Chalazion removal?

[annoyingeyelump]

Has anyone had one surgically removed from their eyelid and could tell me about it please? I’ve had a pea size lump for many months in one upper eyelid, sometimes it swells bigger and the pressure is uncomfortable, but it’s not life threatening or anything - just looks unpleasant and causes regular styes, which themselves get infected and sore. My doc has said we’ve now done all the steps and as it’s not budged for over 6 months, next step is a referral for surgery, or to just keep leaving it alone and live with it. I’m feeling reluctant to mess with my eyes if it’s risky/pointless and could grow back anyway, but also wondering if it’s better to get rid of it now rather than live with potentially another 40+ years of painful styes and infections!

DS (aged 15) just had one removed. It was done privately, under a local anaesthetic. I think he had it for 4 months before we went to see someone. Annoyingly it came back so the process was repeated.

My son had one removed. Under general.
4 yrs on he has a scar but it's where his eye lid crease is.

Not removed but took maybe 8mths to go via eye cream

this was my 3yr daughter

they did discuss removal but eventually did go

I have! It was pretty straight forward, quick and painless. They did have to inject anaesthetic to numb the area but even that isnt as bad as it sounds. They clamped the eyelid, flipped it inside out and did their thing. I think the thought of it is worse than the reality really. I didn't have to wear an eyepatch which was a little disappointing because I fancied pretending to be a pirate. It felt a little like there was something in my eye for a few days because the incision was on the inside of the eyelid and it was very mildly uncomfortable but that's about it.

Oh I also had another one for a very long time, maybe a year, that I was meant to have surgery for but one day it started to feel a little painful whereas before it had been completely painless and later that day I moved my eyelid with my finger to have a look to see if there was actually something in my eye and, well I'll spare the details but I wish I had been filming it because it was fairly ehh explosive...

Oooh @littleorangefox i would give anything for that to happen to mine, I love a good sporner corner moment. Was it just a lump of oil?

@Blondeshavemorefun what cream did you find helped it? I’ve had mine probably around 8 months, tried various things but never yet discovered a cream that has helped.

@Justwingingit2005was your son able to choose between local or general? I’m a bit worried about both options!

@MeridaBravewas it the exact same location it came back? This is what I’m also worried about, I’ve read it’s quite common.

thanks all!

I had one removed via the NHS during covid and I found it completely traumatising.

My husband wasn't allowed to be with me and I had an appointment for 10am. By midday I was still sitting there. I finally got it done and left after about 6hrs.

I found everything about it traumatising. It hurt. I had the main one on my top lid removed and a small one at the bottom. I did need an eye patch.

It healed quickly, but one of them came back. Luckily it isn't that noticabe. But if I had it done again I'd definitely go privately.

It was a new smaller one right beside the original one. So it needed the same treatment (another local etc).

He was then put on a low dose antibiotic for 3-4 weeks to make sure it didn’t come back again (it didn’t).

Not oily no. It was like thick pus basically. And blood. Pretty gruesome 😂

When I got the surgery on the other chalazion, they said they had never seen so much come out of one. Pretty proud of that tbh.

Dr said general.
From leaving ward to recovery room was 60 mins.
He had around 6 or 7 stitches and a slight black eye.

Have you tried a heated eye mask? https://amzn.eu/d/4X9DVrM I used one of these on the recommendation of an acquaintance who works at Moorfields, and it made a massive difference and disappeared entirely within a couple of weeks.

I had one on my top right eyelid removed privately last month. They numb you first which was pretty painful then they use a device to hold your eyelid in place, make the incision and scoop the gunk out this part was a bit painful but more of a very very unpleasant sensation. I can’t describe what it felt like just horrid. I was squeezing the lovely nurse’s hand throughout and I think even she was quite traumatised by it, as when she was walking me back to reception she kept saying she doesn’t know how I done it. It was all over in about 10mins although it felt a lot longer. I did come out and say I would never have it done again but i probably would if it was very noticeable. He then put an eyepatch on me advised leaving it for a few hours then rub antibiotic cream in I think it was twice a day for 5 days. I won’t lie to you, once the anaesthetic wore off I was in quite a lot of pain but paracetamol / ibuprofen worked. Your eye will be very swollen and bruised for about a week, at least mine was anyway and it will feel quite gritty too. I also have one on my lower lid, when I had the first consultation the ophthalmologist said no need to drain etc because it was quite small, it has definitely got bigger but it’s not as noticeable as it’s on my lower lid so I am leaving it. I would do it in a heartbeat if it was under general but I don’t think my insurance would cover it as technically it can be done under local.

Honestly I can’t rem. this was around 6yrs ago. We had cream and sure had liquid antib for weeks. Like 6/8w

whatever the doc gave her

it did take a long time to go and once did never came back - touches wood

Ok lots to think about, thank you all. The idea of being awake while my eyelid is flipped around makes me feel quite ill!

yes @SolasumI’ve used a heated mask for years as I’ve always had problems with blepharitis and styes, it’s just not enough for this stubborn lump sadly.

This was my experience. I had it done at Moorfields about 15 years ago. The worst part was the anaesthetic injection. However was all very quick. I’d definitely get it done in your shoes.