Rejection of facia in ptosis repair?

[Satori]

Were I think 7 mo post repair (see post below for that adventure) and she still has a lot of swelling. The last couple nights she has complained of pain and its been pretty swollen and the lid has extended out past the eye brow if your getting a birds eye view. I've repeatedly asked the surgeon if she's rejecting it becasue it keeps swelling. He's not sure and keeps saying "wait and see". I can't find much, ok, anything on rejection of facia and what it looks like. General organ rejection says swelling of the area is rare but rejection is caused by T cells attacking the tissue (T cells are what search out and destroy infection). She's immune deficient but her T cells are fine, her defect is in the B cells (they remember infection and keep us immune from prior infection) so its quite possible for her to reject the implant.

She had swelling issues from the first silicone implant and they thought she was rejecting that one but never did anything and finally replaced with facia when they tried to tighten the silicone and discovered the implant was broken.

So, anyone know what rejection would look like? Her labs have indicated inflammation in her body but no infection. We have what seems like a zillion Dr's and none are on the same page and we can't get them in the same room. We see ophthalmology next week and I'm going to demand to see the plastic surgeon while where there and try getting them in the same room.

[cheryl2]

I'm so sorry your daughter is going through all this. You have really been through the mill. I wish I had some answers for you. I just want to wish you luck at your appointment next week.

[Tawnia]

Aw I wish I could help! I just wanted to send prayers your way!

[dannlark]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. It's terrible not to have any answers... I can't help either but am too sending you lots of prayers that you find out what's going soon. You're such a strong Mommy!! Keep up the good work.

[Mom2Julia]

My daughter's ptosis surgery is in the new year and I'm dreading it a bit knowing what you have gone through with this. Very frustrating to know she is still having issues with it as I thought it was an "easy" surgery according to our doctor. Is it something you can get a second opinion on?

[cheryl2]

Hi Kim, my daughter had her ptosis surgery a few years ago and had no complications. I think what Satori's daughter is going through is unusual. I would make sure her doctor has experience with this type of surgery of course.
take care!

[Mom2Julia]

Hi Cheryl,
That is encouraging..may I ask if your daughter can close her eyes all the way now that she has had the surgery or if you need to use drops etc if they dry out when she sleeps...

[cheryl2]

It sure looks like Clara can close her eyes all the way, though her eye lashes are so long it's hard to tell. Sometimes it looks like the the right eye is open a tiny bit. We don't use drops.

Her surgeon used silicone rods to raise the lids. The rods are more flexible than the fascia tissue so they can close their eyes more easily.

I had the surgery done as a child. They used fascia tissue from my leg. I do not close my eyes all the way when I sleep. I am able to close my eyes all the way if you ask me too, but when I sleep they are partially open. I use drops generally before bed and in the morning. It seems like my eyes have been getting drier as I get older. I remember being told I couldn't have contacts because my eyes dry out easily, though they may have better contacts now.

I know some surgeons still prefer to use the fascia since it is natural tissue. There may be other advantages as well. But the silicone rods were very successful for Clara, and she can close her eyes much better than I can. Plus she doesn't have a big scar on her leg so they could get the fascia.

That sure was a long answer to a short question. Hope it helped. Good luck with your daughter's surgery :-)

[Mom2Julia]

Thanks...that is helpful. Julia is getting the silicone slings and the doc comes well recommended so fingers crossed!