Eyelid Surgery: Stories

I totally regret having surgery, It has changed the look of who I am. Such a shock to look in the mirror and see someone completely different looking at you. As far as considering other surgeries to fix an existing problem, unless it is absolutely necessary do not do it. Whatever you do, do not, NOT have a mid-face lift, it is incredibly invasive and you end up with an unnatural look. Everybody, and I mean everybody could tell that I had had surgery, this caused me to have a nervous breakdown, I could not believe I paid money to let someone mutilate my face. Like others on this board, I too had "that feeling" just before surgery. I didn't listen to my inner self telling me not to do it, very, very, regretful. Have lost my life and have become a hermit, never go out unless absolutely necessary. Had upper and lower blep 15 years ago, everything fine until 6 months ago, now one eye smaller and a different shape to the other due to too much skin being removed, not aging. If you are new to this board and haven't had surgery yet then I IMPLORE you do not do it, it will ruin your life if done badly, there are no guarantees.

The decision to pursue a revision is entirely up to you. For me it was always a hope, but when it became a reality, I then pursued it with a passion.
I don't regret what was done.
Yes, Canthoplexy is commonly used to correct the problem you've explained. However, as
I've said before , everyone is different in the amount of need in revision.
If you search this Web Sight, REAL SELF, you will find those that had this done with excellent results and those that made there situation worse. Some even traveling to Atlanta and California Specialists.
This procedure should be common among Plastic Surgeons, but again, who knows how to perform it correctly, and see you as an individual, not the "run of the mill" procedure. This procedure needs careful work for a asymmetrical outcome in appearance.
The Shunt pulling your lower lid upward, will dissolve and your lower lid will stay the way it healed permanently. Eye and Muscle Movement over time may loosen it some.
I read where some heal differently in appearance an unevenness. Some failed in holding the lid upward. It fell and had to be repeated. Others end up having more scarring and visual problems.
All surgeries can go wrong, but an experienced surgeon that has conducted this surgery with confidence several times before, is the one to choose.
Bottom line any revision is your call.
This surgery should not cost a small fortune.
Shop around, there are many FINE, EXPERIENCED, SKILLED, and AFFORDABLE, Surgeons out there.
All surgeries hold a risk and always take before ad after photos for consultations so the doctor can see your appearance before, and now. Photos speak louder than words.
Then take before and after your revision.
Oh, one more thing, don't be fooled by thinking a Specialist, Eye Doctor, Ocultiplasty are the only ones for this job.
They don't always know how to fix this kind of problem. Some use fillers, but I don't think it will help your situation.
Possibly a mid face lift could help. But if white globe is showing and it droops, probably not.
You'll make the right decision in the end. Keep reading:) Good Luck.

Thank you so very much for your consolation. I truly regret this and wish my old eyes were back. I'm really not sure where to go with this. I'm afraid to go back to where I had it done, for revision and end up with a worse job than before. There's something called canthoplexy. The chief surgeon brought it up but that would be an entirely new procedure to fix what they did with the blepharoplasty - which cause my eyes to be pulled further down at their outer edges. I'm so sorry for your situation. I think you're right about only going to someone who specializes in eyes. However, I didn't have the money to do what I did do, and I sure don't have extra money to go to an entirely new doctor. It really is painful to look in the mirrow and know that "we've done this to ourselves" - wasn't the point to look better??? Take care and thanks again.

Jill, I had the exact same experience
and decided not to do any more or re constructive surgery.
I had very red ,dry, soar eyes but just learned to live with them. It has been almost 2 yrs and I use moisture drops several times a day. It does help but I do miss the look of my old eyes.
We have an excellent doctor in Las Vegas (Dr. Myint) who I have consulted with and is suppose to be the best in the country to fix bad bleph jobs. I would only go to an eye plastic surgeon that specializes in ONLY eyes. That was my big mistake. As of now, I have decided to do nothing. I just wear more eye concealer.
Best of luck to you.

Hello Jill. I am sorry you had to experience this negative surgery and even more sorry, these surgeries are still occurring.
First..name your doctor, it is legal and your simply letting others know you had a bad experience, leaving emotional scars along with physical negative affect from a surgery that you were either not told of, these negative outcomes,( a good lid surgery has NONE !~) or this surgeon isn't educated or experienced enough to perform them.
This is a Form-mat Web Sight for consumer reports on Plastic Surgeries.
What you are explaining is common in aggressive lower lid surgery,. I know too well and have lived with the emotional scars this can cause.
There is nothing more disturbing than
to look in the mirror and see a stranger looking back. Many have had to Cow-boy up and live with it, but you will never be the same, and those are the issues that need to be looked into by the A.M.A., and offer help.
I would stay on this Doctors butt. Let him know you have checked into this surgery and what your experiencing is "NOT" the Normal outcome.
Your genetic appearance has been altered. Do not let this doctor or his staff, tell you your outcome is normal, because it is ""NOT!!! At best your eyes appear wider, but the round hollowed affect, droppy lower lids at corner, whites showing in lower lids, is aggressive surgeries and the surgeon took too much fat, tissue.
Tell him you want it fixed! You may get your money back.
Now he isn't going to like you, or the fact that your complaining. I was always rushd in and out by the one that ruined me.
Post before and after photos ( just eye area if you prefer)and ask these Doctors on this Sight what can be done. You will get some information and tools to then start your own search.
The next steps in reversion is up to you. And No, it does not have to cost an arm and leg.
Going to the original surgeon may not cost you anything, but I lost faith in mines abilities and I'm Glad I did not let her butcher me further.
There are procedures too lift the lower lid, and you will get those terminologies from these surgeons on this sight. Who is best? Well there again is where your reading of other posts on here may help and research on your own.
I've Googled every term I could find. And then I decided on what I thought was best, less invasive and long term, coast effective.You must approach reversion as you would with any corrective surgery.Plus, It's YOUR FACE !!!
You may have to travel, which is what I had to do.
You may have to have invasive surgery for correction or try the other facial fillers for correction.
Again read on the long term effects of all.Fillers all absorb into you system after time. So be aware of this and do not let a doctor tell you they last longer than 6 months. Some only 3-4, and one application is never enough.
Everyone is different in there need for reversion, so what worked for one, may not work for you.
Again, I wish you luck, don't give up and there is help.
Most of us in need of reversion seek it out, sometimes for years. I had to save my money for a very long time, but did my research too.I had over 20 consultation, some on line, others in Office. After you begin to educate your self, it isn't hard to figure out which Surgeon you trust to help and which ones are high priced no it all's that really don't have a clue if there procedure will work. Plastic Surgeons are rarely sued. It is elective surgery, and unless your blind, or maimed horribly, negligence is hard to prove.They are aware...So Sight's like these are very needed, and you can be the one that helps another from using this doctor is not experienced enough to perform this surgery.
My alternative was too much for me to accept and live with. I'm happy I did what i did and I now have some resemblance of old self back.
Start reading and good luck.

I had bletharoplasty surgery Oct 16, 2010. I'm really sorry I did. Everytime I look in the mirror I'm horrified. What have I done. I liked my eyes before. Yeah, they we're older looking with the upper lids laying on my eyes somewhat - but my eyes we're pretty attractive. Now - I have these round eyes, with lids, blunt downward cuts on the outer edges of the eyes, under half of one eye a hollow area and really bad dry eyes. Plus the corners of my outer eyes are pulled downward displaying more white than should be shown. It's been 2 1/2 months, and each day it gets worse - not better. Plus, I now have a vein under one eye going down horizontally that I never had before. I am beside myself. This was a really bad idea. I don't know if anyone could fix this, even if I had the money. Any suggestions???

Fav123, Personally, I wouldn't recommend having it done just to "refresh" your look. I had 5 procedures done at once (3 1/2 weeks ago)...I am 52 years old. Lower bleph was one of the procedures. I'm doing ok, but not thrilled. I don't think it's worth the risk unless you have "real issues" and it doesn't sound to me like you do, as you said it would be just to "refresh" you. There are apparently more risks and complications than patients are led to believe; and also there are definitely emotional issues following plastic surgeries...I speak from experience, because I am my husband are going through some right now.

After consulting with a few ny doctors I booked my surgery for a lower bleph job to eleviate some of my bags and fill in my hollow area of my tear trough, Dr. Kisner said he would repostion the fat, not take it out and fill in this area.He would be cutting under the lash line, I am 50 years old, my eyes are not awful but I was told it would make me look refreshed. Any success stories out there,,, I have heard so many bad ones and my heart aches for any women thats happened to.

I want to have my lower eyelids done but I am now terrified of the outcome of hollowing. Dr Antell in ny just wants to remove the fat and Dr. Kisner wants to do fat repositioning , I am so afraid my eyeshape may change and my eyes will become hollow like people say, do you know of anyone in ny you can recommend, thanks

Hi Gi gi, its called lower eyelid retraction, think the others are going on about hollowing, it can be done, I'm having to wait as my surgery wasn't that long ago. let me know how you get on with your quest for success stories, as I will be booking myself in in the summer. Good luck x

My upper and lower eyelid surgery, done 12 years ago, was a complete success, but now at the age of 60 I have developed puffy lower eyes. I know the upper lid can be lifted again with little risk, but I would like to know if removing the fat from puffy pockets under the has well-documented dangers. I was told by a surgeon that the only way to deal with wrinkles (and puffiness?) under the eye at this point is laser treatment which can take many months, up to a year, to look normal again--something I don't want to risk. Please reply with thoughts and comments on any of above. Thanks.

KTA..I was told after consultation with a facial plastic surgeon regarding my hollowed eye sockets that for lower lids it is best to lift the tissue ,rather than injectable. He had suggested mid face lift. I thought, here I go, another invasive procedure and costly. Whether upper or lower hollowness occurs, you can be sure finding a fix that lasts and doesn't make things worse is a challenge. I'm still at a loss.

I had lower lid surgery 8 years ago. I was pretty happy with it, (I got it done in the spring) until it started getting really cold outside and I noticed that I still had a huge fat pocket under my right eye. I went back to my plastic surgeon and he told me it had to do with the barometic pressure in the air and that it would probably go away over time. Well...low and behold...IT DID NOT! He also suggested injecteing fat from my stomach under my eyes at that time but I didn't want to do that. Now I have that hollow look under my eyes. I went back to the same surgeron over a year ago and got restalyn injections. Well...he really messed that up! I had severe bruising under one eye and lumps and bumps. I went back to him after a week and he said to give it time. Three weeks later I decided to get in touch with a different plastic surgeon who worked mainly with the face and he gave me hydase injections to dissolve the restalyn. A few weeks later I let the new surgeon give me juvederm injections and it looked ok at first but now the fat deposit left from surgery looks worse! And that was over a year ago! Juvederm last longer under the eye area then other parts of the face and I don't think I would ever get it done again. Now I don't know what to do since I am reading that lower lid surgery is a little "iffy" being done twice. You really have to do your homework and try to find the best surgeon for your needs. The doc that did my surgery was VERY prominent in my area but he didn't have as much experience with eye surgery as he did with breast surgery! Unfortately....I found that out after he screwed me up. I wish you all a lot of luck regarding your botched surgeries!

Hi, I am going through the same thing right now, and have to wait,I'm only 39 and didn't really need it, feel such a fool. I have been for advice so far from dr richard collins from the morefields hospital in london, he also runs a private practice, check out his c.v on the morefields website, or while I was looking I saw a website for dr putterman in the states, all oculoplastic surgeons are specialist in the eyes obviously but some have many years more exsperience than others, so all we both can do I think is prey they can do it.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present an alternative procedure for rehabilitation of the volume deficient anophthalmic or enophthalmic socket. Methods: A retrospective review of clinical and photographic records of 12 patients with either an anophthalmic or enophthalmic orbit (14 orbits) undergoing volume augmentation by micro-fat grafting, or lipostructure, as initially described by Coleman. Patients with orbital volume deficiency seen in the oculoplastic clinic at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK, were invited to participate in the study. The technique is discussed in detail. Results: The volume of fat injected ranged from 0.8mL to 4.5mL (median, 3.05mL) per orbit, with a median increase in exophthalmometry measurements (available in 9 patients) of 2mm (range, 0–7.5mm). Subjective improvement in cosmetic outcome was experienced in all patients. Repeat grafting was required in 1 patient, and will be required in another patient. There were no embolic complications. The procedure was well tolerated in all patients. Median follow-up was 14.5 months (range, 12–30 months). Conclusions: Micro-fat grafting to the anophthalmic or enophthalmic socket appears to be a safe alternative technique for orbital volume enhancement. It has the advantages of avoiding alloplastic infectious complications, ease of technique, minimal donor site morbidity, acceptable graft take rate, low embolic complication rate, and good cosmetic outcom

Hello, I am so sorry to hear of yet another bad eye lid surgery. I can relate. From what you are saying it sounds to me you had an aggressive surgeon and too much fat and tissue removed. It is very difficult to find an experience surgeon that has perfected this surgery with skill and knowledge. I don't care how long they have been in practice or what kind of papers/certifications they hold. I return to this sight now and then to read these posts and feel your frustration, pain and emotional/mental anguish you are about to experience. It is a crime,that free counseling is not offered regarding this area by an expert in disfigurement. I had my surgery 9 years ago and it has been a real emotional, and depressing roller coaster ride. I still today, hate the stranger that looks back at me every time I glance in the mirror.And yes, I feel I was disfigured. Now, I am going to be as honest with you as I can. I have spent the past nine years researching this area of reversion. Trust me, there is little available. First off,the surgeon that suggested you wait is wise. Your surgery is still new, and in time your skin will stretch through time and movement.This is a delicate area and you need to be careful. Blindness is only one of the many things that can go wrong. However,over time and with age, your skin can also recede and shrink, so your appearance can get worse.If you have a sunken wide eyed look now, it will not improve over time. Yet,waiting just awhile longer to give your body time to recover from this first trauma is best. I say trauma because any surgery is a trauma to your system,and tissue even when done correctly. Healing entirely is important, before moving forward. I have read and seen 5 different surgeons for reversion advise and methods regarding my own disaster. Trust me,those that work for one, may not work for you. They are costly and finding an expert in your area is coming up lucky. I know of no "one" doctor in this Country today, that specializes in reversion of upper and lower eye lid surgery outside of Dr. Meronk in California. His reviews are hit and miss. It's very easy to take fat and tissue out. replacing it and helping your appearance is another issue. You will never look as you once did. I'm sorry, but as I said, honest. Here is whats out there. Strip fat grafting, where a strip of fat is taken from one area and placed in upper eye lid.Also know as Pearl grafting. Results vary.None have been long term effective to my knowledge. Fat injections, which is what I have had, and they need to be done several times. This is costly. About $3,000 a pop, and only 20% of the fat remains, the rest is absorbed in your body. It is a natural part of your body and I recommend your own fat before fillers that are still new to our market and long term affects are not totally clear.They too are absorbed, and may need more than one approach.The micro fat injections are the best from what I've read. Finding a surgeon skilled in this area, well good luck and I hope you have funds to travel. Method of fat harvest is important and after injected how many die and how many live. All depends on amount of oxygen they receive. I have even posed the question of receiving oxygen therapy before and after this surgery for a better cell life chance. Oxygen seems to be the key in there survival. No studies have been done in this area. The doctors are too busy making money doing the surgeries, not reversions. If you choose this road of reversion, you will get frustrated. There are so many surgeons that claim they are the man for this job. And may even have pictures to back up the claim. However, you are different than the one in the pictures. Each of us have the same problem, but with different degree's and different skin, age,and surgical outcomes.Plastic Surgeons ego's are enormous to deal with, until they screw up.Then they make excuses and tell you to go away. Just like that. After nine years of research and consultation, I have done nothing! I may never do anything because I'm not sure I can live with it's outcome if negative again. Just as the surgeon that did this to you in your original surgery, the surgeon that performs your reversion, and it doesn't work, will come up with excuse after excuse. But your the one still looking in that mirror. I honestly have not found a doctor I trust or feel his skills will work. Since nine years have past, a face lift, or mid lift was suggested. It may help improve my longer sunken appearance that surgery and age have now created. But I don't know that for sure. There is no guarantee on any surgery.Keep your expectations low and you may find a surgeon that can add some fullness. You Will NEVER have your old eyes back my Dear. I am as sorry for you, as I am myself. My next post will contain what I feel is the best method in approaching this situation.Less is more. So I'd go for micro fat injections in a timely manner, and see a slow progression of fullness, without the risk of adding more malformations. Fat can lump and cause issues too if too much is added at one time in this particular area. It takes patience, time and I'd ask about oxygen therapy for cell survival. Just breath pure oxygen for a few minute to help circulate the blood flow. Seems to me it may help this work. GOOD LUCK.

I would suggest posting some pictures so people can see what's going on with your lower eyes. It's hard to offer advice when you can't see what you are referring to.