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Stretch Eyelid Skin Possible After an Aggressive Surgery?

Is it possible to stretch upper eyelid skin or have a skin graft done to eyes that have been operated on aggressively? There was too much skin and fat removed after my Eyelid surgery. I look so odd. I used to have beautiful eyes and a slight hooded upper lid that was very attractive. Now, I barely have a crease with eyelids that feel tight. It does not look right. I already have Juvederm in the upper eyelids, hoping that it will stretch the skin. What else can be done? I'll be most grateful for an answer.

Asked 33 months ago by goldilock in CA

Read my review "Skin Graft"

Sort 6 expert answers by:
+2

Upper eyelid surgery

Dear Goldilock The issue of shaping and functional changes not desired after eyelid surgery can be difficult to manage. You have waited a good period of time since your surgery which is good from the standpoint of letting the healing resolve and this is commendable. The function of your eyelids should be checked- to make sure that you do not have any changes related to dryness. The management of your eyelid shape/function needs to be assessed in consultation as a recommendation via... more
Trevor M. Born, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+2

Restoring eyelid fold can be a difficult problem

It can be difficult to restore the eyelid fold with an aesthetic result. The tightness you describe is probably from overresection of the skin, which is likely to be correctable with skin grafting, although the aesthetic outcome will be compromised by the extra skin which may not match in color. However, if you are having functional issues (dry eye, excessive tearing), you may want to pursue having the skin graft as function supercedes aesthetics. Sometimes, subtle issues with the function... more
Tim Abou-Sayed, MD
Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+2

Repairing the upper eyelid

The upper eyelid is an important functional and aesthetic element that should only be approached by surgeons who are knowledgeable about eyelid anatomy, function, tolerance, and the limits of surgical resection. Correcting upper eyelid deformity is often more difficult than just restoring upper eyelid skin. I would advise you to seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. In the acute period after surgery, the mainstay of treatment should be observation with protection of... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

I would be somewhat skeptical of any answer to this question without a personal consutlation.

Dear Goldilock Unfortunately it is very hard to unstir the cream out of the coffee. Whereas there are a lot of great options for helping aesthetically improve the lower eyelid that has been damaged by prior lower eyelid cosmetic surgery, the options for the upper eyelid are much less palatable and satisfactory. The frame issue that Dr. Seify is referring to is over resection of upper eyelid fat in the central fat pocket exposing the groove created by the reflection of tendon complex of... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+2

Revision upper lid surgery

Removal of excess fat in the upper lid leads to a condition called "A frame deformity" this creates a very skeletonized look. the best treatment is reconstruction with fat grafting. Removal of skin from the upper lid could be a difficult problem. Skin grafting is an asnwer but will not yield a good cosmetic result. If there is no corneal irritation and the eye closure is not affected, I would recommend to do the fat grafting first. Best of luck!
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Skin grafts can be preformed

Skin grafts can be performed to the upper eyelids for people who have difficulty closing their eyes. This is usually performed by an oculoplastic surgeon. Fat injections can also be placed on the upper or lower lids if they are too hollow.
William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
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