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What Is Revision Eyelid Surgery?

Revision eyelid surgery is a secondary blepharoplasty procedure meant to correct complications or improve results of an eyelid surgery. Both Dr. Jacqueline and Dr. Elbert Cheng can perform this procedure to correct many different issues. These include scarring, inability to close the eyes, asymmetry, and problems with the muscles responsible for blinking.

How Does Revision Eyelid Surgery Work?

The specifics of revision eyelid surgery depend on the patient as well as what issues they want to be corrected. There are several common complications of blepharoplasty that revision eyelid surgery can repair:

Hollow Upper Eyelid

In some cases, a plastic surgeon may inadvertently remove too much tissue from the upper eyelid during eyelid surgery. This can cause the eyes to appear hollow. To correct this issue, the revision eyelid surgery may involve adding volume to the upper eyelid using a dermal filler or fat transfer.

Lower Eyelid Retraction

It’s also common for an excessive amount of skin to be removed from the lower eyelids during eyelid surgery. As a result, the lower eyelids may retract, exposing too much of the eye and causing discomfort. The procedure needed to fix a lower eyelid retraction may involve skin tissue from the cheeks being lifted to the lower eyelid area.

Ptosis

Ptosis is a condition in which the upper eyelid droops, making the face appear tired and older. A mistake made during eyelid surgery can sometimes disrupt the upper eyelid’s levator muscle, causing it to droop. This can be corrected by making a small incision in the skin of the upper eyelid and carefully tightening the levator muscle.

Subpar Blepharoplasty Results

One of the most common reasons for revision eyelid surgery is a general dissatisfaction with the results of blepharoplasty. For example, if you’re unhappy with the amount of excess skin removed from your eyelids, the secondary procedure will likely be focused on removing more of it to achieve your desired results.

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Benefits of Revision Eyelid Surgery

  • Correcting complications of previous eyelid surgery
  • Improving subpar results of previous eyelid surgery
  • Achieving more youthful-looking eyelids
  • Fixing issues such as droopy eyelids, lower eyelid retraction, hollow upper eyelids, bags under the eyes, and many more
  • Improving your vision
  • Increasing your self-confidence

Dr. Jacqueline’s Upper Blepharoplasty Part 3

Dr. Jacqueline’s Upper Blepharoplasty Part 1

What Should I Expect During the Procedure?

If you’re interested in undergoing revision eyelid surgery at Cheng Plastic Surgery, the first step will be a consultation with Dr. Jacqueline or Dr. Elbert Cheng. During this meeting, your plastic surgeon will get to know you and ask you questions about the eyelid issue you want to correct. They will need to know all about your previous blepharoplasty procedure and why you’re unsatisfied with its results.

Revision eyelid surgery can typically be completed on an outpatient basis, and its specifics will depend on what issue(s) the doctor is correcting. Usually, the procedure will be similar to what you experienced during your original eyelid surgery. You will most likely be treated with local anesthesia to prevent any pain during the procedure. 

Next, the doctor will take the necessary steps to improve the appearance of your eyelids. For example, this may involve making incisions along the upper or lower eyelids and carefully tightening muscles or removing excess skin. Once the desired corrections have been made, your plastic surgeon will close the incisions they’ve made using sutures.

How Long Is the Recovery Time?

Although you won’t be able to drive yourself right away, you should be able to go home within a few hours of your revision eyelid surgery. For several days following the procedure, your eyes may tear up or become blurry. It’s recommended that you sleep upright for a few nights, and you will need to temporarily avoid the following:

  • Work (for a week)
  • Exercise and sports (for two weeks)
  • Wearing eye makeup (for two weeks)
  • Wearing contact lenses (for 1 month)

You’ll be able to have your sutures removed after a week, and you’ll need to come in for follow-up examinations to ensure that you’re healing properly.

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Am I a Candidate for Revision Eyelid Surgery?

Men and women looking to correct complications or unsatisfying results of eyelid surgery may be candidates for revision eyelid surgery. Ideal candidates should meet the following requirements:

  • Be in generally good physical health
  • Have a desire to correct or improve the results of a previous eyelid surgery
  • Have realistic expectations
  • Be a non-smoker
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How Long Will It Take To See Results After Revision Eyelid Surgery?

You will typically start seeing results of revision eyelid surgery within a few days of the procedure. You should continue to see improvements for several weeks/months as the complete results gradually develop. The positive effects of the surgery should last for several years, and in some cases, they can remain permanently.

Why Choose Cheng Plastic Surgery?

To achieve the wonderful results you desire, revision eyelid surgery requires precision and skill. Dr. Jacqueline and Elbert Cheng are both double board-certified plastic surgeons, and they’ve performed thousands of successful eyelid surgeries for patients in the greater San Francisco area. At Cheng Plastic Surgery, our dedicated team will treat you with compassion and a personalized approach. We’ll provide you with a comfortable experience, and our doctors will ensure that you receive the superb results that you deserve.

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