The problems that you describe at 4 weeks are not uncommon at this early stage. Masage as your doctor recommends is the most important treatment. By 6 weeks I ex[pect that you will be much better. If after 6 months you still have retraction or downward pull of the lower eyelid it can be corrected with a... more
Problems with Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty
I had Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty done about 4 weeks ago. There was some healing, but it seems to have slowed. The scars above my eyes still hurt sometimes and are still quite swollen, but I can live with this. It is my lower eyelids that are bothering me. My left eye lid has a lump on it, scar tissue I think, and my right eye has retraction and droops. Both eyes still look very red and I look pretty bad still.
My surgeon had advised massage for the retraction. Will this work? What can I do at this point to improve my post-op condition?
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7 answers to “Problems with Upper and Lower...”A: Be patient
It takes approximately eight to twelve weeks to heal after upper and lower blepharoplasty. The incisions on the upper lids tend to remain red and lumpy-bumpy for the first eight weeks after the surgery. The white sclera or the white part of the eye can sometimes continue to be red or swollen for a period of... more
A: Need more time and lid massage
Place attention now to massage of your lower eyelids and protection of your eye itself. If you have any dryness of your eyes then be sure to use some form of artificial tears. Daily routine massaging of the lower lids and stretching of the lateral lower eyelid can be very beneficial in the early recovery... more
A: Work closely with your surgeon
Stella, It is hard to give specific advice without a picture and/or seeing you in person. It sounds like you are having some trouble, however. Oftentimes, they eyes take awhile to heal. However, if you are having retraction of the lid, then you may need some intervention beyond just massage. This could... more
A: Healing is not finished in 4 weeks - listen to your doctor
It can take up to 3+ months for everything to settle down post blepharoplasty. Do not be impatient. Listen to your doctor and follow his instructions. Do not look for a quick fix. Everyone heals at a different rate.
A: Keep on
The redness, thickness, raised edges of the scars are usually a normal part of healing. The retraction can be reversed in most cases with massage and time. Keep in contact with your doctor, and try to be patient- this may take many weeks to resolve.\ Another thing you might want to enquire about is... more
A: Nothing abnormal
People heal at different rates. You are like everyone else, but you are healing slower than some. The massage of the lower eyelids is exactly what I suggest for my own patients. For the bump, you can return to your doctor and see if he wants to use a small injection of steroid to help the bump go away faster.... more
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4 posts
13 Feb 2009
upper and lower eye bag removal right eye scar alot lower down..
109 posts
14 Jan 2009
Dear Stella46, Having done many revisional cases of lower eyelid surgeries that have not gone well, I would recommend you seek attention sooner than later if you are having retraction on your lower eyelids. It sounds like you have post-surgical ectropion (downward and outward separation of the lower eyelids). This can lead to severe dryness and affect the health of your eyes. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Minor cases can resolve on their own; massage can help but only minimally. Steroid injections can help reduce inflammation that causes more scar tissue but if you are retracting secondary to over aggressive skin excision then that won't help it too much either. Severe cases need to be address with either skin graft +/- grafting (hard palate, alloderm, etc...) or a midface lift. But don't delay treatment, the longer a scar stays around, the more the skin will retract. Best of luck!