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While swelling after any surgery is of course normal, it would be best to see your doctor to make sure you have not developed an infection in the operated area.  It is a bit unusual to see significant swelling in the face a week after a simple blepharoplasty.

If there is no evidence of an infection, he may recommend warm or cool compresses and elevation of the head at nighttime.  You may also want to discuss with him your activity level (i.e. working out), which can worsen early postoperative swelling.

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What you are experiencing is, in all likelihood, normal. Swelling that comes with reclining and goes away a while after you get up is usually not a dangerous situation, although it is always helpful to check in with your doctor to be sure.

Particularly in the head and face, when we lie down, we lose the effect that gravity provides in the upright position- gravity pulls any excess fluid down, which is why you might notice that your feet may swell during the day but be better in the morning.

The fluid that gravity causes to flow down to your trunk and to your legs gets re-distributed when you lay down, and all of your body parts, including your head, are at the same vertical level. Areas that have recently had surgery are more susceptible to swelling because the healing process may allow fluid to accumulate more in areas where the blood vessels and other drainage vessels are still regenerating.

This is the reason that we often ask patients to elevate the head of their bed at night- to keep the head and face at a higher level than the rest of the body, so gravity can help us with the swelling.

Hi Freakin',

No need to keep freaking out.  Be patient and the swelling will resolve.  I agree with the other docs answers.  Sometimes it takes a little time for the lymphatic vessels to re-establish their connections. 

Try to continue sleeping with your head elevated on a few pillows so that your eyes are above the level of your heart.  You may also try Bromelene (pineapple extract) or daily fresh pineapple, along with other anti-oxidant foods (berries, etc.).  Some patients swear by Arnica. 

Also limit your alcohol intake and smoking as they both retard healing.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

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upper eyelid swelling is not abnormal after blepharoplasty for up to 6-8 weeks. cold or warm compresses, reducing activity level, and rest helps resolves this. Obviously, you also need to see your plastic surgeon to make sure that you don't have an infection, etc. Finally, anti-inflammatory eyedrops might also help.

yours,

Sean Younai, MD, from beautifulfigure.com

Swelling is normal after upper eyelid surgery, and may last longer than a week in many cases.  Most commonly, the swelling is worse when patients awake from sleep, since their heads and faces are at the same level as the heart.  Typically, as patients remain upright over the course of the day, the swelling diminishes because the lymphatic tissue fluid that has built up overnight can now drain away from the eyelids with the assistance of gravity, so the swelling is usually at it's minimum just before bedtime.

http://www.plasticsurgery90210.com/facial_cosmetic/blepharoplasty.html

Your doctor would not have injected filler into your face without your consent.  As the tissues gradually heal and regain their normal lymphatic connections, the swelling dimishes and your eyelids will no longer appear puffy in the mornings any more than the usual.

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