Had a Blepharoplasty and Lower Lid is Pulled Away From Eye

It is not unusual to have this happen after lower eyelid surgery and there are things you can do that can help...massage and night taping are the most benign things to do and do help a lot and in some patients it can take awhile. But is severe cases I do send my patients to an opthamologist and they get a little more aggressive with injections...But the good news is they all seen to eventually do just fine!!

A photograph would be helpful for supplying more specific information regarding your situation.  A number of mid face / lower eyelid procedures are associated with a discouragingly high rate of lower eyelid complications.  While time is very helpful, it unfortunately does not resolve every lower eyelid issue.  I recommend considering seeking a second opinion with a fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeon.  The American Society for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery  maintains a geographic directory of highly qualified oculoplastic surgeons on its website (asoprs dot org).

It is normal to be worried about your outcome. Part of our job as surgeons is to provide "hand holding" and explanation for the patient.

The massage is certainly helpful, but as mentioned, there are other techniques such as injection with steriods and anti-scar medication [5-Fluorouracil] that can minimize the aggressiveness of the scarring. Discuss these options with your surgeon, and if he is not comfortable with these techniques, then ask him, in a nonthreatening way for a referral.

You can also find a well trained Oculoplastics surgeon at the website ASOPRS dot org.

Best of luck.

 

Without an exam or even a photo hard to answer specifically and depends on the cause.

Ectropion, or lower lid pulling away from the eye, in general is not uncommon following a blepharoplasty especially when more than one procedure is done using the lower eyelid incision and usually resolves on its own. . In your case a  midface lift and lower blepharoplasty.  It is often caused by the initial edema which adds weight to the lower lid. The edema can become firm (induration) and this will be improved with massage  and taping at night, if severe during the day too. Make sure your surgeon instructs you how to do both of these if he/she thinks it helpful. If however it is because of deep scarring also called ciccatricial ectropion, then other measures are helpful such as injections of steroids with or without 5-FU, or a temporary stitch to close the lids (lateral tarrsorrhapy suture). The key here is close followup and good compliance with your surgeon's advise.