How was your eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery recovery?

PinkNubian 6 May 2013

I had the procedure done 5 months ago. I do NOT regret at all. My results are wonderful and I know that they will only improve with time. I was VERY skeptical about having the surgery as I'd read horror stories but I did my research and found that one of the best surgeons in the county was in my city. Again, so happy with my results!!

Minnie 29 Apr 2013

My doctor told me to only use cold on my eyes. It has been more than 3 years and the only time warm water touches my eyes is during my shower when washing my hair. I also would not massage my eye skin - I try to touch my eyes minimally. I am very careful when removing eye make up. All was good with my recovery and this is what I would recommend. Good luck!

Bella in Wa 29 Apr 2013

Hi Minnie, Did you get dry eye after the surgery and for how long? I'll give the cold water a try. Thanks

Fixmyface 28 Apr 2013

Had my surgery January 2nd. I had the best surgeon around. I did all my research and homework. Now at almost 4 months, I can't say I'm that happy. I hoped for better results. I had upper and Lower lids done, as well as a face/neck lift, lipo under the neck. I love my neck, he said my face would be more oval instead of round. It's square now. I was told my eyes would really pop now, but I don't think they do. I have a spot under my left eye that looks swollen. I was my upper lids look like they could have had more excess skin removed. when the doctor assisting my surgeon came and too out the sutures, the next time I saw him I told him I that a suture still remained. He said no, it's swelling that will go down. Well, no, these past couple of weeks, I sometimes feel a sharp pain. I pulled the corner of my eye because I thought something didn't look right. Well, when I pull it, it hurts, like something scratching my eye really, but a round bump appears and through my skin I can see the blue suture. so I'm upset about that. Just about every day one or both of my eyes will water profusely...so much so I have to continually dab the excess fluid from them. somedays they are extremely, extremely light sensitive, but I have to say that seems better lately, but what now has started is when I wake up in the morning, my eyes are gooey. I have to wipe away the fluid that turned to sludge (it feels like) and get on with the day. sometimes my eyes themselves feel swollen. I told my PS about the issues them and he acted like he'd never heard such a thing. Anyway, I am pretty disheartened. Before I even made an appointment with him, I researched like crazy and when I made the decision to go ahead with my surgery, I read here and other places to know everything ...good and bad. I guess I'm troubled that I thought I was progressing well and now it doesn't seem to be the case. I don't regret the surgery though. I would have regretted not having it. He does do free revisions with the first year, but it's pretty clear he will try and make it seem like i'm the one being unrealistic.

Bella in Wa 28 Apr 2013

I totally feel you. My eyes feel glossy and swollen or very dry on a daily basis. I sometimes wake up with my eyelashes feeling crusty which acturally feels better but then I get the day going and it starts over. My Dr said the same thing..."I never heard of this happening to any one before". If your eyes continue to stay dry and all the eye drops aren't taking care of the situation I found a sight that sells products called "Dry Eye Shop." If you would like to talk in person over the phone I would be more than happy...just send me a private message. Take care and I hope you heel fully.

Fixmyface 29 Apr 2013

Thanks Bella. I noticed that my lower lids seem not as 'tight' as they were prior. I don't know why. I can pull them down easier than before surgery, so that bothers me. I know he said I had a condition that my dad now has and will be having surgery on, but I would have never noticed, now I'm worried they will droop. I'm going to ask the surgeon about that. I put eye drops in but it doesn't help really. Pm me anytime. I need to get to work now. I work two part time jobs. Seems I'm always working...sigh! Thanks again Bella.

Bella in Wa 27 Apr 2013

I had upper/lower eyelid surgery going on 2 years now and everyday I still wake up with dry eye and go to sleep with dry eye....swollen and wet feeling. I go through the whole day with eyes looking glossy. Dr says she's never had a patient who has experienced this...are you kidding! Using drops numerous times daily. One eye wont close completely at night. I wished I could take my old look back. I feel extremely depressed and that every one is looking at me knowing what I've done. I don't want to sound negative but if you decide to go through this procedure REALLY READ ALL THE FINE PRINT AND ASK ALL QUESTIONS POSSIBLE....maybe even tape your discussion with the Dr as back up. Every time I went in for my follow up I'm told everything looks great and will continue...BS! I spoke to another Dr and she said they all still together.

John1955 28 Apr 2013

Sounds like a botched job. If they take too much skin off the lid it becomes too tight which makes it a struggle to close your eyes. That plays havoic with dryness and eye issues. Go to another Doctor, read up on them, not just referrals, get their background and what their colleagues say about them. Does not insure all will go well but narrows down chances of a bad result. A cheap price, as I've read here is suspect. I paid $13,500 for upper, lower and brow lift. Highly regarded plastic surgeon with operating rights at prestigious hospital. It's not rocket science, do your homework.

Bella in Wa 28 Apr 2013

I don't consider this to be a botched job. Yes a little more skin was removed from one eye but I still have dry eye in both. I now hear this is common. It's just difficult to have to live with on a day to day basis...a few good days in there but not many. My appearance is fine. I paid $6,200 which I don't consider to be a cheap job from what I'm seeing posted out there. I did do my homework so I thought. I went for a second opinion from a very well known plastic surgeon and he said I looked great in fact the Dr who performed my surgery studied under him...go figure. I just hate the fact that they lie and say it will go away knowing it won't. I feel they should be more up front in discussing dry eye situations.

chronicfear 28 Apr 2013

I'm experiencing the similar problems with dry eyes (which I never had a problem before the surgery). During the first 2 weeks, I also couldn't shut my left eye all the way, but now that the swelling has reduced - it closes much better. But I understand what you mean, it is a hassle to deal with eye drops every couple of hours. Plus, the dryness is also making my eyes more sensitive to light.

Downers Doll 28 Apr 2013

I am 5 weeks out from upper and lower bleph... I too had been very concerned about both dry eye and large outer eye bumps (from dissolvable stitches). Now tho - the eyes are not as dry - and the bumps are definitely going down - but still a long way to go to look normal on the outer parts of each eye. They told me for the bumps to disappear completely takes weeks and weeks. Makeup helps considerably as does gentle massage thru-out the day... I haven't resorted to eyedrops (I live in my soft lense contacts so you have to be careful with that) - but am hopeful I will be back to normal in the coming weeks. I am happy overall with the uppers - but don't see any improvement on lowers... I wanted my bags lifted - and thought they would be - and I look exactly the same... so - not sure what I paid for - for lowers! Oh well - at least the job was not botched and I am presentable and everything healed wonderfully. No scars - no one the wiser at all! Which is good and bad - even my own sister and mother did not comment good or bad - acted like I was exactly the same (I didn't tell anyone but my husband that I had this surgery)! So again - not sure what I paid for! I am 55... I would still love to have my lower eye bags lifted properly - maybe that is more of a face lift? But my surgeon knew exactly what my concerns were and acted like they would all be addressed with this procedure? Oh well... not going thru this again anytime soon!

liveinspired 28 Apr 2013

Be patient. All this will go away. My stitches were so bumpy & discolored & today I have no scars to speak of. I am 5 months post surgery and I have been happy for several months now :))) www.mollymouchka.com

Bella in Wa 28 Apr 2013

I never had dry eye prior as well...I never even heard of dry eye. My eyes are now much more sensitive to light. I now wear prescription glasses to help shield my eyes from the every day environment. My Dr hasn't even fessed up to it being dry eye. She said to wait it out a few months, then it was give it 6 months, then a year. At my one year she said give it two. I can't wait to hear what she has to say at my two year appt. I hope her walls are thick. How long ago did you have your procedure?

Bella in Wa 28 Apr 2013

Having chronic dry eye now for almost two years and feeling like it is never going to go away...patience is running thin. I'm just dealing with it on a day to day basis trying to accept that it may never go away. I should of left alone what God gave me.

Fixmyface 29 Apr 2013

My eyes do close, and I didn't get a botched job. I did my homework. My surgeon does all the 'local celebrities' and is the head of the plastic surgery department(s) and the three main city hospitals, he also taught and still does teach plastic surgery. We are all different, and things can happen or not heal properly no matter how great the surgeon is.

lizg 1 May 2013

I'm having the same issues with the dissolvable stitches/larger outer eye bumps. I only got my surgery on April 19, 2013 (two weeks ago) but it's driving me nuts. I feel like I need to get them removed - they hurt and look horrible! Did your's finally go away?

Lillimae2 8 May 2013

Hang in there...I had upper and lower on feb. 25th...at my 2week mark I still had soooo much black and bluing, soreness, etc...it took at least 3 weeks to finally notice the healing process happening. In a couple of weeks I'll be at my 3 month mark and still far from completely healed BUT it was so worth it....loved my doctor and have absolutely no regrets

John1955 27 Apr 2013

Day 27, swelling down again droopy eye almost gone. Really seeing progress everyday now. Stitches/bumps are dissolving and reducing in size. Can't wait for the new look to be complete. Very hopeful progress!

John1955 25 Apr 2013

25 days after surgery, eye lids still swollen, eyes are red, lower lids droopy. Have to wear sun glasses or be prepared to either lie to inquirers or explain what you had done. As a 57 year old male, I take a lot of pokes about how vain I am. I am sleeping on my back, head elevated. Using massage to the lower lids, as recommended. My Dictor said she is happy with the position of the lids, said once the swelling subsides the results will be very positive. Just don't think this resolves quickly after the procedure. It's takes a few months, at least.

CARLY52 26 Apr 2013

Hi John1955, I am 30 days out of surgery. I have some slight swelling, but my left lower lid is drooping and misaligned from the upper lid. The outer side of lower lid justs flops away from eye. I was told that , I will need another surgery. I had very nice shaped eyes before this, now I am a mess..not worth it.. I am very depressed over all of this..

MontrealQuebec 26 Apr 2013

Give it time. Many tissues move during this surgeries, despite popular misconception that it's simple. Results begin to show after 4-5 months.

CARLY52 26 Apr 2013

Thank you, MontrealQuebec, I hope your right. I need to hear positive things from people who went thru this themselves. I'm hoping its just some residual swelling around the orbit muscle thats pushing it away from eye...you just made me feel better,kind of a valididation..thanks..

Lain don 26 Apr 2013

I had my upper and lower done in January and I am just starting to feel good about my eyes now. I had very bad swelling and thought the dr messed up and I would look awful. Now I am so happy that I did the surgery. Please be patient. It really takes time for swelling to go down!!!

John1955 26 Apr 2013

My swelling went down a bit today, as it does the droopy lid improves. The one thing my Doctor said (Thursday) is that my lids were all aligned fine and had no fear that once the swelling went down all would be well. I am concerned that your alignment is off and at this point your Doctor is advising additional surgery. Sounds like he fouled up. Sorry for your troubles. I would still wait out a few more weeks before taking action and go to a different Doctor.

CARLY52 27 Apr 2013

Hi John1955, I have consulted a second opinion from an opthamolic surgeon who specializes in eyelid surgery. I seen him once already, and I have a follow up on may 7,. It will be 6 weeks post op by then. He wants me to wait as long as possible for healing of tissues before he goes in to correct issue. My original surgeon wants to tighten muscle, but I don't think thats the problem, he's trying to cover up the real problem by just creating another..