Three Months Post Upper Blepharoplasty I Still Experience Numbness. Will This Improve?

Question

My upper eyelid surgery turned out visually great! I have concern with numbness of the actual eyelid itself. It is mostly evident when applying mascara. Will the "numb" feeling improve or is it a permanent end result of the procedure?

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Numbness after any surgical 
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following.  As the 
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary 
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction.  This usually 
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure 
performed, sometimes much longer.  Typically this should resolve by 1 
year.  As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation 
returning is small.  However, it can take up to 2 years.  If no return 
from there, it is unlikely to return.  It should be discussed that 
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical 
procedure.  The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
 resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then 
occasional sharp, shock-like pains.  These will be normal to experience,
 and actually a promising sign.  Usually, normal sensation returns, but 
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased 
sensation to the areas affected.  Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
 often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected 
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the 
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc.  If 
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including 
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity.  You can try various textures 
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc.  Massaging the areas is
 also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible.  The
 last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the 
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
 location.  If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted.  After 
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has 
developed and may require surgical excision.  This is very unlikely 
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during 
the procedure.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

Jon E. Mendelsohn, MD, FACS · Answer

The numbness you are experienceing after your blepharoplasty is quite normal. Generally speaking the numbness will last 3-6 months and is usually noticed in the central portion of the lid. This is often first noticed in women as they begin to apply mascara.

I would be patient as this should resolve soon.

I would be patient as this should resolve soon.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Sensory nerves and motor nerves are cut in the process of performing a blepharoplasty. The sensory nerves often but not aways recover and seem to regrow. This process can take many months. However, after about 6 months, if sensation has not recovered then the it is less likely that this sensation will return. Motor nerve injuries are even less likely to recover. Generally over time, patchy sensation loss is less bothersome to most people.

Lawrence Kass, MD · Answer

I believe that full sensation returns in almost all cases but may take up to 12 to 18 months after surgery for this to occur. Of course there are no guarantees but I think the odds are greatly in your favor that the numb feeling will go away with time.

William P. Mack, MD · Answer

Most patients typically experience varying degrees of numbness following upper eyelid blepharoplasty. With time, your post-op numbness will decrease and you will regain full sensation.  Most of
	my patients note the return to normal sensation between 2-3 months
	following  upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

Henri P. Gaboriau, MD, FACS · Answer

Numbness following any skin surgeries at the level of the scar and around it is quite normal. Such numbness may last up to 6 - 8 months. Following Blepharoplasty it is normal to have a numb area between the incision and the eyelashes margins, it will resolve around 6-8 months.

Philip Young, MD · Answer

The numbness should improve in time. This occurance is unusual after blepharoplasty. The return could take up to 6 months to a year depending on where the interruption in the nerve fibers occured. The nerves grow at a rate of about 1mm a day in the best of conditions.

Mohsen Tavoussi, MD, DO · Answer

The numbness associated with incison line should improve with time. Generally, the healing of most wounds take approximately 6-9 months.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

The numbness should come back and really should anytime now. The cutaneous sensory nerves that are cut, during the upper eyelid surgery, all reconnect bringing normal sensation back to the area. This typically occurs within several months post-op.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Small sensory (feeling) nerves are damaged during skin removal with Upper Blepharoplasty. This causes numbness of the eyelid.

Numbness of the eyelid after Blepharoplasty is nearly always temporary but may take months to resolve

Three Months Post Upper Blepharoplasty I Still Experience Numbness. Will This Improve?

Answers (10)

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