Could I have nerve damage from my cosmetic eye surgery? (Photo)

Question

I have had eyelid surgery for cosmetic and 1 of my eyes is different and feels different to move. Could this be nerve damage.

Daniel Ezra, MD, FRCS · Answer

Yes, nerve damage is very common after blepharoplasty. It is usually sensory but usually resolves quickly as new nerve endings grow. What you are experiencing may also be due to altered sensation due to swelling and pulling of the tissues. At this point, I would really not worry as it should resolve well.  If you are still experiencing the same problem after 1 month, I would discuss this further with your surgeons, but Id be very surprised if this was the case.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

It seems that you're unhappy with your recovery. Hard to tell from your pictures about any nerve damage but it's early to say anything more than you have some swelling. To answer your question, usually you can have some small irregularities and healing issues. Though they are not very common, they can happen. You should be aware that 100% of people are asymmetric in some capacity, and you should expect to have some asymmetry even after a revision.
I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of facelifts if you want a second opinion and of course, make sure you follow up with your own surgeon and talk about this. I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

You are asymmetric at this point, but it looks like you are very early in the post-op period.  Let the swelling resolve and you will have a much better idea of the final outcome.  If you need any revision work this can be done at about 6 months post-op.

Matt Erdmann, MBChB, FRCS(Eng), FRCS (Plast) · Answer

It appears as if you still have significant bruising so you can only be about 1-2 weeks after surgery. This is still very early on in your recovery and I would reassure you at this stage. It is difficult to have nerve injury to the eye after a blepharoplasty as the nerves enter from the side not from the top of the lids.

Daniel Straka, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Based on your photos the surgery was very recent because you have significant bruising and swelling.  Making a determination about a nerve injury is premature at this time.  However, anytime a blepharoplasty is performed there is always injury to some of the sensory nerves of the eyelid. This has no effect on the movement or appearance of the eyelids, they just feel different and most people will say that can't fell their eyelashes when they apply mascara. In the majority of people these nerves grow back and most if not all of the feeling returns to the eyelid. Motor nerve injuries (nerves supplying movement to the eyelids) would be extraordinarily rare for just an upper blepharoplasty.  The nerve that opens the eyelid is deep in the eye socket and therefore unlikely to be injured. What could be more likely is injury to the opening muscle itself during the surgery which if not recognized and fixed can cause ptosis (droopy eyelid). Injury to the nerves that close the eyes or raise the eyebrows is also quite rare and hard to imagine with a simple upper blepharoplasty unless the incision was extended far beyond the eyelid and into the temple for some reason, or if perhaps a brow lift was also being performed or a browpexy through the eyelid incision.  Either way. give thing times to heal and my suspicion is many of the symptoms you are noticing will improve significantly. Good luck!

Payman Simoni, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

I see significant bruising so you can only be about 7-14 days post surgery. This is still very early on in recovery so what you are experiencing may be due to swelling which causes you to have an altered sensation. I would really not worry as it should come to pass. Give it some time.

Could I have nerve damage from my cosmetic eye surgery? (Photo)

Answers (6)

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