Botched Upper Eyelid Surgery; After botched upper eyelid surgery, a patient’s eyes may be misaligned and one or both eyelids may not close all the way. Eyelids may also turn inwards or outwards, resulting in dry eyes and damage to the cornea.
In addition to fixing the technical problems associated with botched upper eyelid surgery, patients often require psychological care to overcome the feelings of embarrassment and depression that follow this kind of trauma.
A botched upper eyelid surgery can create serious problems with eye function and vision.
In addition to making the eyes appear asymmetrical, a botched surgery can cause excessive tearing, an inability to blink the eye completely, or even blindness.
One of the most common causes of a botched eyelid surgery is improper closure of the incision. In some cases, this can cause nerve damage that results in tear duct problems or complete inability to blink.
The most severe cases of improper closure can result in blindness from corneal abrasion.
A 71-year-old man presents for evaluation of dry eyes and pain following upper blepharoplasty. He reports that it has been difficult to close his eyelids completely since the procedure, which occurred 3 months ago. The patient also had a lower blepharoplasty done at the same time.
The surgeon who performed the original surgery was contacted by the patient’s ophthalmologist and is aware of the patient’s condition. A second opinion was sought by the patient, and he was referred to me (T.H.).
The patient had undergone previous eyelid surgery on both upper and lower lids approximately 15 years before presentation to me. He had a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea and was taking amlodipine besylate (Norvasc), 5 mg/d; lisinopril (Zestril), 10 mg/d; atorvastatin (Lipitor), 20 mg/d; aspirin, 81 mg/d; warfarin sodium (Coumadin), 6 mg/d; albuterol sulfate, as needed for wheezing; and fluticasone propionate (Flonase), 50 µg/d
lower eyelid is fine, but the upper eyelid has been cut too deeply and sutures were placed through the skin.
She will likely need a revision surgery to correct the problem, but wait at least 3 months after the initial surgery to let everything heal.
If you are not happy with the surgery, it is still early; I would discuss this with your surgeon and see if you can wait at least six months to allow for complete healing prior to revisional surgery.
If you don’t get a satisfactory response from your surgeon, consult with other board certified plastic surgeons who can evaluate you and discuss your options.
Upon retraction of the upper eyelid to better visualize the upper eyelid anatomy, one can see that the patient has a significant malar bag in the upper outer part of the eye, which is being obscured by extra skin. This is a result of fat
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, eyelid surgery generally has a high satisfaction rate among patients. But like any surgery, it comes with risks. Most people who get cosmetic procedures done are happy with the results.
Can Botched Eyelid Surgery be Corrected?
A: Botched eyelid surgery can be corrected. However, the procedure to correct it is not as simple as the original surgery and is best entrusted to a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive training in this area.
The eyelids are among the most delicate areas of the body to operate on, because there’s little soft tissue covering the underlying structures, and even minor changes in appearance can have a huge impact on facial aesthetics. In addition, these complex structures are prone to a variety of conditions that can affect their appearance.
A thorough knowledge of eye anatomy, combined with experience in corrective eyelid surgery, is necessary for addressing problems that may arise from an earlier procedure. This includes complications like abnormal scarring or asymmetrical results. An experienced surgeon will also know how to address problems with visual field loss (blind spots), double vision or dry eyes that can occur after some eyelid surgeries.
The solution to a botched eyelid surgery will depend on its cause and severity. In many cases, additional skin can be removed and/or sutures placed to adjust droopy upper lids or reduce puffiness around the eyes. If you have any concerns about the outcome of your surgery, call your doctor right away so he or she can check it out and suggest
Some less than qualified doctors perform eyelid surgery. Oftentimes, it is the patient’s fault for not doing their research on the doctor and choosing them based on cost savings. This can lead to issues like uneven eyes, loss of vision, infection, etc.
If you are in this situation it is important to seek out a more qualified doctor that specializes in plastic surgery to correct your botched eyelid surgery.
Eyelids are some of the most complex structures on our faces. They have numerous functions, and the skin is very thin and delicate. The eyes are also the first feature people notice when they look at you.
Because of this, eyelid surgery can be a complicated procedure that requires a surgeon skilled in facial anatomy. When botched eyelid surgery occurs, it can be difficult to correct depending on the extent of damage done.
The goal of eyelid surgery is to improve the appearance of the eyes, by removing excess skin, excising fat and tightening muscles. The surgeon can remove a small amount of fat from the lids, but when too much is removed, or if the lid is stretched downward out of proportion to other features, it can cause a hollow appearance.
Fortunately, the hollows that result from over-resection of fat can be corrected with fat grafting (fat transfer). Fat grafting is not only cosmetic procedure; it has emerged as a vital reconstructive technique in plastic surgery. It is used to correct deformities created by trauma, cancer removal or congenital defects.
Fat grafting involves removing fat cells from one area of the body and injecting them into another. Fat cells can be harvested through liposuction or directly from the donor site. The cells are processed for re-injections. As a cosmetic procedure, fat grafting can be used to plump up sunken cheeks and fill out wrinkles. It is also used to restore volume loss in hands, feet and buttocks.
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, with more than 150,000 cases each year.
In some cases, after the eyelid surgery, patients are not satisfied with the results due to visible scarring, asymmetry and/or poor healing of the incisions.
Eyelid surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure. The surgery can last between one and three hours, depending on the extent of the procedure.
Eyelid surgery is performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only your eyes and surrounding area so you’ll be awake during the procedure. In some cases, general anesthesia — which puts you to sleep — may be used.
Incision types
The incisions for eyelid surgery are made in places where they’ll be least noticeable. Your surgeon may make a cut within the natural crease of your upper eyelid or just below the lashes on your lower lid. Occasionally, incisions are made inside your lower eyelids so no external scars are visible. Your plastic surgeon will discuss with you which incision technique is preferred for your situation and goals.
Removing or repositioning tissue and fat
After making incisions, your surgeon will remove excess skin, reposition or remove excess fatty deposits and tighten muscles as needed. He or she might also use surgical glue to hold together the edges of the incision site until it heals.
Closing the incisions
Your surgeon closes the skin with sutures that either dissolve or need to be removed within a week or two after surgery. If necessary, a
I had an eyelid lift and two weeks later developed a crescent-shaped scar on the side of one eye. It was not there before and was not caused by trauma. I have had three surgical procedures to correct it, but they failed. How difficult is it to fix?
A: Unfortunately you are stuck with this until it heals in its own way. It is not possible to remove all the scar tissue, reposition the eyelid, and expect the result to be perfect. The eyelid is a very forgiving structure because of its thinness and elasticity that allows for fattening when it is elevated. However, in your case, there is too much scar tissue to accommodate a normal result.
The only solution at this point is to wait for healing, which may take several months. You should also see an ophthalmologist for evaluation of your eye surface and tear film production, as well as a dermatologist for advice about treatment for your skin condition (acne?). The doctors should work together with your plastic surgeon in order to give you the best results possible
How Long Does it Take Upper Eyelid Surgery to Heal?
Eyelid surgery is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids to correct drooping, sagging or puffy eyelids. The procedure typically involves making incisions along the natural lines of the upper eyelids and into existing creases.
The procedure is usually an outpatient surgery performed under general anesthesia. Depending on your specific needs, you may undergo an upper or lower eyelid lift, or a combination of both.
How long does it take for eyelid surgery to heal?
Healing after eyelid surgery can take anywhere from one to three weeks. Over those first few days, you can expect some swelling and bruising around the eyes, which should begin to fade within seven to 10 days.
Although you may be able to return to work within a week following your procedure, bruising may be visible for up to two weeks. It’s best not to make any major social plans during this time as you continue healing.
Upper eyelid surgery is a procedure done to remove excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. It is typically performed under local anesthesia, with sedation or under general anesthesia depending on the extent of work and a patient’s preferences.
For most patients, the initial healing process takes about one week. There will be bruising, swelling and some pain. However, it will be mild and easily managed with medication prescribed by your surgeon. After the first week, the swelling and bruising starts to settle down and you will start to see your final results.
Within 2-3 weeks after surgery, most of the initial healing will be complete. You should be able to see your final results within this timeframe; however, it can take several months for all the swelling to subside
Upper eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is performed to eliminate any drooping skin from the upper lid that may impair vision. The procedure can also be used to remove fat deposits in the eyelids and people may have cosmetic eyelid surgery if they wish to improve their appearance.
Recovery time will depend on the extent of your surgery. Most people find that their eyes feel sore for about a week. You should expect some bruising and swelling for about two weeks and it can take three to four weeks for your eyes to fully heal.
Any stitches in your upper eyelids will be removed after five days, which should make your eyes feel more comfortable. It is vital that you attend this appointment so that you are able to receive further instructions from your surgeon on how to care for your eyes during the recovery process.
You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure and it is important that you do not drive until you feel comfortable doing so and are no longer under the influence of medication.
The surgery is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The patient can go home immediately after the surgery. The recovery from upper eyelid blepharoplasty is usually very quick and simple. Most patients are back to work within a week of surgery. The stitches are removed in about 5 days and the patient can resume most activities, including exercise, within a couple of weeks.
The most common complication from upper eyelid blepharoplasty is dry eyes. This can be treated with over-the-counter artificial tears for a few weeks. Other potential complications include infection, unevenness in the contour of the eyelid, and bleeding.
Recovery
The recovery period for upper-eyelid blepharoplasty takes about a week. After surgery, your eyelids will be swollen and bruised, and you’ll need to wear dark glasses to protect your eyes from sunlight. You’ll probably have some discomfort after the procedure, although this can usually be controlled with pain medication.
It’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions on how to clean the incisions and apply ointment. If tape or sutures are used on the surface of your eyelids, they w
You can expect to feel well enough to return to work in a week, although you may need more time off if your job is physically demanding.
As you heal, your doctor will give you instructions for when you can shower or wash your hair, remove bandages and get back to normal activities. It’s important to follow these instructions so that you heal properly.
The stitches used in blepharoplasty dissolve on their own, so they don’t have to be removed. You’ll need follow-up visits with your surgeon at one day, one week, two weeks and six weeks.
Eyelid surgery can be done under local or general anesthesia. If you have a lot of excess skin, the doctor may make an incision in the natural crease of your upper eyelid and remove the extra tissue from both the upper and lower eyelids.
Depending on how much skin is removed, recovery for blepharoplasty is usually about one to two weeks. You will likely experience swelling and bruising around your eyes for some time after surgery.