At Reflections, we focus on natural-looking results – and nowhere is this more important or more difficult to achieve than for the undereye. This area is incredibly complex not only in the cosmetics of the result but also in the functionality of the eyelid. So, it’s really critical that you chose a doctor who is experienced, skillful, and creates consistently excellent results for any under-eye surgery.
On this page, you’ll find all the information you need to start to outline which procedures are right for you (your anatomy, lifestyle, budget, preferences, etc.) and how to compare and vet the doctors you’re considering so you can choose the plastic surgeon or cosmetic physician who’s best for your under eye surgery – and the “right one” isn’t necessarily the same for everyone.
Lower Blepharoplasty Quick Facts
- Performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia
- A board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience
- $5,500 – $10,000 (plus an additional cost for anesthesiologist and surgery center, usually around $3,000)
Types of Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery
Depending on your unique facial anatomy and other factors, one or all of these techniques may be used in your lower blepharoplasty surgery. Whether the cause of your under-eye concerns is aging-related, or simply a feature you’ve always had and wish to change, the same techniques are used to achieve the end result.
Lower Eyelid Skin Pinch
The skin pinch technique allows your surgeon to remove excess or loose skin from the eyelid without disturbing the tissue underneath, including fat or muscle. During this procedure, the skin is freed up along the lash line, excess skin is removed, and the incision line is hidden along the eyelash line for a very discreet and natural-looking result.
This is the ideal procedure for those who have been Botox-ing away wrinkles under their eyes for years and are no longer seeing much of a result, or for whom ThermiSmooth or Ulthera did not create enough of a result — or for those who simply prefer the minimal maintenance and impressive results of a surgical procedure over other non-surgical options.
If you have loose skin and bulging fat pads, this procedure is often performed after fat pad repositioning in the same surgery. You want to perform the excess skin removal after the fat pad alterations because that may impact the way the skin drapes over this area. So if you have both of these issues, the important thing not to do is to not have a skin pinch done by a surgeon who isn’t also first addressing the fat pad layer below because that can really lead to a bad result and more complicated revisions later.
Dealing With Fat (Or Lack Thereof) Under The Eyes: Hollowness vs Puffiness
People generally experience one of two symptoms with fat under the eyes:
- There is a lack of fat, which creates an indentation that deepens over time and will often continue down the cheek in one deep continuous indented groove.
- The fat under the eye almost appears to swell or become really puffy – this is sometimes after a time where that patient was hollow under the eye.
View More Lower Blepharoplasty Before & Afters
More Before & AftersWhy Choose Reflections Center For Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery
The Reflections Center team is dedicated to reaching your best results and understanding that surgery is not always the ideal option for each patient. We won’t push you towards surgery if it’s not the right choice for you personally and always factor your anatomy, health, and lifestyle into that decision.
We also value honest assessment of each patient’s concerns and won’t lie to you and say that filler or other nonsurgical treatments will lead to results when this is not possible. Surgery is sometimes a patient’s best and only option to truly address their concerns. When this is the right choice for you, you can put your trust in Reflection Center’s board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Joe Fodero.
When to Choose Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery is a highly specific procedure when performed on its own, but can be incredibly helpful in restoring a more youthful, alert expression for people who exclusively have moderate to severe under-eye sagging or excess skin or fat. Other non-surgical options exist to help gently lift the skin under and around the eyes, or eyelid surgery of some kind might be recommended in addition to further rejuvenation with a brow lift or facelift.
Treatments That Complement Lower Blepharoplasty
Many patients will find that their lower eyelids age more quickly (or rather that the signs of aging are more readily apparent here) than the rest of their face. Some patients will be able to delay lower eyelid surgery by first having nonsurgical treatments in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s, which typically includes lasers, fillers, or fat transfer.
When you are ready for lower eyelid surgery, you should consider how to maximize your results for now and in the future with this plastic surgery. We often recommend combining a few procedures to not only extend the longevity and durability of your result, but because there are economies of scale in regards to total costs that make doing a few things together make more financial sense – and because this often allows for a more natural result by ensuring each part of you reflects the same age.
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Fat Transfer for Face
Fat transfer is often used to reduce hollowness around the eyes and create smooth, youthful transitions between the eyes and cheek, temples, etc.
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Brow Lifting Treatments
Very commonly, by the time you're ready for lower eyelid surgery, there is a need for either the brow and/or the upper eyelid to be lifted. When we're lifting the brow, it doesn't have to be surgical. Learn more about your options.
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Upper Eyelid Lift Surgery
Upper eyelid surgery is far less involved in terms of recovery and intensity of the surgery, making it an easy thing to add on to this surgery. You'll save yourself money in the long-run by combining these 2 procedures into 1 session with your surgeon.
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Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
What is lower blepharoplasty?
What does blepharoplasty recovery look like?
Who should consider lower eyelid surgery instead of a nonsurgical treatment?
Is lower eyelid surgery performed under general or local anesthesia?
How much is a blepharoplasty?
Can upper and lower eyelid surgery be done at the same time?
What does blepharoplasty not treat?
How long after lower blepharoplasty can I wear makeup?
Dr. Joe Fodero
Dr. Joe Fodero is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. For 20 years, Dr. Fodero has built an amazing resume of plastic surgery work in the New Jersey area and is recognized as a Top Plastic Surgeon in Rhinoplasty, Breast Augmentation, and Body Sculpting. We’re so happy he’s decided to join forces with the Reflections Center team of physicians.