Lower Eyelid Lift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of New Bern, NC

Lower Eyelid Lift Dr. John Zannis Zannis Plastic Surgery

A lower eyelid lift is a surgical procedure that refines the appearance of the lower eyelids and under-eye area. (1) Over time, it is natural for our skin to change in appearance due to factors such as genetics, aging, lifestyle habits, gravity, and more. Often, the eyelids showcase these changes before other areas. A lower eyelid lift aims to address these concerns by tightening your underlying muscles, repositioning facial fat, and removing excess or hanging skin, leaving you with a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance you can enjoy for years to come.

Dr. John Zannis is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Zannis Plastic Surgery. Dr. Zannis offers more than 20 years of experience and has dedicated his career to improving the lives of his patients.

To explore how you can benefit from a lower eyelid lift, please schedule a consultation online or call our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197.

About Lower Eyelid Lift

A lower eyelid lift, also known as a lower blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure performed to improve the lower eyelids and undereyes. This procedure can be performed for both functional and cosmetic reasons, but is most commonly used to address a tired or aged appearance and baggy or swollen-looking eyelids. (1) The skin on the eyelids is the thinnest throughout the body. (2) Because of this, it is also one of the first places to show signs of aging, such as undereye bags, sagging skin, herniated fat, as well as an overall aged or tired appearance. Fortunately, blepharoplasty offers an effective solution, and its results have led it to grow in popularity. Eyelid lifts were one of the most widely performed surgical cosmetic procedures in the country in 2024, with more than 120,000 procedures performed that year alone. (3)

Benefits

Patients experience several benefits after undergoing a lower eyelid lift, including:

  • Refreshed Appearance: A lower eyelid lift can restore a more youthful-looking appearance to the lower eyelids by removing and repositioning excess fat and tissue.
  • Smoother Skin: Dr. Zannis can perform a lower eyelid lift to address undereye puffiness and sagging skin, leading to smoother, tighter skin.
  • Improved Facial Sculpt: A lower eyelid lift can enhance the definition of your undereye area, potentially resulting in a more balanced and proportionate appearance.
  • Long-Lasting Results: The results of a lower eyelid lift are designed to be long-lasting, especially when paired with a healthy lifestyle and good skincare routine.
  • Elevated Confidence: Many patients have reported an improvement in their self-esteem and body confidence after seeing the results of their procedure.
  • Personalized Procedures: Dr. Zannis personalizes each lower eyelid lift to ensure your results align with your ideal aesthetic and that your specific concerns are being addressed.
  • Minimal Scarring: Dr. Zannis places each incision in discreet areas to minimize any potential scar visibility.

Candidates

Candidates for a lower eyelid lift include anyone interested in addressing visual signs of aging around their undereye area without significant amounts of excess skin. Individuals who have developed wrinkles, creases, or fine lines around their lower eyelids may find this procedure to be highly beneficial. Those experiencing under-eye puffiness, loose or sagging skin, or excess facial fat may also make suitable candidates.

Anyone interested in a lower eyelid lift should be in good general health and keep realistic expectations about their results. Dr. Zannis will determine each patient’s eligibility during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Your lower eyelid lift will begin with a personal consultation with Dr. Zannis. He will meet with you individually to explain the procedure and what surgical techniques are best for your circumstances. He will ask you about your medical history, current prescriptions, concerns, and treatment goals, then evaluate the condition and quality of your lower eyelids, as well as your overall facial sculpt.

This information will be used to determine your candidacy and develop your treatment plan. He may also suggest additional procedures that may be paired alongside your lower eyelid lift for more comprehensive results. Throughout the consultation, Dr. Zannis will answer any questions you may have regarding your procedure, as we want you to feel well-informed and empowered about your lower eyelid lift.

To schedule this consultation and receive your tailored treatment plan, please schedule a consultation online. If you have any questions or would prefer scheduling a consultation over the phone, please call our office at (252) 633-1197. Virtual consultations are also offered for those who reside out of state or internationally.

Preparation

After your consultation, you will receive a set of pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your procedure. These instructions will vary depending on the details of your treatment plan, but they should all be followed to ensure a smooth recovery and optimal results.

You will need to prepare to take time away from your responsibilities, and you will need to pre-arrange transportation home after your procedure. Medications and supplements with blood-thinning properties should be discontinued several weeks before the procedure. Alcohol should be avoided for a few days before and after the procedure, and nicotine use should be stopped several weeks in advance. It is also advised to fill any prescriptions before your appointment to reduce your stress when recovering.

Procedure

On the day of your appointment, you should arrive with clean skin that is free from any makeup or skincare residue. A member of our team will lead you to a private treatment room where your skin will be cleansed, and anesthesia will be administered.

After the treatment area has been prepared, Dr. Zannis will begin placing incisions using either the transconjunctival approach or the subciliary approach.

  • Transconjunctival Approach: This technique consists of placing an incision on the inside of the lower eyelid. This technique leaves no external scarring and is ideal for addressing undereye puffiness or herniated fat. (4)
  • Subciliary Approach: This approach places an incision just beneath the lower lash line, creating a very discreet external scar. This technique may be used if you have excess skin to remove or need to adjust the under-eye muscles. (5)

After each incision is made, Dr. Zannis will start to make adjustments to the tissue. Excess fat will be redistributed, weakened facial muscles will be tightened, and loose or sagging skin will be excised. Once we achieve your desired appearance, Dr. Zannis will carefully close each incision before leaving you to rest under the care of his team.

Recovery and Results

Lower Eyelid Lift Dr. John Zannis Zannis Plastic Surgery

Each patient’s recovery time will vary depending on the surgical techniques used, the extent of correction, and how fast their body heals itself. After your procedure, it is common to experience swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will gradually dissipate over time, but may be managed by resting with your head elevated and using pain medications prescribed by Dr. Zannis.

You may be able to return to work within one to two weeks, but you should continue avoiding strenuous or physical activities until cleared. You may also be asked to return to our office for follow-up appointments so that Dr. Zannis can ensure you are progressing as expected.

Any additional instructions will be provided to you during your personal consultation. If you have any questions or concerns as you recover, Dr. Zannis and his team will be here to help guide you.

Once you have recovered, you will be able to enjoy the results of your lower eyelid lift. You will experience a more contoured and youthful-looking appearance, as well as smoother and tighter skin. The results of a lower eyelid lift are designed to be durable and long-lasting, and they can last for several years when properly maintained.

Corresponding Procedures

Upper Eyelid Lift

An upper eyelid lift is a surgical procedure that corrects and improves the function and appearance of the upper eyelids. This procedure can be performed to provide a more alert and youthful look to the upper eyelids while simultaneously addressing sagging skin and fat. Upper eyelid lifts may either be performed as a standalone procedure or paired with a lower eyelid lift for comprehensive rejuvenation.

Facelift

A facelift is a surgical procedure that revitalizes the appearance of the middle and lower face. This procedure tightens the facial muscles, repositions fat, and eliminates excess skin to soften and reduce the appearance of sagging skin, jowling, deep folds or creases, and more. Dr. Zannis offers several variations of the facelift to address a range of different concerns, including the traditional facelift, mini facelift, and AllureLift.

To learn more about the other procedures that may be combined with your lower eyelid lift, please read our blog!

Cost of Lower Eyelid Lifts in New Bern, North Carolina

The cost of your lower eyelid lift can vary depending on the surgical technique used, the concerns being addressed, whether or not any additional procedures are performed, and a few other factors. Dr. Zannis will provide you with a cost estimate for your procedure once the details of your treatment plan are established. Zannis Plastic Surgery also offers financing options that help make treatments more accessible.

To learn more about the cost of your procedure, please schedule a consultation online or call (252) 633-1197.

FAQ

Will there be any visible scarring after my lower eyelid lift?

This will vary depending on the surgical techniques used during the procedure. If your procedure utilizes the transconjunctival technique, there will be no external scarring as the incision will be placed within the eyelid. If the incision is placed below the lash line, there will be a discreet external scar.

How long will the results of my lower eyelid lift last?

The results of a lower eyelid lift are designed to be long-lasting, with many patients experiencing results that last up to ten years.

How soon can I return to work after my lower eyelid lift?

Most patients can return to work within one to two weeks, but this can vary depending on the nature of your job and how quickly your body recovers.

How will I know if this procedure is right for me?

During your consultation, Dr. Zannis will evaluate your medical history and facial anatomy to determine whether a lower eyelid lift is an appropriate treatment for your concerns.

Can I combine my lower eyelid lift with another cosmetic procedure?

Yes, many patients choose to combine their lower eyelid lift with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as an upper eyelid lift or facelift. For more information on combined procedures, we recommend scheduling a consultation.

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. Cochran ML, Lopez MJ, Czyz CN. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Eyelid. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482304/
  3. ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
  4. Raggio BS, Winters R. Lower Lid Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty. Nih.gov. Published December 29, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545179/
  5. Priti Bhoutekar, Winters R. Blepharoplasty Subciliary Approach. Nih.gov. Published July 4, 2023. Accessed September 18, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557659/#article-18381.s4