What are the Potential Eyelid Surgery Complications?
As a Cosmetic Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon, I deal with complications of eyelid surgery
for patients coming from around the world. Eyelid surgery ranks every year among the
top 5 popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed. Unfortunately, a significant percentage
of people undergoing eyelid surgery will have undesirable cosmetic outcomes such as drooping
of the upper eyelid or skin shortage resulting in eye exposure. Lower eyelid changes in my
experience is even more common such as lower eyelid rounding or scleral show. More serious
complications also occur such as lower eyelid retraction or eyelids pulled down or ectropion
which means the lower eyelid is everted and the inside is exposed. The question which
naturally follows is “how do you lower your risk for complications”? I would say that
as in other fields of medicine where specialized disciplines have evolved as the knowledge
and techniques became too much for a generalist to master, it is everyone’s interest who’s
considering cosmetic surgery to understand that plastic surgery is too broad a field
for one surgeon to be exceptional in every area. This trend began several decades ago
as the specialties of Cosmetic Surgery and Oculofacial Plastic Surgery became well defined
areas for surgeons to specialize in. Unfortunately, this evolution has been perceived as a threat
by a large group of general plastic surgeons who campaign with the term of “board certified
plastic surgeon” as way to deceive the public into perceiving them as superior to doctors
who are Cosmetic Surgeons or Specialty based cosmetic surgeons. In addition to background
training, practice focus results in experience at a deeper level. For example some plastic
surgeons do a lot of reconstructive breast surgery so although they had a more general
background in training, they chose a practice focus which ultimately gave them a higher
level of specialization which can be argued provides their patient with a higher level
of care. In my opinion, complications which are associated with the level surgeon’s
background and experience can best be avoided by having the procedure performed by a surgeon
with specialized training in eyelid surgery and practice focused on cosmetic eyelid surgery.
Other surgical complications can also be minimized by the surgeon spending a lot of time with
you to learn about your medical history and the details of your desired results. In addition,
in my experience, complications related to general anesthesia are avoided by performing
all my procedures under local anesthesia and LITE™ intravenous sedation. I also find
that performing the procedure efficiently with minimal trauma and working with my own
dedicated team of assistants who know my system results in a better patient experience and
quicker recovery.