Following ptosis surgery how long before you are able to open that eye wide? (Photo)

Question

I had ptosis surgery 3 weeks ago, the type done on the inside of the eyelid. The results have been the ptosis is worse than before, I have experienced some double vision and I am unable to open that eye wide as I can my other eye. Is this temporary? I had my follow up appt with the surgeon and he said with this type of surgery the lid usually rasies in the 1st two weeks, he has me scheduled to come back in 4 weeks to check the progress.

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

The time it takes for eyelids to be at their Final state after eyelid surgery, depending on the surgeon, the technique, and the severity of the problem before the operation. For this reason, it is difficult to tell you exactly when your eyelids will be at their final position and shape. It would be best to discuss this with your surgeon to see what your surgeon's expectations are. I tell my patients that on average, it takes one month to lose 75% of the swelling and another six months to lose the last 25% of the swelling.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

However, ptosis surgery is not always successful.  For this reason 10 to 15% of these cases need revision.  At this point you need to be patient and let the tissues heal.  It will be about 6 months before the eyelids are ready for revisional surgery.

Amiya Prasad, MD · Answer

Ptosis surgery in itself has its own unique challenges that
involve the levator muscle. In a posterior approach or behind the eyelid, there
are a couple of different procedures that are applied including Mueller’s
resection or posterior levator resection as well as Fasanella-Servat. These are
names that are technical but if somebody is first concerned about their eyelid
height, it’s usually associated with some degree of swelling. The physical
weight of the eyelid can also push the eyelid down. In addition, the healing
processes of the muscle and all the other related issues that occur especially
in the first one to two weeks after surgery also affect the eyelid height.

From your photo, you don't have much swelling, so with that
factor eliminated  there may be an issue
with the connection or the way the tissue is supposed to heal. It might also be
because of some stitches that have been broken or because of some separation.

I think that your surgeon must be at least informed. The
timing of any revision surgery may be dependent on when your surgeon was
informed. In my own practice, if such a thing would have happened, I would
prefer to find out sooner rather than later. It’s a balance of when you want it
operated depending on the degree of swelling, healing and what kind of impact
there is on the eyelid height. When there is real separation before the tissue
has the chance to develop scar tissue, there is actually a window of
opportunity to do a revision without complications. It’s not necessarily within
a few days or week.  There is actually
enough time, but it’s a matter of what your surgeon’s preference is.

I should insist that you have your surgeon see you sooner. If
there are any questions or concerns, I would always tell my patients that I’d
rather see them than guess what they look like. Even if they show photos or
pictures from their phone, or have someone to take a picture with a camera,
it’s always better to see that patient. Considering that you had your surgery
so recently, I think meeting with your doctor would be the best thing for you.
Also, get an understanding of what’s going on and what would be the appropriate
step to do next. I hope that was helpful, I wish you the best of luck, and
thank you for your question.

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Following ptosis surgery how long before you are able to open that eye wide? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

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Following ptosis surgery how long before you are able to open that eye wide? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

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