Lateral and Lower Canthoplasty: 1-Month Recovery Review

Before Consultation

"Whenever I take photos, my eyes always look so small and stuffy."

While she didn't worry too much about it in everyday life,

our patient was stressed every time she took pictures because the outer corners of her eyes appeared upturned and the back corners looked closed off.

Following the consultation with our chief surgeon,

✔ Upturned outer corners

✔ Closed-off outer eye anatomy

✔ An overly sharp or fierce look

lateral and lower canthoplasty was planned to address these concerns.

Day of Surgery

The most important step before surgery is the surgical design.

Lateral and lower canthoplasty is not just about enlarging the eyes as much as possible, but designing with careful consideration of:

✔ How naturally the corners will open

✔ Maintaining left-right symmetry

✔ Preserving a natural appearance even when smiling

The surgery was safely completed,

and the patient was discharged to return home on the same day without requiring hospitalization.

Immediately Post-Op to Day 3

Although there was some swelling and slight redness/congestion,

it caused surprisingly little disruption to daily activities.

The patient shared,

"I was surprised because the swelling was much less than I had expected."

While the eye shape might still look slightly unnatural due to swelling at this stage,

this is a natural phase in the recovery journey, so there is no need to worry.

Day 7 Post-Op

The eagerly awaited stitch removal day!

As swelling gradually subsided,

the previously closed-off eye contour opened up,

and the horizontal length of the eyes began to look visibly longer.

Although this is not the final result yet,

this is the period where visible improvements start to become prominent.

1 Month Post-Op

Major swelling has mostly resolved,

but around the 1-month mark, lateral and lower canthoplasty can often look slightly overcorrected during this recovery phase.

Some patients may feel the outer corners have been lowered a bit too much or that the opening seems excessive,

but this is often a temporary stage as tissues settle and heal.

Therefore, rather than rushing to judge the outcome at this stage,

it is important to allow ample time for the recovery process to unfold.

3 Months Post-Op

At the 3-month mark, tissues have settled stably,

and the eye shape appears much more natural.

The initial appearance of slight overcorrection has softened,

revealing:

✔ Naturally elongated eyes

✔ Softer, gentler outer eye corners

✔ A clear, defined, yet warm and approachable impression

What the patient was most pleased with was hearing:

"People tell me my overall impression looks so much softer and brighter, rather than asking if I had eye surgery done."

Lateral and lower canthoplasty is not simply a procedure to make the eyes larger; it is a procedure that designs your overall eye contour and personal impression.

In particular,

✔ The angle of the outer canthus

✔ The degree of opening

✔ Scar placement

✔ Natural movement after recovery

must all be meticulously calculated during design to achieve the highest satisfaction.

Additionally, because the healing process around the 1-month mark can temporarily appear overcorrected,

it is recommended to evaluate the final results after approximately 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hospitalization required after lateral and lower canthoplasty?

No, you can be safely discharged to go home on the same day without hospitalization. Patients can resume daily routines shortly after the procedure.

When are the stitches removed after canthoplasty?

Stitches are removed on Day 7 post-operation. From this point forward, swelling reduces noticeably, and the elongated horizontal length of the eyes becomes visible.

Can the eyes look overcorrected at the 1-month mark?

Yes, around 1 month post-op, the corners might look temporarily overcorrected or slightly pulled down. This is a common, transient phase while tissues heal and settle into place.

When can the final results of lateral and lower canthoplasty be determined?

It is best to evaluate the final outcome around 3 months post-op. By 3 months, the tissues have stabilized, the initial overcorrected appearance softens, and a natural, refined eye contour is achieved.