Eye bags (fat protrusions on the lower eyelid) form as part of the aging process due to the loss of elasticity of the deeper tissue layers, which is why the intraorbital fat bulges out. A lower eyelid lift (lower blepharoplasty), by removing the bags under the eyes, brings back your radiant look and restores an open and alert expression to your face.
In our Clinic for Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery in Basel, the lower eyelid lift is often also combined with an upper eyelid lift. In this way, drooping eyelids and bags under the eyes can be easily removed in one operation.
The consultation
As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Lüdi specializes in facial surgery and will be happy to advise you personally on the subject of eyelid lifting in her practice clinic in Basel.
In an initial detailed consultation, Dr. Simona Lüdi will take the time to address your concerns, analyze the findings together with you and advise you on treatment options. Furthermore, Dr. Lüdi will explain the surgical technique and the exact incision with the help of pictures and drawings and discuss the aftercare as well as possible risks and complications with you. Dr. Lüdi will also be happy to show you before and after pictures of a lower eyelid lift.
On the day of surgery
On the day of the operation, Dr. Simona Lüdi prepares a photo documentation before the operation and makes the exact drawings in the eyelid area. You will then be prepared for the upcoming operation and accompanied to the operating room.
The operation - how to remove bags under the eyes?
The operation is performed by Dr. Simona Lüdi on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with twilight sleep or under a gentle general anesthesia in our clinic's own operating room in Basel.
During a lower eyelid lift (lower blepharoplasty), excess fatty tissue is removed or redistributed to correct the bags under the eyes. The incision is made approximately 1mm below the edge of the eyelid (subciliary). After redistribution or removal of the bulging fatty tissue, the muscle is tightened and, depending on the indication, a fine strip of skin is also sparingly removed. If there is also a deep tear trough deformity, the lack of volume can be corrected by means of a simultaneous autologous fat treatment (microfat grafting) in order to harmonize the transitions to the midface.
At the end of the operation, the skin is precisely closed with the finest sutures and skin-colored plasters (steristrips) are applied.
Immediately after surgery
After the operation, you can recover from the procedure in our beautiful patient rooms with a view of the Rhine and cool the eye area for about 1 hour. After another visit by Dr. Lüdi, you may be picked up by an accompanying person and return home the same day.
The aftercare
- To reduce swelling, we recommend regular cooling of the eye area and sleeping with the upper body slightly elevated during the first few days.
- To keep the eye well moistened, eye drops are administered 3 times a day.
- The fine special plasters and stitches are removed after 5 to 7 days in the consultation.
Risks and complications
Basically, every operation involves certain risks, but complications after lower eyelid lift are rare. In the first days after the operation, swelling of the eye area and possibly slight bruising are to be expected, but these heal well within the first few days. A lower eyelid lift is usually not painful. Initially, the eyes may feel somewhat dry. Moisturizing eye drops help here. The scars are hidden under the lash line and usually heal very finely and invisibly. Bleeding and infections occur very rarely after a lower eyelid lift. In extremely rare cases, distortion of the lower eyelid (ectropion) can occur after a lower eyelid lift.
Costs
The costs for eyelid surgery depend on the type and extent of the operation as well as the type of anesthesia. During a consultation, Dr. Lüdi will put together a treatment tailored to you personally and provide you with an individual cost estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Most often, the main cause of bags under the eyes is a weakening of the orbital septum. The orbital septum is a membrane that holds fat under the eye. The normal aging process can cause the orbital septum to weaken and the fat behind it to bulge forward, causing what are called bags under the eyes.
No. As a rule, patients do not need painkillers or only very weak painkillers for the first few days after a lower eyelid lift.
Swelling in the eye area may occur after a lower eyelid lift, but this usually subsides after 7 to 10 weeks. Local cooling and sleeping with the upper body slightly elevated lead to a faster reduction of swelling. Lymphatic drainage also has a pleasant decongestive effect and is therefore possible and recommended immediately after the operation.
This depends on the individual healing process, the patient's own requirements as well as professional and social obligations. In the case of a lower eyelid lift, it takes up to two weeks for most of the swelling and discoloration caused by the operation to disappear. You may apply make-up over discolorations as early as one week after the operation.
In principle, you will be fit for work again after 2 to 3 days in the home office. In the case of activities with customer contact or greater physical strain, you will be able to work again after 10 to 14 days.
Sports activities can be resumed about 4 weeks after the procedure. It is important that you increase your exercises slowly so as not to overload yourself.
The scars are hidden under the lash line and usually healed very fine and invisible.
Contact lenses should not be worn for 10 to 14 days after surgery. You may put glasses back on immediately after the procedure.
Simona Lüdi, M.D., will be happy to welcome you to our clinic in Basel for a personal consultation for a lower eyelid lift. We look forward to seeing you.