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Lower Lid Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty refers to a procedure which is performed on the eyelids to remove skin or reposition fat or both. Blepharoplasty has evolved significantly over the last 6 years to go from a procedure which would classically leave people with hollow eyes to a procedure which now leaves patients with a more youthful appearance without the operated look. This is very apparent in lower lid blepharoplasty, with a lot of people unfortunately having had too much fat removed from their lower lids and “skeletonising” their eye. This is a very unnatural look which Dr Dan Robinson has had training in how to avoid.

What are the aging effects on the lower lid?

The lower eyelid aging is due to 2 main effects, gravity and laxity.
Gravity causes a constant downward force on the lower eyelid and over time this causes stretching of the skin of the lower eyelid. This stretching eventually manifests as skin creases over the lower lid.

Over time, and partially due to gravity and partially due to aging the lower lid ligaments (which hold the lower lid in place as well as lower lid fat) become lax and stretch. This stretching causes sagging of the orbital fat outwards. It is this sagging that people refer to as “Lower lid bags”. People will often say that they look more tired than they are and that they feel they look older than they are.

There are 3 fat compartments in the lower lid which Dr Dan Robinson addresses separately. The medial fat pad (closest to the nose), middle fat pad (the fat pad in the middle) and the lateral fat pad (one closest to the ear). Dr Dan Robinson uses a technique of redraping the fat as opposed to removing the fat. Redraping is a much more time consuming and technical procedure but Dr Robinson feels that it is worth the time and effort because it gives a result which is natural and long lasting as opposed to fat removal.

What is a Lower Lid Blepharoplasty?

A lower lid blepharoplasty is a procedure which involves repositioning the fat of the orbit. The procedure doesn’t involve removal of much fat but a rearrangement of the location of the fat. This technique is one of the major advances in lower lid Blepharoplasty which Dr Dan Robinson has had training in. Dr Dan Robinson does this procedure via an incision which is hidden in the eyelid so that there is no scar on the face.

Recovery from a lower lid blepharoplasty is quite quick, with patients able to return to normal activity within 10 days with most of the bruising gone within 2 weeks.

How do I choose a surgeon for my Lower Lid Blepharoplasty?

The best surgeon for you is the one which you feel most comfortable with. Many surgeons are self taught in lower lid blepharoplasty. Dr Dan Robinson has undergone a whole year of training in facial plastic surgery which included training in lower lid blepharoplasty. Dr Dan Robinson ensures that his techniques are the most up to date by attending facial plastic conferences and he is currently a board member of the Australian Association of Facial Plastic Surgery.

Where to from here?

If you are interested in discussing blepharoplasty more with Dr Dan Robinson make an appointment to see him in his rooms. He will then discuss the benefits and appropriateness of the procedure with you and explain in more detail about the operation. Dr Dan Robinson also offers the upper lid blepharoplasty procedure.