Introduction
Lower eyelid surgery is the ideal procedure for people unhappy with puffy lower eyelids. If you’re sick of always looking tired, it’s time to revitalize your eyes. Call (401) 274-4464 to set up a consultation with Dr. Yoash Enzer at our Providence, RI, clinic.
Also called lower blepharoplasty or undereye bag surgery, lower eyelid surgery is an aesthetic procedure used to reduce lower eyelid puffiness and sagging. It involves repositioning and/or removing excess eyelid fat to create a smooth and even appearance. The skin and muscle tissue of the lower lids can also be tightened and trimmed. This creates a more youthful and rejuvenated look.
Ideal lower eyelid surgery candidates:
During a lower blepharoplasty consultation with Dr. Enzer at our Providence facility:
Lower eyelid surgery takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour to perform. When upper and lower eyelid surgery are combined, the procedure typically lasts two to three hours. The upper blepharoplasty is performed first, then the lower blepharoplasty. Dr. Enzer usually uses the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to perform the surgery, resulting in less swelling and bruising. He was one of the first surgeons in New England to use the CO2 laser for cosmetic surgery and has over thirty years experience.
At the start of the surgery, anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort. Usually, only local anesthesia with sedation is needed. General anesthesia may be another option, depending on the details of the procedure.
Next, Dr. Enzer makes incisions to access the underlying tissues. There are two options for lower eyelid surgery incisions: the transconjunctival incision, which is made inside the lower eyelid, and the transcutaneous incision, which is made just below the lashes.
The transconjunctival incision only allows for addressing stubborn fat. The post-surgical mark it creates will be fully concealed within the lid, resulting in the most natural appearance possible. The incision does not require closure with sutures afterward.
The transcutaneous incision allows for addressing excess skin, fat, and muscle tissue. Its post-surgical mark is well-camouflaged in the natural lash line. After the procedure, the incision is closed with fine medical sutures.
Once Dr. Enzer has addressed all excess tissue and utilized the proper closure methods, the lower blepharoplasty procedure is complete.
In the vast majority of cases, you’ll be able to safely pair lower eyelid surgery with another facial procedure or treatment. The most common paired procedures are midface (cheek) lift with eyelid tightening or fat transposition to create a smooth transition from the lower lids into the cheek, carbon dioxide skin laser resurfacing, and fat transfer.
Upper and lower blepharoplasty surgery are commonly combined, since aesthetic issues frequently affect both sets of eyelids. Upper eyelid surgery focuses on the upper lids, treating sagging muscle tissue, drooping skin, and excess fat.
Neck liposuction is sometimes combined with lower eyelid surgery to achieve a brighter, more contoured appearance. This minimally invasive surgical procedure involves making tiny incisions behind the earlobes and/or below the chin. A cannula is inserted, and fat cells are then removed from the neck and chin using medical suction.
Neuromodulators like Botox®, Dysport®, Daxxify®, Xeomin®, and Jeuveau® pair very well with lower eyelid surgery, giving the face a more youthful appearance. These injectable treatments block nerve signals to overcontracted facial muscles, allowing them to relax. This eases away fine age lines like crows’ feet, glabellar lines, horizontal forehead lines, and chin wrinkles.
A mid-facelift focuses on age-related issues affecting the midface, including the cheeks. This procedure tightens lax skin, smoothing wrinkles such as the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and parentheses lines, reducing the appearance of jowls, and treating under-eye circles.
Once your lower eyelid surgery is complete and you’ve been cleared to leave, you’ll need to get a ride home from a friend or family member. This must be arranged in advance. Your vision may be temporarily affected after the procedure, and you’ll still be feeling the effects of the anesthesia, so you won’t be able to drive yourself home.
During lower blepharoplasty recovery, it’s best to follow Dr. Enzer’s post-surgical care directions as closely as possible. This will ensure a shorter and more comfortable healing process with minimal risk of complications.
Minor bruising and swelling are common after this procedure. To minimize them, it’s best to keep your head raised above your heart at all times, including while you’re sleeping. Applying cold compresses will also help with this process.
If you normally wear contact lenses, you’ll need to wear glasses for a time to protect your temporarily weakened eyelid tissues. You’ll also need to wear sunglasses outside to protect your eyelids from wind, pollutants, and sun exposure.
You’ll need to take antibiotics to prevent infections and pain medication to address any soreness. Additionally, your eyes will be more prone to dryness for a time, so you’ll need to apply eye drops as prescribed.
Staying home from work for at least a week will help you heal and recover properly. Avoid heavy exercise, heavy lifting, and sports until Dr. Enzer clears you to resume these activities.
Follow-up appointments are a key aspect of the lower eyelid surgery healing process. When you meet with Dr. Enzer at our Providence, RI, clinic, he’ll evaluate your incisions and results, treat any post-surgical complications, and clear you to resume various activities.
The cost of a lower eyelid lift in Providence depends on the details of each patient’s surgical plan. Aspects such as the type of anesthesia administered can affect the overall cost, as can total surgical time and the specific techniques used.
Dr. Yoash Enzer is a well-respected, board-certified cosmetic, laser, and oculoplastic surgeon with extensive experience. When you choose Dr. Enzer for your lower eyelid surgery in Providence, RI, you’ll feel confident in the knowledge that you’re in good hands. Dr. Enzer is an expert in oculofacial procedures, and his incredible blepharoplasty results speak for themselves.
After receiving his B.A. in Biology from Brandeis, he attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. He received his M.D., graduating with honors. Next, he completed an internship in Internal Medicine at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital.
Dr. Enzer then pursued residencies in Internal Medicine and Ophthalmology at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital. He pursued an Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute, followed by training with industry-leading oculoplastic plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.
He is a member of medical societies like the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO), the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), and the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He has been a guest speaker at several national and international medical conventions.
He has been a revered Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery and Dermatology at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, sharing his vast knowledge with medical students. He has also written a number of medical journal articles.
Schedule a consultation
To schedule a personalized lower eyelid surgery consultation with Dr. Enzer, call (401) 274-4464 today. Dr. Enzer will be happy to meet with you at our Providence, RI, facility to discuss the details of your procedure.
