggy or puffy lower eyelids, which can make you look tired and worn down. A lower blepharoplasty is the removal or repositioning of excess fat and can also involve tightening of the skin, which dramatically improves the appearance of your lower eyelids.
A blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure but is performed on one of the most sensitive areas of your body, with a very specialized anatomy. This is why we always recommend that patients seeking eyelid surgery have it performed by an Oculoplastic Surgeon, who has specialized training and expertise in the incredibly complex area around your eyes.
A lower blepharoplasty is performed on your lower eyelids and can be performed independently or at the same time as an upper blepharoplasty.
The results from your blepharoplasty can be life changing, helping you feel not only more confident in the way you look, but also in how you interact with others. Your eyes will be brighter, fuller and have more expressiveness than they have had in years.
Surgery should be scheduled for a time when you can relax for at least 1-2 weeks. It is important to avoid any strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or bending down during this time to avoid complications and to promote the best healing. It is also important to avoid taking any blood thinning medications for at least two weeks prior to surgery. If you are on a blood thinning medication due to a specific medical condition, you will need to discuss this with Dr. Liu and your primary care physician prior to stopping any medication. Dr. Liu’s staff will review a list of common medications, supplements and vitamins that can cause your blood to be thinner.
Please note that Dr. Liu expects to see patients back in the office a few days after a procedure to ensure that the healing process is going as expected and that you are on track for a good result. Do not plan any travel immediately after your procedure.
Selecting the right cosmetic surgeon is a choice that you live with for years, if not your entire life. A successful procedure will make you feel more like yourself and give you greater confidence for years to come. On the other hand, selecting the wrong surgeon increases your chances of having poor results, which can lead to additional costs, time, and heartache.
When choosing your surgeon, there are a few key points to keep in mind:
A blepharoplasty is typically performed using only local anesthesia in Dr. Liu’s procedure room. In some cases, the surgery may be performed at an off-site surgery center for additional sedation, but only in very rare cases would general anesthesia be used.
It is difficult to provide pricing before a patient has had a consultation with Dr. Liu. The cost of a procedure can vary depending on what a patient needs and what the surgery will entail. More importantly, many patients come to Dr. Liu believing that they need a certain procedure, only to find out during the consultation that a different procedure will provide a better outcome. Dr. Liu believes that patients should be able to speak with their physician before experiencing any out of pocket expense, which is why consultations with Dr. Liu are complimentary.
Dr. Liu approaches a lower blepharoplasty using a transconjunctival incision, a transcutaneous incision, or sometimes a combination of both, depending on the patient needs. The incision is made either inside your lower eyelid or right below the lower eyelashes, to hide any scarring. The lower eyelid fat pads are then either contoured and removed or moved further down into the cheek area to minimize any hollowing. Sometimes a canthopexy will be performed at the same time as the lower blepharoplasty to support the lower eyelid throughout the healing process.
The specific techniques that Dr. Liu uses will be selected based on your needs. Because Dr. Liu has such specialized training, she has access to a number of techniques that are not utilized by most other doctors, and she will tailor these techniques to get the best outcome for you.
Once Dr. Liu has achieved the desired restructuring and reshaping of your eyelids, she places sutures to smooth and reconfigure your eyelids. The sutures are finer than a human hair and will either dissolve or be removed at 5-7 days after surgery.
A lower blepharoplasty typically takes about 1 – 2 hours from start to finish.
A lower blepharoplasty will have scars either on the inside of your eyelid or just below your eyelashes that may not be visible after you have fully healed. Non-specialized surgeons typically have results with more visible scarring.
Eyelid surgery is generally a very safe procedure. When considering any eyelid surgery, it is important to inform your surgeon of any abnormalities of your eyes, vision, or your general medical health. Dr. Liu requires all eyelid surgery patients to have a full eye exam with dilation completed within the last year before scheduling surgery.
It is important to remember that while all surgery carries some risks, even when performed by the most highly trained surgeon and at the best facilities. Below are some of the more common risks associated with eyelid surgery:
The likelihood of serious complications arising from the procedure is typically influenced by both the surgeon’s skill as well as the patient’s individual response to the eyelid surgery. Certain severe risks or complications can be avoided by cooperating fully and completely following your surgeon’s instructions. With patience, a willingness to cooperate, and a qualified surgeon, the complications of eyelid surgery and any associated risks can be dramatically reduced.
Please refer to the resources here for detailed pre- and post-operative instructions.
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Written on August 24, 2019
Dr. Liu is a master micro-surgeon. It’s been two months since my operation and no one has suspected I had plastic surgery. I look ten years younger, my husband is thrilled and so am I. A dear friend of mine jut told me I look just as beautiful as I did when we first met over 40 years ago. I couldn’t be happier with the results and worth every penny and the few weeks of discomfort. So glad I chose Dr. Liu.
As a valued member of our patient community, we appreciate the trust you place in us and want to inform you about how we are addressing the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We are closely monitoring events in our local community and continuously updating our policies and protocols as a result of new information; it is our priority to keep our patients, staff, and community safe. Our office has taken several steps to ensure that you receive the same high-quality care that you have come to expect by increasing our safety measures:
Prior to an office visit, all patients will be screened over the phone for COVID-19 symptoms and travel history to determine how our office can provide the best care. Your honesty in answering these questions is greatly appreciated by all patients and staff. All office visits are by appointment only at this time, we will not be accepting walk-ins.
Upon arrival at our office, everyone will receive a temperature check. If the reading shows an elevated temperature, we will ask you to contact your primary care physician and reschedule your appointment.
Our waiting room has been rearranged to allow wide-spaced seating to support safe physical distancing. Patient scheduling is structured to have as few patients in the office at one time as possible.
In all areas of the office, our staff follows sanitation guidelines as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Please be assured that we are taking all possible steps to ensure the safety of our patients and our staff, and your help is instrumental in achieving this goal. If you do not feel comfortable coming into the office, we also offer virtual consultations. Even in these challenging and unprecedented times, know that we are always here to care for you.
Please call 949-200-6838 to schedule your in-person or virtual consultation.