Community Chat

[Perkup]

Has anyone here had surgery for drooping eyelids?  I have one eye where the lid is drooping low enough to compete with the pupil, making it difficult to see well sometimes.

Just wondering how involved it was, painful, etc.  Not certain whether I want to go through this or not.  Any comments will be much appreciated.  I have to give it some serious consideration.

[Vivian]

My husband had it done a few years ago. There are about 250 ocular plastic surgeons in the US. Fortunately, one of them was in Syracuse, NY, about an hour from us. He did a great job. I really recommend finding one of these specialists. Others may not have enough experience to do a good job.

[gmkb]

I had the surgery about 7 or 8 years ago.  It was a long recovery -3 months- because of a surgical error on one eyelid.  Ironically, once healed, that eye showed the most improvement.  My vision was dramatically improved and aesthetically appealing.

My husband had the surgery this year and his went more smoothly with a quicker recovery.  His vision improved also from not having the drooping eyelids.

There is a lot of bruising for a while.  The surgeon had me drinking large amounts of pineapple juice before the surgery.  The bromides in pineapple help decrease bruising.

There are possible complications from the surgery, which I'm sure your surgeon explained.

It is worth having the surgery for improved appearance and improved vision.

[KKWA]

Yes, about 3 years ago.  My one eye was affecting my vision, and my Eye Dr. recommended an eye surgeon who evaluated it and agreed and Medicare paid for part as it was not considered cosmetic surgery.  However an additional procudure was recommended that I did have to pay for.  I agreed to have it done with a local to save money.  It turned out great.  Very much brusing way down in my cheeks.  I did not leave the house for two weeks.  Then I put on make-up and sunglasses.  But it did continue to improve for almost a year.  You will be glad you did it.

[CatsyCline]

Medicare covers the surgery. your doctor will order a vision field test, take photos and submit to your Ins provider.

see an Oculoplastic surgeon and make sure you look at lots of before&after photos . . some Opthamologists do a basic crescent eyelift. .  unless they have great credentials and years of experience, i would avoid having them do this surgery.

a good Oculoplastic surgeon will not just do a crescent lift. many times too much skin is removed by doctors using the most basic technique, resulting in the eye not closing completely.

if possible look for a doctor who is FACS  (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons)

[Carmie]

My older sister had it done about seven years ago.  Medicare covered it.  She was black and blue for a while, but everything went well and it looked great afterward.

Forward to today.  Her eyes lids are drooping again,  she just had a second cornea transplant in January and I go with  with her to the dr office.  The assistants have to hold back her eyelids with a q- tip to do certain tests because they block her vision again.

I don't think the surgery is a once and done.  My sister does not want to have it done again.

[software]

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@Carmie wrote:

My older sister had it done about seven years ago.  Medicare covered it.  She was black and blue for a while, but everything went well and it looked great afterward.

Forward to today.  Her eyes lids are drooping again,  she just had a second cornea transplant in January and I go with  with her to the dr office.  The assistants have to hold back her eyelids with a q- tip to do certain tests because they block her vision again.

I don't think the surgery is a once and done.  My sister does not want to have it done again.

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No plastic surgery is forever, even for medical reasons.    An eyelid lift is good for about 5 years.   My late mom had it done, partially because she had a keloid on one from an old injury when she was in her 20s.  Her surgery was very successful but she was already in her 70s.

[pattypeep]

@Perkup  My dh had both eyes done about 10 years ago based on his eye Dr.s recommendation. No problems whatsoever and he healed up very, very well. He's kind of a big baby, so if he did good, then anybody can. LOL