Lower Eyelid Surgery

In Miami, FL

Introduction

Introduction to Lower Eyelid Surgery

At our practice in Miami, lower eyelid surgery is one of our specialties. Double board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon, Gregory D. Lewen, M.D., offers lower eyelid surgery (also known as a lower blepharoplasty) for men and women in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, and the surrounding areas of Florida. Dr. Lewen is one of the few plastic surgeons in the area who specializes in plastic surgery of the eyelids and surrounding areas of the face.

In the paragraphs below, we’ve provided information on lower eyelid surgery. If you’re interested in upper blepharoplasty, revision eyelid surgery, or other forms of eyelid surgery, please check out our articles on those pages. If you have any questions or would like to book a consultation, please contact us today.

 

What is Lower Eyelid Surgery?

A lower eyelid blepharoplasty, or a “lower eyelid lift,” is a surgery that can dramatically improve and rejuvenate the tired and aged appearance of puffy lower eyelid “bags” and may also reduce the appearance of wrinkling skin underneath the eyes. Most importantly, this surgery will frequently change how the light reflects in the area around your eyes to ultimately add a more youthful, refreshed, and energetic appearance to your face.

lower eyelid-what

What are the Common Reasons to get Lower Eyelid Surgery?

The appearance of eyelid bags in the lower lids is frequently caused by a combination of factors that can contribute to this heavy and tired look. The eyes are normally surrounded by fat that serves to protect the eyes within the bony eye socket. With time, some of the tissues that hold this fat back in the eye socket will weaken and can cause some of the fat to bulge forward. Additional aging changes are simultaneously occurring in the midface and cheek area, where a normal loss of volume over the course of time can cause a loss of fullness and support for the midface and cheek areas. This can cause the midface and cheek area to fall, and this can create the appearance of hollows around the eyelids that exaggerate the appearance of bags that are present here. For some patients, the appearance of lower eyelid bags at a younger age can also be a hereditary condition that is based on the shape of your face.

lower eyelid-common

What Are the Benefits of Lower Blepharoplasty?

A common complaint from patients seeking this procedure is that they feel like they look older and tired. Many patients will even say that they look older in the mirror than they feel inside. This appearance of advanced age and fatigue can also influence the way that other people perceive you, and many patients are aware of how this can impact certain personal and professional relationships and/or opportunities. Below, we have included some of the advantages of having a lower eyelid surgery in Miami by Dr. Lewen:

  • Many of our patients tell us that lower eyelid surgery provides them with more self-confidence, and they feel they look better in photos.
  • This surgery can frequently make you look and feel more youthful
  • For many people who are tired of being asked if they are tired or sleepy, lower eyelid surgery may make your eyes look more refreshed.

Who is a Candidate for a Lower Eyelid Surgery?

If you are not happy with the appearance of your lower eyelids, you may be a candidate for lower blepharoplasty. The most common complaints are due to puffiness under the eyes, bags under the eyes, dark circles under the eyes, excess wrinkles, or too much skin under the eyes.

dr lewen in dark scale performing surgery | Top Miami Surgeon Gregory D. Lewen, MD

Let’s Get Started

What’s the First Step to Lower Eyelid Surgery?

The first step is to get in touch! Our team will be happy to assist in scheduling a consultation for you to come in and meet with Dr. Lewen one-on-one. Dr. Lewen will answer any questions you may have regarding our Miami lower eyelid surgery during your consultation and will evaluate each case individually to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment to address your concerns while providing you with the most natural-appearing results.

If Dr. Lewen determines that a lower blepharoplasty is a good surgical option for you, he will provide you with an individualized treatment plan that includes this procedure, as well as any other complementary procedures to help give you the refreshed look that you desire.

Dr. Lewen requires all cosmetic eyelid surgery patients to have a full eye exam with dilation completed within 6 months before scheduling surgery. Surgery should be scheduled for a time when you can relax for at least one to two 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 situation. It is also important to avoid taking any blood-thinning medications for at least two weeks prior to surgery. Dr. Lewen’s staff will review a list of common medications, supplements, and vitamins that can cause your blood to be thinner.

Please note: If you have been placed on a blood-thinning medication by your doctor for a medical reason, you will have to ask your doctor’s permission before stopping any such medications. This includes aspirin and any other blood thinners.

It’s vital that you’re as open and honest about your surgical goals with Dr. Lewen as possible. Great communication always leads to the best results.

What Should I Expect on the Day of Lower Eyelid Surgery?

This surgery is typically performed in an outpatient surgery center (where you go home the same day) using either IV anesthesia to induce a twilight sleep or light general anesthesia, and then local anesthetic injections are administered to the lower eyelid areas. As with all surgery in an outpatient surgery center, a standard medical clearance is required. This clearance typically includes basic blood work, a history, and physical exam, a recent EKG, and a urine pregnancy test (if you are female and of reproductive age) from your primary care physician or your cardiologist.

The average time for lower eyelid blepharoplasty in Miami is usually about two hours, but this can vary greatly depending on other procedures being performed and your medical history. The approach to lower eyelid surgery is done with either a transconjunctival incision, a transcutaneous incision, or some combination of both. A transconjunctival incision is made through the inside lining of the eyelid and is typically a better approach for removing, sculpting, or manipulating the fat pockets of the lower eyelid. A transcutaneous incision is typically made in the outside corner of the lower eyelid and extends underneath the eyelashes of the lower eyelid where it typically hides nicely over time. This incision does not usually affect the eyelashes. This is usually a more suitable approach for addressing areas of eyelid muscle weakness, tightening the eyelid itself, and/or removing skin to give a more rejuvenated look to the lower eyelid areas. Depending on the individual case, Dr. Lewen may also use a combined approach for patients in order to achieve the best and most natural-appearing results.

The appearance of your cheek and midface areas can also frequently impact the appearance of your lower eyelids. In an ideal rejuvenation of this facial area, the goal is to create a smoother transition overall between the lower eyelid and the cheek. For this reason, Dr. Lewen will often make recommendations for rejuvenating this area of the face in combination with lower blepharoplasty. Such options for rejuvenation may include options such as the injection of facial fillers, fat grafting to the midface/cheek areas, a midface/cheek lift, and/or CO2 laser treatment or Morpheus8 (RF plus microneedling) to the skin or folds in the midface/cheek areas in order to create a smoother appearance and transition. It is important to understand that any recommendations that Dr. Lewen makes for rejuvenation of this facial area are in addition to lower eyelid surgery and may be required in order to obtain the best possible result.

What is the Recovery like After Lower Blepharoplasty?

Some incisions are closed with absorbable sutures, while others are closed with sutures that will be removed in the office typically in the first week. Suture removal in the office is virtually painless. Dr. Lewen will make the decision about which sutures are best for your healing depending on the extent of surgery required and your individual case.

The average patient has most of the swelling and bruising healed in about two to three weeks after surgery. You may engage in light activity the day after your surgery. Depending on your individual case, a return to more normal activity may take one to two weeks, with a return to full exercise usually after two to three weeks. Your appearance will typically continue to improve over the following couple of months.

If indicated, Dr. Lewen may use the CO2 laser for your lower blepharoplasty. The CO2 laser provides Dr. Lewen with extremely precise control, and generally leads to less bleeding and bruising than surgery by conventional means. For many patients, the recovery time is shorter overall. Although sometimes preferred, laser surgery is not always appropriate for individual patients.

Lower blepharoplasty is generally a very safe procedure. When considering any eyelid surgery, it is important to inform your surgeon of any abnormalities of your eyes, your vision, or your general medical health.

Dry eyes are the most common side effect of any eyelid surgery. Dr. Lewen typically advises all eyelid surgery patients to use artificial tear drops at least three to four times per day before and after eyelid surgery to promote the best comfort and results.

Using Ultrasound Technology to Identify any Old Filler

Dr. Lewen is one of the few surgeons to pioneer the use of ultrasound technology when planning for a lower eyelid surgery. While many people elect to get undereye filler as a way to rejuvenate their appearance without being invasive, there are patients who are either looking for a more permanent solution to facial aging and would like to turn to surgery or, while rare, may have a negative reaction to the filler itself. By utilizing an ultrasound, Dr. Lewen and his team are able to precisely locate and map out any previous filler beneath your skin so it can be successfully dissolved, which can help avoid complications such as filler migration, uneven results, or interfering with the healing process.

This innovative step helps ensure greater safety in the long run and allows Dr. Lewen to customize your results to be more natural-looking and enhance your appearance. Using ultrasound technology has helped set a new standard for cosmetic surgery, enhancing both the patient’s outcome and the precision of the surgery.

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a cream-colored sweater, lies on a consulting room chair with her eyes closed. The doctor examines her face with a white stick, performing an assessment or consultation. - Lump Bump Eyelid in Aventura, FL

Dissolving Filler Before Under Eyelid Surgery

While dermal fillers are a widely popular and useful choice for achieving a youthful, refreshed look, there have been instances in which the filler complicates things when patients decide to transition to surgery for more permanent results—or, in rare cases, when they experience an adverse reaction to the filler.

By dissolving the filler beforehand, Dr. Lewen ensures that any leftover material is safely removed, eliminating the risk of filler migration, uneven results, or interference with the healing process. This proactive approach allows for a more natural contour and greater surgical precision, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and refined result. By addressing the filler ahead of surgery, Dr. Lewen helps patients achieve a beautiful, age-defying look with greater confidence and minimal risk.

Is Fat Transfer An Option for Under Eyelid Surgery?

Yes! Fat transfer can be an effective option during lower eyelid surgery, especially if you’re looking to restore volume, reduce hollows, or smooth out undereye bags. Dr. Lewen uses this technique to take fat from areas like your abdomen or thighs and gently inject it into the under-eye region, restoring a youthful fullness and smoothing out tired-looking eyes.

Unlike fillers, fat transfer offers long-lasting, natural results since it uses your own tissue. The procedure also involves minimal scarring, making it an excellent choice for those who want a more subtle, rejuvenated appearance. While some of the fat may be reabsorbed over time, most of it stays, giving you a refreshed, more rested look. Dr. Lewen’s expertise in this delicate area ensures you’ll get the smooth, natural results you seek.

 

Lower Eyelid Surgery Cost

How Much Does Lower Blepharoplasty Cost in Miami?

Our Miami Lower blepharoplasty surgery is considered cosmetic surgery and is not billable to insurance for functional reasons. If you have any functional concerns related to your eyelids, Dr. Lewen will be happy to discuss these during your consultation. The cost of lower eyelid surgery in Miami can vary greatly depending on several factors such as the type of procedures performed, the desired cosmetic results, the time it will take, the complexity of your case, the surgeries or procedures you have had previously, the medical conditions you may have, and the medications you may take.

Dr. Lewen will answer any questions you may have regarding lower eyelid surgery during your consultation and will evaluate each case individually to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment to address your concerns while providing you the most natural-appearing results. In the meantime, please feel free to learn more about our financing options.

Why choose us for Lower Eyelid Surgery?

Dr. Lewen is widely considered to be an expert in the field of oculofacial plastic surgery. His patients feel that he offers some of the best lower eyelid surgery results in Miami. He’s one of only a few surgeons in the Metropolitan area who is a double board-certified ophthalmologist and a fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic surgeon. While many plastic surgeons spend the bulk of their education and training focusing on surgery for various parts of the face, body, and breasts, Dr. Lewen completed his training to be one of the best eyelid surgeons for his Miami patients. Dr. Lewen prioritizes patient safety and has a reputation for exercising a fantastic bedside manner.

why choose us

Lower Eyelid Surgery FAQ’S

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Dr. Lewen is one of the few plastic surgeons in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura, Florida area who specializes in plastic surgery of the eyelids and face, including lower eyelid surgery (lower blepharoplasty). His patients feel that his expertise allows him to offer some of the best lower eyelid surgery results in Miami. Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive consultation and learn more about our services.

 

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