Eyelid Bags and Skin folds

What are Lower Eyelid Bags?

Both upper and lower eyelid can have aging changes, that are typical. . The lower eyelid can have excessive fat bags, or fluid festoons both giving a tired look. Fat around the eye, unlike tummy fat, does not increase with age. When young, it is well hidden by the soft tissues in front of it. But as we age, the tissues that were holding it back become loose, thereby making the fat more 'apparent'. Therefore, rather than increase in fat, it just gets unmasked. True increase in fat around the eye is seen in thyroid eye disease, and can even happen in young age.

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty simply means a cosmetic surgery of the eyelid performed to make it look better or younger.

For lower eyelid, cosmetic Blepharoplasty is commonly done for the removal of under-eye “fat bags”. The result is a more youthful, rested appearance of the lower lids. Some skin may also be removed, if required.

Procedure

The lower eyelid Blepharoplasty is a 20-min procedure where the fat is removed through a hidden micro-incision behind the eyelid (trans-conjunctival). It leaves no visible scars on the eyelid skin. Sometimes, lower eyelid may also require some skin removal for effective treatment. Blepharoplasty is performed as a day-care procedure under local anesthesia or monomal sedation. It takes 15-20 minutes per eyelid, and post-operative discomfort is minimal. Stitches, if any, are removed in 5-7 days. Most patients are back to light work within a week.