What is Revision Surgery?
Revision Surgery is becoming a popular option with patients who have undergone previous surgical procedures – and with over two decades of surgical experience around the eyes, Dr Sabrina achieves some excellent results. Common reasons for seeking revision surgery are as a result of asymmetric or droopy eyelids (this is often found in those who have undergone ptosis surgery;) as well as those who have previously undergone a lower-lid blepharoplasty, and have since experienced issues such as skin falling away from the eyeball, bulges of fat at the lower corners of the eye, or changes to the angle of eyelid.
How does the procedure work?
Revision Surgery is a highly unique procedure that depends entirely upon the individual patient and their unique condition. For this reason, the initial consultation is of utmost importance. However, Revision Surgery can also be challenging as we often only discover the extent of the internal scarring upon operating – while fat loss in the periorbital area, or prior filler treatment, can also affect the success of a procedure. Finally, the downtime following a Revision Surgery can also be prolonged – this is because the eyelids can take longer to recover, especially if the lymphatic system has been affected. For this reason, managing patient expectations is paramount – after all, this is often a crisis for the patient, as well as their general confidence.
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Patient Questions About Eyelid Lifts And Brow Lifts
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks of Revision Surgery?
The risks of Revision Surgery include:
Infection: This is very rare; however, occasionally the stitches may become infected or inflamed. This can be swiftly settled with oral and topical antibiotics.
Scarring: Generally, scars are hidden in the skin fold, or the inner part of the lid. Stitches are normally visible for the first week, then, when they are removed, a faint scar is visible. While the scar may seem thickened and red for 6 to 12 weeks, it will gradually become almost invisible after that period. While not every scar heals equally well, silicone scar remodelling gel can improve the appearance of a thickened or reddened scar – however, the treatment needs to be continued for several months to have a good result.
Large bruise or haematoma: This is minimised by regular use of ice packs, avoiding heavy exercise for 2 weeks after surgery, and stopping aspirin and other anticoagulants (if safe so to do) 2 weeks pre-operatively. If you do experience a haematoma, you may have to go back into theatre to have the blood clot removed, and have your stitches redone. This runs the risk of a worse scar.
Theoretical risk to vision: Any eyelid surgery carries the risk that an undiagnosed infection or bleed could damage the optic nerve. This is so rare that, by comparison, a normal car journey poses a much greater risk to your vision.
“Hollow” appearance: This is rare, but can occur – usually when too much fat has been removed.
Temporary poor blink: Generally, blinking returns to normal within 12 weeks.
What is the recovery time following Revision Surgery?
About Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai MS, FRCS
Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai is a distinguished oculoplastic surgeon and one of London’s leading eye specialists. She has over two decades of surgical experience and is renowned for her ability to create a natural look.
Dr Sabrina has a deep anatomical knowledge of the periorbital area and an appreciation for the differences in treating both men and women. When raising the brows and eyelids in a male Upper-Lid Blepharoplasty, it is important to preserve the T-shaped brow – in order not to feminise their appearance.