The Moment Your Eyes Change, You Meet a New You — Everything About Choosing Double Eyelid Surgery
Why I Used Double Eyelid Tape as Often as Glasses In my midtwenties, at a company interview. I checked my eyes one last time in the mirror before ente...
Why I Used Double Eyelid Tape as Often as Glasses
In my mid-twenties, at a company interview. I checked my eyes one last time in the mirror before entering the interview room, and I noticed the interviewer's gaze kept drifting toward my forehead. I was exhausted from opening my eyes using my forehead muscles all day. From that moment, a small habit began. Every morning at my vanity, I would apply double eyelid tape, and every evening, I would remove it. At first, it was a desire to look special, but at some point, it had become a "dependency."
This article is written based on the 25-year career and thousands of surgical experiences of Dr. Kim Jae-ryong from Kim Jae-ryong Plastic Surgery. Eye surgery is not merely cosmetic; it is a process of accurately understanding your own eye structure and making the right choices. In this article, I will follow one person's eye transformation journey and show you how to find the optimal surgical method.
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What You Need to Confirm Before Facing Yourself in the Mirror
"Do I really need double eyelids?" "Is the under-eye fat really a problem?"
The emptiness and frustration I felt the moment I removed the tape seemed like something no one else would understand. As I began to think about surgery, the first question I encountered was "What exactly is the condition of my eyes?" I only found out after visiting a plastic surgery clinic in Seo-gu, Daejeon and receiving a consultation. My eyes were not simply "eyes without double eyelids." The eyelid skin was thin and elastic, the eye-opening strength (levator palpebrae function) was at a normal level, and the under-eye fat was not excessive.
The most important discovery was this: If you don't understand exactly what structure your eyes have, you cannot get the desired results after surgery. Unless you check these five things — eyelid thickness, fat distribution, eye-opening muscle function, left-right balance, and under-eye condition — it's easy to end up with a surgery that desires "someone else's eye results."
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So Many Surgical Methods — Which One Is Right for My Eyes?
"Aren't all double eyelid surgeries the same?" This was the question I had when I first received a consultation. But what I learned during the consultation was surprising. Eye surgery had multiple methods, and each method was tailored to different eye structures.
In my case, the consulting doctor presented three methods: the burial method (fixed with thread without incision), the incision method (incision of the eyelid to fix), and the partial incision method (minimizing the incision area). Why are there three different methods? It was because each method produces different results depending on skin elasticity, fat amount, age, and skin condition.
The burial method has fast recovery and looks natural, but there is a relatively higher possibility of dissolution. The incision method has strong semi-permanent durability, but has a longer recovery period and requires scar management. The partial incision method is a middle point between the two and seemed to fit perfectly with my eye condition (thin skin, low fat amount).
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The Days I Even Considered Epicanthoplasty — What Do I Really Need?
With each consultation, another choice appeared. To make the eyes appear larger, I could consider epicanthoplasty (removal of the Mongolian fold) or lateral canthoplasty. At first, I was tempted. Since I'm having surgery anyway, wouldn't making the eyes larger be better?
But accurate analysis at Kim Jae-ryong Plastic Surgery prevented this. During the consultation, the doctor looked at both frontal and side profile photos and said, "Your eyes are already a size that suits your face well. Epicanthoplasty changes the eye shape itself, and this needs to be thought through carefully." At that moment, I realized: the danger of adding unnecessary surgery out of greed.
Epicanthoplasty should be considered when the Mongolian fold is pronounced or the inner corner of the eye looks stuffy. My eyes were not like that. It's not just that they look sleepy or stuffy—I understood that additional procedures should only be done when there is a truly structural need.
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The Real Feelings on Surgery Day — Imagination vs. Reality
As the surgery date approached, anxiety and anticipation were intertwined. The feeling until entering the operating room was like a turning point in life. And what I felt during the surgery was simpler than expected. Rather than pain, there was pressure, vibration, and the constant sensation of fingers moving around the eyes. With good anesthesia, the actual time was less than 20 minutes, but it felt much longer.
The moment I left the operating room, I held up a mirror. My eyes were swollen when I first saw them. It was expected. From right after surgery, I followed what the plastic surgery clinic in Seo-gu, Daejeon recommended. I did cold compresses alternately, avoided heavy makeup, and was extremely careful not to rub my eyes. From day 3, I helped blood circulation with warm compresses.
The most surprising change was on day 5. As the swelling reduced, the line began to appear. The thrill of that moment was hard to express in words. The double eyelid line I had wanted, but could not create with tape, had now become "my eyes."
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What I Learned During the Recovery Process — Management Creates Results
I learned through experience that the recovery process is as important as the surgery. The first 2 weeks were particularly critical. I gave up contacts and switched to glasses, and consciously broke the habit of rubbing my eyes. Even when showering, I was careful not to let water touch my eyes directly. I also broke the habit of rubbing my face on the pillow.
The most difficult part was waiting. When I looked in the mirror a week later, there was disappointment thinking "Is that still the extent?" But from the second week, changes became noticeably apparent. By the third week, the swelling had mostly subsided. By the fourth week, a natural original appearance began to emerge. If I hadn't understood this process, I might have mistaken it for a "surgical failure."
The three most important management items were: First, UV protection. Every time I went out in the sun, I applied sunscreen carefully. Second, minimizing stimulation around the eyes. Makeup was minimal and done gently only. Third, sufficient rest. I avoided all-nighters and late-night phone use.
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3 Months Later, Really Facing Myself
When I looked in the mirror at the 3-month mark, my emotions were different from when I first decided to have surgery. It wasn't surprise or anticipation. It was just a natural acceptance that "these are really my eyes." I no longer searched for tape. The anxiety I spent time with at my vanity every morning was gone.
Changes appeared even in interview settings. The interviewer's eyes no longer drifted to my forehead. They naturally went back and forth between my eyes and mouth. Fatigue decreased in video conferences too. There was no need to use my forehead muscles anymore. When taking photos, I no longer thought about double eyelid tape.
The most unexpected gain was confidence. It was good that my eyes changed, but the disappearance of anxiety about appearance was an even bigger change. The act of looking at myself in the mirror itself became enjoyable. The importance of "understanding structure" that the doctor mentioned at my first consultation was now felt firsthand.
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Selection Criteria I Wish I Had Known from the Beginning
| Category | When There Are No Double Eyelids | When There Is Ptosis | When Under-Eye Fat Is Prominent |
|------|------|------|------|
| Recommended Surgery | Burial method or partial incision method | Incision method (including ptosis correction) | Under-eye fat removal (additional procedure) |
| Recovery Period | 1-2 weeks (can return to society) | 2-3 weeks (extra time needed) | 2 weeks additional |
| Durability | 3-5 years or semi-permanent | Semi-permanent | Semi-permanent |
| Considerations | Skin elasticity confirmation essential | Check for forehead wrinkles | Must also consider under-eye hollowness |
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Frequently Asked Questions — Everything Everyone Wants to Know Before Surgery
Q1. Can double eyelid surgery dissolve again after surgery?
A: It depends on the method. With the burial method, there is about a 10-20% chance of loosening after 3-5 years. With the incision method, it generally lasts semi-permanently. Therefore, you should consider both your skin condition and desired duration together. Dr. Kim Jae-ryong, with 25 years of experience, emphasizes that "the first surgery is most important." If you do it right the first time, you can avoid revision surgery.
Q2. Do I need to get under-eye fat removal done together?
A: It is recommended only when under-eye fat is severely protruding. Having some fat under the eyes gives the face fullness, so removing it excessively can later result in a sunken appearance. In cases like mine where under-eye fat is within normal range, there's no need to add it.
Q3. When can I return to daily life after surgery?
A: With the burial method, you can return after 3-5 days, and with the incision method, after 1-2 weeks. However, "possible" and "recommended" are different. During the initial 2 weeks, avoiding stimulation to the eyes determines the results, so if possible, it's better to take time off or adjust your schedule. If there are urgent meetings or events, you can cover the swelling with sunglasses.
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Conclusion: Double Eyelid Surgery Is Not a "Choice" but a Process of "Understanding"
Looking back now, my reason for choosing surgery wasn't "to be pretty." It was actually "to be myself." I knew that applying and removing tape every day wasn't my true self. And now, 3 months after surgery, the person in the mirror is truly "myself."
Eye surgery is both a medical decision and a life choice. Therefore, rather than chasing superficial "pretty results," accurately understanding your own eye structure and carefully judging which surgical method is right for you is most important. Some people need only double eyelids, some need under-eye management, some need additional epicanthoplasty — everyone is different.
Get your eye surgery consultation at Kim Jae-ryong Plastic Surgery in Seo-gu, Daejeon. Dr. Kim Jae-ryong, with 25 years of experience, does not simply recommend "surgery." He analyzes your eye structure, presents only what is truly necessary, and takes responsibility through the post-operative recovery process. For consultation, please contact 042-477-0011.
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