Skin pulling after eyelid surgery

Question

I have eyelid surgery 2 weeks ago. When I tried to open my eye wide open, my left eye in the corner side is pulling the skin. Is this normal? my right eye is okey. My eye specialists performed the surgery, not the regular plastic surgeon. Does this need cutting some skin to remove the pulling? plus it extended too much to the corner.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

A "regular plastic surgeon" is no guarantee of a great outcome.  As a rule, general plastic surgeons tend to perform eyelid surgery that is not better or worse than the other specialties that offer eyelid surgery which includes general plastic surgeons (or as they like to call them selves: plastic surgeons), facial plastic surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons (board certified ophthalmologist who are additionally fellowship trained in oculoplastic surgeon), and other surgeons (everyone from anesthesiologists to dematologists and dentists).  My bias as an oculoplastic surgeon is that we have more training in eyelid plastic surgery and do a better job but to be very honest there are absolutely no studies that establish such an opinion.  It is just that, an opinion.  I do see the tight location in your left upper eyelid.  I notice that it is visible when looking in an extreme gaze position.  So I wonder if it exists when you are looking straight ahead or just in this extreme gaze position?  If it is just in the extreme position of gaze, I would advise you not to worry about it too much.  I am impressed with the relatively low crease height of your blepharoplasty and the fact that it looks like your surgeon left you with enough sub-brow skin to close the eyes.  Mostly what I think you need is much more time to heal.  Everything gets remarkably better in time.  I see nothing that would warrant early surgical intervention.  The most import issue at this point is eye comfort.  If your eyes are dry and uncomfortable, that requires support for many weeks after eyelid surgery.  Make sure you are getting that care.If you do decide to shop for early second opinions, remember that "regular plastic surgeons" in your community are competing with this ophthalmologist for the same patients.  This can sometimes lead to confusing advice that is more intended to help the surgeon you are consulting rather than provide you clear headed advice regarding your clinical situation.  In some cases it can actually lead to unnecessary surgery.  So if you go this route, be careful and be aware that some advice has less to do with what is right for you and more to do with economic turf conflicts.  It should not be this way but it is.  I assure you that, all things being equal, almost any type of eyelid surgeon would want you to heal for 6 to 12 months before concluding you need a revisional surgery because healing does make a difference.

Luis Macias, MD, FACS · Answer

At 2 weeks out after upper blepharoplasty there is still some swelling and skin tightness that will loosen up over the next few weeks.  I suspect everything will settle out nicely as the swelling subsides and the skin relaxes.   Try to be patient and give it some time. Hope this helps.

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Both incisions look like they are healing well you may feel like the skin is tight which will relax in time

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and it looks like you had double lid surgery as opposed to the standard blepharoplasty.  Regardless, since you're only 2 weeks out, allow yourself to heal and ask your surgeon if there are any maneuvers you can do to help the tightened skin stretch a little.  Cutting of skin does not appear to be beneficial in any way.  Keep your surgeon in the loop as your surgeon does want you to have the best outcome you can.

Skin pulling after eyelid surgery

Answers (4)

Answer: Even the eye specialists can have suboptimal outcomes

Answer: Even the eye specialists can have suboptimal outcomes

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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.

Skin pulling after eyelid surgery

Answers (4)

Answer: Even the eye specialists can have suboptimal outcomes

Answer: Even the eye specialists can have suboptimal outcomes

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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.