The Facts About Double Eyelid Revision

Over the recent years, double eyelid surgery has seen the rise in popularity and has even ranked as one of the top five most requested surgical cosmetic procedure according to many statistics. And when you go in a clinic for a double eyelid surgery consultation, there is definitely that ultimate end goal that you always keep in mind – and that is to come out feeling truly satisfied with the results after finally deciding to undergo a successful cosmetic procedure.

But as with any cosmetic surgery, the possibility of risks and complications can happen and should never be undermined. While extremely rare, a poor double eyelid surgery result can happen, especially if you approached a cosmetic surgeon who lacks the extensive professional experience to perform the procedure. 

And an independent study has revealed that one in five cosmetic surgery patients are unhappy with their cosmetic surgery results without it necessarily being a botched procedure. Major plastic surgery associations do not keep data of redo’s or revisions. However, if you are one of the few unfortunate ones who belong to the unaccounted statistics, there is a way to correct a poor double eyelid surgery outcome. And that is with a double eyelid surgery revision.

What is Double Eyelid Surgery?

Double eyelid surgery revision is a cosmetic procedure that involves correcting a previously performed double eyelid surgery that has resulted in a poor aesthetic outcome. This is typically requested because of insufficient evaluation during consultation with the patient, poor use of technique and poor execution during the first procedure. Sometimes, poor tissue healing can be a factor in an unsatisfactory result, which can lead to a revision procedure.

While some would consider that double eyelid surgery is a very simple cosmetic procedure because it only involves operating on a very “minor” body part, it actually requires aesthetic finesse and technical expertise on the part of the surgeon to create a natural-looking and balanced outcome.

At the onset, when you seek to get your first double eyelid surgery done, it is important that you openly discuss with your doctor the healing and recovery process that is involved in your treatment. It is important to note that it takes about ten months to a year before you will be able to see the final results. However, after the swelling has subsided after two weeks from your date of operation, you will be able to see a noticeable degree of the surgery outcome.

That is why it is important that you allow your eyelids enough time to properly hear before deciding on getting a revision surgery done. It is even suggested that you wait until after six months from your date of surgery. This is because minor flaws will gradually improve and disappear as your eyelids heal.

Aesthetic Issues that Require Revision

However, there are some serious imbalances that may require a double eyelid surgery revision. Here are some of the most common problems that may require a revision procedure.  

1. Unsatisfactory height of the eyelid folds

A common reason for getting a double eyelid surgery revision done is that the eyelid folds are either too high or too low.

Changing a double eyelid fold that is too low to make it higher is a relatively easy procedure to perform. This is usually corrected with a non-incision technique by creating a new fold. The former lower fold will become negligible as the new higher fold becomes dominant.

However in the case of too high eyelids and making lower, it involves a much more sophisticated approach that require great surgical expertise. If you still have excess skin on your eyelid, your surgeon will need to excise the excess skin and create a new fold that is lower. On the other hand, if there is no excess skin, it involves a more elaborate technique of undoing the previous crease and buffering the eyelid with fat before a new crease is created.

2. Loosening folds

This can be caused by either the inability of the fatty eyelid skin to support the sutures or the sutures are not tightly set in place to create the crease. In this case, your surgeon will simply recreate or reapply the suture with or without the need to remove the previous sutures.

3. Mismatched double eyelids

Asymmetry is major concern when getting a double eyelid surgery done. But before considering revision, you need to observe the eyelids first one to two months after the surgery. However, when a noticeable difference is still observed after six months, that is the time to get a consultation done for a revision. For the case of mismatched double eyelids, your doctor will properly assess the appropriate course of action, which may involve altering the height of either of the eyelids.

It is important to take note, though, that seeking for perfectly symmetrical eyelids is unrealistic. Your doctor will assess the natural shape of your eyes and will work his best at achieving a balanced outcome, rather than strive for perfection.

4. Formation of multiple creases

An absence of a defined crease coupled with multiple folds is also one common reason to get a revision done. This can be caused due to inadequate deep fixation, excessive fat removal and/ or possible damage to the levator muscle complex. Correcting this involves making an incision on the existing scar and retrieving the remaining orbital fat from the eyelid to eliminate infolding of the underlying skin. This will create that one defined eyelid crease.

5. No noticeable crease after surgery

This can result when there is no adequate fat that extends forward from the socket, which creates the formation of multiple creases, as mentioned earlier. This occurrence can make the eyelid seem aged. This can be corrected by performing the same technique as in correcting multiple creases.

6. Ptosis

One of the more serious results of poor double eyelid surgery is when ptosis has developed. This usually occurs for patients who have a borderline ptosis condition that was not accounted for during consultation. This can result to droopy upper eyelid, covering the crease created. This can be corrected by performing a ptosis surgery instead, which involves tightening the eye elevating muscles and excising the excess skin that droops over the crease.

It usually takes a year or more from your date of surgery to be able to see the final results. The healing and recovery involved is generally the same as that with your first double eyelid surgery.

Who to Approach?

When getting a revision done, you can still approach the same surgeon who performed your first surgery if you are still confident with his expertise and credentials. Otherwise, you can seek the advice of another cosmetic surgeon who is more competent and has the extensive experience in performing revision surgery.

A double eyelid surgery revision is doubly complex and delicate as with double eyelid surgery. It is important that you are able to thoroughly discuss the process, techniques and healing process involved with your double eyelid surgery revision. This way you are equipped with the proper information that will help assure you of a satisfied result. Also, always keep in mind a realistic expectation with your surgery.

If you looking for a qualified double eyelid surgery doctor to enhance your facial features, you can trust that Dr. Andrew Kim of Advance Beauty Cosmetic Surgery will provide you with a comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment. Dr. Kim is renowned cosmetic surgeon Australia who specializes on performing double eyelid surgery. Call us now to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Kim today!