Can eyelids be lifted twice?

Question

I am a 70 yr old woman who is healthy on no medications. I’m 5’4” and 127 lbs.. Had my upper and lower eyelids done about 20 years ago. Under the eyes still look great, but the uppers are getting saggy. Is it possible to redo them? Are there generally more problems the second time? Thanks for you help!

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

At times upper blepharoplasty can be performed again, if excess skin is the cause.  One wants to avoid removing too much skin and minimize the risk of dry eye and inability to close eyes normally.  The upper eyelid sagging may be due in part to eyebrow dropping or ptosis; this is treated with a brow lift alone or combined with eyelid surgery.  Loss of orbital fat can also causing laxity; this is addressed by fat grafting or filler.

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

Absolutely… When performed by a highly-skilled surgeon, a revision blepharoplasty procedure is safe. Blepharoplasty is a very delicate operation and mistakes are not easily corrected. Not all cosmetic eyelid surgeons have the skills necessary to carry out this complex surgery. Therefore, I highly recommend you choose a surgeon you research carefully. Best of luck to you.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hello GP,
How's everything there on Peachtree Road?  I often will perform a second patient on a patient who had previous blepharoplasty.  In most cases it is a relatively simple procedure that is done in our office under local anesthesia, most of the time a small island of excess skin is removed.  Make sure to choose your treating surgeon carefully.  Yall be well, ya hear? 
Michael A. Persky, MD
Encino, CA

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Yes, if you are a candidate then the upper eyelids can be lifted twice.  It is important that you are evaluated by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon to determine if an upper blepharoplasty, an eyebrow lift, or both is recommended given your concerns.  I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full set of eyelid photographs are required to make a determination about being a candidate for a revision eyelid surgery. The short answer is yes, they can be done twice in your lifetime when there's enough skin on the upper lids to do so. In our practice, upper eyelid surgery can be done under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

It is possible to do a secondary blepharoplasty, but I question if it’s going to give you the results you’re hoping for.
A brow lift may be a better option. Removing too much skin can leave you unable to close your eyes.
Without pictures, we can’t begin to make an assessment.
I suggest having a few in person consultations with plastic surgeons in your community.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD.

Olatomide (Tomi) Familusi, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

In short yes, an upper eyelid lift can be done a second time if you have developed recurrent excess skin with time. This can be done in the same way as the first operation without any addition risks. A more conservative amount of skin is usually removed the second time around to avoid looking overdone. Similarly to your initial blepharoplasty, this can easily be done in an office setting, awake using local anesthetia.

Can eyelids be lifted twice?

Answers (7)

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