By Dr. James Banich, Luther Midelfort Plastic Surgery Department
A common effect of aging is the development of bags under the eyes. It commonly occurs because the protective coating of fat bordering the eyes begins to sag in reaction to gravity and decreased suppleness of the skin.
Eye bag removal surgery, or blepharoplasty, is often done to remedy the puffy bags that form below a patient’s eyes or drooping upper lids. These bags make the patient look older and tired.
For some patients, these eye bags can even interfere with vision. Surgery can remove the puffy and droopy look around the eyes, but it will not take care of crow’s feet or dark circles under the eyes. In addition, the surgery does not lift sagging eyebrows.
The best candidates for this surgery are those who are physically fit and realistic in their expectations of what the surgery can offer. Most patients are 35 years or older, but those with a history of baggy or droopy eyelids may have the surgery at a younger age.
The procedure involves a few tiny incisions that are made below the eyelash. This allows the surgeon to remove both surplus skin and fat that is causing the bags to appear.
Generally, the procedure is performed on both the upper and lower eyelids. In the case of the upper eyelids, a strip of skin may also be removed, but the skin is removed in a natural crease in the eyelid in order to minimize the appearance of scarring.
If you would like more information on this or other corrective cosmetic procedures, call Luther Midelfort’s Plastic Surgery Department at 715-838-6155.
