Lower Eyelid Surgery

For a more youthful, rested and rejuvenated appearance

Eyelid surgery, commonly referred to as blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery performed on either upper or lower eyelids. It improves the appearance of the eyes by reducing the wrinkles and removing the puffy bags, resulting in a more youthful and rested appearance. Bags or dark circles under your lower eyelids can make you look tired or older than you actually are. By addressing the skin, muscle and fat pockets below the eye, Dr. Dawes’ conservative approach creates a refreshed and well-rested appearance. What ever you need, you can rest assured Dr. Dawes will help you to accomplish a youthful look with quality.

When you come to Jeffrey C. Dawes Plastic and Dermatologic Surgery, your first step will be to meet with Dr. Dawes for a private consultation at his office in Calgary, Alberta. During this consult, he will discuss your goals and expectations with you in detail. This consultation will also be your opportunity to get professional suggestions and an expert opinion from an experienced and respected plastic surgeon.

Is Lower Eyelid Surgery Right for Me?

Dr. Dawes is a respected Board-Certified plastic surgeon with a passion for perfection. His goal is to help restore self confidence in his patients personal and professional lives. As with other cosmetic procedures, upper eyelid surgery is a personal decision. It should be done only to help you feel positive about your appearance rather than to fit a particular image or ideal. This cosmetic surgery is long lasting, but it cannot stop the ageing process. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skin care regimen are strongly recommended to help patients get the most longevity out of their surgery results.

Good candidates for lower eyelid surgery are individuals who:

  • Are healthy, with no underlying medical conditions or illness which may impair healing
  • are typically age 30 and over
  • Have healthy facial tissues and muscles
  • Do not have serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma, dry eye or a detached retina
  • Are non-smokers

How Lower Eyelid Surgery is Performed

Dr. Dawes may make an incision just below the lower eyelashes to remove or redistribute bulging fat, correct muscle laxity and/or remove excess skin. The incisions are placed within natural crease lines to help the scars remain unnoticeable. Lower eyelid surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?

The best blepharoplasty candidates are healthy adults who do not smoke. If you smoke, your doctor will advise you to refrain from this habit beginning several weeks before your procedure. Doing so allows your body to improve the delivery of oxygenated blood to organs and tissues, and will facilitate optimal healing after surgery. During your consultation, the doctor will ask about your lifestyle and medical history. This is an important step in determining if you are an ideal candidate for blepharoplasty, as it can identify risks such as existing eye disease, chronic diseases such as diabetes, and other factors that may inhibit your ability to achieve maximum tissue recovery.

What Are the Risks?

Lower blepharoplasty, like all procedures, is performed with the utmost care for patient safety and successful outcomes. Dr. Dawes has years of exceptional training and experience, which he draws upon to reduce surgical risks. The general risks associated with eyelid surgery are outlined as:

  • Anesthesia risks
  • Bleeding from incisions
  • Infection
  • Numbness or changes in skin sensation
  • Dry eyes
  • Difficulty closing your eyes
  • Lid lag, pulling down of the lower eyelid (usually temporary)
  • Ectropion, an outward rolling of the lower eyelid
  • Persistent pain
  • Unfavorable scarring
  • Need for revision surgery
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Temporary or permanent change in vision

In addition to surgical expertise, the doctor provides you with very detailed, clearly outlined aftercare instructions. Following these directions further decreases your risks of post-surgical complications.

Can I Combine a Lower Eyelid Lift with Other Procedures?

Yes. Depending on your concerns and goals, you may combine lower blepharoplasty with upper eyelid surgery or a brow lift. You may also achieve more profound facial rejuvenation by combining your lower eyelid lift with a facelift or with facial fat grafting. These procedures can extend your rejuvenation from the upper face all the way to the upper neck.

What is the Difference Between Brow Lift vs. Eyelid Lift Surgery?

The eyelids are composed of very delicate skin. The upper or lower eyelids can become saggy and heavy or bulky as the skin becomes lax. The eyelid lift restores more openness and youthfulness to the eyes by excising the perfect amount of tissue from the upper or lower eyelids. A brow lift involves one or more incisions behind the hairline near the temples or top of the head. The purpose of this procedure is to reposition the skin and muscle tissue that cover the forehead. Doing so restores proper height to the eyebrows and usually has a moderate lifting effect on the upper eyelids.

Recovery Expectations

Recovery time is about one to two weeks. Swelling usually subsides after three weeks, but can occasionally persist longer. Bruising may be extensive. It will be worst 3-4 days and may persist for up to 4 weeks. Final results appear within several weeks, though incision lines may take up to a year to fully refine. Certain conditions may be permanently corrected with lower eyelid surgery; however, natural aging will continue. Continual sun protection will help maintain your final results.

Learn More

Contact us today to learn more about our plastic surgery products & services.

Book a consultation online or call 403.571.3141

“My role, in part, is to assist patients through the process of determining which surgical or non-surgical options would help them meet their aesthetic goals and realistic expectations” - Jeffrey C. Dawes MD, FRCSC

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What Happens in a Consultation?

  1. You will meet Dr. Dawes for an individualized, comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Dawes will offer individualized recommendations regarding the best treatment options available to you in a way that will allow you to make a confident, well-informed decision.

  2. You will then meet with a staff member to review your customized quote, discuss financial options and ask questions.

  3. Discuss potential treatment or procedure dates.

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