Will I Be Able to Close my Eyes After Eyelid Surgery?

Typically, a small amount of gap is normal after Blepharoplasty.  This is temporary and related to swelling.  If it does exist it resolves between 1-3 weeks.  During that period of time, make sure your eye is well moisturized with lubricating drops and ointment to protect your cornea. 

Firt of all, an upper blepharoplasty, is, in my opine one of the best treatments to help you look more refreshed. I tell patients that if you are over the age of 30 and are looking to rejuvenate your face, then focus on the eye region and skin. The upper Blepharoplasty take only 15-20 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia. It is marvelous! There is s single suture that is used to close the incision and this is removed at 5-6 days postoperatively. There is no pain. The eyelid surgery will last many years 15-20 years. So, this is clearly a wonder treatment, and like many, you are asking about the inability to close your eyes after the surgery. This is the greatest fear people have along with looking unnatural (ie Kenny Rogers.) These are mistakes that are made by marking and measuring the tissue to be excised inappropriately. This should never occur! In the hands of a well skilled Facial Plastic Surgeon, I think you would be thrilled. Always ask to speak to other patients. A Doctor should always be happy to provide patients to speak with regarding any treatment.

Great question. You should not have difficulty closing your eyelids completely after blepharoplasty. This is generally an indication that too much skin was taken from the upper eyelids. If this is the case, you should let your surgeon know right away and measures should be taken to ensure the eye doesn't become too dry which can cause long term damage to your vision.
Hope this helps!Kyle Kimura, MDFacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

It's unusual for patients to have difficulty closing their eyes following blepharoplasty surgery. When patients are unable to close their eyes immediately following this procedure, it's usually always related to swelling. Eye opening tends to improve with time as swelling resolves.Although it's unusual, patients may have persistent difficulty closing their eyes. This may be related to over resection of skin, damage to the levater mechanism and excess scarring. Under these circumstances, secondary surgery may be necessary.Fortunately, this complication is extremely rare. When patients are unable to close their eyes following eyelid surgery, it's essential that they contact their plastic surgeon as soon as possible. Under these circumstances, it's important to use lubricants and ointments to moisturize the eyes to avoid drying and corneal damage.

In the early stage of your recovery, it may be difficult to close your eyes all the way. However, as swelling subsides and you reach full recovery, you will be able to close your eyes all the way. This may take a few weeks.

Immediately after surgery it is very common that the
eyes do not close completely as there is swelling, the eyelids are impaired by
local anaesthesia and this impairs closure of the eyes.Over the first 6-weeks, it is common that the eyes may
be slightly open as they will not be blinking 100% as a consequence of swelling
and the surgery. After this the blinking and closure of the eyes will return
resulting in normal eyelid closure. If the eyes are not closing your surgeon
may advise the use of tear lubricants to avoid symptoms of dryness and
exposure. The front surface of the eye is very sensitive and dryness can be uncomfortable.Surgical technique with upper blepharoplasty is
important to avoid too much soft tissue being removed, this can result in
difficulty closing the eyelids long-term and can be difficult to correct. Dr.
De Silva takes great care with measurements of the eyelids prior to surgery to
prevent this occurrence. With lower blepharoplasty surgery, a rare complication
of the surgery termed eyelid retraction can result in the lower eyelid being
pulled downwards towards the orbital rim by scarring. This can result in
inability to close the eye and increased symptoms of irritation and dryness.
The position of the eyelid may require further surgery to reposition the lower
eyelid. Generally speaking, difficult closing the eye is
common soon after the surgery and with normal healing this returns over a
period of week, tear lubricant drops may be required during this period. 

Initially after the surgery you may have a slight gap in your eyelids that is usually discussed at the time of your surgical procedure based upon your age. Most patients can close their eyes at the time of surgery and make a good water seal. Occasionally swelling in the immediate post-operative period is treated with eye ointments and drops.  Most patients routinely have normal eyelid closure from the time of their operation forward.

After surgery it is very common to have a small opening between your eyelids primarily due to swelling.  This will close within a day or so. In the meantime use artificial tear lubrication at night to protect your cornea.

In general, one should be able to close your eyelids after surgery and certainly within the first week or so.

Yes you should be able to close your eyes without difficulty blepharoplasty performed by a qualified Plastic or Oculoplastic surgeon. Swelling, discoloration, and some bruising is to be expected.  It is not unusual to have some difficulty seeing during the first day or two after surgery because of the swelling and eye lubricants/ointment used during and after surgery.  Patients vary a great deal in their recovery rate, but usually can resume normal light activity or work 3-4 days after surgery, using dark glasses and make-up to camouflage the swelling and discoloration.  The patient will usually be presentable without dark glasses in 10 days.  A small amount of residual swelling persists for many weeks, but gradually disappears. Those surgeons with less experience potentially could remove too much skin which could cause dry eyes - so research your surgeon thoroughly.

No, you will be able to open and close your eyelids after eyelid surgery. It may be slightly more difficult initially due to swelling of the eyelids but should not prevent you from being able to fully open or close your eyes.