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Lower eyelid lift in Vienna

In brief

In a lower eyelid lift, Dr. Handl removes excess skin and fat pads from the lower eyelid or redistributes the fat, to treat eye bags and a tired look. The procedure takes about 45 minutes and is performed as an outpatient under local anaesthesia, with twilight sedation if you wish. Office work is usually possible the next day, sport after one week, and the stitches are removed after about seven days. Prices start at €2,900.

Medical review
This text was medically reviewed by our team on 6 October 2026
Cost:
from €2,900
Lower eyelid lift for eye bags in Vienna

At a glance

Location
Practice
Outpatient or inpatient
outpatient
Duration of the operation
about 45 minutes
Type of anaesthesia
local anaesthesia, with twilight sedation if you wish
Recovery phase
5-7 days
Scars
hidden in the eyelid crease
Desk work / office work
the next day
Sport
after 1 week
Check-ups
depending on healing, stitches removed after 7 days
Special notes
sunglasses and sun protection

Lower eyelid lift

Removing eye bags with a lower eyelid lift

The lower eyelid lift, also known as lower blepharoplasty, is an aesthetic plastic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and fatty tissue from the lower eyelid to achieve a more youthful and alert appearance. There can be many reasons for a lower eyelid lift, such as age-related changes and genetic predisposition, but environmental factors such as UV radiation and smoking can also lead to premature skin ageing and dark circles under the eyes.

A lower eyelid lift is usually performed as an outpatient under local anaesthesia. For more extensive procedures, general anaesthesia may be required. The area is accessed through an incision directly below the lower lash line, which makes the later scar almost invisible. The excess fat and skin tissue are removed precisely to achieve a natural result. If necessary, the muscles can also be tightened for an optimal result.

After the procedure, some swelling and bruising around the eyes is normal. These usually subside after a few days. Cold compresses and decongestant medication are recommended to relieve pain and prevent swelling. Physical exertion should be avoided in the first days after the operation to allow optimal healing.

Most patients can return to their normal work after just one week. Complete healing usually takes a few weeks to months. It is important that patients take sufficient rest after the operation and avoid sunlight and smoking to achieve the best possible result.

Dr. Handl is an experienced plastic surgeon and expert in lower eyelid lifts in Vienna. He places great importance on tailoring each procedure individually to the needs and wishes of his patients and achieving an optimal result. With his many years of experience and modern techniques, he ensures that the procedure is performed gently and successfully.

Lower eyelid lift costs – eye bag removal

In most cases, a lower eyelid lift is performed as an aesthetic procedure and is therefore not covered by health insurance. There are exceptions, however, if the drooping lower eyelids lead to a loss of function, such as a restricted field of vision.

In this case, there may be a medical necessity and the costs may be covered by health insurance. Such a medical necessity must, however, be established by a specialist and confirmed by the health insurer.

We recommend asking your health insurer before a lower eyelid lift whether coverage is possible and which conditions must be met.

Eyelid lift: the day of surgery

Before the procedure, Dr. Handl has another detailed conversation with you to discuss all the details and clarify any open questions. You are then looked after by our experienced anaesthetist, who prepares you for the anaesthesia and gives you all the necessary information.

The procedure itself takes about 1 to 2 hours and is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation. You feel no pain and yet remain conscious, so if you wish you can talk to Dr. Handl during the operation and be informed about its progress.

During the operation, the excess skin and fatty tissue are removed precisely. Dr. Handl uses particularly fine suturing techniques to achieve almost invisible scarring. When the procedure is complete, you are taken to our recovery room for a short period of observation.

You will soon feel well again and be able to go home. We do recommend, however, that you allow yourself a few days of rest and take it easy physically.

After the operation, we are of course available for all your questions and concerns and accompany you on your way to recovery.

Lower eyelid lift in Vienna

Dr. Handl – your specialist for lower eyelid lifts

Eye bags or slack lower eyelids can strongly affect your appearance – the face often looks tired, strained or older than it actually is. For many patients, this is not only about a visual correction but also about stronger self-esteem and a fresher, more vital presence in everyday life. In Vienna, Dr. Handl offers a precisely performed lower eyelid lift in which medical expertise and a pronounced sense for natural aesthetics come together.

Through his many years of experience in plastic and aesthetic facial surgery, Dr. Handl has earned an excellent reputation as a specialist in eyelid correction. Every procedure is planned with the utmost care and tailored individually to the patient's anatomy and aesthetic wishes. The aim is always a harmonious, subtle result that underlines personality while preserving natural expression.

The lower eyelid lift is performed as an outpatient procedure in a modern, safe environment. Just a few days after the procedure, many patients report markedly improved well-being and a visibly rejuvenated look – without looking “operated on”. Thanks to the finest surgical techniques and modern methods, healing is usually quick and low in complications.

If you are looking for a trustworthy contact for removing eye bags in Vienna, you will find in Dr. Handl an experienced partner with high professional standards and a special eye for subtle, elegant results. The individual consultation is the foundation for treatment that is not only aesthetically convincing but also strengthens your personal well-being in the long term.

Preparation, risks and aftercare

Preparation

In the consultation, Dr. Handl clarifies whether your eye bags consist mainly of fat or of slack skin and whether the fat will be removed or redistributed. This also determines the incision, below the lashes or on the inside of the eyelid. The procedure is performed as an outpatient under local anaesthesia, with twilight sedation if you wish.

After consulting us, avoid blood-thinning medication such as aspirin, as well as alcohol and, if possible, nicotine, which delays wound healing. Come without eye make-up and with someone to accompany you, as you should not drive yourself afterwards.

Risks

As with any operation, bruising, swelling, secondary bleeding, infection and wound-healing problems can occur.

On the lower eyelid, swelling or scar tension can make the eyelid pull away from the eye temporarily. Rarely, this malposition (ectropion) persists and needs to be corrected. Dry or watery eyes, slight asymmetries and visible scars are also possible. Visual disturbances due to bleeding behind the eye are very rare.

In the informed-consent consultation, Dr. Handl discusses all risks in detail and in relation to your personal situation.

Aftercare

After the procedure, you stay at the practice for a few hours until you feel fit to go home. Cool the eye area in the first days and sleep with your upper body raised. Office work is usually possible the next day. The stitches are removed after about seven days.

Swelling and bruising usually subside after 5 to 7 days, and sport is possible after about one week. Do not wear contact lenses or eye make-up until Dr. Handl gives the all-clear. Sunglasses protect against light, wind and sun.

Frequently asked questions

When can a lower eyelid lift help?

A lower eyelid lift can help with bothersome eye bags, dark circles and pronounced excess fat or skin below the eye. By removing the excess tissue and tightening the lower eye area, your look becomes fresher and more alert again.

How does a lower eyelid lift change your appearance?

The aim of an eyelid lift is to give the face back its fresh and vital appearance. Slack eyelids often lead to a tired, stressed or sad appearance, which an eyelid lift can correct. The natural shape of the eyes basically stays the same, and as a rule no visible scars remain. After the lift, the eye area looks more alert and radiant.

How does the procedure work?

Before the procedure, you are informed in detail in a consultation and have the opportunity to ask individual questions. Eyelid surgery can be performed as an outpatient, so you can leave the clinic the same day. An eyelid lift is usually performed under local anaesthesia, but twilight sedation is also possible if you wish. Before the procedure, the planned incision is marked on the patient's eyelid. The incision is made directly below the lash line or from the inside of the eyelid. Excess skin, fat compartments, eye bags and dark circles can be removed. The skin is tightened and closed again with an inconspicuous suture. The stitches can be removed a few days after the procedure. Slight swelling or redness subsides after a short time, and the scar fades.

How long does an eyelid lift take?

The exact duration of eyelid surgery varies from patient to patient. Depending on the starting point, a lower eyelid lift takes about 45 minutes. Our priority, however, is that the procedure is carried out carefully and without time pressure in order to achieve the optimal result.

Will there be a visible scar after a lower eyelid lift?

Dr. Handl places the incision directly below the lash line or on the inside of the eyelid so that it disappears in a particularly inconspicuous area. Immediately after the operation, the scar can still be red and swollen, but this subsides quickly. The scar fades and after a short time is no longer visible. To support this healing process, we recommend protecting the eyes from sunlight, for example by wearing sunglasses.

What are the risks of eyelid surgery?

Eyelid correction is one of the most common procedures in aesthetic surgery and is performed by Dr. Handl with experience and routine. Minor delays in healing such as bruising (haematomas), swelling, temporary changes in sensation at the eyelid margin or a temporary feeling of dryness in the eyes can occur in rare cases. In your individual consultation, you will be informed in detail about all the options, limits and any risks of the procedure and have the opportunity to clarify any open questions.

Can asymmetries be corrected with a lower eyelid lift?

Everyone's anatomy is different, and it is perfectly natural for the two eyes not to be exactly the same. Slight asymmetries can be evened out to a certain degree during the operation.

How long does the result of a lower eyelid lift last?

Everyone is different, and how long the results last is also influenced by genetics and lifestyle. Experience shows that a lower eyelid lift retains the desired effect for about 10 years.

Is the procedure painful?

As a rule, the patient only feels a slight prick at the beginning when the local anaesthetic is given. The rest of the operation is pain-free.

What do I need to consider before eyelid surgery?

Blood-thinning or anticoagulant medication must be stopped 2 weeks before the procedure.

What do I need to consider after eyelid surgery?

Immediately after the procedure, slight swelling and redness can occur. These usually subside by themselves within 1 to 2 weeks. You should avoid make-up and sport in the first week. Heat (e.g. sauna) and UV radiation (sun, sunbeds) should be avoided in the first weeks. Optimal healing and fading of the scar can also be supported by suitable scar care and a high-quality sunscreen.

Can I close my eyes normally after an eyelid lift?

That the eye cannot be closed after eyelid correction is a persistent myth. In an eyelid lift, only excess tissue is removed. The eye can be closed normally after the operation. Immediately after the operation, slight swelling can cause an unfamiliar feeling.

When can I go out in public again after eyelid correction?

Immediately after the procedure, slight swelling and redness can occur. In most patients, the swelling subsides after 3 to 4 days. Depending on the individual, bruises can remain slightly visible for up to 2 weeks.

When can I do sport again after an eyelid lift?

Dr. Handl recommends avoiding sport in the first week after the procedure. You can start again one day after the stitches have been removed (5 to 9 days after the operation).

When are the stitches removed?

Depending on skin type, the stitches are removed between the 5th and 9th day after the operation.

Personal consultation

Tell us what you would like to discuss. We will get back to you within two working days to arrange a personal consultation with Dr. Handl.

Prefer to call? +43 1 877 20 20

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