Botox: Stories

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Botox and Droopy Lid

  • Not Worth It
  • Cost: $300
  • Evansville, IN

The only con is the droopy lid. I hate it that I...

The only con is the droopy lid. I hate it that I spent so much money and can't enjoy any of the benefits of the botox because my eye looks so awful.

How long does droopy eyelid last? I had a very small amount of Botox injected.

I have read it a hundred times since I had my...

I have read it a hundred times since I had my botox done.  It's VERY important to research the person doing your injections.  Botox isn't something to take lightly.  Having a nurse do mine was my mistake. I'm not saying that there aren't nurses qualified to do botox.  But, in my case she injected too deeply and too low.  I have had consultations with two other cosmetic surgeons since my droopy lid.  They both said the same thing.  Too low, and too deep.  After 6 weeks and my eye finally looking better, I can say that I will have botox again.  I will be more careful with my choice of injector.  Human beings do make mistakes.  If the mistakes can be stopped they should be.  No one knows how horrible this experience is unless they have been through it.  Doctors on this website that haven't had it happen to them shouldn't act like it's no big deal.  Obviously anyone who is having botox done cares about their appearance.  Having a droopy or closed eyelid is going to affect the way you feel about yourself.  When you shell out hundreds of dollars to look better, you expect to look better.  I personally got NO refund from the office that did my botox and some other procedures.  I will NEVER return to them....not only because of the droopy lid, but because of their lack of concern for me.  It's no big deal....unless it happens to you!

Great review?

My Doctor: name not provided

I will probably do the botox again. It really depends on how long the droopy eye lasts. I do see a huge difference in the area between my eyes. This was my first time for botox, and I had a nurse do it. The doctor reserves his time for surgeries. I feel I made a mistake by not having the plastic surgeon do my injections.

Comments (24)

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violetliberty 2 Feb 2013
I am confused as to why you all seem to be blaming your injectors. I have had botox many times and when you sign the consent form it clearly states that a droop in the eyelid is a potential side effect which is common in 1-100 people. If you sign consent which is informed how are your injectors to blame if you suffer a declared side effect?
Aurelie24 20 Mar 2013
A cosmetic treatment should not result in vision impairment (which is often the case with a severe droop) nor are people paying to look worse. The results are primarily in the hands of the injectors, so providers need to know anatomy. Otherwise Allergan needs to revise its statistics on eye ptosis results, as from this forum it seems more common than 3%. I wish all providers took responsibility the way the trainer in this video does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxAo0KkDiSw
Rabbit_214 27 May 2011
I am not a medical professional but I wanted to find out what the droopy eyelid was all about. I can tell you that a droopy lid is a result from the injection being to MUCH in amount.. You face has muscles to actually hold you face UP. You want to eliminate crows and forehead lines BUT if too much is applied then your brow will fall.. You just need a better person. Hope you find someone better. :)
violetliberty 6 Feb 2013
Rabbit_214 I am a medical professional and this is simply not true. A droopy eyelid is a result of the toxin seeping into the muscles of the eyelid causing them to sag. This has NOTHING to do with the amount given. As an injector, care must be taken to stay at least 1cm away from the orbital rim and additionally the orbital rim should be protected using the thumb whilst the injections are given. HOWEVER, it is sometimes the case that the patient does not heed the aftercare advice given and lying down, making extreme facial expressions, leaning the face forward, excersising, saunas, sunbeds and facial massage may all encourage the toxin into the surrounding muscles. These are what causes droopy eyelid not how much is given. Additionally there is sometimes seepage which simply is unavoidable and this is why a droopy eyelid is stated upfront as a common side effect on your consent form. Your brow falling is another matter altogether but I am happy to explain that if you would like.
EmmyDogLover 18 Apr 2013

@ violetliberty - This "droopy eye" thing happened to my mother and it didn't last long. The doctor (yes, he is a medical doctor and highly regarded) apologized to her and said that he used a little too much in that area.

saggy brow 13 Aug 2010
I have one saggy lid too, and thinking about having the other side done just so they can at least match up. I work at job that's dealing with the public. Got to do something
Chasity Elizabethtown 29 Apr 2013

I know where your coming from. I had Botox about a month ago by a nurse and I have a raised eyebrow I work with public it is very embarrassing. Each photo of me since looks so silly I have to wear sunglasses. Since I have said I will never see a nurse for Botox only a physician they know the facial anatomy so much better..

Megan P (Community Manager) 29 Apr 2013

Chasity Elizabethtown, if your brow is raised too much that might be able to be corrected. Check out this Q&A:

Eyebrows Raised Too High with Botox

dlm5774 18 Jan 2010
Second time getting Botox and I have also become victim to one drooping eyelid and large bumps on my forehead. It is a BIG deal to pay all this money to improve your appearance, only to end up looking terrible! I pick up the drops tomorrow and hope they help. I will also attempt to style my hair over my drooping eye in an attempt to disguise it. Regardless, the drops were expensive and my surgeon didn't offer any empathy and/or refund! I won't be doing Botox again. I will still to creams and try to age gracefully because I would rather have a few frown lines that I can cover with bangs than a drooping eye!
severly upset 28 Oct 2009
I botox injections also, 1 week later my right eye is drooping not all the way, but alot smaller than my left eye. I called my doctor about it, which is a plastic surgeon,and he said he didn't think it was from the botox, but after reading about everyone else I know it is. I'm very dissapointed and praying everyday it doesn't get worse. I'm putting visine in my eye every hour it seems to help alittle. Not sure if I would ever get it again, I do love how its eased my lines between my eyebrow.
devastated 4 Oct 2009
My left eylid drooped 4 days after the botox. I am devestated! I look like I had a stroke. Will someone please tell me how many weeks it took for the eye to get better. Leaving on vacation in 2 weeks. Would hate to have this condition thru my vacation
Mia2009 7 Sep 2009
Hello All: I'm new to the posting here, but i hope you all have seen improvements with your eyes. I had botox myself 2 wks ago and just noticing the droop and right eye little smaller. Freaking me out too...I'll go tom to see my injector and see what he thinks but not puting anymore to it, that's for sure. I don't trust he'll do a good job 2nd time. Hope it goes away soon since I'm really getting paranoid. I got the Naphcon A from wallgreens, but used it for 1 day so not sure if it helps yet. I don't even know if make up will cover it a bit? Now my eye is not closed completely just smaller than other, but worrie if it will continue to close more? I feel for all of u too, I know how bad that feels, its making me depressed already...
sarah G (unregistered guest) 31 Aug 2009
had my botox done a wk ago an the droopy eyelids started on friday an had it last monday i look like someone punched me in the eye......never ever will I do this thing again I have been in the medical field for 20 yrs an not only were they not professional it was a scam....I know how much it cost my dr does it at his office but my gf friend works at this place an was doing it for 2 days a special so I got talked into it an ended up paying a large amount for this.....don't do it ......it is so not worth it to your face....you have to wake up to that face daily don't do it...My eyes an face is everything......He the Dr is Board Certified an retired an doing this on the side....never ever again...BEWARE!!! My lids you can't even see where my crease lid is...I am too embarrassed to go out!! How long is the average wait for these droopy eyes to last ??? or when do your eyes start to look normal I should ask?? They should tell you this before I would have never done it even near the eyes!..The RX sounds what without insurance it cost a fortune...over 500.00 even at 100.00 if the droopy eyelids only last a wk or 2 I can hold off...but....if 6 wks I will have to break down an get the rx......ohh I am soo mad!
DroopyGirl 17 Aug 2009
Okay so this is the 4th time I have tried botox- all by the same doctor who does excellent work. All of my frieds go to him and they have not ever had a problem! Well, I have had droopy eyelid(s) all 4 times! The last time (which was 2 weeks ago) he barely put any in my forehead and it was injected high up. I think he put in 7cc total? This is the absolute last time I try it! :(
missesteelaura 18 Aug 2009
I wouldn't ever do it again if I was you either! Sounds like you must be vulnerable to this problem. I've been back since my first time (when I got droopy lid), and I had no problems. Sorry about your bad luck!
hatereno (unregistered guest) 12 Aug 2009
I got some botox the other day. I had moved from florida. Found a doctor is reno. The surgical nurse did the injections. I thought everything was fine until 5 days later. I see both my lids are lower. I thought at first it was an allergy. Than started researching. I am terrified. Don't know what to do. Scared to look at myself anymore. The worse part is my bday is in two weeks. Do you guy recommend the eye drops??
missesteelaura 12 Aug 2009
The drops do help somewhat. Even with insurance they are expensive and tend to be irritating to the eyes. It depends on how desperate you are. It will go away on it's own. I was devastated, but have actually had botox again since the droopy lid. It's just a risk you take when you get botox. Good luck. Time will heal.
missesteelaura 3 Jun 2009
sad in tacoma....I'm so sorry this happened to you. My eye never closed all the way, and I was devastated. I can't even imagine how you must feel. Know that you're not alone, and that it will not remain this way forever. One of the most awful things is that no one can tell you how long it will be before your eye opens up. I'm sure you've talked to the person who did your botox and they've thrown general times at you....if you notice, they will not guarantee a certain amount of time. They will only promise that it won't last forever. I'm disgusted with the reaction I got from my injector. They don't really seem to care. Sorry I can't give you anything better than this. As far as the eyedrops go....they do irritate my eye. For you, they would probably start to work better once your eye starts to open. They only lift the lid a few millimeters, so there's no way they will open your eye all the way. I'm sure it's more than just the cosmetic part that's bad for you. You can't even see out of your eye!! I'm so sorry and I wish you a quick recovery. You're not alone!
sad in tacoma 4 Jun 2009
missesteela, thanks for the sypathy. I cannot drive at night and changing lanes is scary. i look rediculous and i work with the public. i have an open office and meet with clients all day every day. i have had to broadcast that i had botox, and that it went very wrong. my doc has been nice but ver sure to explain that he cannot make any promises, and yes, that the good thing is that it is only temporary. not enough. i want my eye to open! i cry a lot and get super stressed out.
sad in tacoma 2 Jun 2009
my entire right eye is cosed and after reading so many others experiences simular to mine, i am slightly encouraged but would do just about anyting to get my eye to open. my husband returns from iraq in 7 weeks. my eye has been closed for a week. what is the likelyhood of this being over before he gets home? he has no idea of my 'botox gone bad' experience. we have a honeymoon that i am hoping will not be spoiled.
missesteelaura 26 May 2009
Oh yeah....I wanted to make it clear. I tried 2 kinds of eyedrops. Alphagan (the glaucoma one) didn't work for me. The Iopidine 1% is the eyedrop that really helped. It's ridiculously expensive (I paid 109.00 and insurance paid 576.00!), but it has helped. I can only speak for myself, but it was worth 109.00 to me.
missesteelaura 26 May 2009
I have good news! My lid is better! I saw a different dr and she prescribed me Iopidine 1% drops. They have helped a lot. My eye stays open all day (almost even with the other eye), and is not nearly as bad when the drops wear off. It's been 14 days since my droop started. I think the eyedrops kind of jump-started my lid again. I wish, hope and pray that everyone else's problem gets better quickly. I know it was traumatizing for me, and I really do feel for anyone else going through this!
gretaga 26 May 2009
hey, good news, on day 12 my eye actually looks more normal. Still ha a ways to go, but a definite improvement. How are you doing?
Helen in SoFla 26 May 2009
Hi! How is your eyelid now? Is there any difference at all? I hope you tell me you are seeing a slight lift..... I am still suffering with a drooped right eyelid and it has been 24 days.....I do not even see a slight difference which I am praying for everyday. My positive attitude is weakening and I am still hiding from the public as much as possible. I am tired of all my dark glasses and want to just throw them out already!! It will be hard for me to ever trust a "Botox" Doctor again.....This eyelid problem seems to be growing too rapidly with many of us....I really need some sincere encouragement at this point. Thanks!

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