Pulling or Stretching Eyelid After Blepharoplasty

Question

Can pulling or stretching the upper eyelid, 2 months post upper Blepharoplasty be damaging in any way?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Dear Canada
The eyelids represent a very delicate facial system.  Pulling, tugging, and rubbing the eyelids on a regular and habitual basis can in fact cause wear and tear on the eyelids.  Rubbing and stretching of the eyelids is sometimes used to help alter the position of an eyelid after surgery.  If an eyelid heals too open, it is possible to lower the eyelid by encouraging a patient to rub or pull on the eyelid.  So we sometimes use this to adjust or correct the eyelid position.
Aggressive rubbing of the eyelids soon after surgery can also pull on the healing tissues and change the position or contour of the healing eyelid.  
Now if we are talking about a single event, then it is likely to not cause too much trouble.  On the other hand if the single event are particularly traumatic, this is another story.  The safest course is to let your surgeon assess you to determine if any harm has been done.

Richard D. Gentile, MD · Answer

The blepharoplasty incisions are generally well healed after one month but certain advanced techniques, such as ptosis repairs, require longer for healing and for swelling to subside.  
All this is relative to the amount of force being applied in tugging on the lid.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Definitely talk with your surgeon, as he is the only one who knows exactly what was done.
With complex blepharoplasties or ptosis repairs, we might still be a little worried at two months postop.
With the usual blepharoplasty surgery, there would be no limitations at two months.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Pulling or stretching a blepharoplasty incision two months after the surgery will not damage the original incision.  It is fairly well healed at that point.

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

After two months you should be well healed.  However, the eyelids are delicate structrues that are not intended to be traumatized.  If you pull hard enough, you may damage the cosmetic surgery, or worse, you could damage any of the delicate anatomy!

Pulling or Stretching Eyelid After Blepharoplasty

Answers (8)

Answer: Incision healed at this point

Answer: Incision healed at this point

Answer: Why would you want to?

Answer: Why would you want to?

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Pulling or Stretching Eyelid After Blepharoplasty

Answers (8)

Answer: Incision healed at this point

Answer: Incision healed at this point

Answer: Why would you want to?

Answer: Why would you want to?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

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