Asian Double Eyelid Surgery, for the Second Time?

Question

Hello everyone ! I had an asian eyelid surgery in March 2009. My doctor did a wonderful job but my fold is not as big as I wanted. I was wondering if it was safe to have another asian eyelid surgery to cut the corner of my eyes and make them look bigger. I want my double eyelids to show instead of having inner creases, which I already had pre-surgery. Is it worth the money and is it safe to have this procedure again? Thank you !

Charles K. Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Rachel,
It is not unusual to have the lid height drop slightly over time. Your crease position was likely set at 6 or 7mm, but may have required some more skin excision at the time to enhance your new lid posiiton. Your result is overall very nice, very natural but I have treated a number of patients who have asked about the same concerns. I cannot tell if you need a medial epicanthoplasty (inner lid skin release), but since you are now 9 months out from surgery, you are in a safe time for revision. As the other surgeons have mentioned, revision is always more risky than the first surgery, just be sure your surgeon has ample experience. Good luck!

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

The question of whether or not it is worth the time and money to have a revision procedure is one that only you can answer, but your aesthetic goals could certainly be achieved during revision surgery with an experienced surgeon.

Charles S. Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

It's reasonable to redo the double eyelid and also perform the epicanthoplasty. Ideally, combining your eyelid surgery with a browlift would give you a nicer result, but that may be more surgery than you want to undergo at this time.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

In order to achieve a greater definition in the inner corner of the eyelid, you will require an incision in this area, This has the potential to create a visible scar and is generally not used for this reason,

Leo Kim, FRACS(Plast), MS(Plast), MBBS(Hons) · Answer

Timing- 9 months is ok time to start thinking about revision, 12 months is probably a touch safer in principle especially if you're happy with the job your surgeon did.
Increasing the fold- this is possible and done frequently, the danger often is making the crease too high in the first place and THAT's more of a reason often a revision is sort coming from other places.
Cutting the corner of the eye- what's you're talking about there is epicanthoplasty, what us Korean Plastic surgeons call "front opening". It creates an impression of bigger eyes but also has the effect of Eurasianising the eyes too. But the biggest thing that give the bigger eyes impression is to add in a touch of ptosis correction which is to shorten the mechanism of eye opening with sutures, obviously this needs to be done with precision and precaution. Some times "back opening" or opening up of the corner of the eyes outward closer to your ears is done to change what we call a tilt but this is less noticeable and less of a "bang for a buck" and to be applied in only specific circumstances.
Safety- Make sure you go to see a qualified specialist plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon in your area.
Wish you the best in your journey.
Dr Leo Kim, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney

Asian Double Eyelid Surgery, for the Second Time?

Answers (10)