When people refer to eye bags, they are talking about noticeably puffy, swollen, grayish-blue areas under the eyes that don’t go away, even with plentiful rest. Patients wondering how they ended up with noticeable eye bags may wish to know why they develop. In some people, hereditary traits can contribute to the condition.
The rest of the time, under-eye bags are a natural result of aging. As people age, the muscles and tissues around the eye begin to weaken, causing the skin to sag and become loose. Fluid can accumulate in the area under the eyes, too, accentuating the dark circles. Smoking, fluid retention, allergies, and lack of sleep can all make these eye bags worse.
Bags under the eyes are not typically a medical concern, but they can cause a person to appear perpetually exhausted. Under-eye bag surgery, also called lower eyelid blepharoplasty, can refresh the skin under the eyes, giving the entire face the appearance of a bright, fresh makeover.
At this point, potential patients may be wondering how to remove bags under the eyes. While at-home measures such as treating the affected area with ice bags can help minimize the appearance of eye bags, it is not a permanent solution. Eye bag removal surgery typically delivers permanent results. It is often performed under local or general anesthesia and requires up to three hours to complete. During eye bag removal, Dr. Azizzadeh removes excess fat and skin from under a patient’s eyes. There are two ways to do this surgical procedure:
- Transcutaneous:the incision is made just below the lashline of the lower eyelid. Excess skin and muscle get trimmed and tightened, and if there is any extra fat present under the eye, it is removed.
- Transconjunctival:for cases with minimal extra skin or sagging muscle but excess fat, an incision can be made inside the eyelid to reposition or remove fat, causing minimal scarring.
After the procedure is complete, Dr. Azizzadeh sews the under-eye skin back together to help the patient rejuvenate his or her facial appearance.
Under-eye bag surgery involves a delicate, precise approach, as the surgeon performs the procedure around the eye muscles and eyeballs. Therefore, it is important for a patient to find a surgeon who possesses extensive eye bag surgery expertise so he or she can limit risk.
To date, Dr. Azizzadeh has performed many eye bag removal procedures, and he only recommends eye bag surgery if he believes it is safe and effective for a patient. In the event that Dr. Azizzadeh believes the potential risks of surgery to remove bags under the eyes exceed the potential benefits, Dr. Azizzadeh will provide alternative treatment options.
Before performing lower eyelid blepharoplasty, Dr. Azizzadeh conducts an assessment to determine a patient’s eligibility for eye bag removal surgery. At this time, Dr. Azizzadeh discusses the patient’s medical history and treatment expectations.
The ideal candidate for eye bag surgery often displays one or more of the cosmetic issues:
- Eyelid sagging
- Wrinkling on the eyelids
- Dark circles around the eyes
- Asymmetrical lower eyelids
- Large bags under the eyes
An individual who experiences any of the aforementioned cosmetic problems can meet with Dr. Azizzadeh. At this time, Dr. Azizzadeh performs a full evaluation to determine if an individual qualifies for eye bag removal surgery or other facial rejuvenation treatments.
If patients have hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, a clotting disorder, or thyroid issues, they should make sure Dr. Azizzadeh knows this, as this may prevent them from being a good candidate for surgery to remove bags under eyes. Patients should fully disclose their health history so that Dr. Azizzadeh can recommend the safest and best treatment for each patient’s unique needs.
For those who smoke, have chronic dry eye, have undergone LASIK eye surgery, or currently use certain supplements, including echinacea and niacin, lower eyelid blepharoplasty may be delayed until Dr. Azizzadeh can recommend the measures that should be taken to ensure a safe surgery.
During the initial consultation before the procedure, Dr. Azizzadeh finds out if a patient has undergone prior surgeries or has experienced glaucoma, allergies, or other medical conditions. Dr. Azizzadeh requests information about any vitamins, herbal supplements, or medications that a patient is currently using. Dr. Azizzadeh asks a patient why he or she is considering eye bag removal surgery as well.
Along with reviewing a patient’s medical history and treatment expectations, Dr. Azizzadeh performs physical and visual exams. During a physical exam, Dr. Azizzadeh can test his patient’s tear production and measure their eyelids. Dr. Azizzadeh uses a vision exam to assess his patient’s eyes and peripheral vision.
Eyelid photography can also be performed before the surgery. Dr. Azizzadeh can capture photographs of his patient’s eyes from different angles and use these photos to craft a personalized eye bag removal surgery treatment plan. He can also show patients before and after photos from previous patients who have received this treatment.
Once Dr. Azizzadeh determines a patient is eligible for under-eye bag surgery, he provides instructions to help his patient prepare for treatment. Dr. Azizzadeh recommends a patient temporarily stop taking any medications or herbal supplements that can increase their risk of bleeding during surgery and to stop smoking several weeks before surgery. Smoking increases the risk of inflammation, dryness, and vision loss, so it is important to follow this directive closely when patients are preparing for lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
In addition, Dr. Azizzadeh recommends a patient to arrange for someone to drive him or her home after treatment.
The results of eye bag surgery usually become visible within a few weeks of treatment. Initially, a patient experiences dry eyes, bruising, swelling, and other side effects after eye bag removal surgery. These side effects typically subside within about 10 days. Dr. Azizzadeh monitors a patient’s progress in the days and weeks after eye bag removal surgery. He recommends that patients avoid strenuous exercise for at least one week after surgery. Also, Dr. Azizzadeh asks eye bag surgery patients to wear dark tinted sunglasses to protect the eyes for about one week following treatment.
Eye bag surgery results are usually permanent. However, due to additional aging and other potential factors, in some cases patients may require laser skin resurfacing or other eye bag treatments at a later time.
As with any other medical or surgical procedure, surgery to remove bags under eyes comes with risks. Under-eye bag surgery risks include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- Eye muscle damage
- Skin discoloration
- Blurred vision or loss of eyesight
Dr. Azizzadeh won’t perform surgery to remove bags under the eyes if he deems it unsafe for a patient. In this situation, Dr. Azizzadeh will work with his patient to determine if a non-surgical procedure or other treatments can be used to address under-eye bags.
Surgery to remove bags under the eyes is a significant procedure, and patients frequently select Dr. Azizzadeh for eye bag removal surgery because he understands how to remove bags under eyes in a way that aligns with patients’ facial rejuvenation treatment goals. Dr. Azizzadeh works with eye bag surgery patients to craft a treatment plan that accommodates his or her requests. He wants each eye bag removal surgery patient to enjoy a natural-looking facial appearance and provides them with a personalized treatment plan. A renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Azizzadeh is a trustworthy and highly sought-after surgeon for lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
Dr. Azizzadeh is available to respond to any questions about eye bag surgery. To learn more about eye bag removal or schedule an in-person or virtual consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh, please contact us online or call us today at 310-657-2203.