Eyelid Surgery: Stories

I have read this whole thread and my heart goes out to all of you...esp. "Worst..."
OK here's my story.....I had an upper eyelid job from a general PS..who also did facial fat implants and a chin aug. and a complete facelift. Two weeks post surgery my right eye has that "surprised" look and left eyelid droops much lower toward the creaseline than does the right. When lowering both my eyelids and checking for the stitch line in the mirror I saw that the cut had been made MUCH closer to the lashline on the left eye than on the right. That's what's causing the problem, which I noticed hours after the surgery as much as I notice it today. All I can think now is that I might need a revision on the left eyelid...with a cut line a tiny bit behind the original cut...OR I will have to wear tricky eyeshadow/liner and and/or shades the rest of my life..to try and minimize the asymmetry. The PS said I wouldn't have to pay for a revision (already spoke about this) but can I trust him again??? I am really poor so going to an American specialist seems outlandish...the original PS is in Mexico and I got a "bargain" rate. Also I feel as though he built up above the right cheekbone more than on the left and the left jawline more than the right. I now have a dimple on the left when I smile but nothing on the right. And my left cheek looks flat under the eye compared to the right augmented cheekbone on the right. When I feel for the fat implants they do not feel symmetrical at all. But the doctor has insisted all looked symmetrical at the end of the surgery. And that all problems will resolve themselves with time. I don't think "time" will correct the mismatched cuts on the eyelids though, although I will reserve my judgment re: the rest of it. I might have to learn how to do some tricky hair styling. But I am 65 and still numb on most of my face and scalp and neck after over 2 weeks and now scared stiff after reading this thread. I looked terrible so I can't say I'm sorry I did it, and maybe if I just keep wearing dark shades and playing with hairdos I can avoid further surgery. But I must say I am going through something I didn't expect. Swelling and numbness I did expect. Does anyone know what can be done with asymmetrical fat transplants? Can they be "kneaded" into different places under the skin? I also might have to learn how to smile differently to counteract the asymmetry with that too.....
Like everyone else said, get VERY well informed before doing any of this, and if in doubt...DON'T!

I got very little briefing on possible complications. I did not sign any gag order. The only hint that there might well be problems was when the ASSISTANT said that "facelifts are the hardest part". But I wish somebody had said much more.

It's perfectly normal to feel your loss of normalcy
after an imperfect eye surgery. You need to move
forward and stop talking about it; have an
occuloplastic surgeon tell you what, if anything, would be accomplished by a revision. Make sure you
talk about potential risks ahead of time. Risks
accompany ANY surgery.

Its, exactly the way I feel. alot of people doesnt understand why I feel this way n they tell me well at least you didnt lost your sight, like that its a big help, n will make me feel better n solve my problem.

Stein Sapir in LA seems extremely knowledgeable
and competent. I have no personal experience with
him, also, ask around. Ask a plastic surgeon
for the name of a highly rated oculoplastic surgeon
for revision or look up the ocuplastic surgeon list
of names on the computer and then check them out.

When I went in for revision eye lid surgery with an oculoplastic surgeon (to correct the general p.s. job), he gave me Genteal lubricating gel drops (in a tube but it's like a thick drop). You can buy this non-prescription at the pharmacy and it's the only thing that's ever worked for me. It actually stays on the eye longer and feels real soothing.

Six Months Post op, still suffering badly w/ "severe dry eyes." I must carry single use drops with me every minute of every day. In every activity of the day (running, shopping, working, socializing), I must pause to interrupt what I am doing to put drops in my painful eyes. I cannot wear my contact lenses, tho before the surgery, I NEVER went out of the house with glasses. I am spending a fortune of "single use celluvisc" drops, as these provide the best relief. Fish oil, plugged tear ducts, Refresh PM, hot compresses daily, blah blah blah. My entire life has been turned upside down. I am finally in the hands of an eye disease specialist. She says, "I can't repair the nerves to the oil glands that were cut in surgery." We can only treat the symptoms now. I am a damaged mess. (oh, the non dissolving stitch in my eyebrow still has a pocket of fluid around it, tender to the touch, but no remedy short of "difficult surgery" according to Bozo Board Certified p.s.) Life is hell post bleph.

Forlorn, So sorry to read about your sad outcome. However it is early days yet, and things can resolve with time....48 hours and back to work is an outright lie. However when confronted about this he will say...well, you CAN go back to work, if you dont want to then this is your decision. Or he will say that your swelling, bruising etc is more than usual, which again is usually very untrue. They are masters of deception. They know you would not go ahead if you knew the truth which is a long recovery and an uncertain outcome. Go see a occulo plastic surgeon. Get a second opinion. However you will likely be told to wait and see. Seek out EXPERT help. DO NOT let you initial surgeon touch you again if he has wrecked your eyes once, he certainly will not know how to fix you. However, have patience.

I am post 12 days from upper eye bleph. One of my eyes looks turned in and crossed. I had normal eyes before this. My eyes are also super light sensitive and hurt most if the time. My eye looks like it's turned downward. Is this normal or did my surgeon cut a muscle or something? I had a neck smart lipo the same day and have massive lumps and pain and bruising on my neck. My surgeon told me I could go back to work in 48 hours. That was clearly malarkey. I am a mess. Does anyone know anything about my new turned down crossed eye. My career at this point is over.

I still have days where wind will make my eyes dry (never had this before the bleph). But other than that no more issues with dry eye after the 4th month. Wore my contacts in Vegas for 18 hours straight without problems. I hope yours will also improve after 4 months. Ocassionally I still regret my decision. I have to go look at my before pics to remind me that my eyes were almost slits to feel better. My friend had a boob job about 3 years ago and some of the "dissolvable" stitches just came out a month ago! Hang in there! And stay in touch:)

Thank you very much for the thoughtful note. I am so glad to hear you are doing better! My main 3 issues (3 months post op) and current status are as follows:
1. Assymetry--Much better, so I am hopeful that it will resolve.
2. Non dissolving stitch/lump in eyebrow area-- still there, not sure if the bozo will be able to remedy it.
3. Dry eyes--Still big problems. Some success in wearing contacts for 4-5 hrs a day. Taking lots of fish oil and drops. Had the tear ducts blocked off, but really, still needing MANY MANY DROPS ALL DAY and night too. Fish oil supposed to help, but really, not much improvement at this point. Angry about suffering w/ this, w/out any discussion, whatsoever. He claims it has never happened to any other patient, but there is a huge body of literature about this issue, and eye doc said this often happens after lasik and other eye surgeries.

I urge all candidates to stay with Ocular P.S. for bleph.

I would love to meet you and dicuss the outcomes! My left eye is also the "smaller eye" and the right still has a bulge under it that is not going away. I live about an hour north of SB but I love to visit SB! Let me know your plans and perhaps we can have that coffee! I actually am trying to figure out a date to see my ps (he is in Santa Barbara). I want him to look at the bulge (again - I pointed it out since my first follow up appt) as well as the slight assymetry. Just want to keep my options open in case this never resolves itself! His office is on Pueblo near the Cottage Hospital. He does free consultations so perhaps you could get in to see him. He could at least give you feedback on your surgery. After reading all the horror stories I am glad that my issues are minor. I am a slow healer and so I'm hoping that the bulge resolves itself (probably resolving the assymetry!) but if it doesn't I want to make sure that my ps fixes it at no cost. My surgery was the third week in January. I am a little over 4 months post op. I can tell you that I don't spend as much time worrying about my eyes now that the most concerning issues, gaping and dryness, resolved themselves at about 3 months. You are still at the part in your recovery where I too had to wear glasses and had feeling of something in my eye all the time. I was miserable and regretting my surgery almost to the point of panic. I am much happier now although I see the small imperfections. When we pay for perfection we expect to get it! If I had been told in the beginning that it would take 3 months to feel normal and 6 months to a year to see the results, I would have had much less anxiety! Stay in touch and let me know your plans. The PS is out of office on fridays and does surgery on Tuesday and Thursdays. So Monday would be a day that I would be able to see him and make a trip to SB...

How are things going with your recovery WME? I am beginning to think this recovery is a full year ordeal! My eyes looked even before the surgery, right after the surgery, then left eye smaller, then somewhat better, then left eye smaller - what the hell? I see the difference but I know it is pretty minor. I still have some minor bruising (not visible) under eye when I feel there so I am wondering if the eye is constricting as it heals? I hope this is the case and one day my eyes be even again. Still occasional dryness but nowhere near the pain I had up to 3 months! Only wind and heat seam to cause the dryness now...

I hope your eyes are feeling better and your assymetry and dry issues getting better. Please keep in touch!

Worst Mistake Ever: how are things going? I am hoping that some of your issues are clearing up as time goes by! I am 14 weeks tomorrow. Hard to believe so much time has gone by. Still some little issues I hope will clear up within the next couple of months (a little under eye bulge in the right corner of right eye, right eye minutely bigger than left although only noticeable to me). Although my ps told me I don't need to come back unless I have any problems (he told me this at 9 weeks)I intend to go back and have him take a look at six months. I still have days (not very often) where my eyes get tired and a little dry but nothing like before! I hope time is being kind to your eyes!