Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Bringing you closer to the impression you had when you were younger
Reduce wrinkles on the lower eyelid

An explanation of lower eyelid blepharoplasty

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a procedure to improve the morphology of age-related sagging skin and fat protrusion of the lower eyelid by excision of the sagging skin and removal of fat.

The lower eyelid is a thin area of skin that tends to show wrinkles and sagging as it ages.
Lower eyelid puffiness, also known as eyebags, is caused by orbital fat that has moved forward with aging.
Lower eyelid blapharoplasty reduces fine lines and wrinkles by excising sagging skin at the eyelash line, and removing orbital fat to diminish the bulge of the eyebags.

Features of our lower eyelid blepharoplasty

  • For local anesthesia, we use 34G ultra-fine needles (needle thickness 0.2mm) to minimize pain.
  • Surface anesthesia and intravenous anesthesia are used for those who are afraid of even the slightest pain.
  • Skin sutures can be removed early on the fourth or fifth day, because we use the buried suture method with 7-0 ultra-fine absorbable thread (plastic surgical sutures). Scarring will be minimal.
  • Skin suturing with transparent thread is also available.
  • Lifting of the muscles to prevent ectropion.
  • You can apply make-up to your lower eyelids the day after your stitches are removed.

Surgery method

Sagging skin is removed by excising the skin at the eyelash line. Care must be taken not to remove too much, as over-resection can lead to ectropion.
After excision of the skin, the area under the orbicularis oculi muscle is dissected to expose the orbital fat.
Excess orbital fat is removed.
After the fat is removed, the orbicularis oculi muscle is pulled outward to tighten the lower eyelid. If there is still excess skin at this point, additional excisions are made.
In addition to careful buried sutures with absorbable thread, skin sutures are lightly stitched with ultrafine thread, so there are no visible scars.
We use the best plastic surgical sutures for wound healing, which are internally sutured with high-performance absorbable ultra-fine thread and externally sutured with non-absorbable ultra-fine thread. We also offer skin suturing with ultra-fine transparent thread.
If you wish to have more firmness across the cheeks, fat injections or hyaluronic acid injections can be used to further rejuvenate the cheeks.

Aftercare for lower eyelid blepharoplasty

《After surgery》

Condition of the affected area

A scar is left at the lower lash line.
The lower eyelash line is sutured with a very fine black thread. Stitches are usually removed in 5-7 days.
Swelling may cause the eyelid to slightly turn outward. The degree varies from person to person, but it settles down in about 3-6 months.
Bruising may occur around the eye, but it will usually disappear in 1-2 weeks.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by the doctor just before you go home after surgery.
Antibiotics, painkillers (the pain is usually mild, but we prescribe them just in case), and gastric medicine will be prescribed for 3 days after surgery.

Lifestyle advice

You can wash your hair and take a shower on the same day after surgery.
Please only wash your face with water, not soap. You can use soap or facial cleansing foam from the next day onwards. However, please do not rub the wound. If the thread gets stuck or it tears, it may bleed. Please do not pick the scab or any other part of the wound, and try to rest.
Please refrain from taking a bath or doing any strenuous exercise for about a week.
Make-up can be applied on the same day except around the wound.
Please do not apply any make-up to the affected area until the stitches are removed.
When sleeping, please use cushions to elevate your upper body and head.
Please refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking for about a week.
Contact lenses can be worn from the day after surgery if there is no discomfort. They certainly can’t be worn 2-3 hours after surgery due to the effects of anesthesia.

《Days 5-7 after surgery》【It is recommended that you visit for a checkup at this time】

Condition of the affected area

The swelling will go down in a week or two.
Initially, the scar will be red. The redness varies from person to person, but it will subside in 1-2 months.
In rare cases, there may be a slight bump.
In rare cases, the suture thread may come out.
Bruising may occur around the eye, but it will usually disappear in 1-2 weeks.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

You will be examined by a doctor, and your stitches will be removed.

Lifestyle advice

Eye make-up, skin lotions and creams can be applied after stitches removal.
Please avoid rubbing the eye area too much.
From the 7th day after the day of surgery, you will be able to bathe and exercise as usual.
After removal of stitches, please keep the scar moisturized and UV protected. Our wound cream (1,100 yen inc. tax) can be applied to make the wound less prominent.

《1-3 months after surgery》【It is recommended that you visit for a checkup at this time】

Condition of the affected area

The wound will gradually heal completely, but there will be some swelling for a while.
The redness varies from person to person, but it will subside in 1-2 months.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

There will be a medical checkup by a doctor.
There is no post-operative procedure.

Lifestyle advice

Please continue to moisturize and UV-protect your scars.

《6 months after surgery》【It is recommended that you visit for a checkup at this time】

Condition of the affected area

The wound has almost fully healed.
Redness of the scar will also be improved.

Post-operative checkup and aftercare

There will be a medical checkup by a doctor.
There is no post-operative procedure.

Lifestyle advice

You can resume all of your daily activities.

FAQ

Will the scars be noticeable?

For 1-3 months after surgery, there will be some redness and stiffness. Redness can be concealed with make-up.
If you have persistent redness, we will provide appropriate treatment at the post-operative checkup (free of charge).

How do you manage pain during surgery?

Pain will be minimal because our local anesthetic contains extra agents to reduce any discomfort.
To minimize injection pain, the amount of anesthetic used is kept to a minimum of 1-1.5 cc for both eyelids.
Pain is also minimized by using an ultra-fine 34G needle, as well as a new needle for each eyelid, and by administering the local anesthetic very slowly.
For those who are still afraid of pain, we offer intravenous anesthesia, where you will be unconscious and breathing as usual.

When can I wear make-up again after surgery?

Make-up can be applied on the day of surgery except for the surgical site.
The stitches are usually removed 5 days after surgery.
The day after the stitches are removed, you can apply make-up to your lower eyelids.

How long will swelling last after surgery?

Most of the swelling resolves in about 1-2 weeks, usually.

How do you manage pain after surgery?

Post-operative pain is usually very mild.
We will prescribe a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs just in case.

How long will surgery last?

About 2 hours.

Will there be any bruising?

Bruising may occur in rare cases.
If it appears on the skin, concealer can be used. If bruising appears on the sclera, it will take 1-2 weeks to clear.

Should I practise any post-operative care?

In rare cases, eyes tend to dry out easily after surgery.
Eye drops may be used, and eye ointment may be used for a while at bedtime.

Fees

Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty ¥385,000

All fees displayed include tax.

Risks and side effects of lower eyelid blepharoplasty

Underneath is a list of things that may occur.
In order to prevent any of these symptoms from occurring, we take safety measures and perform treatment with the utmost care.
We will always improve your symptoms.

Normal post-operative symptoms

Swelling

Major swelling will go down in 3-7 days after surgery, then any mild swelling will be noticeable for another week.

Bruising after surgery

There may be bruising around the eye, but it will disappear in a week or two.
It is extremely rare for it to appear in the white part of the eye.
It sometimes occurs, but it will disappear in a week or two.

Eyelid discomfort

Immediately after lower eyelid blepharoplasty, the eyelids will feel strange, but this will disappear over time.

Scars

It remains on the eyelash line.
You will see some redness for 1-2 months after surgery, but it will become noticeable over time.

Perceptual abnormalities

Sensation may be dulled, but mostly this is temporary.
Recovery occurs spontaneously by six months after surgery, usually.

Risks and complications

Exposure of buried absorbable sutures

If this happens, we will remove the stitches.

Swelling of the whites of the eyes

Swelling may cause the whites of the eyes to temporarily turn jelly-like, but this will disappear over time.
Accelerate healing with eye drops and eye ointment.

Ectropion

Post-operative swelling and excessive skin removal may cause eyelid ectropion.
The degree varies from person to person, but it settles down in about 3-6 months.
If there is no improvement, skin graft may be necessary.

Sagging remains

Fine lines and sagging skin will not disappear completely.
Too much removal increases the risk of ectropion, so the optimal amount of resection is determined according to the situation.

Double vision

This can occur when the extraocular muscles are affected by surgery.
The surgery is performed after making sure not to damage the extraocular muscles.

Changes in eyelid morphology

There may be a slight tendency toward slanted eyes.
Stiffness and discomfort of the eyelids may occur.

Dry eye

As the eyes open more easily, they may dry out more easily.

Epiphora

Tears may flow easily after surgery.
This can occur when the lacrimal canal is narrowed due to post-operative swelling.
It will improve as the swelling goes down.

Supervising Doctor

Under the supervision of our plastic surgeons, we operate our website in accordance with medical advertising guidelines.

NORIHIRO OHBA M.D. Ph.D.
HEAD DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR

Qualifications and Academic Affiliations

Doctor of Medicine
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, Japanese Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, Japanese Society of Aesthetic Surgery
Anesthesiologist certified by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Member of International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
International Member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of Japan Society of Cranio-Maxillo Facial Surgery
Member of Japan Society of Laser Surgery and Medicine

Career

Graduated from Osaka City University Faculty of Medicine, 1996
Osaka City University Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1996-1999
Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1999-2003
Osaka City University Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2003-2005
Sano Memorial Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2003-2005
Daito Central Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2003-2005
Ritz Cosmetic Surgery Tokyo Clinic, 2005-2008
Primo Azabujuban Clinic, 2009~
Head Director, Primo Medical Corporation, 2011~
Head Director/Director, Primo Azabujuban Clinic, 2020~