For Asian double eyelid surgery, is the external stitching point equivalent to where the double eyelid is anchored? (photo)

Question

My double eyelid incisions were made at 6.5mm, and 4mm of skin was excised above that. Now as I look at my external stitches with my eyes closed, they are sitting really high and not at 6.5mm at all.. Also, I'm really worried that the 4mm of skin excision is excessive and will cause my relatively medium incision of 6.5mm to turn into a high crease by pulling it up?

Christopher Chui, MBBS, MRCS Ed, MMed · Answer

Thank you for your question.
You are correct that the external stitches are located where the new crease was anchored. You are still very early after your surgery, there will be swelling that makes your eyelid crease seem higher than what you wanted, but don't worry, it will come down. Your skin excision of 4mm is not excessive, from your photos we can see that you have plenty of skin remaining. Your fold will not be pulled higher from the excision of too much skin.
Hope this helps.

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, the stitching determines the external appearance of the double eyelid where the new crease is anchored.

Chase Lay, MD · Answer

It's possible and you should discuss this with your surgeon ASAP.  All that being said it should drift to a lower position but what does it look like with the eyes open?The anchoring point and the visible crease are often two very different things.  You should focus on what the visible crease is. . .not so much the anchoring point.But just a few notes:  If the skin is measured will relaxed during an anchoring procedure  the position of the anchor often changes and drifts up.  You can ask your surgeon about that.  Post some pictures of the eyes open.Talk to your surgeon.Chase Lay MDAsian eyelid surgery specialist

For Asian double eyelid surgery, is the external stitching point equivalent to where the double eyelid is anchored? (photo)

Answers (3)