Traditional Blepharoplasty Vs Laser Blepharoplasty for Eye Bags?

"Laser blepharoplasty" is a confusing term for many patients. A traditional blepharoplasty uses a scalpel or electrocautery device to make an incision (either on the skin or inside the eyelid). A laser blepharoplasty is a term that can be used to describe using the laser to make the incision (similar to a scalpel or electrocautery device), or using the laser to resurface and tighten the skin. Think of the laser as a tool just like a scalpel or electrocautery device. The key is the surgeon using the tool, not the tool itself.
In my practice, I have several different lasers, including some that can be used to make incisions. In blepharoplasty, I most commonly use the laser to resurface and tighten the lower eyelid skin either instead of, or in addition to, a conservative amount of skin excision. I always recommend finding a surgeon that you are comfortable with, look at their before and after results, and make a decision based on these factors rather than the specifics of a surgical technique.
Be sure to see a surgeon who specializes in facial aesthetic procedures.
All the best,

The terminology can certainly be confusing to many patients.Typically if someone describes a lower eyelid surgery as a laser blepharoplasty that is in reference to using a laser (CO2 - carbon dioxide laser) to make the incision and often perform some of the cautery involved in removing fat.This is in contrast to using a combination of scalpel and electrocautery.  The difference in my opinion is negligible.  Using the laser to do some of the work is a nice way to make use of some good technology, but if the more traditional methods of electrocautery or radiofrequency cautery combined with sharp dissection are performed with the appropriate level of attention to detail and meticulousness then there really is no advantage of one technique over another.Laser blepharoplasty often gets over-hyped from a marketing standpoint because it sounds fancy.  The reality is that the skill and judgment of the surgeon are far more important that the tools that he or she chooses to use to help you achieve a great result.

Congratulations- you look fantastic for 50! Looking at your lower eyelids it seems to me that you have rather excess skin than lower eye bags which are caused protruding orbital fat.
Laser blepharoplasties (with a fractionated carbon dioxide laser such as Fraxel re:pair) are less invasive and can deliver great results when you have minor to medium loose skin and wrinkles over your lower eyelids. Once a patient has deeper wrinkles and more saggy skin over their lower eyelids AND if the patient's problem are heavy eyebags a laser treatment won't be enough. In this case you will need a surgical lower eyelift: With not too big eyebags you might be advised to go for a transconjuctival lower eyelift (incision inside the eyelid). This treatment might get combined with a peel of the lower lids or CO2 laser or Fraxel repair treatment to tighten the skin of the eyelid. With heavier/puffy eyebags or excessive skin over the lower eyelids your surgeon will make an incision right underneath your eyelashes. From this incision the protruded fat can removed or even repositioned (arcus marginalis release) and saggy skin reduced. The scar usually hides very well under the eyelashes and the laugh lines.
Some surgeons use a laser instead of a scalpel to cut the skin and the fat pads. Even though 'laser' is a magic word and makes us think of a futuristic and up-to-date way to perform a blepharoplasty the laser offers no proven benefits when used as a cutting tool except slower healing.
Since you got two different treatment advice it might be worth getting a third opinion. Actually it is not difficult to make the right decision. Make sure you see a plastic surgeon who can perform all of the discussed techniques!