Heavy Eyelids After Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift?

Question

I am one week post op upper blepharoplasty plus open brow lift.  I am extremely depressed that my eyes look so different than before.  My lid is now very heavy and you can see so much of it than before.  Does this look normal? My stitches come out tomorrow and I need to know what to say to the doctor.  Please help!!

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Dear Poco
There is a very big difference between hearing about a surgery and reading through a laundry list of possibilities that are in the surgical consent and living the aftermath of the surgery.  I think that it is often difficult for the surgeon to adequately empathize with the patient's impending experience.  Part of the difficulty is that generally the surgeon really does not know you as a human being but rather "the browlift in room C."  
Another factor that is very important in recovery is the need to be out of our routines as we do the initial healing.  This is the time where the emotional wheels come off.  Most of us live very structured lives.  There is a time and a place to be and this keeps us focused and moving forward.  
However, when you are recovering from surgery, you necessarily are taken out of that structure.  Think of it as post-surgery sickness but it really is acute post-surgical depression.  It is common.  How common-in my experience 20 to 30 percent of patients experience this to some degree.  
Being told that you look "marvelous" when you come for you post-op check does not fix the feelings.  If anything it makes people in your situation feel more isolated.  The doctor may know that the issues you are concerned with and even your feelings of depression may only last a few weeks but a failure to acknowledge the emotional challenges you are facing right now can lead to a long term feeling of disgust regarding your surgical outcome irrespective of how good the surgery actually is.
So are your eyelids heavy right now-absolutely.  Will they stay like this?  No, generally the heaviness will be at its worst for the first few weeks after surgery and then gradually improve.  Will you ultimately be happy with your surgery.  This is hard to know.  In  looking at your photos, I don't have your before photos.  
However, I think you have had a lot of skin removed from the upper eyelid and you appear to have a very high crease.  You may have an unaddressed upper eyelid ptosis that is now much more visible with the removal of the upper eyelid fold.  However, you absolutely need time to heal.  
I think that your first job is to begin to feel emotionally whole.  Please give yourself the space to heal emotionally.  You may or may not be satisfied with the results of your eyelid surgery but it will be much easier to judge this in 6 months not at one week.  If your surgery needs to be refined with can be done if needed.  Don't spin your wheels right now second guessing you choice or the surgery performed by your surgeon.  
If you need emotional support right now, ask your internist or obgyn for a referral to a psychotherapist  to work through your immediate feelings of lose and sadness so you can focus on healing.  Ultimately you may be satisfied or unsatisfied with your surgery but you have to get out of the funk to move forward.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Healing after #eyelid and #eyebrow surgeryRecovery time after eyelid surgery varies
greatly between individuals. The upper eyelids heal very quickly but complete
healing of the lower eyelids can take six weeks if the muscle and fat are
treated.The brow position will drop.  You may benefit from fat grafting in the upper lids when all is healed

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

It really is too early after surgery to be worried.  One week after the operation there is still significant swelling and the tissues have not settled.  Also, it would be helpful to see your pre-operative photos to comment on the results.  Hang in there.  You should see positive results as the swelling resolves.  Good luck.

Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS · Answer

One week is way too early after this type of procedure to know what your final result will be.  Be patient, let things settle down first.  Take heart in knowing that in most cases, if you are truly unhappy with the final result and your surgeon can identify the anatomic issue, revisions can be performed.  However, it is too early at the moment to contemplate any surgery.
I would discuss with your surgeon what you are concerned about-- he will certainly be able to reassure you and help you through the healing process.

Michael Vincent, MD · Answer

I would agree with most of the other comments. It is fairly common to be concerned about your initial appearance after plastic surgery. Most of the time, your face will improve over the next few weeks. It does require patience (which is hard) and most of the time your patience will be rewarded. If you are still concerned after 2-3 months, then it would be best to address this to your surgeon.

Heavy Eyelids After Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift?

Answers (9)

Answer: Too early to know what the final result will be

Answer: Too early to know what the final result will be

Answer: Patience after such procedures is hard but usually rewarding

Answer: Patience after such procedures is hard but usually rewarding

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Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

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Heavy Eyelids After Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift?

Answers (9)

Answer: Too early to know what the final result will be

Answer: Too early to know what the final result will be

Answer: Patience after such procedures is hard but usually rewarding

Answer: Patience after such procedures is hard but usually rewarding

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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.