Will I Be Able to Close my Eyes After Eyelid Surgery?

Typically, a small amount of gap is normal after Blepharoplasty.  This is temporary and related to swelling.  If it does exist it resolves between 1-3 weeks.  During that period of time, make sure your eye is well moisturized with lubricating drops and ointment to protect your cornea. 

Firt of all, an upper blepharoplasty, is, in my opine one of the best treatments to help you look more refreshed. I tell patients that if you are over the age of 30 and are looking to rejuvenate your face, then focus on the eye region and skin. The upper Blepharoplasty take only 15-20 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia. It is marvelous! There is s single suture that is used to close the incision and this is removed at 5-6 days postoperatively. There is no pain. The eyelid surgery will last many years 15-20 years. So, this is clearly a wonder treatment, and like many, you are asking about the inability to close your eyes after the surgery. This is the greatest fear people have along with looking unnatural (ie Kenny Rogers.) These are mistakes that are made by marking and measuring the tissue to be excised inappropriately. This should never occur! In the hands of a well skilled Facial Plastic Surgeon, I think you would be thrilled. Always ask to speak to other patients. A Doctor should always be happy to provide patients to speak with regarding any treatment.

Great question. You should not have difficulty closing your eyelids completely after blepharoplasty. This is generally an indication that too much skin was taken from the upper eyelids. If this is the case, you should let your surgeon know right away and measures should be taken to ensure the eye doesn't become too dry which can cause long term damage to your vision.
Hope this helps!Kyle Kimura, MDFacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

It's unusual for patients to have difficulty closing their eyes following blepharoplasty surgery. When patients are unable to close their eyes immediately following this procedure, it's usually always related to swelling. Eye opening tends to improve with time as swelling resolves.Although it's unusual, patients may have persistent difficulty closing their eyes. This may be related to over resection of skin, damage to the levater mechanism and excess scarring. Under these circumstances, secondary surgery may be necessary.Fortunately, this complication is extremely rare. When patients are unable to close their eyes following eyelid surgery, it's essential that they contact their plastic surgeon as soon as possible. Under these circumstances, it's important to use lubricants and ointments to moisturize the eyes to avoid drying and corneal damage.

In the early stage of your recovery, it may be difficult to close your eyes all the way. However, as swelling subsides and you reach full recovery, you will be able to close your eyes all the way. This may take a few weeks.

Initially after the surgery you may have a slight gap in your eyelids that is usually discussed at the time of your surgical procedure based upon your age. Most patients can close their eyes at the time of surgery and make a good water seal. Occasionally swelling in the immediate post-operative period is treated with eye ointments and drops.  Most patients routinely have normal eyelid closure from the time of their operation forward.

After surgery it is very common to have a small opening between your eyelids primarily due to swelling.  This will close within a day or so. In the meantime use artificial tear lubrication at night to protect your cornea.

In general, one should be able to close your eyelids after surgery and certainly within the first week or so.

Yes you should be able to close your eyes without difficulty blepharoplasty performed by a qualified Plastic or Oculoplastic surgeon. Swelling, discoloration, and some bruising is to be expected.  It is not unusual to have some difficulty seeing during the first day or two after surgery because of the swelling and eye lubricants/ointment used during and after surgery.  Patients vary a great deal in their recovery rate, but usually can resume normal light activity or work 3-4 days after surgery, using dark glasses and make-up to camouflage the swelling and discoloration.  The patient will usually be presentable without dark glasses in 10 days.  A small amount of residual swelling persists for many weeks, but gradually disappears. Those surgeons with less experience potentially could remove too much skin which could cause dry eyes - so research your surgeon thoroughly.

No, you will be able to open and close your eyelids after eyelid surgery. It may be slightly more difficult initially due to swelling of the eyelids but should not prevent you from being able to fully open or close your eyes.

Absolutely! While you may have some early post-operative swelling that prevents you from fully closing your eyes for 1-2 days following the procedure, you should certainly be able to close your eyes completely thereafter. If you would like to be particularly aggressive with your eyelid surgery, there can occasionally be a fine line between taking just enough skin and too much. Nonetheless, you should always be able to close your eyes after eyelid surgery, in order to protect your eyes from injury, maintain necessary moistness, and so your eyelids will look as natural as possible. Natural appearance is a very important goal that should be carefully considered when contemplating and planning for eyelid surgery.