Lower Eyelid Surgery at Sinyongsan Plastic Surgery

Making the Eye Area Look Younger

Hello.

This is Mutoel Plastic Surgery.

As we age, sagging under the eyes, dark circles, and bulging fat pads are one of the representative concerns that many middle-aged people face in front of the mirror.

Since the eye area is usually the most visible part when meeting people, worries about it seem to only grow over time.

To address these concerns, many people consider and undergo "lower eyelid surgery."

This is not simply a surgery to "remove fat." Based on an understanding of the structures around the eyes, it is a procedure that redesigns the relationship between the skin, muscle, fat, and bone structure.

At Mutoel, we always tell patients during consultations that our goal is to create "natural and comfortable eyes."

Today, Sinyongsan Plastic Surgery will explain in detail the principles and types of this procedure, its expected effects and recovery period, and the points to be careful about.

Why is the lower eyelid important?

The area under the eyes is not made of just one layer of skin. It is a complex structure surrounded by multiple layers, including skin, muscle, fat, connective tissue, and bone.

As we age or due to genetic factors, fat under the eyes may protrude forward, or skin elasticity may decrease, creating shadows (dark circles) and fat bulges.

In addition, as the volume of the midface decreases, the under-eye area can appear relatively more prominent. So if the approach is simply "let's remove the fat," the result can actually become even less natural.

That is why it is important to carefully analyze and diagnose which layer is causing the problem, then match the patient's goals and direction and plan the physical structural improvement accordingly.

How is it performed?

Lower eyelid surgery is usually performed in two ways.

The first is under-eye fat repositioning. The transconjunctival method, which approaches through the inner side of the eye and the conjunctival lining, has the advantage of leaving no skin incision, so no scar remains.

If the lower eyelid skin is not significantly stretched and only the fat under the eyes is protruding, this method alone is often sufficient.

On the other hand, if the skin is stretched, there are many fine wrinkles, or elasticity has significantly decreased, performing lower eyelid blepharoplasty and correcting the stretched skin and muscle through an incision can be a good option.

At this time, reducing and suturing the wrinkles under the eyes or performing lateral canthopexy together can improve the overall shape more stably.

What has changed compared to the past?

In the past, the most common method was simply removing the protruding fat under the eyes.

However, over time it became clear that if too much fat is removed, the front cheek area may appear hollow, or severe under-eye hollowness may develop later.

So these days, it is preferred to move the fat to an appropriate position (repositioning) to fill in hollow areas and create a natural connection.

In other words, rather than simply removing fat, it is a broader design and correction process so the face can look more naturally youthful.

Therefore, the newer approach has the advantages of reducing dark circles and making facial expressions look more natural.

How do the surgery day and recovery proceed?

Usually, the procedure is performed under sedation anesthesia. The surgery time varies by case, but if there are no other combined procedures, it takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Immediately after surgery, the area under the eyes may look swollen, and bruising around the eyes may occur. During the first 3 days, the swelling can be somewhat significant, but after about a week, it becomes much more stable.

Stitches are usually removed after 7 to 9 days, and complete recovery and tissue stabilization are achieved over about 3 to 6 months.

So if you have important events such as a wedding or photo shoot, it is recommended that you plan surgery with at least 2 to 3 months of extra time.

Are there risks of side effects?

With any surgery, risks and side effects are always unavoidable.

Hollows under the eyes caused by excessive fat removal, ptosis of the eyelids or asymmetry, infection, and pigmentation changes are representative complications.

In particular, when the lower eyelid skin is incised, careful hemostasis and safe dissection are very important.

At Sinyongsan Plastic Surgery, we recommend the principle of "slightly conservative, with additional correction if necessary."

Excessive skin removal ultimately leads to unnatural results, and because natural refinement is better than an artificial outcome, patient satisfaction tends to be much higher later on.

Are there things to check during consultation?

It is a good idea to carefully observe the medical staff's experience and the before-and-after photos of lower eyelid surgery.

You should choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who can comfortably explain in detail how they evaluate your eye structure (fat amount, sagging, tear trough, etc.), the expected swelling and recovery period after surgery, the scar management plan, and the process for responding if complications occur.

And above all, it is important to honestly and specifically express your own expectations.

Depending on whether you want a "complete youthful look" or a "natural improvement," additional procedures may be needed, and in some cases, other procedures rather than lower eyelid surgery may be more effective, so the clearer your goals are, the more flexible the consultation can be.

In closing...

Lower eyelid surgery at Sinyongsan Plastic Surgery is one of the powerful ways to structurally address under-eye concerns.

However, rather than "dramatic change," "safe and natural change" always leads to more lasting satisfaction in the end.

Before surgery, be sure to have a thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, and if necessary, it is a good idea to consider midface volume restoration or skin care together.

When you look at yourself in the mirror, I think the most important goal is feeling that you "look more comfortable and more lively."

If you have any other questions, please visit Mutoel Plastic Surgery and let us know, and we will explain everything in detail and kindly.

That concludes today’s article from Yongsan Plastic Surgery, and we will continue to come back with even better information.

This was Mutoel Plastic Surgery.

Thank you.