Eyelid Surgery - How Long to Follow-up?

Dear Santa Barbara7926,

You shouldn't feel abandoned.  If you ever feel like you need to see your surgeon, you should make an appointment for a check up.  Final results can take up to 6 months to see a difference.  I like seeing my patients when they are fully healed so we can go over their before and after pictures together.  I think it helps keep the relationship great and patients are happy.

Best,

Nima Shemirani

Hi Santa Barbara7926-

I see patients one day, one week, three months and one year after eyelid surgery. I would recommend that you make an appointment about 3-4 months after the initial surgery just to get the peace of mind that everything is going well.

Sincerely,

Tom Kaniff

It takes about 3 months to see a final result from any surgery. By this time most of the swelling has gone away and you can expect that this is your final outcome.

On the other hand, scars can take up to 2 years to mature. At first they may seem red/pink in color and with time, they fade.

You should never feel abandoned by your plastic surgeon - it is unfortunate that you feel this way.  In our office, after blepharoplasty, we generally see you 4 to 5 days after surgery, 1 month after surgery 3 months after surgery and 6 months after surgery.  However, there really is no limit to how many times we see you.  For out of town patients, we even follow up via Skype or by sending email images to make sure that everything is healing as planned.  I would suggest discussing your concerns with your surgeon or their patient coordinator to arrange more follow up care.

 

Good Luck.

Hi SB,

You should discuss your concerns with your ps.  A patient should never be left to feel abandoned.  At least you know you will always have your "friends" (at least 12 docs have answered your question) here on RealSelf.com.

Good luck and be well.

Dr. Persky\

Encino, CA

Every surgeon is different. I like to see my eyelid patients the day after surgery. Thereafter: one week, two weeks, one month, three months, six months, and one year, and annually thereafter. The enjoy the seeing my patients long-term and building a relationship with them.

Typically, I see my patients at one week, two weeks, a month, two months and then at six months and a year. However, this can depend upon your location and other factors. it is not right or wrong to see a patient more or less often as it is physician and patient dependent. If concerned, I am sure your physician would love to see you again especially if you have areas you would like to discuss with him/her.

This is not abnormal, though for my patients that live here I will see them in one year. I have patients from other countries that leave after 6 days and I never see them for years. If you are not having any problem, there is no need to see you.

Dear Santa Barbara

I am a bit obsessive about follow-up.  I like to see my patients the day after surgery, at one week for suture removal and at three weeks.  For longer term follow-up, typically I see patients at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months.  If the patient is in for surgery from out of town, then I will also see them on the third or 4 day after surgery.  If there are any issues with how the eyelid is healing this may necessitate additional follow up.  Are all these visits absolutely necessary?-Perhaps not essential but very helpful.  I personally do not like to discharge patients from follow up until all of the swelling has settled from the eyelids, this will typically be at 3 months.  I think the fact that you are feeling abandoned makes it clear that you do not feel ready to be cut loose.

I usually see my patients in one week and then at two to three months but I always tell them they are welcome to see me before their appointment if they want to.  I'm sure your surgeon would not mind seeing you.