Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

Less-than-ideal cosmetic results and complications for life (dry eyes and lagophthalmos)

UPDATED FROM Blef Leppard
6 years post

7 Years Later

Blef Leppard
$5,800
Everything from my 4 year update is the same, except that now the lower lid retraction/rounding is worse. As a result, the dry eye is worse, and I can no longer wear the contact lenses that were working for me before. This sucks.

Replies (5)

October 13, 2021
I should note that I also tried fillers recently in an attempt to elevate the lower lids, but that seems to have made it a bit worse. I would not recommend anyone try that.
October 20, 2021
I am 6 weeks out from lower Bleph and have droopy eyes. The right one is VERY noticeable. My PS said it was from scar tissue pulling the eyes downward.

I had/still have some noticeable scar tissue . Massaging and Steroid shot 2 weeks prior did soften the scars tissue and hopefully with massage and more time the scar tissue will continue to soften.
Yesterday, my PS offered to do a canthoplasty in three weeks (9 weeks post Op) hoping the scars will continue to soften until then. This procedure is suppose to put my lower lids back in the proper place.

I am struggling with the idea of maybe pushing the canthoplasty further out to wait a little longer to see if the scar tissue softens up more and my eyes improve (with that said- I haven't seen any substantial improvement in the droopy) BUT my right eye is just awful . I am still hiding from my friends and family . The thought of going through the holidays looking this way is depressing me terribly .

If you don't mind my asking- did you have a canthoplasty or any corrective procedures.? I am very curious about your opinion on this ...
October 20, 2021
Hi floridajoy, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how upsetting it can be to go through this. The scar tissue will indeed continue to soften, but I think it's highly unlikely that any droopiness (retraction) of the lower lid will correct itself. I think it's a good idea to wait on the canthoplasty for a couple of reasons. First, you will likely continue to see changes for the next 6 months to a year before the tissues heal into their permanent state. Second, I would caution against having the same surgeon do your revision if you consider the first one botched. I belong to a support group where many people have had their original surgeon try to "fix" things, only to end up making it even worse. You should seek out someone who specializes in revisions, and even then, you will be fortunate to get a good result. It's been 7 years since my surgery, and I haven't had any revisional surgery (too scared), but I did recently try fillers to elevate my lower lids. Unfortunately, even that made it a tiny bit worse. Sorry to sound like a downer!
February 10, 2022
Whatsapp
October 20, 2021
You are not a downer at all- I really appreciate the honest. You words are the same thoughts in my head!
I agree with you 100% that the scars will soften but the retraction will not necessary correct itself.
I misspoke earlier the procedure is a Canthopexy not a Canthoplasty. The second is much more invasive.
I've given much thought and still thinking ... to whether I should consent to another procedure... but honestly , I still have faith in my PS and her team. They have all been nothing but supportive and kind. It's a "we are all in this together" attitude...

Sorry the filler didn't work out... That had to be a big disappointment not to mention the cost... Hang in there
Thank you for the response!!!
October 21, 2021
I feel so bad for you ladies... I know how a bad surgeon can ruin your enjoyment of life overnight.
UPDATED FROM Blef Leppard
3 years post

Adding one more picture

Blef Leppard
I’m adding on more picture that really shows the damage to the outside corner (lateral canthus) of my right eye as well as lower lid retraction and eyelas issues. In this picture, the canthus (outer corner) looks stretched, rounded, even a bit mangled. You can also see how my lower lid is pulled down so there’s sclera (white) showing between the lower lid and the iris (blue). Finally, you can see a gap in my lashes in the outside corner because I have to pluck a few out so they don’t grow directly into my eye.

Replies (5)

December 14, 2019
Hi. Missing eye lashes can indicate Blepharitis. Try warm compresses to the eyes for 10 mins daily to unblock the glands. This can be conducive to new eyelash growth, but you have to be persistent. It's a pain to do but worth it to get your eye lashes back.
May 16, 2020
Thanks for the info. I'll try on mine.
May 12, 2020
I am so sorry to hear about your situation, but I really appreciate you being willing to share, since I am considering an upper blepharoplasty...I assume the problems you have experienced are a result of the lower, blepharoplasty...is that correct?
May 16, 2020
Yes, I think most of my problems were caused by lower bleph
May 16, 2020
Thank you...
May 14, 2020
I just read your 4 years reviews. Sorry you went thru many problems after surgery. Yes, lower blepharoplasty cause more side effects than upper blepharoplasty or double eyelid surgery. Usually transconjuctival method (inner incision) safer than transcutaneous (outer incision) method. The surgeon in Korea did outer incision for me, I was so mad, they didn't explain the procedures also, I never want to go Korea anymore. Trancutanous actually more risky for lower lid retraction than transconjuctival method.
May 16, 2020
Yeah, I don’t think my problems would be as bad if my surgeon had used the transconjunctival method.
May 16, 2020
Who was your surgeon ? Transcutaneous shouldn't be use anymore, except if very saggy bag on lower lid.
May 19, 2020
Agreed. Transcutaneous is particularly bad for someone with prominent eyes like me. My surgeon practices in Arizona.
May 19, 2020
Yea that's too bad our surgeon did for us. I didnt know either I got trancutaneos one. Did you ask the surgeon to give refund or complaint him ?
August 11, 2021
Hi. Have you had any procedures to try and fix your eyes? I had both upper and lower bleph and am also experiencing shortened eyes and rounding. I made an appointment with an eye plastic surgeon for September and am nervous to hear that there's nothing that can be done. I don't want to go under the knife again! Was hoping they can like cut the outer corners a little and maybe put a stitch in to make the outer corners more sharp or something - this is my thought process anyways but I have no idea. Please let me know if you've had anything done to fix your eyes!
UPDATED FROM Blef Leppard
3 years post

4 years post-op pictures

Blef Leppard
Here are some pictures from four years post-op. They’re pretty similar to the last ones I posted. Fortunately, the lower lid retraction and rounding corners seems to have stabilized for now, although it could continue to progress in later years as my skin ages and loses elasticity.

Replies (4)

November 21, 2018
I am so sorry this has happened to you! Thank you for the update. Others thinking about this surgery need to know of the possible complications. As always in my thoughts and prayers!!
November 21, 2018
Thank you so much. You’re always in my thoughts too. And I’ll forever appreciate the kindness you’ve shown me. <3
November 21, 2018
So sorry about your situation. I had upper bleep 1 year ago...lagopthalmus, dry eye, looks horrible, etc. I am in Xidra, but I just do it once a day, sleep with ointment and I use squares of Press n Seal...lots of drops during the day, hot compresses in the a.m. I do feel like the supplements I take have really helped. If you are interested, please let me know and you can even call me. I did talk to an office in Beverly Hill, Ken Steinsapir. He is an occuloplastic surgeon and does a lot of revisions. I learned a hard lesson--do not let a plastic surgeon touch your eyes--go to occuloplastics. I've been super depressed too and wondered how I was going to make it. If I looked better, it would help. Hollowed out look is not good. One year later, I still have dry eye, lagophthalmus but am better than I was. Best of luck to you and let me know if you'd like to talk.
November 21, 2018
I’ll send you a personal message
August 6, 2020
That's not necessarily so...! I went to a top ocuplastic surgeon first of all who performed upper blepharoplasty on me and I had a hollow, thick lidded look. I didn't look like myself at all.
Over a year later, i went to an aesthetic plastic surgeon who has done a marvelous job considering what he had to work from. My eyes look symmetrical again and I look younger- amazing! He needed to do a fat transfer due to the hollowness and that seems to have been mainly a success but he might have to take more fat if some is reabsorbed and one eyelid is a little fuller than the other but not really noticeable. I am very, very happy with his work and I sympathize greatly with anyone who has ever had a bad job done. Keep believing it will get better and never give up hope!
August 28, 2020
Sounds like you and I may have had the same Doctor!! He was one of Atlanta's BEST! I believed in him so much that I actually let him try and correct the mistakes twice! I can't go anywhere near sunshine w/o heavy duty sunglasses...my eyes water all the time. Sucks!
August 28, 2020
Ugh. Sorry to hear that. My Dr was in AZ.