Lower Eyelid Lift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Miami, FL

A lower eyelid lift is a facial rejuvenation procedure that can restore a smoother, more refreshed appearance to your lower eyelids. This procedure removes and repositions excess eyelid skin, fat, and other tissues to address the physical changes that come with age. (1)

Dr. Rian A. Maercks is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder of The Maercks Institute. Dr. Maercks offers more than two decades of experience, and throughout his career, he has earned international recognition for pioneering his own surgical techniques. To this day, he continues to travel around the world to discuss new ideas, converse about medical innovations, and connect with other leaders within his field.

To meet with Dr. Maercks and start discussing your lower eyelid lift, please schedule a consultation online or call our Miami office at (305) 328-8256.

About Lower Eyelid Lifts

A lower eyelid lift, or lower blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can address age-related concerns detracting from the appearance of your lower eyelids.

Over time, you may notice your lower eyelid skin drooping, under-eye bags developing, or fat descending, no matter how many hours of sleep you get each night. A lower eyelid lift can address each of these concerns and rejuvenate your appearance, allowing you to fully transform the look and feel of your under-eyes.

Histiocentricity

One of Dr. Maercks’s core and guiding principles is the concept of histiocentricity. This is the process of using as few incisions as possible during a surgical procedure to minimize tissue damage or trauma—all while still achieving the best results possible. Dr. Maercks has found that this philosophy can help increase the safety profile of each procedure, as it reduces any post-operative effects you may experience as you recover, as well as your chances of developing scars and other complications.

Benefits

Lower eyelid lifts offer several notable benefits, including:

  • Refreshed Appearance: This procedure can address visible signs of aging to renew the appearance of your lower eyelids. These include under-eye bags, herniated fat, weakened ligaments, and more.
  • Smoother Feel: Lower eyelid lifts can address sagging skin or laxity beneath your eyes to restore a smoother and tighter look and feel.
  • Personalized Solutions: Dr. Maercks fully tailors each treatment plan around your specific concerns and unique facial anatomy.
  • Minimal Downtime: Because Dr. Maercks uses a histiocentric approach and non-opioid medications, you can return to your routine more quickly.
  • Versatile Procedure: Dr. Maercks can perform a lower eyelid lift in conjunction with several other facial rejuvenation procedures, allowing you to achieve comprehensive results in sitting.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for a lower blepharoplasty if you are interested in renewing the appearance of your lower eyelids to address age-related concerns, such as:

  • Loose or Sagging Skin
  • Herniated or Descending Fat
  • Excess Puffiness
  • Thinning Eyelid Skin
  • Consistently “Tired” or “Angry” Appearance

To qualify for your procedure, you should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You should be non-smoking or willing to quit using nicotine. Dr. Maercks will assess your candidacy during your consultation.

Personal Consultation

At your personal consultation, Dr. Maercks will meet with you individually to discuss each aspect of your procedure. He will explain how he performs lower eyelid lifts, review your medical history, listen to your personal concerns, and ask about your aesthetic goals. He will also perform a physical evaluation to assess your facial skin and anatomy.

Dr. Maercks will use this information to craft your treatment plan. He will determine the most effective surgical approach for your case, as well as the exact corrections to make to achieve your desired results. Dr. Maercks will also take the time to answer and address any questions you may have, as we want you to feel confident about your procedure.

To schedule this consultation with Dr. Maercks and receive your tailored treatment plan, please contact us online or call (305) 328-8256.

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your lower eyelid lift, you will need to make several preparations. Dr. Maercks will provide you with a set of detailed preoperative instructions, which may direct you to:

  • Discontinue Certain Medications: Avoid taking any medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning or antiplatelet properties.
  • Arrange Time Away: Prepare to take a step away from your personal and professional responsibilities to give yourself time to heal.
  • Prepare a Ride: Arrange for transportation home after your procedure.
  • Fill Prescriptions: Pick up any medications that Dr. Maercks prescribes to you ahead of time.
  • Cease Any Substance Use: Refrain from consuming any alcohol or nicotine in the weeks leading up to your procedure.

Procedure

Dr. Maercks performs each lower eyelid lift in his office on an outpatient basis. When you arrive, you will meet with him one last time and reconfirm your treatment plan. He will then cleanse your skin before administering a long-lasting anesthetic.

Dr. Maercks will histiocentrically place an incision using one of two approaches: the transcutaneous approach or the transconjunctival approach. The transcutaneous approach places an incision along the lower lash line, while the transconjunctival approach places an incision on the inside of your eyelid—bypassing the chance of external scarring. (2)

Dr. Maercks will carefully correct your concerns through these incisions. He may reposition ligaments, remove herniated fat, or excise lax, surplus skin, and more. Once he has completed this, he will meticulously suture your incisions closed before allowing you to rest under the care of his team.

Recovery

Dr. Maercks uses techniques that provide a quicker recovery. You may return to your routine as soon as you feel healthy enough, but there are certain guidelines you will need to still follow. These include refraining from contact or makeup use for 1-2 weeks and avoiding any strenuous or demanding activities until Dr. Maercks clears you.

As you heal, you may experience some swelling or soreness around the treated areas, as well as blurred vision or tired eyes. These effects will subside on their own, but Dr. Maercks will provide you with Exparel to manage them. This is a long-lasting, non-opioid local anesthetic to help alleviate any discomfort.

Dr. Maercks will provide additional recovery information after meeting with you in-person. Following this closely will help you return to your routine sooner and more safely.

Results

Once you recover, you will be able to enjoy smoother, tighter, and more youthful-looking lower eyelids. The results of a lower eyelid lift are long-lasting and can last for several years, with many of Dr. Maercks’s former patients experiencing their results for up to a decade. Eyelid lifts cannot stop the natural aging process, but you will be able to enjoy a refreshed and rejuvenated look that you would otherwise not have been able to achieve.

Cost of Lower Eyelid Lifts in Miami, FL

The cost of your lower eyelid lift will vary depending on several factors, such as the corrections Dr. Maercks performs and the overall complexity of your procedure. Once he has met with you to discuss each of these aspects, he will give you a comprehensive cost estimate. Dr. Maercks additionally offers financing for those who qualify.

To receive an estimate, please contact us online or call (305) 328-8256.

FAQ

What concerns can a lower eyelid lift address?

Dr. Maercks can perform a lower eyelid lift to address skin laxity or thinning, descending fat, under-eye bags, weakened eyelid muscles, and other age-related concerns regarding your lower eyelids.

Will my lower eyelid lift hurt?

Dr. Maercks will use a long-acting anesthetic after cleansing your skin to keep you comfortable during treatment and during your initial recovery. You may feel some tenderness or discomfort as you heal, but Dr. Maercks will administer a non-opioid local anesthetic to help minimize it.

How long will it take me to recover from my lower eyelid lift?

You will be able to return to most of your daily activities after resting for approximately one to two weeks. Still, you will need to avoid engaging in any strenuous or physically demanding activities until Dr. Maercks approves your return.

Are the results of a lower eyelid lift permanent?

While your lower eyelid lift will yield long-lasting results that you can enjoy for years, eyelid lifts cannot stop the natural effects of aging from wearing on your appearance over time.

Can Dr. Maercks combine an upper and lower eyelid lift within one appointment?

Yes, Dr. Maercks can combine both an upper and lower eyelid lift to comprehensively rejuvenate your eyelids if you wish. During your consultation, he can explain combined procedures in more depth to you, as well as assess your candidacy for any of his other procedures.

Are there any non-surgical alternatives to a lower eyelid lift?

In some cases, patients can achieve their desired results with dermal fillers, but nothing will produce the long-term, durable, and refined results of a surgical lower eyelid lift.

References

  1. Bhattacharjee K, Ghosh S, Ugradar S, Azhdam AM. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty: An overview. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020;68(10):2075-2083. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/ijo.IJO_2265_19
  2. Labib A, Patel BC, Milroy C. Blepharoplasty, Lower Lid, Canthal Support. Nih.gov. Published August 21, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576422/#article-18379.s9