LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY IN DENVER (LOWER EYELID LIFT FOR EYE BAGS)

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Refresh tired-looking under eyes—without changing how you express yourself.

If puffiness, “eye bags,” or shadows make you look fatigued even when you’re rested, lower blepharoplasty can help.

 

At Denver Eyelid Specialists in Greenwood Village—serving Denver, Cherry Creek, and the Denver Tech Center—Chris Thiagarajah, MD (ASOPRS) performs conservative lower eyelid surgery that addresses fat pads and skin texture while keeping results natural.

 

QUICK FACTS

 

• Procedure time: ~45–75 minutes
• Anesthesia: local with oral/IV sedation (case dependent)
• Approach: transconjunctival (no external scar) ± skin pinch; with or without fat transposition or transfer
• Downtime: most patients feel “restaurantready” in ~21 days

 

WHAT IS A LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY?

 

Lower blepharoplasty reshapes or repositions lower eyelid fat and, when needed, tightens skin and supports the canthus (corner) of the eye. The goal is to reduce puffiness and soften the tear trough so light reflects smoothly across the lower lid/cheek junction.

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WHAT IT CAN IMPROVE?

• Bulging fat pads (“eye bags”)
• Deep tear troughs or hollowing from displaced fat
• Mild to moderate crepey skin or fine lines (with a conservative skin pinch)
• Asymmetry between lids

 

NOTE ON FESTOONS

“Festoons” or malar edema (fullness on the upper cheek) are different from true eye bags. We’ll identify which issue you have and recommend the best plan; sometimes non-surgical care or staged treatments are appropriate.

 

WHO’S A GOOD CANDIDATE?

 

• Healthy adults bothered by persistent under-eye puffiness or shadows
• Realistic goals: fresher, not different
• Stable ocular surface (dry eye optimized); contact lens users OK with guidance
• Men and women—planned differently to respect masculine vs. feminine eyelid/cheek contours

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HOW DR. THIAGARAJAH PLANS YOUR SURGERY

• Diagnosis first: distinguishes true fat prolapse vs. edema vs. volume loss
• Vector & laxity testing: snap-back test, canthal position, and cheek support guide whether a canthopexy/canthoplasty is added
• Fat preservation/transposition: prefer to move or blend fat over removing it to avoid hollowing
• Skin strategy: transconjunctival approach for fat, plus an optional skin pinch if texture needs it; transcutaneous if extra skin/muscle requires external access
• Filler history: dissolving is recommended before surgery

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PROCEDURE APPROACHES

 

Transconjunctival (no external scar)

• Incision on the inside of the eyelid
• Fat is repositioned/transposed to fill the tear trough or conservatively reduced
• Often paired with a skin pinch for fine crepe skin

 

Fat Reposition

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•Moving eyelid fat to adjacent tear trough area to soften transition from eyelid to cheek

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Fat Transfer

 

•Harvesting fat from the thigh to move into cheek and eyelid junction

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STEP-BY-STEP

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1. Marking & photos with you upright

2. Comfort anesthesia (local + light sedation)

3. Precise fat contouring with preservation or transposition

4. Skin pinch or gentle skin/muscle tightening when indicated

5. Canthal support if laxity would risk rounding/ectropion

6. Cooling, lubrication, and aftercare review before you go home

RECOVERY TIMELINE

• Days 0–2: swelling, tightness; ice compresses and head elevation
• Days 3–7: bruising fades; light walking is fine
• Day 7–10: skin-pinch sutures (if placed) usually removed; many patients feel Zoom/social ready
• Weeks 2–3: most swelling gone; makeup and contacts typically OK per your exam
• Month 3: contour refines; final result continues to settle

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Activity: avoid heavy workouts, hot yoga, and swimming ~2 weeks. Use sunglasses and SPF to protect healing skin.

 

RISKS & SAFETY (BRIEF)

Bruising, swelling, temporary dryness/irritation, chemosis, asymmetry, visible scar (if external approach), hollowing, persistent bags, ectropion or rounding (rare, mitigated by canthal support), infection, bleeding/hematoma, and very rare vision-threatening complications. Choosing an ASOPRS-trained oculoplastic surgeon helps minimize risk and safely manage eyelid/eye-surface factors.

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COST & FINANCING

Fees vary based on approach , whether canthal support is added, and anesthesia setting. You’ll receive a written quote at consultation. 

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WHY DENVER PATIENTS CHOOSE DR. THIAGARAJAH

• ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeon specializing in eyelids
• Natural results: fat preservation/transposition over aggressive removal
• Thoughtful planning for male vs. female aesthetics
• Convenient location near Cherry Creek, DTC, and Greenwood Village

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CALL TO SCHEDULE
Call 720-386-1989 or Request a Consult online

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LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY FAQs

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Will I have a visible scar?

Transconjunctival surgery leaves no external scar. If extra skin requires an external approach, the incision sits just under the lashes and usually heals well.

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Is fat removed or moved?

Whenever possible, we reposition fat to fill the tear trough, removing only what’s necessary to avoid hollowing.

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Do I need canthopexy/canthoplasty?

If your lid has laxity, gentle support helps prevent rounding or ectropion and maintains a natural eye shape.

What if I have filler under the eyes?

If there is filler we recommend dissolving it before surgery for the best outcome.

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How long do results last?

 

Many patients enjoy long-lasting improvement for years; normal aging continues, but puffiness typically stays much improved.

Many patients enjoy long-lasting improvement for years; normal aging continues, but puffiness typically stays much improved.