Introduction
In the bustling metropolis of New York City, the demand for external eye bag removal surgery and various plastic surgeries is ever - growing. With numerous experts offering their services, it can be a daunting task for individuals to navigate through the options and make an informed decision. This article aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the ranking of experts for external eye bag removal surgery and also shed light on plastic surgery prices in New York City in 2025.
Understanding Eye Bags
What are Eye Bags?
Eye bags are dark, puffy circles under the eyes. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate compared to other parts of the body, making it more prone to developing puffiness. Some common reasons for the development of eye bags include:
- Tiredness: Failure to get enough sleep may result in red, puffy, and droopy eyes. Lack of proper rest can cause fluid to accumulate in the under - eye area.
- Allergic reactions: Allergy symptoms like congestion and inflammation can cause puffiness under the eyes. The body's immune response to allergens can lead to fluid retention in the delicate eye area.
- High salt intake: Consuming too much salt may cause fluid retention, resulting in swelling under the eyes. The excess sodium disrupts the body's fluid balance.
- Medical conditions: Some health conditions, such as thyroid issues, can irritate the eyes and cause eye bags. Hormonal imbalances associated with medical conditions can affect the body's normal functioning and lead to under - eye puffiness.
- Genetic predisposition: Some people inherit under - eye bags from family members. Genes can determine the structure and elasticity of the skin around the eyes.
- Natural aging process: As one ages, the skin starts to lose firmness. The supporting muscles and tissues around the eyes weaken, leading to droopy skin under the eyes.
How to Treat Eye Bags Non - Surgically
Before considering surgery, there are several non - surgical treatments and home remedies that can be tried:
Home Remedies
- Get enough sleep: Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Adequate rest helps the body recover and reduces fluid accumulation under the eyes.
- Cut back on salty foods: The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming no more than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day for most adults, and ideally no more than 1,500 milligrams per day, especially for those with high blood pressure. Reducing salt intake helps maintain the body's fluid balance.
- Use eye cream: Over - the - counter (otc) products like eye creams, masks, and peels can rejuvenate, hydrate, and tighten the skin around the eyes. These products often contain ingredients that promote collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Try a cool compress: Cold compresses reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels around the eyes. You can use an ice pack, a frozen bag of vegetables, refrigerated spoons, or cold green tea bags.
- Apply makeup: Cosmetics like concealers and foundations are a great temporary solution for dark shadows under eyes. However, it's important to wash the face at night after removing makeup to prevent skin damage.
- Take collagen supplements: Collagen is a protein necessary for healthy skin, nails, hair, and joints. Collagen production naturally decreases with age, and taking supplements can help maintain skin elasticity.
- Treat allergies: If an allergic reaction is causing eye bags, consult a doctor to find the best medicine or treatment for allergies. Addressing the underlying allergy can reduce under - eye puffiness.
Alternative Treatments
- Laser resurfacing: A series of laser treatments can reduce the appearance of wrinkled skin under the eyes. Laser resurfacing works by stimulating cellular renewal for firmer skin, and the results can last for several years.
- Dermal fillers: Fillers involve injecting a gel, usually hyaluronic acid, beneath the skin to create a smooth, youthful contour. Although dermal fillers aren't FDA - approved to treat under - eye bags, some doctors use them as an off - label treatment. Fillers can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months.
External Eye Bag Removal Surgery
What is Eye Bag Surgery?
Eye bag surgery, also known as lower blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure aimed at reducing the appearance of eye bags. It involves removing excess skin and fat from the under - eye area to reduce bags and wrinkles. Some people also opt for upper eyelid blepharoplasty to achieve a more youthful appearance. At present, there are two effective eye bag treatments:
- Eye bag surgery that removes the fat pouches: This is a long - lasting solution. In some cases, as determined by the surgeon in a consultation, the fatty pouches can be removed from behind the eyelid. This is called the trans - conjunctival approach because the incision is hidden on the inside of the eyelid (on the mucous membrane called the conjunctiva). On occasion, an in - front - of - the - eyelid incision may be recommended if skin removal or eyelid muscle tightening is required.
- Filler injections: This is a temporary fix that disguises the bags by inflating the surrounding areas. It may not be as effective as surgery if the bags are severe, but it can be more effective than surgery if the primary issue is hollowing and not bulging fat.
Types of Eye Bag Surgery Procedures
Transcutaneous Blepharoplasty
Most surgeons make an external incision just below the eyelashes when performing lower blepharoplasty, which is known as the transcutaneous incision (meaning “through the skin”). A well - placed incision can be virtually invisible when fully healed. However, patients with darker skin may experience darker pigmentation (hyperpigmentation) along the incision line. This approach often involves making incisions and flaps of the orbicularis oculi muscle, which is very important as it supports the lower eyelid like a hammock. If the integrity of the muscle is compromised, the shape of the eye can be altered. This approach is commonly used by general plastic surgeons who don't specialize or have enough experience in eyelid surgery, and it often results in rounding of the lower eyelids, scleral show (where too much of the white of the eyes becomes visible), or pulling down of the lower eyelids called lower eyelid retraction. This type of surgery should be performed with an understanding of other eyelid procedures to preserve the natural shape of the eye.
Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty
The transconjunctival approach to lower blepharoplasty requires knowledge of the delicate structures close to the eye, so it is mostly performed by cosmetic eyelid surgery specialists. The incision is made in the inside of the eyelid, behind the eyelid skin, in an anatomic feature called the conjunctiva to access the fat pockets. This approach has several benefits: no external incision, so signs of surgery are unnoticeable; the shape of the eye is typically better preserved as the orbicularis oculi muscle integrity is preserved; and there is minimal trauma to the fragile support network of the eyelid structure.
What to Expect During and After Eye Bag Surgery
Before Surgery
During a consultation for lower eyelid surgery, patients will discuss their health history with the doctor. The doctor will evaluate their vision and eye care history. They cannot conduct the surgery if the patient has had refractive surgery (like LASIK or PRK) in the last 6 months. The doctor will also assess the quality of the skin, the soft tissue, and the area's skeletal support. If there are other ways to treat the under - eye bags, the doctor will likely recommend those first. For example, if the under - eye bags are the result of an allergic reaction, the doctor may direct the patient to an allergy specialist.
During Surgery
Patients may receive general anesthesia before the surgical procedure. Otherwise, they will receive local anesthesia to numb the area around the eyes. During lower eyelid surgery, the surgeon removes excess fat from under the eye. They may also tighten the muscles and skin to smooth the surface. In some cases, they may inject fat into hollow areas. When they're finished, they will use sutures to close the incisions and tighten the skin.
After Surgery
After the surgery is over, patients will stay at the surgeon's office for monitoring and will be allowed to leave later that day. The doctor will likely advise patients to do the following:
- Use a cold compress on their eyes for about 10 minutes every hour following surgery (over time, use the ice pack less)
- Clean their eyes gently with eye drops and ointments as prescribed
- Avoid straining or rubbing their eyes for a week
- Stay away from strenuous activities for a week
- Avoid smoking
- Don’t wear contacts for about 2 weeks following surgery
- Protect their eyes from the sun and wind with darkly tinted sunglasses
- Use cool compresses to reduce swelling
- Sleep with their head raised above their chest for the first few days following surgery
- Follow the doctor's instructions for after - care. If they work, they should take about a week off after reconstructive surgery to allow their lower lid skin to heal.
Side Effects and Risks of Eye Bag Surgery
Side Effects
Side effects of eye bag surgery include irritated eyes, watery eyes, blurred vision, light sensitivity, double vision, swelling, bruising, pain, and discomfort.
Potential Complications
Risks of eye bag surgery include scarring, injury to the eye muscles, infection, dry eyes, difficulty closing the eyes, blurred vision, and very rarely, loss of eyesight.
Ranking of Experts for External Eye Bag Removal Surgery in New York City
Dr. Brett Kotlus
Dr. Brett Kotlus is a cosmetic oculoplastic surgeon in NYC. He has extensive experience in performing eye bag surgery. He believes that a cosmetic oculoplastic surgeon is the best choice for eye bag removal surgery. Most of the eye bag removal surgeries he performs are from behind the eyelid (trans - conjunctival approach), but he may recommend an in - front - of - the - eyelid incision if skin removal or eyelid muscle tightening is required. He takes into account the height and depth factors during eye bag surgery. For patients with under - eye and cheek hollowing, he may shift fat from the lower eyelids to fill the under - eye hollows or perform fat injections with cells taken from another part of the body.
Dr. John E. Sherman
Dr. John E. Sherman is a board - certified plastic surgeon with over 40 years of experience in the field. He specializes in facial rejuvenation, including blepharoplasty. He offers both upper - eyelid surgery and lower - eyelid surgery (under - eye bag surgery). He has routinely performed transconjunctival blepharoplasty operations over the past 30 years and was featured in an article in Elle magazine. His expertise lies in meticulously examining the skin and underlying structures of the eyelids to determine the best approach for each patient. He also offers financing options to help make the payment process easier.
Dr. Amiya Prasad
Dr. Amiya Prasad is a leading oculofacial plastic surgeon who has performed eyelid surgery for more than 25 years. He is considered one of the best in his field. He uses a unique approach to IV sedation combined with local anesthesia called Lite™ anesthesia, which allows patients to recover faster. He mostly performs the transconjunctival approach for lower eyelid blepharoplasty, which preserves the shape of the eye and has minimal trauma. He also spends a lot of time with each patient in consultation to select the best approach for treating the under - eye bags and improving the skin of the lower eyelids.
Dr. Anaïs Carniciu
Dr. Anaïs Carniciu is a highly respected and board - certified oculoplastic and facial plastic surgeon at New York Eye and Face. She holds extensive training and experience in both ophthalmology and plastic surgery. She is known for her meticulous attention to detail, artistic approach, and commitment to achieving natural - looking results. She provides comprehensive and specialized treatments for the eyes and face, including eye bag surgery. During the consultation, she will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the specific procedure.
Plastic Surgery Prices in New York City
Factors Affecting Plastic Surgery Prices
The cost of plastic surgeries, including eye bag removal surgery, in New York City is influenced by several factors:
- Surgeon's experience and expertise: More experienced and well - known surgeons may charge higher fees. Their skills and reputation often translate into better results and a lower risk of complications.
- Facility fees: High - end surgical facilities equipped with the latest technology and amenities may have higher facility fees. These fees cover the use of the surgical suite and related resources.
- Pre and post - operative care: Comprehensive care before and after the procedure is crucial for optimal results. Costs may include pre - operative consultations, medical tests, and follow - up appointments to monitor the recovery.
- Complexity of the procedure: The complexity of the surgery can vary depending on the patient's needs. More intricate surgeries may require additional time, resources, and specialized techniques, which can impact the overall cost. For example, if a patient has significant skin laxity or other underlying issues, the surgery may be more complex and expensive.
- Anesthesia fees: The type of anesthesia used (general or local) and the length of the procedure can affect the anesthesia fees. General anesthesia is usually more expensive than local anesthesia.
Price Range for Different Plastic Surgeries
Surgery | Starting Price |
---|---|
Upper eyelid surgery (i.e., blepharoplasty, ptosis repair) | $5,000 |
Lower eyelid surgery (i.e., fat bag removal or repositioning) | $6,000 |
Brow lift surgery | $6,000 |
Revision blepharoplasty | $5,000 |
Earlobe repair | $1,500 |
Xanthelasma removal | $900 |
Eyelid lesion or "stye" (with stitches) | $900 |
Skin tag (without stitches) | $350 |
It's important to note that these are just starting prices, and the actual cost can vary depending on the amount of work necessary to achieve the patient's goals. A consultation with the surgeon is needed to determine the exact cost.
Conclusion
External eye bag removal surgery is a popular cosmetic procedure in New York City, and there are many experts available to perform it. Each expert has their own unique approach and areas of expertise. When considering eye bag removal surgery or other plastic surgeries, it's crucial to do thorough research, understand the different procedures, and assess the risks and benefits. The cost of plastic surgery is an important consideration, but it should not be the only factor. Choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon is essential for achieving the best results and minimizing the risks.
If you're interested in learning more about external eye bag removal surgery or other plastic surgeries in New York City, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of the experts mentioned in this article. Take the time to discuss your concerns, goals, and any questions you may have. Remember, making an informed decision is