Can I Get a Blepharoplasty at 17 Years Old with Parental Consent?

Question

When I was 9 I ice skated for the first time and I fell down, on my face of course. My right eye was swollen for weeks and when the swelling went away I saw that my right upper eyelid was really droopy. Today I am 17 years old and my right upper eyelid is still noticeably very different from my left. I want a blepharoplasty to fix it. Am I old enough with parent consent?

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

You have right upper eyelid ptosis.  It can be done at any age.  You need parental consent until you become 18 years old.  Seek an oculoplastic surgeon when you and your guardians are ready.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

You do have upper eyelid ptosis with the right side look for ptotic than the left.  You also have a heavy forehead.  However, one step at a time.  Blepharoplasty is surgery that removes skin.  What you need is the tendon of the upper eyelid carefully repaired.  In Omaha, I would recommend seeing James Gigantelli, M.D at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

As long as your guardian consents, it is very reasonable to perform surgery to correct your eyelid asymmetry (even though you are a minor).  You will want to visit a qualified plastic surgeon with your parents to discuss the process, the risks, and the postoperative care as well as your expectations.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

You can have your ptosis repaired and in addition may require some cosmetic refinment for symmetry. You had traumatic avulsion of the levator apponerosis. The other observation is the right eye brow position and possible orbital wall involvement.  I would suggest full evaluation and you may need more than just ptosis repair since your right eye brow and right cantel attachment is lowered due to injury.

Jeffrey Schiller, MD · Answer

Ptosis repair can be done at any age with parental consent. Please make sure your surgeon has considerable experience with ptosis repair and can show you before-and-after photos of patients with eyelids like yours who had successful correction of the ptosis.

Can I Get a Blepharoplasty at 17 Years Old with Parental Consent?

Answers (6)

Answer: You have ptosis and can be corrected

Answer: You have ptosis and can be corrected

Answer: It appears to be ptosis repair not blepharoplasty that you need

Answer: It appears to be ptosis repair not blepharoplasty that you need

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can I Get a Blepharoplasty at 17 Years Old with Parental Consent?

Answers (6)

Answer: You have ptosis and can be corrected

Answer: You have ptosis and can be corrected

Answer: It appears to be ptosis repair not blepharoplasty that you need

Answer: It appears to be ptosis repair not blepharoplasty that you need

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.