Lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid Surgery) in San Jose, CA

The eyes are among the most prominent features of the face. Unfortunately, they are also one of the first areas to succumb to visible signs of aging. The delicate skin and tissues surrounding and supporting the eyes are especially susceptible to the aging process.

As you get older, the skin starts to lose its firmness and elasticity, causing the lower eyelids to become saggy and wrinkled. The fat pads located beneath the eyes can also protrude or become displaced, resulting in a puffy or swollen appearance. These conditions can make you look older or more tired than you feel.

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See the Difference: Lower Blepharoplasty Before & After Photos

Lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid Surgery) in San Jose, CA - Patient Before 1
Lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid Surgery) in San Jose, CA - Patient After 1
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Real Stories: Lower Blepharoplasty Patient Reviews

“Dr. Kim is a skilled surgeon, but compassionate and understands the needs of her patients as well. She takes the time to listen, and I appreciate her effort to make my surgery as comfortable as possible. I felt very little discomfort, not much bruising or post op pain. I liked the idea of not having to be sedated for my procedure. She was amazing!!! Her front office staff is very organized, extremely friendly, and approachable. Thank you, Dr. Kim!!!”

“Dr. Kim is the exact doctor I was looking for, for the type of procedure I needed. She answered all of my questions, and it was clear she cared about my concerns and what needed to be done. The entire process was smooth, and the end result is exactly what I wanted. I can’t thank her enough and will definitely be recommending her to my friends and family.”

Lower Blepharoplasty Cost in San Jose & Flexible Financing Options

Your lower blepharoplasty cost will vary based on the specific lower eyelid concerns you have, the procedures performed, and the type of anesthesia used, with local anesthesia usually costing less than general anesthesia. Lower blepharoplasty is typically an elective cosmetic surgery and is rarely covered by insurance. Pricing also depends on procedure complexity, surgeon experience, and geographic location. You should receive a breakdown of the surgeon’s fee, operating room or facility fee, and anesthesia costs before surgery.

During your consultation, Dr. Kim will provide you with a personalized cost estimate for a lower eyelid lift based on your individual needs. She also offers flexible financing options through Cherry to help patients pay for procedures.

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Why Choose Dr. Kim for Your Lower Blepharoplasty?

Dr. Haena Kim is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon specializing in beautifying the face, head, and neck.

She understands that your eyes shape how the world sees you every day. She has dedicated her practice in San Jose, CA, to helping patients love what they see in the mirror every day.

Book Your Lower Blepharoplasty Consultation Today

If you’re interested in lower blepharoplasty in San Jose, CA, and want to know more about the procedure, call (650) 507-3601 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kim today.

What Is Lower Blepharoplasty?

Lower eyelid surgery, also known as lower eyelid blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat beneath the eyes. An eyelid lift can turn back the clock on your appearance, allowing you to look well-rested and rejuvenated for years to come.

If you have noticed chronic puffiness under your eyes (that no amount of sleep or makeup can conceal) or saggy eyelids, it may be time to consider lower eyelid surgery. At Dr. Haena Kim’s facial plastic and reconstructive surgery practice, our eyelid surgery patients are consistently amazed by how this plastic surgery procedure can transform their appearance.

Benefits of Lower Blepharoplasty

Reduce Eye Bags and Puffiness

Excess or displaced fat pockets under your eyes can create lower eyelid bags and puffiness. While most people experience bags under their eyes when tired, age can make this a more permanent concern, often along with dark circles and under-eye circles. Droopy eyelid surgery can help by removing unwanted fat and redistributing fat under your eyes.

Reduce Under-Eye Wrinkles

Skin laxity and volume loss beneath the eyes can lead to sagging skin and under-eye wrinkles. Lower eyelid lift surgery can smooth unwanted wrinkles beneath the eyes by removing excess skin and tightening the remaining tissues.

Create a More Alert Appearance

As you age, your lower eyelid skin and muscles may become lax, and fat deposits can move out of place. This can make you look more tired, less alert, and older than you are.

Lower blepharoplasty can rejuvenate the appearance of your eyes, helping you look more energetic, alert, and youthful. It improves contour and tiredness, but fine wrinkles may need separate nonsurgical treatment.

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Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Lower Blepharoplasty?

If you are in good overall health and have no pre-existing eye conditions, you may be a candidate for lower blepharoplasty.

Lower blepharoplasty is an excellent solution for healthy adult men and women who wish to restore a more youthful appearance to their eyes. While under-eye bags and droopiness are more commonly a result of the natural aging process, they can also be inherited through genetics and occur as early as your 20s.

An evaluation can also identify whether upper-eyelid issues or ptosis repair needs are contributing to reduced peripheral vision or, in severe cases, blocking it altogether.

How Is Lower Eyelid Lift Surgery Performed?

Consultation

If you’re interested in lower lid blepharoplasty, let double board-certified Dr. Kim guide you through the process. From consultation to aftercare, she is dedicated to patient comfort and safety.

During your in-person consultation, Dr. Kim will carefully assess your aesthetic concerns and goals. The visit includes a review of your health history, a physical evaluation, and a discussion of surgical techniques and outcomes. She also evaluates eye support and lower eyelid laxity before recommending surgery. She will then determine which procedure or combination of procedures can produce the results you desire.

The Lower Eyelid Procedure

  • Incisions: Dr. Kim’s preferred approach is via a transconjunctival incision for a “scarless” approach. This approach is ideal for patients who have good skin tone and quality and no excess skin accumulation. On occasion, Dr. Kim will follow a fat removal with a modified skin pinch to address a conservative amount of skin excess if this is identified at your pre-op consultation. She will create a subciliary incision just below the eyelashes or an incision on the inside of the eyelid to help conceal the scar. The transconjunctival approach is an alternative incision that leaves no external scar, especially for patients with good skin tone.
  • Addressing fat: She will then remove or reposition the fat under your eyes through these incisions to create a smooth and natural contour beneath the skin of the lower lids.
  • Addressing skin and muscles: Depending on the patient, excess sagging eyelid skin may be removed, and the lower eyelid muscle may be tightened.
  • Closing the incisions: The incisions will be closed and, in most cases, should be virtually undetectable after they heal. In cases where the approach is from the inside of the eyelid, there will be no external visible scars.

Can I Combine a Lower Blepharoplasty With Another Procedure?

Lower blepharoplasty may be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as:

Lower Blepharoplasty Recovery & Aftercare

You will be able to return home to recover a few hours after your lower blepharoplasty is complete. Mild discomfort is typical and can be managed with oral medication. Most patients need 10 to 14 days before they feel fully presentable for public-facing work, though many can resume light normal activities the next day.

You should avoid heavy lifting and vigorous activity for one to two weeks or until you receive clearance from Dr. Kim. Patients will also be encouraged to wear sunglasses while outdoors to avoid irritation from wind and UV rays.

Dr. Kim will provide you with detailed post-operative and aftercare instructions to ensure your recovery process goes as smoothly as possible.  Your first post-operative visit is usually scheduled 7–10 days after surgery for suture removal, and bruising often improves noticeably by days 5–10.

What Results Can I Expect From Lower Blepharoplasty?

The results of your lower lid blepharoplasty are typically apparent by two to three weeks, when most visible signs of surgery have faded, and you can usually resume using makeup and contact lenses once cleared by your doctor. It can take several months for your eyes to heal completely and all of the swelling to dissipate.

While nothing can prevent the natural aging process, you can expect long-lasting results that will persist for several years. A healthy lifestyle and a proper skin care regimen can extend your results.

After you have fully healed, you may choose to enhance or prolong the effects of your eyelid lift procedure with nonsurgical treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal fillers.

Lower Blepharoplasty FAQs

Q. Will there be any scarring?

Your incisions will take a couple of weeks to heal. Scarring will be hidden within the natural folds of your skin. This ensures you achieve the most natural-looking rejuvenation possible. Over three to six months, the incisions continue to mature into nearly invisible lines.

When the approach is from within the eyelid, there will be no visible external scars.

Q. What are some of the side effects of lower blepharoplasty?

Potential side effects after under-eye surgery can include swelling, bruising, dry eyes, eye discomfort, or temporarily blurred vision.

These effects usually improve significantly within a few days and are often minimally noticeable after two weeks.

Q. What aesthetic concerns can lower eyelid surgery address?

Whether caused by heredity, aging, or lifestyle habits, a lower eyelid lift can potentially take years off your appearance by addressing the following aesthetic concerns:

  • Constant puffiness and bags in your lower eyelids
  • Excess under-eye tissues that cause you to look perpetually tired, sad, or angry
  • Deep grooves under your eyes
  • Excess skin and lower eyelid wrinkles
  • Asymmetrical lower eyelids

Q. At what age should I get a lower eyelid lift?

Most patients choose to get an eyelid lift between the ages of 30 and 50. This is the age range where patients often see the most dramatic results.

There are no age restrictions on this procedure, so you can undergo an eyelid lift at any age. There is also no limit to the number of times you can lift your eyelids, so you can get surgery as soon as you want to.

Q. What type of anesthesia is used for lower eyelid surgery?

Lower blepharoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis with light sedation or general anesthesia. This will depend on the complexity of your surgery.

Q. How long does lower eyelid surgery take?

Lower blepharoplasty typically takes between one and two hours to complete if no additional procedures are performed. If you choose to combine your eyelid surgery with other procedures, it may take longer.