Is Lower Eyelid Surgery Painful?

Eyelid surgery is generally among the least painful cosmetic surgeries. Local anesthesia numbs the skin during the procedure, so you will not feel any discomfort. Afterward, mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness can be easily managed using Dr. Lesley Rabach’s post-operative instructions.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

In addition to visiting Dr. Rabach’s New York City offices for your consultation and surgery, you will be asked to return several times for follow-up visits. During these visits, the doctor will monitor your healing process.

How Long Until I See Results?

At first, mild swelling and bruising may make your results difficult to see. However, as the weeks progress, your newly rejuvenated, youthful appearance will be apparent. You can expect to see your final outcome within six weeks.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty, performed to remove unwanted pockets of fat, makes incisions within the lower lids so there is no visible scar. If skin needs to be removed, there will be a scar along the lower eyelid just beneath the lashes. This heals very well and is not visible later.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Lower Eyelid Surgery?

Light exercise and walking can be done immediately, but we suggest waiting two weeks for heavy exercise.

Can I Combine Lower Eyelid Surgery With Other Procedures?

A lower eyelid lift can be performed alone, but it is also safe to combine with many other plastic surgery procedures. Patients who need a lower blepharoplasty frequently have other concerns, such as their upper eyes or faces. Younger patients may also have excess fat in their necks or want a rhinoplasty. If you are interested in a combination approach to your care, please do not hesitate to discuss all your aesthetic concerns with Dr. Rabach during your private consultation.

What Are the Risks Associated With Lower Eyelid Surgery?

Risks with lower blepharoplasty include, but are not limited to, the following: Dry eyes Infection Bleeding Bruising Swelling Difficulty closing the eyes Poor scarring Double vision Anesthesia risks Hematoma Asymmetry Pain Skin discoloration

How Do I Find the Best Lower Eyelid Surgery Plastic Surgeon in New York City?

When choosing a plastic surgeon, assessing their training background, experience, results, testimonials, and overall demeanor is important. Dr. Rabach is one of the few surgeons to focus her career exclusively on delicate facial and neck procedures. She is double-board-certified in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology, including head and neck surgery, ensuring your procedure is performed with precision, artistry, and meticulous attention to detail. Call today to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Rabach in New York City and learn more about her innovative approach and unwavering commitment to aesthetic excellence.

New York, NY

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Introduction

Introduction to Lower Eyelid Surgery

Bright eyes are a sign of health and a central feature of an attractive, captivating face. When the lower eyelids are puffy or droopy, they can distract you from the natural beauty of your eyes, and you can look older or less energetic than you really feel inside. A lower eyelid lift, or lower blepharoplasty, can dramatically impact the appearance of your eyes and overall appearance with minimal downtime or discomfort. With more people moving away or dissolving their dermal fillers that were used to treat their under-eye bags, Dr. Lesley Rabach, a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon at LM Medical NYC, is able to precisely and permanently correct under-eye issues with her lower blepharoplasty at our Greenwich Village and Upper East Side clinics.

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What is Lower Eyelid Surgery?

When the skin and tissue on the lower eyelids age, they can stretch and sag, resulting in circles and bags under the eyes. The bottom lid can also droop, changing the shape of the eyes. A lower blepharoplasty removes the extra skin and fat, tightening and firming the area under the eye. Dr. Lesley uses a technique where all incisions are made inside the lower lid. The result is diminished eye bags, circles, and wrinkles under the eye for a more youthful and vibrant appearance—zero scars.

A young woman with long brown hair rests her face on her arm, wearing a black sweater in a softly lit indoor space. - Lower Eyelid Surgery in New York, NY

What Are the Benefits of Lower Eyelid Surgery?

When performed by double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lesley Rabach in New York City, lower blepharoplasty provides the following benefits:

Removal of excess skin, tissue, and fat
Elimination of eye bags, wrinkles, and puffiness
Enhanced facial attractiveness
Rejuvenated appearance of eyes and face
Boosted self-confidence and self-esteem
Combined often with upper eyelid surgery or a brow lift

Who Are the Best Candidates For Lower Eyelid Surgery?

Ideal candidates for lower blepharoplasty are unhappy with their appearance due to puffiness, fatty tissue, use, and eye bags in the lower lids that may be distorting their facial expression and making them look angry, tired, or sad, even when they are the best of spirits. While Dr. Rabach will need to conduct a thorough consultation to ensure that you qualify for the surgery and that lower blepharoplasty will meet your rejuvenation goals, some general criteria for candidacy are as follows. Patients should be:

In good general health
Non-smokers
Free from any uncontrolled medical issues
Free from current eye infections or inflammation
Realistic in their expectations for their results
Interested in improving the appearance of eye bags, sagging skin, wrinkles, and dark circles

What’s the first step?

The first step on your journey to a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance through lower blepharoplasty is to meet with Dr. Rabach for a detailed consultation. She will listen to your concerns, perform a physical evaluation, and delve into your medical history, reviewing any allergies, current medications, and pre-existing conditions. Once your candidacy has been confirmed, Dr. Rabach will begin creating your treatment plan. She will provide you with detailed prep-operative instructions for your procedure and schedule your surgery date.

What to Expect on the Day of a Lower Blepharoplasty

Dr. Rabach will perform your New York City lower eyelid surgery in-office under local anesthesia, ensuring a quick return to normal activities. General anesthesia is also a possibility if you prefer it. Once you are resting comfortably, Dr. Rabach will create incisions inside the lower lid. Next, the doctor will firm the lower eyelid ligaments and reposition the pockets of fat that are causing puffiness, eye bags, and contour irregularities. This surgery is completely scarless because all incisions are made inside the lower lid.

Lower Eyelid Surgery Recovery

Most patients can expect to take less than one week off from work after lower eyelid surgery in New York City. Mild swelling, bruising, and very mild tenderness are common side effects in the treatment areas. However, these symptoms will peak during the first few days and then slowly dissipate over the next week. You will need to sleep on your back for several weeks to allow for optimal healing. Wait at least 10-14 days before resuming the use of contact lenses. However, you can wear glasses within a few days of your procedure. Do not engage in strenuous exercise for a few weeks, and do your best to stay out of the sun until all bruising, swelling, and inflammation subsides.

How Much Does Lower Eyelid Surgery Cost in New York City, NY?

The cost of lower eyelid surgery in New York City can vary depending on the specific techniques used and the extent of your aesthetic concerns. The fee will be discussed and agreed upon during your consultation and based on your circumstances and the procedures needed to create the best possible cosmetic result.

The LM MEDICAL NYC Difference

Dr. Lesley Rabach is an internationally renowned, double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has devoted her career to delicate and complex facial and neck procedures. She completed an internship and residency in Head and Neck Surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital and an ABFPRS-accredited Fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Lesley sculpts the lower eyelid using the most advanced surgical techniques and an artistically trained eye to achieve a natural, youthful look.

Dr. Rabach’s work has been featured in Allure, InStyle, Glamour, and more. RateMDs has ranked her the “#1 female plastic surgeon” in NYC. New York Times Magazine has featured her as a “Superdoctors Rising Star” plastic surgeon. The American Institute of Plastic Surgeons Has awarded her one of the “10 Best Plastic Surgeons.” RealSelf has granted her the “Top Doctor” designation. She serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU/Bellevue, mentoring the brightest medical minds of tomorrow.

Lower Eyelid Surgery FAQ’S

A lower eyelid lift can be performed alone, but it is also safe to combine with many other plastic surgery procedures. Patients who need a lower blepharoplasty frequently have other concerns, such as their upper eyes or faces. Younger patients may also have excess fat in their necks or want a rhinoplasty. If you are interested in a combination approach to your care, please do not hesitate to discuss all your aesthetic concerns with Dr. Rabach during your private consultation.
Risks with lower blepharoplasty include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Dry eyes
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Difficulty closing the eyes
- Poor scarring
- Double vision
- Anesthesia risks
- Hematoma
- Asymmetry
- Pain
- Skin discoloration
When choosing a plastic surgeon, assessing their training background, experience, results, testimonials, and overall demeanor is important. Dr. Rabach is one of the few surgeons to focus her career exclusively on delicate facial and neck procedures. She is double-board-certified in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology, including head and neck surgery, ensuring your procedure is performed with precision, artistry, and meticulous attention to detail. Call today to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Rabach in New York City and learn more about her innovative approach and unwavering commitment to aesthetic excellence.

LM Medical NYC

Schedule a Consultation

If you would like to learn more about how lower blepharoplasty can transform your appearance and leave you looking refreshed, rejuvenated, and renewed, contact us today at LM Medical NYC to set up a private consultation with Dr. Rabach and her caring, knowledgeable team in New York City.

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