Remove Bags Under The Eye: Comparing Eyelid Surgery vs Eye Fillers

Under eye bags are one of the visible signs of ageing we show on our face. As the fat supporting your eyes shifts into the lower eyelid, it begins to look puffy. Fluid can also accumulate, causing further swelling. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for puffy eyes.

In this article, we compare the two best approaches to removing bags under the eyes:

Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is the surgical option for resolving sagging, droopy, or puffy bags under the eyes. The procedure involves making an incision to remove excess fat and skin. Making the incision along the natural lines of the face, keeps it hidden once it heals.

For under eye bag surgery, we perform a lower blepharoplasty. A facelift can complement this procedure well and offer greater results.

Tear Trough Fillers

Tear trough fillers (aka eye fillers) offer a non-surgical approach to reducing bags under the eye. There are a wide variety of dermal fillers with different purposes and effects. For reducing bags under the eyes, we typically use hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane and Juvéderm. 

The process uses micro-injections in a process called, tear trough filler rejuvenation. 

Comparing Under Eye Bar Removal Options

Both eyelid surgery and eye fillers are viable and effective options for removing bad under the eye. The best option for you depends on personal preference, desired results, and the recommendations of your plastic surgeon. Your plastic surgeon will suggest the best course of action based on your aims, aesthetics, and the cause of droopy eyelids.

However, they do take your treatment preference into consideration. Here we compare eyelid surgery and eye fillers:

Results

Both lower blepharoplasty and tear trough filler rejuvenation offer definitive results. A skilled plastic surgeon can remove or reduce your eye bags with either eyelid surgery. However, eye fillers only reduce the appearance of bags and don’t last as long.

Using eye fillers is a temporary solution. How long it lasts depends on:

• Which dermal filler you use
• Your skin
• The target area

For instance, with Restylane, results can last anywhere from 6 months to 18 months. Fortunately, once the results fade, you can simply get another injection. Your plastic surgeon can recommend how long to wait in between treatments.

Under eye bag removal surgery is the permanent solution. While fillers wear off over time, eyelid surgery actually resolves the issue by removing the cause. A new build-up of fat and/or fluid would need to occur for the issue to resurface.

Time

Eyelid surgery and dermal fillers both offer fast results. Through surgical removal, the offending issue is removed and you see the full results once the incision heals. Any bruising usually disappear within 7-10 days, and mild swelling can persist for 1-6 weeks. Incision lines should also fade over time.

With tear trough fillers, results are noticeable right away and for collagen-producing fillers you see further improvement over the next few weeks. The actual procedure itself takes less time to perform since it is an injection rather than a surgery. However, it doesn’t have the same permanence as surgery.

Risks

Your plastic surgeon will assess your skin and review your health history to determine whether you’re a better candidate for eyelid surgery or dermal fillers. As well, they can assess the risks you may face for either treatment.

For a lower blepharoplasty, there are greater risks if you have one of these conditions:

• High Blood Pressure
• Thyroid Problems
• Diabetes
• Certain Allergies
• Dry Eyes
• Certain Eye Problems

After the surgery, you may find you have a temporary sensitivity to light. As well, you may experience more dryness or teariness in the eyes in the days following the treatment. Wearing dark sunglasses for the first couple of weeks can help to mitigate these temporary issues.

As eye fillers are non-surgical there is less risk involved. However, you may experience temporary side effects including:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Bruising

Costs

The exact costs of eyelid surgery depend on the individual issue. A consultation is necessary for an exact price. However, the average cost of a lower blepharoplasty is $5,000. Getting upper and lower blepharoplasty at the same time can also offer significant savings.

The cost of eye fillers is largely dependent on the number of syringes necessary. Typically, eye fillers cost $500 to $600 per syringe. Short-term it’s cheaper than surgery, although over the years repeat treatments can make surgery a lower overall cost.

Book an Appointment for Cosmetic Eye Surgery in Toronto

Dr. Richard Rival is a trusted facial plastic surgeon in Toronto. He is a double board-certified in the highly specialized field of facial plastic surgery. With ample experience, training, and patient-centred care, he is a top choice for cosmetic eye surgery in Toronto.Contact Dr. Rival today to schedule a consultation.