Will my post blepharoplasty surgery right eye regain its normal size?

Question

I had blepharoplasty surgery five days ago. I never had an issues with a droopy eye. After surgery my right eye is now dropping. It just doesn't open up fully. I'm so afraid it won't go back to normal. Is this a normal reaction to this surgery and in the future will I be able to open it fully?

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

It is very early to tell if you have true eyelid ptosis (droopy eyelid) after blepharoplasty as there is swelling, bruising of the muscle. Discuss with your surgeon but best to wait about 3 months and re-evaluate.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

I have determined through detailed research that standard upper blepharoplasty has the potential to cause upper eyelid ptosis.  It is not a matter of what the surgeon does but rather predisposition of these eyelids.  In many upper eyelids, the tendon of the upper eyelid is very loosely attached.  At surgery, fat is removed in the upper eyelid.  When this tissue heals after surgery, swelling and contraction take a toil on the tendon, called the levator aponeurosis. This is the basis for the droopy eyelid.  Often there is enough trauma that the eyelid position does not recover.  This causes several issues including a heavy upper eyelid, lash ptosis, a hollow upper eyelid and a compensatory elevation in the eyebrows.  The upper eyelid crease is also often high.  Obviously the outcome is unsatisfactory.  It is best to allow the eyelid to heal a full 6 months but we often see folks in consultation to that they can have revisional surgery at 6 months.  The good news is that this issue, should it persist, is fixable.

Harlow Hollis, MD · Answer

5 days post op. Left eye looks relatively normal.....perhaps a bit excess skin remains? But the right eye droop probably relates to a detachment of a special muscle (that opens the eye by raising the eyelid.) The crease there is very high which suggests this. I'd certainly talk with your surgeon because I have a feeling that more surgery may be needed to reinsert the detached muscle. Time may be of the essence   so have a talk with your surgeon and ask for a second opinion if your surgeon feels unable to reoprerate. That said, sometimes these things take time but...............

Jeffrey M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Your right upper lid has what is called ptosis, or drooping, caused by an effect on the muscle that lifts the lid. This can be caused by stretching, weakening, or scarring of the muscle after blepharoplasty surgery. It is hard to know what forces are present from just a photo, but I would discuss this with your surgeon.

Richard O. Gregory, MD · Answer

Although five days is too early to judge the final results following blepharoplasty it is likely that some revision will be necessary in the future. There are two possible causes for this. The attachment of the levator muscles to the tarsal plate can be tenuous and thus stretched during surgery. A second cause which may be this situation is that the eyelid skin reattaches too high to the levator muscle causing an elevated crease and restricting the movement of the eyelid. Massage and time would be helpful although it is likely that surgical correction may be needed.

Will my post blepharoplasty surgery right eye regain its normal size?

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Will my post blepharoplasty surgery right eye regain its normal size?

Answers (7)

Answer: Will my eyelid heal after blepharoplasty lid lift surgery?

Answer: Will my eyelid heal after blepharoplasty lid lift surgery?

Answer: Eyelid ptosis five days following blepharoplasty

Answer: Eyelid ptosis five days following blepharoplasty

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