Mom22, I am not inclined to get surgery but your heritage was interesting. I am half Sicilian and also have had bags under my eyes with dark circles all my life, strangely my H who is probably about half Irish has the same look without the dark circles. Yes both kids have some of it. My Polish cousins and aunts have the upper lid droop with age and have had surgery for it when it seemed to affect seeing. A friend plastic surgeon used to tell both H and I he could fix the bags, but they really don’t bother me or him. Maybe someday they will bother us.
A couple more things. I asked if there had been a role for fillers if I had come in years earlier, and I was told that fillers wouldn’t work with the positioning of my eyes and cheekbones.
In looking at the web pages of the two ocular plastic surgeons for possible consults, it seems that one does more with lasers. Can anyone here address the use of lasers for a lower bleph?
Yohoyoho is our resident oculoplastic surgeon here on CC. She is very kind in offering suggestions and asking questions. You might want to PM her.
@mom22039,
I got your PM.
@ conmama,
As a subtle correction for wording, I would say that I am not our resident oculoplastic surgeon here on CC, but our attending oculoplastic surgeon on CC 
As for lasers and lower lid blephs, the laser is mainly used for face resurfacing which makes skin look more luminescent and softens fine lines and wrinkles. Laser or no laser doesn’t really matter for lower lid blephs. It can slightly reduce bruising, which is the biggest benefit, but not enough to choose one oculoplastic surgeon over another. Tends to be a marketing tool because we have this laser so might as well use it for the bleph incision. But it’s just fine to the incision with a scalpel. Bottom line is that if the MD has a laser, might as well use it for the incision, but it doesn’t really matter either way. BTW, we have lasers, and I would use laser for lower lid bleph if doing a resurfacing as well, but wouldn’t bother using the laser if was doing lower lid bleph without the resurfacing.
Who are the 2 oculoplastic surgeons that you are looking at? And, no, do not go to the general plastic surgeon.
Sorry @YohoYoho You would think after watching Grey’s Anatomy for 11 years I would know the difference (and I do actually) I think I just meant “resident” in regards to you “living here” with the rest of us. I hope you don’t mind that I tell others about you, if you would rather me now, just PM me and I’ll stop.
I’ve been taking this year to research the lower Blephs, since WN said he would actually choose that over an upper (if there had to be a choice) for a more youthful look for me. Since I don’t have what other’s consider a true “bag”, but rather a more slight padding underneath each eye (didn’t used to have that), he would redistribute that. Now, since I wasn’t prepared to discuss that with him, I’ve been reading up on it and trying to find before and after pictures of people with my look. I have found a few, and it does make a more youthful appearance. I do have a question though, if you don’t mind. Over the last few years, as that slight padding has increased, I’ve noticed more pronounced discolorization from the inside of tear trough down. I think it’s from the shadowing of that pad, is that correct? Plus, I’m sure thinning skin to some degree. Will that lessen if he flattens out that pad and redistributes it?
Also, he would do an incision under the eyelash instead of inside. Is there a reason for that? is the incision really right under the eyelash line, or a mm or so below. And lastly, how much time, on average, does the swelling and discoloration take to go away. I’ve read it can take 6 weeks. Sorry for all the questions.
@conmama,
“Over the last few years, as that slight padding has increased, I’ve noticed more pronounced discolorization from the inside of tear trough down. I think it’s from the shadowing of that pad, is that correct?”
Yes
"Plus, I’m sure thinning skin to some degree. Will that lessen if he flattens out that pad and redistributes it?
Yes
We call it fat repositioning.
“Also, he would do an incision under the eyelash instead of inside. Is there a reason for that?”
Incision is made on the skin side if either:
- there is extra skin to remove or
- this is the preferred and usual surgical technique of the surgeon
" is the incision really right under the eyelash line, or a mm or so below."
Usually 2 mm below
" And lastly, how much time, on average, does the swelling and discoloration take to go away. I’ve read it can take 6 weeks. Sorry for all the questions."
Varies. Usually 2 weeks. But can range from 5 days to 2 months depending on the patient…
@yohoyoho Thank you very much. I was hoping that the discolorization might lessen with fat redistribution…so it really sort of kills two birds with one stone. Up until a few years ago, I never had to use an undereye concealer for the bluish line that extends. Hopefully my dark lower lashes and eye pencil will help hide the scar until it fades. I’ve read they are fairly undetectable when it’s all healed. I appreciate you responding!
@yohoyoho thank you for the response! The two ocular plastic surgeons on my list are Paul Gavaris and Kevin Scoot. Scott’s web page focuses on his laser (is that a pun?). Both we recommended by my dermatologist/her staff.
Update. I really liked the second doc. His descriptions made a lot of sense to me. He did not describe using the laser to cut. His recommended procedure for me is to go in the lower lid and remove or reposition the fat, place one anchor stitch near the outer corner of each eye and laser resurface the lower lid skin to tighten it. He would do the procedure on a Wednesday or Thursday and I would miss the remaining days that week and all of the next week. He said I would hate myself on day 4 or 5 and then everything would start getting better. We talked additionally about the recovery period and limited lifting (boxes, bags, groceries) for up to a month.
He spent a significant amount of time evaluating my eyes and doing a test for dry eyes. I was impressed at how thorough it was compared to the first. He was very gracious in discussing my intention for a 3rd consult.
Consult #3 will be in mid April.
Consult #3 was yesterday, with a very kind ocular plastic surgeon. He’s a knife guy, so contrary to the laser guy I saw a couple of weeks ago. I’m a bit confused, but can’t take action right now due to another medical issue that has popped up and must be addressed.
Overall, I think I prefer the laser-guy but I need to read back through these posts to see if there are comments on the laser method.
Good luck with your other medical issue, which I hope isn’t anything significant. Keep us posted.
Yes, good luck with your other medical issues. I also saw 3 surgeons and it’s hard when you like 2 of them! You don’t know what to do. For some reason I read that cutting is better, but don’t know where I read that, it’s been 6 months. There is a website I found that I really like and explains quite a bit. It’s called drmeronk.com. have you found that one. That is where I learned about tissue sparing blephs. Found all sorts of other info on it. You know…i keep wavering with that lower bleph more than an upper one. It bothers me, especially the scar, even though I’ve read it become invisible with time.
I’m also not able to do anything for awhile. The plan was next February, now it looks like DS will be staying home that first year of college. I do not want him home to see me like that, so I might have to postpone…again!
Just as an fyi - I attended a womens’ health symposium put on by John Hopkins University this week and they discussed numerous health topics aimed at middle-aged women. Dry eyes came up and one of the cautions given was to be careful on cosmetic lid surgeries as they could create or worsen dry eye issues by making it harder to blink or fully close eyes.
Docs 2 & 3 both did a test for dry eyes, so I appreciate that was part of their evaluation. The laser guy thought his technique is better in preventing problems with the lower lid (such as causing it to roll outward). That seemed to be a big concern when he looked at my eyes. Also doc #3 started to recommend a small amount of upper lid work and gently backed off after he did the dry eye test.
One more thing…doc #1’s staff never got back to me with pricing. I just find that odd and awkward because i have taken my younger D to him twice. He’s not an ocular plastic surgeon and I’m not likely to go with him, but the lack of follow up feels awkward. They verified my email before I left the office and I have received a general marketing email from them in the past month!
Hmmmm…none of the docs did a dry eye test on me. Maybe they asked, I don’t remember. I don’t have dry eyes, but wear contacts. One of the concerns for me was being able to comfortably close and blink my eyes if I have it done.
Resurrecting this old thread…yes, I’m still considering it. I’d like to know how everyone is who had this done. Specific questions are 1) For upper blephs, how is the scar and 2) For lower blephs, who had fat repositiong and how is that? (that is the one I will do).
I’m trying to see if i could do it the end of the year. Definitely upper, as much tissue sparing as possible. The Oculoplastic surgeon suggested a far repositioning lower. I’ve been reading up on those this year. I did read that if you need both, and if you do just the upper, it can make the lower issue seem more pronounced. i don’t have bags or excess skin. I have developed some fat pad right below the eye that is causing an elongated shadow in my tear trough and it surely isn’t getting any better. The only thing is I have very minor festoons. Nor that noticeable. I read that lower blephs can make those more pronounced, but i"m thinking that is if you have bags removed, not fat repositioning.
Anyway, I would have 3 weeks off of work to use…so about 21 days. I would really like for people at work NOT to know that I did anything. I’m hoping that with glasses on (which i do wear during busy times at work as my eyes dry out staring out a computer), and makeup that it wouldn’t be noticeable. I even read where Jane Fonda said after her plastic surgery, she went and got a new haircut so people would think that is what was different about her…seems like a good idea.
the only thing that bugs me alot is the scar underneath my eyes. I read that they cut the outer skin if normally you have bags and skin to remove. If just fat repositioning, the cut is made inside the eyelid and no visible scars. The surgeon I would go to doesn’t do that one. It could be he is a little older (60ish) and is more comfortable with the old procedure. YoHo knows him professionally and I really liked him, too. Just not crazy about scars I guess, but I would rather have someone who made the under eyes look attractive and have scars. than someone who does it the new way and not as good.
Anyway, just wanted to know how everyone is doing, and anything else you would like to share.
I’m still very happy that I had the uppers done. I can see! And I look better in random photos.
I have a bit more of a scar in one spot on the left side, where he told me he had to take out the maximum amount he could. I don’t think anyone else notices it. I only wish I could afford to get the lower fat pads done, too. Now that the uppers are fixed I notice them much more.
In the end I had a facelift. The only thing that I did not have was the eyebrow lift. Please note: I wear a contact lens on one eye only. And for 40 years of stretching the eyes this was the eye that needed the most work. My biggest (other than the obvious of wanting to wake up) mantra was I want my eyes to match. And they do.
I had a second surgery last week on my neck…too much loose skin. Went without a hitch…
The biggest concern which I knew from the beginning: becoming a plastic surgeon’s fanatic. I am done. Do I hydrate my face and body? Yes, I drink more water…and use face creams. I use all brands…and weirdly I find that most brands “work”.
I guess I am fortunate in that, although prescribed…tylenold with codeine…I took one pill the day of surgery and one the next morning I was done. No pain. The first and the major part I took a total of 3 pills.
All in all: I am very happy that I did these procedures. Yes, I ome from a place where looks are important. I work out 5 days a week. But I have Parkinsons and I want to be able to walk in ten years. so there are reasons that I do what I do. I have done acid peels and will do so again. But I always wear sunblock and hat in the bright sun. I cannot laser treatments (cll) and I can’t do boob lifts (breast cancer…none of that bothers me.
My basic warning: ALwAYS have an end game. Know what you want achieved and stop when you’re there.
Consolation, I know you said once you don’t wear much makeup, if at all. Does eyeshadow cover those scars? Is it just a “line”, or how does the scar look? Your last statement sort of validates what I read…that sometimes if both lids aren’t done concurrently, you notice the other more. Would you just have your fat repositioned? I wish you could have it done if that is what you would like!