Can Dog Ear on the Outer Corner of Eye from Bleph Heal on Its Own or Will I Need a Revision?

Are you sure it is really a dog ear? I have seen some lumpiness (scar tissue) of the lateral skin resolve nicely with a small injection of steroid in the postoperative period. If it is truly a dog ear (redundant skin), this can be easily trimmed under local anesthesia. I would give it at least 4-6 months post op, first, to see if it resolves on its own.

    This may just be swelling and laxity or extra skin can be assessed at a later date.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

A dog ear can resolve on its own.  If it is a mild amount of residual skin, I recommend waiting three months to see if it resloves.  If still present beyond three months, it can be managed surgically by either removing more eyelid skin or doing a brow lift.  This can be a difficult decision and should be discussed with your surgeon.

Most skin irregularities will work themselves out within a few weeks to months after surgery. If your skin has lost a lot of its elasticity then it may take longer or fail to resolve on its own.

If it has not improved at all by 3 months after surgery or if it is not mostly gone by 6 months after surgery, it may require surgical revision, which is often a relatively simple procedure under local anesthesia. Other things like scar massage, steroid injections, and laser treatments can sometimes help so schedule another appointment with your surgeon to discuss your options.

This is a great question and your plastic surgeon will be able to give you the most specific answer. Typically, a small "dog ear" or standing cone can resolve with time and with gentle massage. A more significant standing cone will sometimes need to be surgically removed to provide an optimal result. Time will tell. If you do require a revision, this is typically a quick, limited procedure that can be performed in the office. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACSWeber Facial Plastic Surgery