5 Common Eyelid Surgery Recovery Myths: Scars to Dry Eye

Many patients tell me that because of the appearance of their eyes, they’re often asked if they’re feeling tired, even when they’re well-rested and feeling energized. Often the culprit is sagging or wrinkled eyelids, and the good news is that eyelid surgery can usually address this common condition. However, men and women considering eyelid surgery at my Toronto practice often have misconceptions about the procedure, including eyelid surgery recovery and visible scars. I want to debunk those myths here.

Eyelid surgery is actually 1 of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed every year, in part because it’s a procedure that many men get. Also called blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery can be performed on either the upper or lower eyelids, or both. The results can dramatically improve someone’s appearance by creating a more youthful and rested look.

In this blog post, I’ll explain why the myths surrounding eyelid surgery aren’t true and reinforce why the procedure is so beneficial.

Myth No. 1:  Chronic dry eye is a common side effect

The risk of developing chronic dry eye after eyelid surgery is extremely low for patients who choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to perform the procedure. The condition is more likely to develop when an inexperienced surgeon overcorrects and removes too much skin during the surgery. (This is why the surgeon’s experience matters when seeking eyelid surgery.) I’ve performed thousands of eyelid surgeries during my career and am proud of the results and very low rate of complications experienced by my patients.

Myth No. 2: Eyelid surgery results in noticeable scars

Not true. After healing from eyelid surgery, most patients have a difficult time detecting where I’ve made incisions. That’s because the techniques used by facial plastic surgeons when performing blepharoplasty hide the incisions. For upper eyelid surgery, I typically make incisions within the natural folds of the eyelids. Lower eyelid incisions are made in the lash line if I’m removing excess skin during the procedure. If the patient doesn’t need skin removed, the incision goes inside the eyelid.

Myth No. 3: You can’t minimize dark circles with eyelid surgery

This is a myth that even some plastic surgeons perpetuate. Dark circles under the eyes are one of the most difficult cosmetic concerns to address, but lower blepharoplasty can improve the undereye appearance in many cases. Using a transconjunctival incision (inside the lower eyelid), I can remove and reposition fat, which is often responsible for the appearance of dark circles. It’s important to discuss this with your surgeon during the consultation. Surgery combined with fillers is another option.

Myth No. 4: Eyelid surgery can remove crow’s feet

Crow’s feet—the fine lines that develop at the corners of the eyes—cannot be corrected through eyelid surgery. These lines are “dynamic” wrinkles caused by squinting and other repeated muscle contractions. BOTOX Cosmetic® injections are the best treatments to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet.

Myth No. 5: Eyelid surgery is a simple procedure

This is a myth that can lead to poor results because men and women believe any surgeon can perform eyelid surgery. In fact, the delicate area around the eyes requires a deft and highly skilled plastic surgeon who should—at the very minimum—be a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Ideally, patients should choose a surgeon with additional specialized training. I’m actually 1 of only 2 plastic surgeons in Canada who are formally trained and certified in oculoplastic surgery (plastic surgery for the eyes).

A consultation with a trained and qualified plastic surgeon is the first step to creating a refreshed appearance through eyelid surgery. You can check out the photo gallery of before-and-after pictures featuring my actual patients or contact us using the online form to request a blepharoplasty consultation in Toronto. You can also call 1 of our 2 offices at (416) 925-7337 (Toronto) or (905) 743-9888 (Oshawa) to schedule an appointment.