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POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery REVIEWS

Skin Graft

Name: Skin Graft
Item: Name not provided
Author: goldilock

ORIGINAL POST

In the summer of -07 I decided to have eyelid...

goldilockMay 22, 2009

$5,000

In the summer of -07 I decided to have eyelid surgery due to bags under my eyes and a slight hooding of my upper eyelid. The surgeon was very experienced and well known. I thought I was in good hands.I asked for a very conservative approach in the upper eyelids. Less is more I said to the surgeon more than once and do NOT change the shape of my almond shaped eyes. That did not happen. He removed so much fat and skin that I could not recognice my eyes. My whole face changed because of this surgery.I really did not need to touch the upper lids at all. The lower are fine, somewhat hollow but I can live with that. I found a great surgeon who has injected juvederm in the upper eyelids. The fullness is back but I am still in chock over what has happened to me and can not get used to this face. I am in therapy and suffer great depression. Did not know it all could go so wrong. Surgeon said it was so easy and never complications.My question is to anyone and everyone: Is there a way to stretch the upper eyelid skin so that I can create a crease again. I would like to have some tissue back in this area, has anyone had a skin graft in the upper lid? All I want is to look like myself again. I regret this more than anything in my life. Can not accept this result and will look for a solution until I find one.

Replies (48)

iwantmylidsback

June 6, 2009

That is EXACTLY what happened to me! I just aksed for a small adjustment (the main work was on the puffiness below the eye). Now, not a day goes by that I don't regret that fateful decision. If you find a solution please post it. I'm hoping that there's some way to stretch the skin..

goldilock

June 19, 2009

Hi, I know how you feel. Not a day goes by for me either where I don't regret this more than anything in my life. I am so unhappy about it words can not describe it. I have spoken to many doctors now, there seems to be no solution to this problem. I had very pretty eyes before, can not understand what this doctor was thinking when he cut out all the skin and fat and left me looking like I now do. If I do find a solution in the future I will post it here. I am so sorry you have to go thought this as well. My main problem was also the lower lids... they are fine now... but the uppers are totally botched. If you find out that something can be done, please post it here, unfortunatly we are not alone with these horror stories. Feel better... Aloha..

t37352

June 9, 2009

could you post a pic?

dimsumjenny

June 20, 2009

to goldilock, no one got it worst than my eyelid surgery. I am born with double eyelid. Didn't like the extra crese on the inner corner of my eyes. An asian lady first told me about eyelid surgery. She and her sister weren't born with it. Her older sister got her eyes done. I didn't like the look cuz the eyes that her plastic surgeons gave her is so fake............... Do you live in the silcon valley area? Many asian that are people with double eyelid get eyelid surgery for same reason I got mine. I have a really funny looking face after surgery Dr. name of the doctor that that this to me is name dr. Richard a. weiss out of newport beach.

dimsumjenny

June 20, 2009

To t37352, If you are asian of east, southeast, north ,or northeast asian please be careful who you choose to do the surgery. If you are any of the above ethnicities I mention, why don't you look up dr. William chen out of long beach, ca. He did a re-vision work on my left eyelid. He made the huge stitch mark less noticeable. I find him to be honest and patient. I heard dr. lee out of beverly hills is not patient and very much into move people in and out of his operating room quickly. Dr. chen has extensive asian eyelid surgeries experience. I don't want you to end up looking like me. It is very sad and I am depress on and off about it.

Vickisue

July 30, 2009

Too Goldilock...What you wrote is similar to my story. I had my eye lid surgery done 7 years ago and still seek reversion.I had fat injections using my own fat, 2 years after my surgery. My skin was so tight only a tiny amount could be injected. It did help for awhile, but the fat is absorbed after time and only 10-20% remain. My eyes are hollowed and sunken. Trust me it gets worse with time, and you lose volume in your face. I too had almond shaped eyes, and would do about anything to have my eyes back. Your eyes are your face,window to your soul and this altered change, also changed my entire appearance.All very negative. I read where fat strip grafting can be done. I have yet to meet anyone that has had this procedure for our same needs. Hollowed eye sockets is also a genetic trait for some people. Unfortunately is it mine now as well. I'm not sure if this grafting of fat is rejected by your body after time, or how long it may last. I'm surprised you found a doctor to inject derma filler into your upper lids, most tell me No, because it can lump and cause more malformation. Good luck to you, and if you find an answer, please notify me. I know there are things in life, we may never recover. I pray this is not one of them. I get so very depressed as time goes by now,and find it harder to forgive myself for this aweful choice. I feel the stranger that looks back at me in the mirror every day, may never go away, and will never be united with whom I really am, and look like. I don't even resemble my family members anymore, and we all had a certain trait. Very sad.

(unregistered guest)

August 24, 2009

I had this orbital fat grafting done to my upper left lid with Dr. Meronk due to too much fat removal and skin. I wound up with ptosis in the eye with the fat graft, if you do not have enough skin to support the fat graft, this is what will happen. I had to end up having most of the fat graft removed so I wouldn't have a droopy eyelid.

goldilock

August 29, 2009

to vickieue: I feel such compassion for wwhat has happened to your eyes. I know the feeling of looking in the mirror and having that stranger look back at you. I find it to be a daily struggle to face the world. As you describe it, there is a loss of connection to one self. My Juvederm in the eyelids is looking really good and I know if you go to a very skilled surgeon with A LOT of experience in fillers in this delicate area you will have a good out come. My eyes are so much better now but it is the emotional health I am worried about. I now realise that the skin on my upper lids will never come back and that my whole face has changes ( for the worse) because if it. I simply have to learn to accept this. Don't really know how though. Therapy has not worked at all. If you would like my surgeons name please post your email here and I will give you all the information you need. The filler has NOT lumped. Looks real good. Very natural. BUT it all depends on the surgeon. I highly recommend mine. There is hope. Feel better. Warmly Goldilock.

goldilock

August 29, 2009

to not enough skin: I am saddened to hear about the visit with Dr M and what happened to your eye. I was very interested in this procedure you had, fat strips placed deep into the orbital area to fill out the hollowness. Like I wrote to Vickiesue, post an email adress and I can provide you with my excellent surgeon whom helped me with my hollowness with juvederm injections. I really most of all want the skin back because even with a filler I struggle with "loving" my eyes. I know that is because the skin created a beautiful fold that framed the eye and the face, now when it is gone it looks so strange, but much better still with the filler. Good luck! Goldilock

Meyes76

September 15, 2025

hi Goldilock, this is a very very old conversation but I do hope you are still active on this platform. I just started this journey and my skin feels so thight and all the fat is been removed. I am starting to consult different doctors here in Europe. Also dr Joshua who is very well experienced in eye lid filler. How did you go after all these years? Hope you can give an update, xxx

UPDATED FROM goldilock

It has been a little over 3 years now since I had...

goldilockSeptember 10, 2012

It has been a little over 3 years now since I had fillers injected into my upper eyelids. This was done to correct a botched eyelid surgery that was done -07. To much skin and fat was removed at that time from the upper lids, leaving my eyes looking really awful and I did not "recognize" myself any longer. The emotional pain was unbearable. My pretty eyes were gone!
I desperately searched for solutions to the problem and found that fillers were the answer for me.
I want to update you all in regards to what my results have been with the fillers I used. Dr Honeig in Beverly Hills CA, injected juvederm into my upper lids with care and skill. He restored my eyes beautifully, and still after 3 years it is looking really good and is very natural with nice full lids. My skin has also stretched from the fillers which is creating a small crease in the lid. it's looking better and better!
Finding a surgeon who is an expert on fillers in the eye area is VITAL! My self-esteem is back again and I have been able to move forward with my life from this horrible trauma. I hope this info will be of help to anyone in the same situation. There is a solution! :)
warmly, Goldilocks

Replies (22)

gatta

December 4, 2012

Hello Goldilocks, I'm from Germany and 6 weeks ago I had the same experience like you. I would like to have more information about Dr. Honeig. Thank you! Gatta

Mariachen

July 8, 2013

I have found a doctor who can perform skin graft for me.

kitkat75

December 27, 2013

I am seeking skin grafting. Who is the Doctor you are talking about here?

carolinatarheel

November 10, 2018

Who did your skin grafts and were you happy?

Frangipani88

September 14, 2022

Hi Mariachen,

I am also from Germany. How are you now, almost 10 years later?

Frangipani88

September 14, 2022

Hi Gatta,

I am also from Germany. How are you now, almost 10 years later?

amyz99

January 25, 2014

I know this is an old thread; but I'm wondering if you'd be willing to send before and after photos to me. I'm considering filler for upper eyelid hollows by your surgeon. Thanks

Auckland8649

January 25, 2014

Sure can. Do I do this via your email? My last lot of filler has lasted 2 years and still going strong. I would be pretty sure this is a better solution than fat grafting. Adam Watson at Eye Insitute in Auckland has been great. How do I get your email address?

amyz99

January 26, 2014

I'll PM you and give it to you.

andreasm1

July 13, 2016

I am in same situation i thinking Of going to London i live in sweden an get filler Is IT possibol to see befor and after Photos

yoyoyo303

April 1, 2014

I know this is an old thread but can you send me before and after pictures. I am going through the same thing and I just want to die!

Auckland8649

April 15, 2014

Hey there, how are you going...just checking that you're ok. I'm happy to share photos, just via email rather than online. I think you can email me direct if you want. I have already shared photos with another lady in the same situation, and we chat about our progress. It's quite therapeutic to share with someone in the same situation:)

yoyoyo303

April 16, 2014

I take one day at a time but it is still very difficult. I can't believe I did this to myself. Would very much appreciate your photos. Can you send them to my private email ***@gmail.com

Auckland8649

December 15, 2014

Hi there, I had upper bleph in Sept 2010 with the same horrible hollow results. I immediately started looking for a solution. After about 3 months I had filler (esthelis) injected and continued topping it up over the next 2 years. I was very happy with the results. I last had filler 2 1/2 years ago and the it has barely receded. I had a lot of injections in that time and I wonder if some callous has built up behind the skin from the injections. I'm sure the eyelid skin has stretched somewhat as a result of the filler as well. At this stage I am really happy with my eyes and I cant recommend this filler highly enough. It has really saved me from becoming depressed. I dont know anything about fat transfer, but my occuloplastic surgeon did not recommend it. he said it could result in bumps and lumps that you cant get rid of as you can with filler.

carolinatarheel

November 21, 2018

I have had a similar problem.--upper bleph a year ago and had filler put in at Duke Occuloplastics and have been very happy. One of the goals is to drop the lids for better closure and to stretch the skin and fill in the eyelid that was hollowed out by the plastic surgeon.