Facelift and Eyelid Surgery: A Five-Week Follow-Up

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Hello, I am Dr. Seungsoo Kim, Medical Director of AVA Plastic Surgery.

In my previous post, I shared my mother's progress after facelift and eyelid surgery. Today, I would like to show another patient's preoperative photographs and five-week follow-up after surgery addressing the eye area, cheeks and area beneath the chin.

Case at a glance

• Surgery: September 19, 2026
• Eye area: sub-brow lift, incisional double-eyelid surgery, lower blepharoplasty and under-eye fat repositioning
• Face and under-chin area: SMAS facelift, submental muscle tightening, facial liposuction and buccal fat removal
• Follow-up photographs: October 24, 2026, five weeks after surgery

01 Preoperative assessment

Before surgery · September 19, 2026

From the front, I assess the eye area and the overall balance of the face. Oblique and profile views help me examine the transition from the cheeks to the jawline, together with the area beneath the chin.

When the eyes look heavy, the skin beneath the brows and the eyelids need to be assessed separately. Similarly, a less defined jawline calls for an assessment of tissue descent, fat and the structures beneath the chin.

For this patient, I considered the eye area and lower face together when planning surgery.

02 The procedures performed together

The eye procedures were a sub-brow lift, incisional double-eyelid surgery, lower blepharoplasty and under-eye fat repositioning. The face and under-chin procedures were a SMAS facelift, submental muscle tightening, facial liposuction and buccal fat removal.

For the upper eye area, I assess the skin beneath the brows and on the eyelids to determine the role and extent of each procedure. The lower eyelids also need to be considered so that the eye area works together as a whole.

For the lower face, I consider tissue descent around the cheeks and jawline, fat distribution and the condition beneath the chin. Rather than viewing the eyes and lower face in isolation, I consider how they will fit together across the face.

This combination is not necessary for everyone. The appropriate procedures depend on the person's concerns and which tissues need to be addressed.

03 Five weeks after facelift and eyelid surgery

Five weeks after surgery · October 24, 2026

These photographs were taken on October 24, following surgery on September 19. They are arranged in the same five views as the preoperative photographs.

When looking at them, consider the eye area alongside the transition from the cheeks to the jawline and from beneath the chin to the neck.

At follow-up, I focus on how the different parts of the face work together. I look at how changes around the eyes relate to the lower face and how the patient's own facial characteristics remain part of that overall appearance.

04 Looking at the eye area and jawline together

The frontal view shows the upper and lower eye areas, both cheeks and the jawline as a whole. The oblique views show the transition from the lower eyelids to the cheeks, while the profile views show the jawline and area beneath the chin.

A single photograph cannot show every aspect, which is why I keep records from several directions.

This is a record at five weeks after surgery. Scars and tissue recovery still require ongoing follow-up. In person, I also assess tightness, changes in sensation and any discomfort in daily life.

05 A note from the operating surgeon

Back to where it belongs.

This is a principle I often discuss in my journal, and it was also important in this case. My aim was to respect the patient's own facial characteristics while addressing the areas that needed change.

A longer list of procedures does not automatically mean a better result. The first step is to decide what needs to be addressed and how extensive the surgery needs to be.

I will continue to share the reasoning behind surgical planning and the course of postoperative follow-up in these notes.

Dr. Seungsoo Kim
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
AVA Plastic Surgery

06 Questions about this case

Which procedures were performed?

A sub-brow lift, incisional double-eyelid surgery, lower blepharoplasty with under-eye fat repositioning, a SMAS facelift, submental muscle tightening, facial liposuction and buccal fat removal.

When were the follow-up photographs taken?

Surgery was on September 19, 2026, and the follow-up photographs were taken on October 24, 2026: 35 days, or five weeks, later.

Why assess the eyes and jawline together?

In this case, the appearance around the eyes and its relationship to the cheeks and jawline were considered together. Procedures are selected after assessing each area; the same combination is not recommended for everyone.

07 Consultation and appointments

Dr. Seungsoo Kim · AVA Plastic Surgery

If you are concerned about the eye area or facial sagging, we can assess your current condition and explain the appropriate scope of treatment at a consultation.

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Related reading: My mother's facelift and eyelid surgery journey

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Appointments: +82 2-545-1882

Surgical risks include bleeding, infection, hematoma, scarring, asymmetry and changes in sensation. Results and recovery vary between individuals.

Facelift consultation in Seoul, Korea

Visit AVA Plastic Surgery near Exit 4 of Sinsa Station, on Gangnam-daero in Seoul. Our clinic is on the 4th floor of Inseong Building, 603 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu. A facelift consultation covers your concerns, previous treatments and recovery plans, including arrangements for your stay in Korea.

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