The Secret is Out: What Happens Before, During, and After Eye Bag Removal?

The Secret is Out: What Happens Before, During, and After Eye Bag Removal?

The area surrounding the eye is one of the most delicate areas of the face and as such, it deserves an extra level of care and attention. If the lower eyelid looks wrinkled, baggy, and puffy, immediate intervention is a must. This is possible through lower eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, a cosmetic procedure that can tighten loose skin by repositioning the fat under the eyes, giving a youthful and well-rested appearance to the face. The surgery is also be used to treat other concerns such as eyelid sagging, wrinkling of the eyelid skin, dark undereye circles, baggy undereye area, and it also fixes the symmetry of the lower eyelids. For those who do not want to undergo surgery, eye bag removal can be done using non-surgical methods as well. This depends on the patient’s needs and whether or not they are qualified for a particular treatment or procedure.

Since the reason for getting an eye bag removal procedure varies from one person to another, it is safe to say that no two process is the same. But even though results vary, you should see a change in the under-eye bags and a more defined transition between the cheeks and the eyelid once eye bag removal  is done.

Pre-surgery

During the initial consultation, your medical history will be reviewed, including allergies and any past operations. Your doctor will test your vision and check if your eyes can produce tears. Risk factors such as circulatory issues and smoking will also be discussed, along with the side effects associated with surgery. In some cases, a patient experiences side effects brought about by a reaction to certain medications used during the surgery. It is imperative that you tell your doctor about your allergies as well as the supplements and medications that you are currently taking.

While preparing for eye bag surgery, you should avoid the following:

Smoking and heavy drinking

Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin

Herbal supplements

Any food, beverages, medication or activities that your doctor recommends avoiding

Before a procedure for a lower eyelid starts, the surgeon will mark the incisions to be made on your eyelids.  General or local anesthesia may be used during the surgery. Under general anesthesia, the patient is totally asleep and has no idea of what is happening while the procedure is under way. If local anesthesia is used, the patient will be awake, but they will not feel what the surgeon is doing because the eye areas has been numbed. If multiple procedures are going to be performed in one session, general anesthesia is advised by most doctors. For lower eyelid surgery, doctors recommend local anesthesia. The reason behind this is that the doctor can test if the eye muscles are functioning properly, thus lowering the risks for this particular side effect.

During surgery

There are different areas where the doctor can place the incision but the process is pretty simple: he or she will cut into the lower eyelid, remove excess fat and skin, and then proceed to sew or suture the skin to close it. If you opt for a non-surgical method, dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid will be injected to add volume to the under-eye area. Fillers are eventually absorbed by the body so these are considered as temporary solution for treating under eye bags. 

Post-surgery

Some of the temporary side effects of the procedure are pain, swelling and bleeding, infection (if there are fillers involved) and/or scarring (if there is an incision). Pain, swelling, and scarring can be managed by applying cold compresses and an ointment that is prescribed by the doctor. To avoid bleeding, elevate your head whiling sleeping and try not to move the facial muscles as much as possible. In case there is (or you suspect one) an infection, contact your doctor immediately. 

You will experience bruising and irritation immediately after the procedure. The doctor will provide a list of care instructions as well as eye drops and ointments to reduce swelling and to prevent infections. The side effects usually last for about two weeks. If stitches were used, you will need to return to the clinic about 5 to 7 days after the operation so that the surgeon can remove the stitches. The doctor will advise you to limit physical activities for at least a week and to wear dark-tinted sunglasses when going out in order to protect your eye as it heals. Additionally, you should consult your doctor before making any travel plans because you may experience vision impairment (blurry vision) for until a week after the procedure.

Overall, the recovery process for eye bag surgery is not extensive. You can expect some scarring to occur, but it will be barely noticeable once fully-healed. The results of the surgery is meant to be permanent but patients should also note that skin elasticity and the quality of facial muscles and underlying fat will be affected by aging and other environmental factors. To maintain the results of the surgery, make sure that the eye area is always properly moisturized and protected from the sun.