What are the signs too much skin has been removed after blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)?

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty involves removing excess skin to create a smoother, more open appearance. However, the eyelid skin is delicate and plays an essential role in protecting and lubricating the eye. If too much skin is removed, this can affect both function and appearance.

Inability to close the eyes (lagophthalmos)

One of the clearest signs that excessive skin may have been removed is difficulty fully closing the eyes. You may notice a small gap when trying to shut your eyes, particularly when sleeping. This can leave the surface of the eye exposed and vulnerable to irritation.

Dry or irritated eyes

When the eyelids cannot close properly, the tear film does not spread evenly across the eye. This can lead to ongoing dryness, burning, watering, light sensitivity or a gritty sensation. While mild dryness can occur during normal healing, persistent symptoms may indicate a structural issue.

Surprised or staring appearance

If the eyelid is too tight following surgery, the eyes may appear overly open. This can create a constant “surprised” or staring expression that does not reflect your natural facial movement. This change may be more noticeable when your face is at rest.

Hollow upper eyelids

Excessive removal of skin or underlying fat can alter the natural contour of the upper eyelid. Instead of a smooth transition between the brow and eyelid, the area may look hollow or sunken. This can give the eyes a more aged or skeletal appearance rather than a refreshed result.

Scleral show

Scleral show occurs when more of the white part of the eye is visible beneath the iris than before surgery. This is more commonly associated with lower eyelid procedures but can also be linked to tension or overcorrection. It may contribute to dryness and an unnatural look.

If you are experiencing any of these serious complications after blepharoplasty, it is advisable to seek medical assessment. Early review can help determine the cause and identify appropriate treatment options.

What is your surgeon's duty of care to prevent bad eyelid surgery?

Every plastic surgeon has a professional and legal duty of care to protect their patients from avoidable harm such as excess skin removal. This duty applies before, during and after the eyelid surgery is performed.

Before the procedure

• Your surgeon must conduct a full assessment, considering your anatomy, skin quality, muscle tone and brow position to determine if you are a suitable candidate for eyelid surgery.
• They must clearly explain the potential complications and risks associated with the blepharoplasty procedure.

They must obtain your informed consent, ensuring you fully understand the procedure and its risks before you agree to it.

During the procedure

• The surgery must be performed according to accepted clinical standards, using the proper technique.
• The surgeon must exercise reasonable skill and care, which includes removing a conservative and appropriate amount of skin and fat to achieve the desired result without causing functional issues. Removing too much skin is a clear failure in this duty.

After the procedure

• Your surgeon must provide clear and comprehensive aftercare instructions to support your healing process.
• They must monitor your recovery and respond promptly to any concerns you raise or complications that occur, such as infection or severe pain.

If a surgeon fails in any of these areas, and it results in blepharoplasty complications, this may constitute a breach of duty.

Can a botched eyelid procedure be fixed?

A botched eyelid procedure can often be fixed, depending on the nature and severity of the surgical error. Revision eyelid surgery (revision blepharoplasty) is designed to correct both cosmetic concerns and functional problems, such as difficulty closing the eyes or persistent irritation. Early assessment by an appropriately qualified specialist is important to protect eye health and restore a natural appearance.

Corrective treatment may involve a combination of advanced reconstructive techniques, including:

• Skin grafts to replace skin that has been removed excessively.
• Scar revision surgery to improve visible scarring or tightness.
• Eyelid repositioning to correct drooping, pulling or asymmetry.
• Canthoplasty or canthopexy to stabilise and support the eyelid.
• Fat grafting or redistribution to restore volume and contour.

Revision eyelid surgery is typically more complex than the original procedure. Scar tissue, altered anatomy and reduced tissue availability can make surgical planning significantly more challenging. For this reason, it is essential to choose a skilled plastic surgeon who specialises in revision blepharoplasty. Surgeons experienced in corrective procedures are better equipped to manage complications safely, prioritise eyelid function and achieve a balanced, natural result.

If you are living with complications following eyelid surgery, specialist legal advice can also help you understand whether you may be entitled to compensation for avoidable harm caused by negligent treatment.

What can botched eyelid surgery compensation cover?

If you have undergone a blepharoplasty surgery where too much skin was removed, you may feel distressed about your appearance and worried about your health. A successful compensation claim can help you manage the consequences of a negligent surgical procedure.

Every claim is assessed individually, but compensation can typically cover:

• The cost of corrective surgery: this is often the most significant part of a claim. Correcting an unsuccessful eyelid procedure is challenging and may require complex revision surgery, such as skin grafts to add skin back to the eyelid, fat grafting to restore volume or canthoplasty/canthopexy procedures to support and tighten the lower lid.
• Further medical treatment: including costs for eye drops, medication for dry eyes, or other ongoing therapies.
• Psychological support: the emotional distress from a poorly performed cosmetic eyelid surgery can be significant, and compensation can cover therapy costs.
• Loss of earnings: if you had to take extra time off work for recovery or for revision surgery.
• Pain and suffering: compensation for the physical discomfort and emotional impact the avoidable harm has had on your life.

Our goal is to ensure you receive the financial support needed to address the harm caused and help you move forward.

How we build your case

We understand that pursuing a legal claim can feel daunting, particularly when it follows a procedure that has already caused distress. At Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, we keep the process clear and methodical. We handle each stage of the claim with the level of care and technical understanding that cosmetic surgery cases require.

Our process for building your case involves:

• Gathering evidence: we obtain your full medical records from the original surgery, including consultation notes, consent forms and operative reports, as well as records of any corrective treatment or follow-up care. This allows us to build a complete picture of what happened before, during and after your procedure.
• Instructing independent experts: we work with an experienced surgeon who specialises in oculoplastic and revision eyelid surgery to provide an independent assessment of your treatment. They will review the records and examine the outcome to determine if the care you received fell below the accepted standard, for example through the excessive removal of eyelid skin.
• Assessing the breach of duty: based on the expert’s report, we establish whether there was a breach of duty and whether that breach directly caused your injuries. This medical evidence forms the foundation of your claim.
• Calculating the full impact: we carefully document how the incorrectly performed eyelid surgery has affected your physical health, vision, emotional wellbeing and financial position. This may include the cost of further treatment, loss of earnings and the wider impact on your daily life, so that the appropriate level of compensation can be assessed.
• Negotiating your settlement: we present the medical and financial evidence to the other party and seek to negotiate a fair settlement. The majority of our claims are resolved without the need for court proceedings.
• Preparing for court: in the rare event that a settlement cannot be agreed, we will prepare your case for court. We will guide and support you throughout, ensuring you understand each stage of the process.

Throughout your claim, you will have direct access to a specialist solicitor who understands the complexities of cosmetic surgery negligence. Our focus is to secure fair compensation while making the process as straightforward and supported as possible for you.

How long do you have to claim?

In the UK, there are strict time limits for making a medical negligence claim. Typically, you have three years to start a claim from the date the negligent surgery took place.

However, the three-year period can also start from the "date of knowledge." This is the date you first became aware that your injury or complications were potentially caused by the surgery you received. Our solicitors can provide a clear assessment of your specific circumstances and advise you on the time limit that applies to your case.