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Puffiness under the eyes. Hollowing. Tired-looking skin. These are some of the first signs of aging many people notice—and once they appear, they’re difficult to ignore. Topical treatments can only do so much, and often the issue isn’t skin-deep, but structural. This is where lower eyelid surgery, or lower blepharoplasty, offers a precise and long-lasting solution.
Lower eyelid surgery is one of the many cosmetic surgery options that Newport Beach board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph T. Cruise offers to patients seeking facial rejuvenation. Joseph T Cruise, MD, believes that all the patients who come to see him in his Orange County location deserve the best, most up-to-date information about lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), which is why he and his staff have created these pages. Finding answers to your questions and viewing before-and-after eyelid surgery photos of realistic results are often the first steps in deciding if the procedure may be right for you. Joseph T Cruise, MD, is dedicated to helping you make informed decisions regarding the plastic surgery that will help you achieve your desired results.
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As the focal point of the face, eyes are often the first thing people notice about you. They are the key to creating facial expressions, and can easily influence the perceptions that people have about you. So many patients come to Cruise Plastic Surgery in Orange County with the same complaint: their eyes make them look older and more tired than they feel.
Lower blepharoplasty, or lower eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the lower eyelids by removing or repositioning excess fat, tightening lax skin, and smoothing the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek. Dr. Cruise tailors each lower eyelid surgery to the patient’s anatomy, goals, and facial structure. For comprehensive rejuvenation, lower blepharoplasty is frequently combined with procedures like upper eyelid surgery or fat transfer.
Dr. Joseph T. Cruise, of Newport Beach, CA, is prepared to assist patients in achieving a look that is as young and as vibrant as they feel. With more than ten years of experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon, he knows that the facial aging process can begin quickly and show more dramatically in some facial areas than others. As the eyes are one of the first areas to develop fine lines and wrinkles, in addition to bags, drooping, and other aging signs that contribute to a “worn-out” facial appearance, he has developed an exemplary skill for performing lower eyelid surgery and other facial rejuvenation procedures.
Lower eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure that is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your comfort level and the complexity of your procedure.
Dr. Cruise uses one of two main approaches: a transconjunctival incision (inside the lower eyelid, with no visible scar) or a subciliary incision (just below the lash line) if skin needs to be tightened. Fat is carefully removed, repositioned, or supplemented to smooth out puffiness or hollows. In some cases, skin and muscle are gently lifted to improve tone and reduce wrinkling.
The procedure takes about 1–2 hours, and patients return home the same day with post-op instructions in place to ensure a smooth recovery and optimal healing.
In the attractive, youthful lower eye lid, the lateral canthus should be higher than the medial canthus. The lower lid should just touch the colored part of the eye.
The eyes are often one of the places that Joseph T Cruise, MD’s patients report they first notice the signs of aging. In youth, the cheeks and area around the eyes are kept plump and voluminous by the fat that makes them round out. As people age, they may notice a more gaunt, skeletal appearance in addition to fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, as this facial fat begins to descend into the area around the mouth. Generally, when people notice the effects that aging has on their appearance they want to restore the look of their youth, and many people turn to lower eyelid surgery, fat transfer, and other facial rejuvenation procedures to help.
In the past, lower eyelid rejuvenation was based on only tightening facial skin via skin excision. Dramatic changes in the cosmetic surgery industry over the past decade mean that Joseph T Cruise, MD and the rest of his Newport Beach staff do not consider a “one-size-fits-all” solution to facial rejuvenation. Instead, the professionals at Cruise Plastic Surgery take the approach that skin excision is just one approach to counteracting facial aging.
In fact, three major components of the face may need to be addressed in order to recapture the youthful, refreshed look of your youth:
Since Joseph T Cruise, MD, meets with each patient individually in his Orange County office, he is able to consult with everyone about their concerns, desired changes, and the underlying components contributing to their overall problem. This customized approach to eyelid rejuvenation means that every patient receives the best long-term solution available for their particular issues.
Many patients are concerned about crow’s feet around their eyes, which, unfortunately, eyelid surgery alone may not completely correct. Joseph T Cruise, MD, uses a highly successful technique that includes repositioning underlying fat and muscle so that you can regain youthful, wrinkle-free eye areas.
If you have concerns about the skin condition around your eyes, you might want to discuss your facial rejuvenation options with Joseph T Cruise, M,D at your consultation. Many patients choose to have a brow lift, face lift, chemical peel, or dermabrasion in addition to their lower blepharoplasty to address concerns with the skin around their eyes.
Youthful Eyes. Muscles around the eyes are circular in shape.
Aged Eyes. Notice how the muscles and the lateral canthus sags.
Over the last decade, cosmetic surgery has developed a richer, fuller picture of how facial fat and muscle contribute to facial aging. Because of this innovative knowledge and techniques, Joseph T Cruise, MD, is able to perform custom facial rejuvenation procedures that provide long-lasting effects for his patients.
Rather than remove fat, Joseph T Cruise, M,D generally chooses to perform a fat transfer or cheek lift with a patient who is interested in lower eyelid surgery if the blepharoplasty won’t correct the person’s underlying problems. Additionally, many patients complain to Joseph T Cruise, MD, that the lower eyelid, especially near the temple region, has begun to descend, giving their face a depressed appearance. This “droopy” countenance is easily corrected with an elevation of the lateral portion of the lower eyelid, creating a youthful, almond-shaped lower eyelid area. There are many options available to people who want dramatic results to their eye, cheek, brow, and temple area, and it is important to discuss if eyelid rejuvenation is right for you at your personal consultation with Joseph T Cruise, MD, at his Newport Beach office.
Example of how repositioning the muscles and fat can markedly improve bags under the lower eyelid
Oblique view of same patient
In youth, a person’s facial fat is located high in the cheek, under the lower eyelid.
As a person ages, the cheek fat descends, which creates a crease between the lower eyelid and the cheek. Joseph T Cruise, MD often performs multiple procedures for patients who have multiple concerns with their eye area. By doing this, it allows Joseph T Cruise, MD to address all the components associated with aging, including separate problems in the facial skin, muscles, fat, and bone. At your consultation you can discuss with him if lower eyelid surgery alone will achieve the look you want. Browse the galleries of before and after pictures to see the difference that multiple facial rejuvenation procedures can make. Contact us for more information!
Young eyes. Fat is situated high in the cheek under the lower eyelid, giving volume and preventing wrinkles.
Aged Eyes. Cheek fat has descended, creating a creased lower eyelid and a deep fold above the lips.
Lower blepharoplasty is most often performed to treat:
These issues can make patients look older, tired, or stressed even when they feel otherwise. Lower eyelid surgery restores the natural contours beneath the eyes, bringing the overall face back into balance.
Most patients experience bruising, swelling, and mild tightness in the first week after surgery. Cold compresses, head elevation, and prescription ointments can ease discomfort and promote healing.
Dr. Cruise’s team will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including when to resume showering, makeup, and physical activity. Stitches—if used—are typically removed around 5–7 days post-op. Most patients feel comfortable returning to non-strenuous work or social activities within 10–14 days. Full healing continues for several weeks as swelling resolves and results settle.
Results from lower eyelid surgery are visible within the first two weeks, though refinement continues over several months. Once healed, the eyes appear brighter, more rested, and better defined—without looking tight or unnatural.
Because Dr. Cruise emphasizes tissue preservation and natural support, the results are smooth and youthful without the hollowed-out appearance that can occur with overly aggressive techniques. With healthy lifestyle habits and sun protection, the results of your lower blepharoplasty can last for many years.
Dr. Joseph T. Cruise is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial procedures, including both upper and lower blepharoplasty. His reputation is built on precision, honesty, and natural-looking results that honor the individuality of every face.
At Cruise Plastic Surgery, patients receive personalized care in a welcoming, discreet environment where artistry and safety come first. Choosing lower eyelid surgery is a decision that deserves expert guidance. Dr. Cruise will help you evaluate your goals, answer your questions, and design a treatment plan that enhances your appearance while keeping you looking like you.
Joseph T Cruise, MD makes clear the potential complications and risks, and details what to expect during recovery from lower eyelid surgery
The cost of lower blepharoplasty varies depending on the details of your procedure. Our office can provide an accurate price quote once you have had your consultation with Dr. Cruise. We accept several financing options to help make your surgery affordable for your budget.
