I’m three months post-op from a very depressing upper and lower blepharoplasty. My eyes look uneven, I have wrinkles and excess skin where my bags used to be, and I have dealt with depression over how I look.
For the first month and a half after the operation, I noticed all of these issues intermittently but I didn’t panic because I was still recovering. A friend of mine chalked up my baggy eyelids to water retention after the operation too. But by the two-month mark when I went for my follow-up, I wasn’t getting better and my doctor knew it. He didn’t seem pleased with things either but nonetheless he kept telling me to wait for it to get better. He also said that, if things didn’t improve, I could always have the issues fixed with a laser or another bleph. I didn’t want this! I already paid for a blepharoplasty (the monthly payments are still coming out of my bank)!
I got depressed then and am still today dealing with the way I look. Some days I start to think I am getting better, my eyes are evening out, but more often than not I can notice the difference between my baggy left eye and my wide-open right eye. It’s obvious to everybody and this makes me feel sick.
If I had known a bleph could leave me this asymmetrical and odd-looking, I never would have had it done. But I was warned of none of these things! It was all about how great I would look; nobody bothered to mention I might look worse than before the operation

5/18/07
I hear ya. I'm in month 4 of upper and lower surgery. My left eye is still open 3 millimeters. I recently had a tasorophy (sic) to correct the droop in my lower left lid and to enable my left eye to close a bit more. I've been plagued with dry corneas, sensitivity to light and sun and having to sleep with ointment in my eyes every night. The vision in my left eye is blurred all the time and my quality of life is greatly diminished.
I thought it would be so simple, just a conservative removal of barely hanging loose skin on the upper lid and making my eyes more symetrical...we'll see how this last surgery goes, because my left eye HURTS all the time.
At this point, I'd trade my slightly fleshy top lid for the pain and suffering I've endured any day.
8/1/07
It is very depressing indeed. I too, had surgery a year and a half ago and am still severely depressed. I deal with it every day. The scars are absolutely horrible. The worst part is that doctors are telling me there's nothing they can do to correct everything that's wrong. I would do anything to undo this. I used to be an advocate of plastic surgery, but never again!
1/22/08
I read your story and feel horrible about it. Where did you go? Was the surgeon accredited? I am about to do the lower bleph and am having second thoughts.
2/2/08
Hi,
I am desperately looking for information about the results of bad blepharoplasty to see if what has happened to me has happened to someone else as well. I had an upper blepharoplasty on 7/31/07 and the results are devastating. I no longer look like me. I am devastated and depressed. I had big green eyes with a pretty shape -- and now my eyes are smaller and actually look masculine. The actual opening is smaller -- the surgeon completely stripped my eyes of orbital fat (which I didn't need removed), muscle (didn't need muscle removed either) and eyelid skin -- drastically changing the shape and size of my eyes. The thing that kills me is that I didn't need much of anything done at all. I only had a little excess eyelid skin --no bulging fat or anything; all Dr. {edited} had to do was remove a little skin. Instead, he made it so much more complicated and removed the foundation of the eyesocket and surrounding tissue -- and now I have been transformed into someone else. I do not look like myself and I am absolutely sick and heartbroken. I have seen a number of doctors -- all said they could put some fat back in where the eyes have been hollowed out -- but that's all. They would not be able to graph more eyelid skin -- and that is most likely what has dramatically changed the shape of my eyes. He removed so much that I barely have a crease --and the crease is located way up high looking extremely odd. On top of all this, both eyes have ptosis -- and cover a good portion of my irises. In stripping my eyes of their natural tissue and muscle, he took too much muscle and damaged other muscle. I now need Ptosis repair on both eyes. This is just the aesthetic portion of my problems. Every day my eyes ache, they are dry, gritty and uncomfortable all day long. Both lids lag when I move my eyes to an upward position. I cannot believe I have to live the rest of my life with this devastating result. The surgeon has been board certified for 35 years. One would think with his years of experience he would realize that the eyes are the most important feature of the face -- as the eyes is what people look at and how they communicate -- they are you. To not have the common sense to know that doing less is far better than doing too much is beyond my comprehension. He is absolutely incompetent. To all that read this, please go through detail with your surgeon -- tell them you rather have less done so that you don't lose your beautiful self.
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2/3/08
Thank you very much -- I just joined. You do a tremendous service for people by having this informative site. Very well done.
I very much look forward to feedback.
Thanks again!
Take care --
Marybeth
2/3/08
Thank you for the feedback! We love getting both positive and constructive criticism. If anyone has feedback on RealSelf.com, suggestions on what we could do to improve, content that you'd like to see, please send me a note.
2/12/08
I had my first lower blepharoplasty one year ago. The doctor advised my to do the upper lids at the same time, I did, and I am not unhappy with the upper lid appearance. BUT, I have now had the lowers redone two more times and the results are bad, indeed. Three surgeries later, one eye is much worse than the other -- I still have a bag and now two folds of loose skin underneath, while my other eye looks entirely different! Not as bad as my right eye, but a smaller fold of skin higher toward the eye than my right eye disaster. My eyes burn and tear and the doctor had told me that the surgery would help this which it did not. He now refuses to perform another surgery but did a "Blue Peel" which achieved nothing. I am scheduled for another peel soon, but I have no hope of an improvement in my appearance. I, too, am very depressed and do not want people to see me. I missed my class reunion, a family reunion and will miss other upcoming events due to being so self-conscience. My appearance is not that of natural aging, but of surgery gone awry.
3/10/08
I have said before that blepharoplasty is quite an invasive surgery that should only be considered where there is significant aging to be corrected such as pouching or drooping bags of fat above or below the eyes and that the removal of a little bit of skin does not fall into this category. Marybeth's comment ratifies my opinion. The surgery is not a precision tool that will yeild perfect symmetrical results for the following reasons:
1. we are all asymetrical to start with and often tinkering with the eyes can highlight this;
2. each side of the body heals at a different rate and in a different manner; and
3. a surgeon cannot control his movements and work in precisely the same manner on each eye.
I have asymetry and obvious scars after my upper and lower bleph but I'm happy with the results because these costs outweigh the significant disadvantage of my aged and unattractive my eyes pre surgery.
3/11/08
I had a horrific experience with Thermage and 14 months post am still seeing the results of this procedure I have tried unsuccessfully to get answers from the Dr. and also Thermage. I feel that the public should be made aware of the extreme effects this can have on someone. I would love to understand what has happened to my face and get the word out to the public.
3/24/08
I am seriously thinking about getting my upper eylids done, but am very worried about the right doctor. I have done thermage and it did nothing, so I am left with the option of surgery. Can anyone please tell me what doctors are good and what doctors are bad. I live in Boise Idaho... anyone from around this area with some doctor advice?? Please e-mail me... {edited}
Thanks
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3/24/08
marybeth, i have the exact same problems with u, feeling the pain everyday, the masculine looking eyes, everything u are talking about i know and understand completely. and i have also been told by numerous surgeons that only thing they can do is put fillers or fat for the hollowness. i want a skin graft specialist to put skin where so much was taken out. my eye lids are so high up, i feel sick. it was too agressive, we both had agressive work done and now are suffering because of it for the rest of our lives. please email me, i will reply back with my phone number, i think we can find better solutions together. i wont give up hope, i miss my eyes too much and hate these weird eyes that do not belong to me.
~t
3/24/08
marybeth, my email address is {edited}, im 25 years old and had upper and lower bleph almost a yr and a half ago, which has aged me 15 years, my eyes are hollow, wrinkly and old looking, the eyelid crease also is very high and as urs, they are so high its not even around the eyes like they are supposed to be in normal eyes, my eyes cause me pain and discomfort everyday as well my eyebrows have fallen and are mismatched as well as my eyes. my eyes are so ugly and masculine, its horrible to feel like u arent urself anymore, the confidence u had u dont anymore, to feel like u look like a freak, to hate ur reflection and to want to not go out anymore. i know it and understand exactly how u feel, i live with this huge regret everyday allday. i hope u will email me. i think we can help eachother and exchange information about what could help and who could help, and knowing ur not alone in this struggle feeling mutilated, i understand. all my best.
~t
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4/20/08
Wish I could turn back the clock to the eve of 2 weeks ago. I had upper and lower bleph am very upset with the results. No big asymetry disasters but I don't look like myself anymore and miss my beautiful, slightly wrinkled, slightly baggy eyes. (My S.O. isn't thrilled with the outcome,either.)Surgeons should make it a practice to request and study photos of their client's eyes as younger adults rather than do the same generic cut on everyone. I'm trying to be a big girl and learn from this, but frankly, I'm feeling very depressed and can't believe I've done this irreversible thing to myself.
Wendy
4/30/08
I am looking into having my upper eyelids done. What is the difference between laser vs the other? Can anyone comment on this? I have an appointment on May 5 to see an optomologist who does the laser eyelid surgery.
5/1/08
Be cautious about this. It WILL change your appearance. Look at your eyes carefully and ask yourself what it is that you most love about your eyes. Our eyes are our most personal and unique defining feature. Look at pictures of when you were a younger adult and show them to this MD. You want to look similar to your younger YOU rather than having new, unfamiliar eyes. Everything I've just said is my own perfect hindsight. I'm mourning my old eyes as I didn't anticipate what a big change it would be. Best wishes and God's Grace in whatever you decide to do. -Wendy
6/4/08
DEAR WENDY:
ON MAY 1ST OF THIS YEAR I HAD
A FACELIFT, BROWLIFT AND QUAD BLEPH.
I REALLY DIDN'T THINK I NEEDED THE BLEPH BUT
ASSUMED THE DOCTOR KNEW BEST.
MY EYES ARE NOW BEADY AND PINCHED.
MY SMILE IS VERY STRANGE.
I TRULY REGRET THIS DECISION.
I STARE AT A DIFFERENT PERSON IN THE MIRROR EVERY DAY.
THE MOST FAMOUS AND PROFITABLE PLASTIC SURGEON WILL BE
THE ONE WHO CAN REPAIR THESE PROBLEMS.
DENISE
6/13/08
This is the first time I have read reviews on eyes. I am SO SORRY for you all! I could never have believed eye surgery could go so badly wrong.
I am no expert, but have had to re-condition my mind to relieve various trauma from my past, albeit emotional. But, if I can help in any way, I would like to. Send me a private message here, or type my name in your browser to see what I am about.
It is such a shame that people take dreadful risks with all kind of cosmetic surgery as symmetry cannot be guaranteed, nor the outcome. Skin reacts differently in each of us, and surgeons are only human. Some are not even artists and cannot draw! Yipes, how can you trust such a person?
I feel surgeons can be inhuman, especially, when they operate instead of talking people OUT of surgery, where acceptance can be their best bet. It will be against their wallets, to convince that ageing signs are not really that bad. At least you will still look like yourself and not a stretched out robot. Too much adverse publicity about celebrities and on trying to be 'beautiful.' It is ridiculous, as personality and character is what people like best in others.
All this trying to look younger is damaging so many, and some may have to live the rest of their lives with regrets and not being able to recognise themselves. A few lines and wrinkles show that you have experience of life, do not make it such a big issue!
I will be 59 years of age this July 2008. That means 60 next year! I look at least 20 years younger than my age, and although my genes may be part responsible, I do use Firming Cream and several easy exercise techniques. I also do NOT drink, never have, (although I smoke cigars daily). Drink is the worst offender for wrinkling the skin and damaging skin cells!
All of you reading this who are contemplating surgery, please try using Skin Firming Cream. Nivea are the original makers and my preference, but chemists have their own brands. Probably, from the same source, and they all work at tightening the skin! You can use it everywhere, as well as around and under the eyes.
Even if you think surgery is the only thing for you, as you hate your tired looking eyes too much, TRY the firming cream anyway. I am sure you will be cancelling your surgery appointment, as there WILL be an improvement! It might be enough for you to feel better about yourself! Surely, it is worth a try first! Living with regrets would be a terrible thing and much worse than what you are going through now.
You can get the firming cream in any chemist.
I am not selling anything, and am only an author and performer.
Donni-Jay
6/18/08
what is the best thing to do with hollowness beneath both eyes. I guess gravity is taking its toll. I would like to restore the volume in that area but don't know if its a facelift or a filler. Any suggestions?? thanks
7/4/08
i went into {edited} office 10 days ago for a left upper bleph revision. I don't no what i was thinking but i allowed him to persuade me in getting the lower bleph. I was told i had baggs like football players. I was also informed that i should heal within one week. I now am going into a stage of depression. My eyes are asymmetrical. Worst of all, i notice my lower right eye no longer have lashes. It is overlaped with the skin that was cut. This overlapping is also causing downward pulling in that eye. To where when i close my eye i can feel the top lashes touching the inside of my eye. I went to another doc for a second opinion today and was told i would have to see a specialist because of the pulling on my right eye. I still have swelling. What is this hollowness that everyone is talking about. Does this occur later on or can u tell this early. I am 30 yrs and the doc that i saw today told me i shouldn't need the lower bleph this early. I guess that's why im commenting on your story because your 25 years old. Not only do i have pulling in one eye, will i also have hollowness too. The last time i smiled was 10 days ago. I notice i excluded myself from everyone. I am very depress. Not only does this issue effects me tremendously but it's effecting my family. I hate to do this to everyone but i just can't help it. I scare myself just looking at a mirror.
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9/4/08
I had an upper bleth two years ago, I ended up with hollowness, a higher crease on one eyelid and a thick white scar starting from the inner corner of the upper eyelid curving upward due to too much skin being excised. I received no help from my p.s. and he was very defensive from day one. I wish I had never met him.
I ended up having orbital fat strip grafting with fat pearls one year later to try to fix the problem. This has not resolved the problem and caused me to have ptosis in the eyelid also.
9/14/08
Did the same surgeon do your orbital fat
grafting, or did you go to someone
specializing in that? I am interested
in orbital fat grafting but am afraid of
the risks involved.
9/15/08
No, I went to someone else. I would not recommend the fat grafting by incision.
9/16/08
Did your fat grafting last at all?
I had restylane today in my hollowed out eyelid and the derm says it may last a year. I'm hoping it will stimulate a collagen reaction and become permanent - some say this has happened with restylane in the upper eyelids.
9/17/08
Is there anyway to send me a picture to see how your eyes look after the restylane injection? Have you tried fat injections or have you not had any luck with those? Once, I have the ptosis corrected in my eyelid, I would like to have restylane injections. I have not been able to find a dermatologist in my area that does restylane injections for hollowed out eyelids.
9/18/08
I can take a digital photo and email it to you. We should probably wait a few more days till the swelling goes down though; I just had the injection in the eyelid for the first time on Tuesday, and right now the upper lid is very bruised and swollen, and the eyelid isn't opening all the way. At this point, I still have no idea how much of this volume in the lid is the restylane, and how much is swelling. There is a few days downtime with this, but hopefully it won't be long.
I tried fat injections under one eye once, and it only lasted about 3 months, so I never went back. If restylane doesn't last long on me I may try fat injections again, although I don't know what the success rate for them is in a mobile area like the upper eyelids. And they are so expensive.
I think if you called some doctor's offices in your area you'd find someone who does retylane injections in the eyelids; it's become very commonplace for dermatologists to use restylane around the eyes, and some plastic surgeons also. The good thing about it is that it can be dissolved with an enzyme if you don't like it.
9/19/08
I had lower blepharoplasty eight days ago. The sutures were removed on day six. Now that the tape and sutures have been removed, I notice that the incision extends approximately one inch beyond the outer corners of my eyes. On the right side the incision seems to be healing flat but on the left the scar is depressed; it is thin but quite obvious. I was not aware that the incisions on the lower lids would extend beyond the corners of my eyes and I'm concerned that the indented line will continue to be obvious as the healing progresses. I am still somewhat bruised and swollen and have not yet asked the surgeon about this. I'm wondering it it is usual for the incision to extend beyond the corner of the eye and if depressed scars eventually become flush with the surrounding skin surface.
9/19/08
Scars on the eyelids usually heal very well - I had scars extending past the outer corners of the eyes also, which is typical if they do a canthopexy or canthoplasty as part of your blepharoplasty. One of my scars spread a little over time so I had it lasered off. A good dermatologist can take care of this if the scar does not disappear on its own, which most do within 6 months at most.
9/19/08
Yes, I would definitely like to see a picture of the results of your upper eyelids with restylane. I also have a friend who is dealing with the same problem and is very depressed. How do I send you my e-mail address without making it public here? Thanks.
9/20/08
Hi Cissy,
To contact a user privately, click their username and then click "Contact".
Cheers,
--Sharon
9/24/08
marybeth, I have the same problem and I'm looking for a solution for my eyes. I had upper bleph back in Jan 08. The doc was too aggressive, took too much fat out, creases way too high-especially in my left eye. I was expecting a subtle mprovement and he's ruined my life. I tried fat injections twice but didn't retain much of the fat. I'm scared to do the pearl or orbital fat grafting. I feel trapped and so regretful everyday. Please email me back. Thank you.
9/24/08
t,
I too have hollowed out eyes from bad upper bleph surgery. My doc was too aggressive also and I'm soooo regretful. Too much fat removed, creases to high, I look weird, I feel sick about it everyday. I tried fat transfer procedures twice and may go for a 3rd. I don't seem to maintain much of the fat though so I'm searching for a more permanent solution, but I'm scared to do the incision approach. What stage are you at? and how about Marybeth? Any advice or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.
-L
9/24/08
Mary Beth,
I am so sorry; I am going through the same thing. I do not look like myself anymore. I also have small little eyes with hardly any skin and fat. I avoid having pictures taken because I just can't look at them. I also have had to go on antidepressants. Instead of feeling great about eyes; I feel that I have butchered.
9/24/08
Thanks for your response.
9/29/08
I recently had lower lid blepharoplasty. I thoroughly researched 4 doctors before I picked the one who did the surgery. Over 30 years ago I had my fractured nose repaired by a plastic surgeon who did a so/so job (it was the best they could do at the time). About 10 years after that I had severe nasal problems and an ear/nose/throat surgeon wanted to fix my septum and revise the tip of my nose. Thus started my nightmare of my nose. The man lied to man and said he was a board certified plastic surgeon - well he wasn't, he was a cosmetic surgeon. I had to look real hard for an actual plastic surgeon to re-fix my nose. That man has since retired. I knew not to let anyone other than an actual plastic surgeon work on my eyes which turned out beautiful. I am sorry for anyone who doesn't have apositive result but no one is mentioning whether they had an actual plastic surgeon or a cosmetic surgeon - big difference in talent. And a plastic surgeon wouldn't usually do an kind of lift on a 25 or 30 year old - they usually want you to wait until there is significant facial aging. Good luck to all of you who are unhappy, find the right doctor to help you.
10/21/08
I too had a bad lower eye lift. It starteed
I researched the Dr and he was a PS for over 35 yrs as ell. After a month,One of my eyes was so sunk in
that he had to fill it..after filling the scar tissue was so tight that I had headaches everyday.
I went to another surgeon to fix. Well he made more of a mess. I am looking to see if I can find someone to fix this mess somewhat. I have been depressed for over a year and dont know how to get throught this.
10/21/08
I would try to find recommendations for someone who specializes in revisional eyelid surgery, like an oculoplastic surgeon.
10/22/08
SapphireOne9, have you been to our Doctor Recommendation Forums? You can post requests for local recommendations over there.
10/22/08
Decided at 47 to have a lower lid lift in Charlotte..I was looking tired and had bags but was somewhat cute and it was that mid life crisis time. Friends have had it done so I said how bad could it be. So did a bit of research and found a dr. I went in and had this done ... One eye looked good the other was so sunken in and dented on the side…so the dr went in two months later and gave it a bit of fill. He over filled and left a larger dent and around tear duct area it does not look so pretty. This left me we pain and headaches as it was overfilled. So I went for a few consultations with other drs. I came across another Dr. who was so positive that he could fix this and he was an ophthalmologist as well. We scheduled surgery in March of 08…This has not quite what I expected… One side is hitting my vein and making my face numb and the other is bunching up like a rubberband, pulling in one area and sagging in another. This has been quite overwhelming as I only expected to have this done once… A once in a life time. There has been more problems with this and I do not understand why. I know nothing can be done at the moment as it needs to heal more but I need to look for a dr who can correct this as best as possible.
Was wondering if you do corrective surgery or can recommend the best. Thank you.
10/22/08
I would put posts up on this and some other message boards asking for recommendations for doctors in your area. Another way is to see if there is a hospital with an eye center near you; often they have or can recommend someone. Sometimes if you go on quite a few different consults, you'll know when you find a good fit for the problem. Good luck - hope you find the right doctor.
10/23/08
When I was 50 I had a blepharoplasty lower lid and it was fine. Now at age 60 I had upper and lowers done. My uppers look sensational...my right lower looks dented in. It has been over a year and my PS says it looks fine to her. My grandkids say, What's wrong with THAT eye grandma. I obsess about it every day, sounds vain but very true. My PS said if she revised it, I'd look worse, so I guess I will go get another opinion but I am scared
10/23/08
I think I am finally done with corrective eye surgeries - have found that restylane can hide a multitude of flaws such as dents, overly hollow creases, etc. I'm going to stick with that for now.
10/24/08
I have five appts with Drs who are both certified in Plastics and ophthalmology. Have nothing on their records...so I am willing to explore these options because I do not want to look ugly. But you need to go to a city where there is the best...At this point, you cannot mess around again
10/25/08
I agree. Good luck in finding the right
doctor!
10/25/08
Saphire, your doctor wasn't a board certified plastic surgeon; he's an opthamologist who took some plastic training. Those are the type of surgeons you have to be wary of. Sorry this happened to you. Please find a real board certified plastic surgeon who specialises in eyes and corrective surgery. It may be hard to find someone to take you over but keep looking ad I wish you much luck and peace.
10/26/08
I'm finally corrected - but I don't
want to depress everyone here by stating
how many doctors, operations, $$$, or
years it took! And my fat
loss is permanent and can really only be covered
up with injections. The lesson I learned is if it's
small, don't chase it or you may end up
fixing the "fix." Eyes are tough and the
healing is unpredictable, no matter how
good the doctor. Subsequent operations
cause scarring down and can lead to
diminishing returns.
10/26/08
I too have a similar experience. I was 35 when i had my lower blepg done for slight puffiness. The results worren with age.I am turning 37 in January, but my eye area look like that of an elderly woman. I have terribly loose skin, hollowed eyes, sagging upper cheeks, wrinkles that I never had and a strange new look that is not youthful. This is a major regret that I cannot change. I have been looking for answers and may have found an anwwer. There is a doctor in Dallas Texas who sees patients from all over the country seeking to "restore their identity" from bad bleph. His name is Dr. Sam Lam He also has several consultation videos on line that express his philosophy on correcting the problems we are facing. There may be hope. I have no idea when I could see or how I will come up with the money (as I have already spent thousands) but it is on my list as a life must-do. I cannot live like this and dread the thought of what I will look like at 40or 50 since I have been butchered of my eye fat and muscle that God put their for a reason. This may be one of the biggest life lessons that I have ever experienced in search of beauty.
10/27/08
Lindsayann,
Don't pin your hopes on this man - he is an ENT who studied facial plastic/reconstructive surgery. Look at his credentials. You want to find a doctor who is a member of: American Society of Plastic Surgeons &American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgero. All the titles can be deceiving and I'm not saying that this doctor couldn't help you but he is in a category that began several years ago when ear, nose, and throat doctors decided that taking out tonsils didn't get them big bucks. I actually saw Dr. Lam on a TV show and asked one of the girls at my doctors office about him and she looked in up in the book that lists all the plastic surgeons and he's not in it. Please keep looking. I live in NJ and could give you the names of some really good people here.
11/6/08
Hi,
I'm 54 and had a lower bleph 2 1/2 weeks ago. I had a bigger bag under my left eye. Now, my eyes are slightly assymetrical. The left eye is slightly smaller and the bag is still there!!! There is still slight bruising under both eyes. How can I tell if the left bag is swelling or is still there?? How can I tell if my undereyes are too holllowed out?? I am trying not to panic. I went to a very prominent NYC PS. In retrospect, I think I should have gone to someone younger who specializes in eyes. Please help!
11/23/08
Hi Szerena-
live in nj
looking for excellent plastic surgeon for lower bleph Thanks !!!
11/25/08
Dr. Thomas Romo in NYC
Worst Dr is Dr Briggs Cook in NC