POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery REVIEWS
Bad Blepharoplasty Leads to Depression
ORIGINAL POST
I’m three months post-op from a very...
rinaMay 10, 2007
$2,350
I’m three months post-op from a very depressing upper and lower blepharoplasty. My eyes look uneven, I have wrinkles and excess skin where my bags used to be, and I have dealt with depression over how I look.
For the first month and a half after the operation, I noticed all of these issues intermittently but I didn’t panic because I was still recovering. A friend of mine chalked up my baggy eyelids to water retention after the operation too. But by the two-month mark when I went for my follow-up, I wasn’t getting better and my doctor knew it. He didn’t seem pleased with things either but nonetheless he kept telling me to wait for it to get better. He also said that, if things didn’t improve, I could always have the issues fixed with a laser or another bleph. I didn’t want this! I already paid for a blepharoplasty (the monthly payments are still coming out of my bank)!
I got depressed then and am still today dealing with the way I look. Some days I start to think I am getting better, my eyes are evening out, but more often than not I can notice the difference between my baggy left eye and my wide-open right eye. It’s obvious to everybody and this makes me feel sick.
If I had known a bleph could leave me this asymmetrical and odd-looking, I never would have had it done. But I was warned of none of these things! It was all about how great I would look; nobody bothered to mention I might look worse than before the operation
Replies (422)
(unregistered guest)
August 1, 2007
It is very depressing indeed. I too, had surgery a year and a half ago and am still severely depressed. I deal with it every day. The scars are absolutely horrible. The worst part is that doctors are telling me there's nothing they can do to correct everything that's wrong. I would do anything to undo this. I used to be an advocate of plastic surgery, but never again!
(unregistered guest)
January 22, 2008
I read your story and feel horrible about it. Where did you go? Was the surgeon accredited? I am about to do the lower bleph and am having second thoughts.
October 21, 2011
youl look older cause they strip away tissue and muscle just have fillers or youl end up wth pain there for ever once they cut and separate they damage a change shape of your eyes everytime doesnt matter how good they are surgery should be left for medical problems only they dont say that cause they want your money if your eyeshape is good now it will change it and you might hate it trust me youl have pain there all the time and you wont see you shrunken eyelids till at least 6months when swelling is gone cmpletly your eyeballs might rotate with the tighter muscle it happnd to me and i looked wierd one eyeball was facing in a different direction it was so ugly it took 2yrs to resolve but still not happy thry never admit that could happen one doc said yes its possible that was after surgery too late for me but you should seriusly seek out less invasive procedures and the best guys are the ones who advise against surgery someone gave me that advise once and i never took it but some do turn u down and they are ones that realise surgery is rarely a good outcome just read everyones coments on here its true be carefull and dont do it i have round sore beety eyes and heaps of anxiety why risk your eyesight good luk
November 15, 2011
do not do it. It is not worth it- too many risks involved and cannot be fixed.
August 6, 2012
If your lower lids are not real puffy, you may consider a mid face lift. It may cost a little more, but through my experience and the readings of others, I believe that in some cases the lift would benefit more than fat removal, even a latteral lift as I ended up having in revision.
There are good P.S. out here, that do excellent, skilled lower lid surgery. Word of mouth, so check in your area first. If not and travel can be an option, great P.S. are out here. Just know what you want done, and seek all options for that need.
(unregistered guest)
February 12, 2008
I had my first lower blepharoplasty one year ago. The doctor advised my to do the upper lids at the same time, I did, and I am not unhappy with the upper lid appearance. BUT, I have now had the lowers redone two more times and the results are bad, indeed. Three surgeries later, one eye is much worse than the other -- I still have a bag and now two folds of loose skin underneath, while my other eye looks entirely different! Not as bad as my right eye, but a smaller fold of skin higher toward the eye than my right eye disaster. My eyes burn and tear and the doctor had told me that the surgery would help this which it did not. He now refuses to perform another surgery but did a "Blue Peel" which achieved nothing. I am scheduled for another peel soon, but I have no hope of an improvement in my appearance. I, too, am very depressed and do not want people to see me. I missed my class reunion, a family reunion and will miss other upcoming events due to being so self-conscience. My appearance is not that of natural aging, but of surgery gone awry.
July 5, 2009
I am in the same depressed state after my lasik 4 months ago. My nice eyelids are gone and the skin hangs down to my eyelash. Thinking of have blepharoplasty and after reading this, guess I could look even worse. Only good thing is I am 63, so got most of my life over before spending money to ruin my looks. I too, don't mind growing old and the looks that comes with it, but mine was done in a matter of minutes. Good luck.
December 22, 2011
I am looking at Penn Medicine - Oculofacial and orbital Surgery Services. Oculofacial Plastic Surgery at he Scheie Eye Institute. I want to look more into the MD's who are listed, but the initial info sounds good. Check this out. I am also going to check on Dr. Jill Foster Columbus Ohio, she was the team leader on the first face transplant. Read up on these and see what you think. I know I need a skin graft and I did find an article listing a few MD's and the procedure. We do need a chat room so we can list the doctors with bad outcomes from surgery. Something needs to be done to protect the consumer - far to many risks. I have friends who had beautiful work done here in the Steubenville, Ohio area, but they have passed. I never though things could go so bad.
December 23, 2011
We need a voice - we need help - we need an advocate. My daily life is hell because of this surgery. Yet the facility that did it promised me the world - satisfaction guaranteed. Yet, had me sign away any rights to come after them, having me initial many pages of potential risks, that of course "rarely happen" - lie, lie, lie - I think on this board we know that's a lie!!!
December 23, 2011
This sight is a voice for now. Until the AMA and Attorneys, back down and protect Plastic Surgeons, it is our only alternative. I can tell you this, more and more woman do not enter into P.S. without reading and checking on-line.
I know if the someone Goggles my original surgeons name, things come up. Some are my own posts. Best part, there is nothing she can do, I am a dissatisfied consumer that has suffered emotional and financial loss due to her aggressive cookie cutter surgery. My photos show what was done.
And yes,I have included her false promises, my treatment after surgery, the depression, grief, and loss. Financial burden in consultations for surgery on revision, with those disappointments. My voice makes sure that no other woman will seek this surgeon out for the same misery I have experienced.
Please know it is alright to get mad, feel lost and betrayed. It's part of the cycle that accompanies this loss and grief. I can last many years and some seek therapy. From my own experience, I know how serious this roller coaster ride can become.
We are, are own advocates for now. All of us that have experienced the cruel, and mental anguish of a botched surgery relate.
So name your doctor, tell your stories! You can make a difference, and gain knowledge and help from others.
Also know, that for every unfortunate story, there are many more that are good, with great endings. I will always be an advocate for Plastic Surgery. There is absolutely "nothing wrong", with one wanting to improve, refresh ones self. You do it for yourself.
But education, is so very important. And here again, is where that voice is heard.
Keep the faith, new methods are being explored daily. In Japan where it is legal, more stem cell fat transfers are being preformed with success. Soon it will come here, without the need of a permit. , Dr. Yoshimura( Japan) came up with the idea to enrich the injected fat with a higher concentration of stem cells. Stem cells are thought to help preserve and even regenerate fat cells by stimulating growth of blood vessels.
Adipose tissue, or body fat, already contains a certain number of stem cells.
— about one for every four adipocyte fat cells — but Yoshimura and his colleagues believed that increasing the concentration could enhance survival rates of the tissue and reduce post-operative atrophy. The hardening and lumping that can occur. Right now a permit from your State must be obtained, and despite claims, this method is new.
So there is still hope. This is now being used for breast reconstruction.
Suzanne Somers had it done recently. I believe it can work for upper lids as well. Don't give up, I'm not.
I know if the someone Goggles my original surgeons name, things come up. Some are my own posts. Best part, there is nothing she can do, I am a dissatisfied consumer that has suffered emotional and financial loss due to her aggressive cookie cutter surgery. My photos show what was done.
And yes,I have included her false promises, my treatment after surgery, the depression, grief, and loss. Financial burden in consultations for surgery on revision, with those disappointments. My voice makes sure that no other woman will seek this surgeon out for the same misery I have experienced.
Please know it is alright to get mad, feel lost and betrayed. It's part of the cycle that accompanies this loss and grief. I can last many years and some seek therapy. From my own experience, I know how serious this roller coaster ride can become.
We are, are own advocates for now. All of us that have experienced the cruel, and mental anguish of a botched surgery relate.
So name your doctor, tell your stories! You can make a difference, and gain knowledge and help from others.
Also know, that for every unfortunate story, there are many more that are good, with great endings. I will always be an advocate for Plastic Surgery. There is absolutely "nothing wrong", with one wanting to improve, refresh ones self. You do it for yourself.
But education, is so very important. And here again, is where that voice is heard.
Keep the faith, new methods are being explored daily. In Japan where it is legal, more stem cell fat transfers are being preformed with success. Soon it will come here, without the need of a permit. , Dr. Yoshimura( Japan) came up with the idea to enrich the injected fat with a higher concentration of stem cells. Stem cells are thought to help preserve and even regenerate fat cells by stimulating growth of blood vessels.
Adipose tissue, or body fat, already contains a certain number of stem cells.
— about one for every four adipocyte fat cells — but Yoshimura and his colleagues believed that increasing the concentration could enhance survival rates of the tissue and reduce post-operative atrophy. The hardening and lumping that can occur. Right now a permit from your State must be obtained, and despite claims, this method is new.
So there is still hope. This is now being used for breast reconstruction.
Suzanne Somers had it done recently. I believe it can work for upper lids as well. Don't give up, I'm not.
December 23, 2011
Thanks for your comments, and shared information about stem/fat cells update.
December 29, 2011
yes-you are right. My state Ohio has only one year to file a claim, but lawyers here won't take the case. How many years does your state allow. My medication Shrink said those papers we sign doesn't really matter. Have you talked to a good lawyer? I am looking at Penn Med in Philadelpha, PA web sight. My optomatrist who is very supportive, said their are not many trained to do this type of surgery and would practice in large cities do to population. We must start our own chat room.
December 29, 2011
no i dont have a lawyer because he gave me my money back as i needed to live and did not have the time or money to pursue a lawsuit. i had to go on disability due to his negligence and therefore money was very tight. in order for me to get the money back i had to sign a waiver that i would not sue him or mention his name. i also live in canada and will be seeing a doctor in georgia who deals with revisions of bad surgery . i will be having a consult on the phone first and sending pics and then if he feels im a candidate for some procedure, then i will meet him for a face to face consult. this is because i live 12 hours away. im actually sending all the info to him today. please keep in touch
January 14, 2012
What causes the burning? I have that as well, but never associated it with the blepharoplasty.
January 16, 2012
I HAVE THAT TOO ... I TOTALLLY THINK ITS FROM THE SURGERY CUZ NEVER HAD IT BEFORE... THE IRONIC THING IS THAT ITS ONLY IN THE ONE EYE(FUNNY ITS THE ONE THAT HE REMOVED TOO MUCH SKIN ON)
May 8, 2012
I also live in Canada and had the same thing happen to my eyes. Did you get to see the doctor in Georgia? I hope he could do something for you, because this eye surgery is a living nightmare.
May 8, 2012
what province do you live in ...i would like to help if i can.. i had it done feb 2010 so im a pro at this now.. wish i wasnt but i have gone thru it all in the past 2 years plus i have the proof of still being on 5 diff kinds of meds to either not kill myself or the doctor... lets talk i wanna help in any way i can...
May 10, 2012
Hi Misled,
Plastic Surgeons should be more careful looking at a person's eyes pre-surgery, and to ask people if they have allergies, let them know how invasive a procedure it is and that you will like a totally different person after. Plus, if it does not turn out, your looks will be dramatically different.
I live in Ontario now, but I did live in Vancouver when I had this done.
I have unlimited long-distance, so I could call you. It would be nice to talk to someone who is going through the same nightmare.
I will try to contact you through this site.
Plastic Surgeons should be more careful looking at a person's eyes pre-surgery, and to ask people if they have allergies, let them know how invasive a procedure it is and that you will like a totally different person after. Plus, if it does not turn out, your looks will be dramatically different.
I live in Ontario now, but I did live in Vancouver when I had this done.
I have unlimited long-distance, so I could call you. It would be nice to talk to someone who is going through the same nightmare.
I will try to contact you through this site.
May 11, 2012
hello, im so sorry to hear that you are also another poor victim... where in ontario do you live ... yes please i would love to help and talk to you ... i too live in ontario and have also met someone who lives in the same city thru this site... we get together about once a month to cry talk laugh and share our stories that no one but us will ever understand .. please contact we asap ..i know how desperate you are believe me.. im here for you
May 13, 2012
Hi Misled (I am now L46)
I live in London. It would be great to get together or even talk on the phone.
I live in London. It would be great to get together or even talk on the phone.
May 13, 2012
L46 can you please give me the initials of your name.... then i will send you my email addy... and we can talk
June 6, 2012
Have u fixed ur problem? If u did tell me his name so I can go ahead n see him, so he can fix my eyes.
March 10, 2008
I have said before that blepharoplasty is quite an invasive surgery that should only be considered where there is significant aging to be corrected such as pouching or drooping bags of fat above or below the eyes and that the removal of a little bit of skin does not fall into this category. Marybeth's comment ratifies my opinion. The surgery is not a precision tool that will yeild perfect symmetrical results for the following reasons:
1. we are all asymetrical to start with and often tinkering with the eyes can highlight this;
2. each side of the body heals at a different rate and in a different manner; and
3. a surgeon cannot control his movements and work in precisely the same manner on each eye.
I have asymetry and obvious scars after my upper and lower bleph but I'm happy with the results because these costs outweigh the significant disadvantage of my aged and unattractive my eyes pre surgery.
April 18, 2011
Your comments are absolutely true. How unfortunate that so many people are led into surgery without ever getting an honest discussion about the HIGHLY INVASIVE nature of the procedure, protracted recovery process, and liklihood of longstanding, irreparable harm, not the least is which is social isolation and depression due to freakish/painful eyes. MY GOD.
(unregistered guest)
March 24, 2008
I am seriously thinking about getting my upper eylids done, but am very worried about the right doctor. I have done thermage and it did nothing, so I am left with the option of surgery. Can anyone please tell me what doctors are good and what doctors are bad. I live in Boise Idaho... anyone from around this area with some doctor advice?? Please e-mail me... {edited}
Thanks
Editor note: you must join RealSelf so you can be contacted privately with doctor recommendations and feedback. This requires free registration for an account. When registering you must opt-in to receiving private contacts (a check box).
June 27, 2009
Hi,
I had absolutely beautiful eyes...I got compliments just about every week of my adult life. I decided to let a doctor do an upper bleph because I had just a little of overhanging skin. I used a so-called "specialist" in Florida and my eyes, and my life, have not been the same since. This doctor promised that the shape of my eyes would not change. When I asked him "What could possibly go wrong" he told me, "well, you will probably wish I had removed more skin, I am very conservative.
Well, he took so much skin that my eyebrows pull downward, the outer corners of my eyes are missing...you can actually see space between my lower and upper lashes (where they are missing) in the outer corners of my eyes, there is slighe scaleral show right near the top of my iris because my lids pull my eyes open so wide (because I am so "short skin" I was told by another doctor).
I'm telling you this because if you like your eyes, except for the little bit of excess skin, please do not touch them. After this bad surgery from this "top rated" plastic surgeon who specializes in doing eyes, I went met someone who was dating a plastic surgeon in the Hamptons (Long Island, NY). This doctor told me, off the cuff, that any doctor that tells you the shape of your eyes will not change with plastic surgery is LYING!!!!! He said plastic surgery will ALWAYS change the shape of your eyes.
It's been 5 years and every day I wake up and have to put make up on I get sad for a moment. I absolutely loved my eyes before surgery, they were perfect but I was being picky. I thought the little bit of overhanging skin should be removed. I would give anything to reverse this surgery. I wish someone had warned me strongly about the dangers of eyelid surgery.
I hope you change your mind.
June 27, 2009
Yeah, I know what you mean. I got my problem 1000 time worst than yours. I cannot even get it fix............ I wish I could show you my eyes than you know mine is a lot worst than your situation. I look really old since 27 due to this evil eye doctor out of california.
October 8, 2009
I am very sorry for both of us. I too had beautiful eyes; But, thought I could benefit from a little skin being removed. The Ocular Plastic Surgeon who did my eyes was head of the Department.During surgery, I heard her say to the Fellow student Dr., "Stitch her up". Well, she stitched me up alright. My right eye was like a small slant. The left eye done by the so called "Top Doc", was a wide -open hood. I was maimed and told the Doctor so. She did two revisional surgeries, that were no better. Since that time three more have been done by another Dr. who corrects bad blephs. The problem is, I was skinned alive on the right eye by the student. My personality has gone from happy every day to sad. I think I look wierd and am self-concious when I am talking to people and they are looking at me. I no longer feel attractive or pretty. The doctor who did my original surgery could care less. All she was doing was giving the student a "practice lesson", and she evidently wasn't concentrating on what she was doing when she did my left eye. I know exactly how you feel, and was compelled to respond. I am thinking of having fat-grafting in my right eye. I can't believe I did this to myself. I, like you, are reminded of my terrible mistake every day I look in the mirror. I would give a million dollars to reverse this surgery. My eye shape changed from almond to a semi-hood shaped. My duaughter is upset with me because I keep having revisions; but, I want to correct it as best I can. It is a deeply saddening thing to happen to anyone.
December 23, 2011
Photo on profile was shortly after last revision. I did have before and after photos posted. I will neeed your personal e-mail to send. It has been over one year since last revision, and more fat will need to be applied,if I choose.As I've always stated, revision for upper lids is an on-going process,since only a small amount is retained permanently.
always happy to share.
always happy to share.
December 29, 2011
Misled, I am in the same boat as you - medication, hurting, discussed with the number of MD's I have seen. some are helpful and others are a joke, just want to get rid of you. I am still trying to find a ocularplastic surgeon who will do fix the lack of enough skin to close my eyes as well as other problems. I don't look bad, just one droppy eye, but I can't raise my eyebrows, one eye is to high and I have to tape it down. I am checking on a few more MD'S
December 29, 2011
im so sorry that you are having to go thru this as well. i will be seeing an ocularplastic surgeon after going thru many different doctors to find the correct one to see.. he is in the states but i dont care i want to get back to be somewhat happy and i want my life back..please if i can help you and you want info on this doctor or to know what he says to me or whatever please keep in touch so i can keep you posted
July 27, 2012
Have you found a doctor and had surgery. I have been really sick & depressed all year. Doctors don't think my situation is bad enough, but they don't know how much it bothers me - too much skin taken on temple area can't raise my eye brows. I feel the tightness all the time. Write back
I thought it would be so simple, just a conservative removal of barely hanging loose skin on the upper lid and making my eyes more symetrical...we'll see how this last surgery goes, because my left eye HURTS all the time.
At this point, I'd trade my slightly fleshy top lid for the pain and suffering I've endured any day.
Hi, I am desperately looking for information about the results of bad blepharoplasty to see if what has happened to me has happened to someone else as well. I had an upper blepharoplasty on 7/31/07 and the results are devastating. I no longer look like me. I am devastated and depressed. I had big green eyes with a pretty shape -- and now my eyes are smaller and actually look masculine. The actual opening is smaller -- the surgeon completely stripped my eyes of orbital fat (which I didn't need removed), muscle (didn't need muscle removed either) and eyelid skin -- drastically changing the shape and size of my eyes. The thing that kills me is that I didn't need much of anything done at all. I only had a little excess eyelid skin --no bulging fat or anything; all Dr. {edited} had to do was remove a little skin. Instead, he made it so much more complicated and removed the foundation of the eyesocket and surrounding tissue -- and now I have been transformed into someone else. I do not look like myself and I am absolutely sick and heartbroken. I have seen a number of doctors -- all said they could put some fat back in where the eyes have been hollowed out -- but that's all. They would not be able to graph more eyelid skin -- and that is most likely what has dramatically changed the shape of my eyes. He removed so much that I barely have a crease --and the crease is located way up high looking extremely odd. On top of all this, both eyes have ptosis -- and cover a good portion of my irises. In stripping my eyes of their natural tissue and muscle, he took too much muscle and damaged other muscle. I now need Ptosis repair on both eyes. This is just the aesthetic portion of my problems. Every day my eyes ache, they are dry, gritty and uncomfortable all day long. Both lids lag when I move my eyes to an upward position. I cannot believe I have to live the rest of my life with this devastating result. The surgeon has been board certified for 35 years. One would think with his years of experience he would realize that the eyes are the most important feature of the face -- as the eyes is what people look at and how they communicate -- they are you. To not have the common sense to know that doing less is far better than doing too much is beyond my comprehension. He is absolutely incompetent. To all that read this, please go through detail with your surgeon -- tell them you rather have less done so that you don't lose your beautiful self.
It's so depressing. I don't know what to do. Well i do know what to do. Nothing. There's nothing i can do except live with it. I thought about suicide alot in the beginning but i'm past that now. I have two beautiful kids to raise so killing myself is not an option. I didn't do my research. Lower bleph will give you round eyes. It's that simple. I also have a drooping lower left eye lid. It's looks so bad. I cant push it up. It's like a rubber band pulled tight and it won't push up. I asked my doctor before the surgery will it be a subtle change or will i look really different? He said "well you won't look tired anymore! I'm so mad at myself. This is nobody's fault but my own. That being said, the doctors should tell you that your going to look really really different!! I have been shopping for glasses to hide my eyes and i think it will make me feel better like i do when i have my sunglasses on. If anyone has any words of wisdom about this please let me know. David
hi thanks for that post i have the same problem left with smaller masculin older looking and hollowed eyes had big brown ones that i never appreciated. now i have pain and nightmares cant move on in life till i fix this we just all want to look like our selfs again and learn from this lets hope there is a genious out there how can all these surgeons get it so wrong surely they realise you gona go through this but they dont care they heard the complaint plenty of times but they not scared too hard to sue them they know this too so instead of turning u down and explaining the negatives they would rather ruin peoples lives for a couple thousand dollars criminal hey make u so angry u dream u chopping hands off so distugsting somebody in the industry should speak up bout these issues. anyway theres hope yet i keep searching like yourself for replacing the skin fat tissue and muscle but no one will do it unless your eyelid is unfunctional good to hear there might be someone even if it means travelling to anther country. thanks again i feel for u i will look this surgeon up thers hope yeh