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Eyelid Surgery to Correct Protruding Lacrimal Gland?

asked 2 years ago by gapsfinest4eva in newark,nj
Latest answer by Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Question viewed 2,939 times
Tags: age 18-24, eyelids, upper eyelids, female

My upper eyelids are laxed and lacrimal gland is presently showing. I haven't gotten the surgery yet. I'm just trying to get a little insight on it before I decide to go through with it.

I'm going to be seen by one of the top oculoplastic surgeons in New Jersey. I'm still a little frightened. Any suggestions on what I should do?

I'm 21 and I hate to be called names cause of the excess skin and lacrimal gland that protrudes out the side of my eyes. I want a better appearance but I'm scared it may not work how I want it to

16 answers to Eyelid Surgery to Correct Protruding Lacrimal Gland?

Protruding lacrimal gland needs to be evaluated

First off, a protruding lacrimal gland is something that needs to be evaluated. Enlargement of the lacrimal gland can be caused by inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis, sjogrens disease, wegener's disease or even some type of blood disorders. I would not go ahead and get this fixed until those are evaluated.

Chris Thiagarajah, MD
Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon

Lacrimal gland resection

If you are seeing an oculoplastic surgeon then he is likely very well qualified to know the indications for the removal of your skin, and potentially resuspending your lacrimal gland. Honestly, I would only go to a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery or an Oculoplastic surgeon. It is the simplest thing to suspend but over a period of a few years, the difficult thing is for it to stay. Although placing a suture on the inner surface of the orbit is very, very simple, the... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Check credentials and trust your gut

Thanks for the photo. It sounds like you have done a good job in selecting a surgeon with the qualifications to address your problem. I would recommend that you revisit with your oculoplastic surgeon and ask any additional questions, have him/her review the procedure and discuss his/her experience with the procedure. Once you have reached a comfort level with that surgeon's qualification and the manner that he/she will handle your issue it is okay to proceed. It is very normal to be a bit... more

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Not so fast with eyelid surgery for lacrimal gland prolapse

Dear Gaps It would be very unusual for someone who is 21 to have lacrimal gland prolapse. Also you have abnormal upper eyelid creases in the area of eyelid fullness. I think before you have yourself ready to go for cosmetic eyelid surgery, someone needs to figure out why you lacrimal glands are enlarged. There are a few causes and you need to have the eyelid surgery work you up for conditions like Sarcoid and a few others. It might be appropriate to obtain a CT scan to determine how large... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Upper Eyelid Fullness

Lateral upper eyelid fullness can really only be caused by two things. First, the lacrimal gland can descend from under the orbital rim. Second, certain people can get a significant amount. of ROOF (retro obicularis oculi fat). It's often a very find line in diagnosing the difference between the two. Some times you can fell the lacrimal gland but often there is a combination of the two. The only real way to diagnose the situation is at the time of surgery. Either way if the gland had... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Are the lacimal glands normal but prolapsed or are they too large?

Your photographs clearly illustrate a swelling in the region of the lacrimal glands of both eyes. This could be on the basis of prolapse of the lacrimal gland from its normal anatomical position. Alternatively, this may represent enlarged lacrimal glands due to inflammatory disease or otherwise. In our practice, we generally recommend a CAT scan to evaluate whether the lacrimal gland abnormal contour is due to malposition or rather perhaps lacrimal gland enlargement. If the swelling is due... more

J. Timothy Heffernan, MD
Seattle Oculoplastic Surgeon

drtimheffernan.com

Correcting the upper eyelid

From your photos and you story, it sounds as if you have a great plan. Elective surgery is always a little anxiety provoking, but by tacking the lacrimal gland back against the orbit, you will find that your upper lids will look much improved and I bet you will be very pleased. The upper lid incision is very well tolerated and aside from a little swelling, your postoperative recovery should be relatively quick.

Adam David Lowenstein, MD
Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon

Lacrimal ptosis

Eva, It sounds like you are in good hands with your choice of surgeons. Fixing a ptotic or drooping lacrimal gland is a relatively easy undertaking. Relax and enjoy your new look after surgery.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Sounds like you made a good choice

Your worries are normal, however this condition is something that is readily correctible. The surgery can be performed under local anesthetic alone, like going to the dentist. Or you can have intravenous sedation using drugs like Valium to put you more at ease during the surgery. Your eyes will be closed during the surgery, but you will be able to open them when asked. Good luck!

Keith Denkler, MD
Marin Plastic Surgeon

Eyelid fullness in a young person

Eyelid fullness in a young person can be corrected the same regardless of your age. If the lacrimal gland is protruding as maybe the case in you, it can be tucked up during your upper eyelid surgery so that it is no longer visible. The procedure is commonly done by an oculoplastic or facial plastic surgeon and it is a low risk procedure especially if done conservatively. The main risk you need to consider is how do you heal from scarring. Some African American skin types keloid and that... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Eyelid surgery for protruding lacrimal gland very straightforward

I would say that a ptotic lacrimal gland is not that common and is not a typical feature that is corrected in upper blepharoplasty. When it is present, however, it is not difficult for the surgeon to tuck the gland under the boney rim of the eye socket while doing an upper blepharoplasty. Facial plastic surgeons, plastic surgeons and oculoplastic surgeons can all perform this procedure. Good luck, Dr. Ahn

Min S. Ahn, MD
Westborough Facial Plastic Surgeon

Correcting Eyelid fullness due to a droopy tear gland

You are worried needlessly, dear. The lacrimal gland is normally hidden behind the upper / side rim of the orbit (eye socket) but frequently sags down and becomes prominent as a side fullness. ALL Plastic surgeons are very familiar with it (this goes double for oculoplastic surgeons). Tucking the tear gland back up is ROUTINELY done in upper lid (Blepharoplasties). It takes a single stitch and almost no time at all to perform. Don't be frightened. See a surgeon you trust and things will go... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Surgery for protruding lacrimal glands

Lacrimal gland prolapse (that's what it is called when your lacrimal glands appear prominant) is a common problem. This is especially true in African Americans. At the time of surgery the lacrimal glands can be attached back to the correct position and that should completely correct the problem. Having this done at the time of cosmetic upper eyelid surgery should not make the surgery any more difficult for you to go through. Hope this helps.

Marc Cohen, MD
Philadelphia Oculoplastic Surgeon

Blepharoplasty, Eyelid Surgery, Beverly Hills Blepharoplasty, Beverly Hills Brow Lift

If you believe that you have fulles of the upper eyelid that is not fat or excess skin, you should be evaluated and examined by either an Occuloplastic Surgeon or an Opthalmologist.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

See an oculoplastic surgeon to correct protruding lacrimal gland

See an oculoplastic surgeon who has lots of experience performing this type of surgery. It is important to have the gland re-suspended up into the orbital area and not have the gland removed; otherwise you will have dry eyes. It is important to have good functioning of the lacrimal gland; however, it needs to be tucked up inside the orbital rim, when it is hanging down it creates a visual deformity.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Excess upper eyelid fullness may be due to a prominent lacrimal gland

Hi Gapsfinest4eva - It appears as though you have a combination of excess skin and protruding lacrimal glands of your upper eyelids. The lacrimal gland is stitched up to the bone around the eyes to hold it up and in place. The excess skin is then trimmed off. The recovery is pretty easy with minimal discomfort. Good luck!