Eyelid Surgery: Q&A
Ask a QuestionTraditional Blepharoplasty Vs Laser Blepharoplasty for Eye Bags?
I am turning 50 next month and want to have an undereye procedure to remove the bags under my eyes. I've seen two plastic surgeons. One suggested laser blepharoplasty and the other an under eye incision. I'm confused now. Is laser blepharoplasty better than undereye surgery? I would appreciate any suggestions or clarification regarding these two procedures.
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28 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Stephie
in Pasadena, CA
+8
Happy Birthday! There are many ways to treat undereye bags
Hello, you look great. The best "plastic surgery" is smiling, and your smile makes you look very young.
Now as far as your under eye area - it is difficult to advise you based on this picture alone. If you have minimal fat under your eyes then a fractionated carbon dioxide laser such as Fraxel re:pair gives great results alone. If you have excessive skin, then it can be combined with a skin "pinch" excision. If you have a lot of fat protrusion then a transconjunctival...
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+6
Laser blepharoplasty vs transconjunctival vs subciliary vs cheeklift
The laser offers no proven benefits when used as a cutting tool except slower healing.
Of the options for your lower eyelids, if there is just a small amount of puffiness, transconjunctival (from inside the eyelid) reduction in fat combined with a peel of the lower lids or CO2 laser resurfacing conservatively for the entire face to avoid color changes should be considered.
In patients with a great deal of undereye skin, we have found that a limited incision superficial cheeklift, often with...
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+5
Traditional Blepharoplasty Vs Laser Blepharoplasty for Eye Bags?
Good question, and some basic definitions would help here. "Traditional" blepharoplasty probably refers to making an incision just underneath your eyelashes with a knife, taking out the fat pockets, and then removing the excess skin. This method leaves a scar underneath the lower eyelid, and is probably still the most common method of lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
The other method of treating lower eyelid fat is through a transconjunctival incision (making...
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+4
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If you have a hammer then all the world is a nail! Those that have a laser to cut through the skin will want to use it at every opportunity. It is a great marketing tool, but no better than doing it traditionally. The laser just cuts through the tissue a little differently. Both can give great results. Go with the doctor that you feel most comfortable with, and that has a good track record.
+3
"Laser Blepharoplasty" may be a marketing gimmick
There are two things your doctor may have meant when he recommended "laser blepharoplasty."
He may have been referring to using a fractionated laser, such as Fraxel, that will rejuvenate the skin beneath your eye. This is a very easy and straightforward procedure since it involves no incisions, and your healing time will be very fast.
Your doctor may have meant using a laser to make the incision for a lower Blepharoplasty. If this is the case it is probably a...
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+3
Laser transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty and laser upper lid surgery has many advantages
I respect the other opinions expressed above. However I have used the laser blepharoplasty exclusively for almost 14 years in over 2400 blepharoplasty cases and have my own opinion about the benefits which were published in my 2000 article in the plastic surgery journal:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11039385
Recent studies in Asia have also confirmed the benefits of laser blepharoplasty and in that study concluded that laser blepharoplasty was superior.
The benefits of the laser are...
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+2
Laser Blepharoplasty is a Marketing Term
The first thing that should be understood is that the laser and the scalpel are both surgical tools which can be used to perform upper or lower eyelid Blepharoplasty. Does the use of a laser lead to a superior result? No. If anything, the thermal energy associated with the CO2 laser will lead to a greater amount of swelling. What is most important is the Surgeon performing the procedure.
+2
Traditional Blepharoplasty Vs Laser Blepharoplasty for Eye Bags?
Laser Blepharoplasty is a confusing term because it does not describe what is being done with the laser. Similarly, what is traditional Blepharoplasty? I would guess that is cutting the eyelid through a skin incision.
In any case, from your photos I don't believe you need a skin incision. I would think a transconjunctival blepharoplasty would suffice. If you have eyelid skin crepiness that you want to address, laser resurfacing would be a good option....
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+2
We should consider both of these are surgical procedures
We should consider both of these are surgical procedures. The laser assists when making incisions. Lasers can also improve the eyelid skin by tightening the skin and reducing fine lines. Incisions from laser show no difference than traditional incisions.
+2
Many surgeons favor a posterior transconjunctival approach
I suspect that the different suggestions had to do with where the incision might be placed. The plastic surgeon offering the laser blepharoplasty may have been discussing a transconjunctival approach to the lower eyelid herniated fat. Another approach is a lower eyelid skin crease incision. Much depends, as has been discussed, with what the problem is.Many now favor a posterior transconjunctival approach which can be accomplished with a CO2 laser, cutting cautery, etc. Fat can then be...
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Austin Oculoplastic Surgeon
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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