Swelling After Lower Blepharoplasty

It is not uncommon to have swelling post lower blepharplasty which seems to come and go. It can take up to as much as a year to see the final result. The amount of swelling usually gets less and less as more time goes by. If you have any concerns or questions, it usually does not harm to contact your surgeon who performed the surgery. I usually see my post blep patient every few months to answer such questions. Hope this helps.

Yes, it is imperative that you return back to your surgeon for a follow up reevaluation. At 4 ½ weeks, all residual swelling should have disappeared following a lower lid blepharoplasty. To be experiencing “puffy eyes” this far out from your surgery is unusual. There is something else going on!

It can take up to two months to see great results. The swelling you describe, can be the result of eating spicy foods or sleeping in the wrong position. But, for peace of mind - always check with your own physician to be sure that nothing is going wrong.

The swelling that you have experienced following your blepharoplasty is normal. I advise my patients that after surgery they will most likely experience some noticeable swelling that will subside within two to six weeks. Patients should know some minor swelling can remain for as long as six months, and their lid contours may continue to change. Final results may not be seen until the six month mark. There are several exercises that you can do to assist with healing as well.... more

Swelling is a normal component of the healing process.  Gross and obvious swelling usually dissapates in a week or so.  More subtle swelling, that can wax and wane, might take a good deal longer, even months.

Obviously you should consult your doctor. It is unusual for swelling after blepharoplasty to recur after 4 weeks and after it has gone down. When this happens it is usually due to strenuous activity such as working out, heavy dietary salt intake combined with lying with your head flat when sleeping. Even at 4 weeks it is helpful to sleep with your head elevated. High salt intake can also cause the eyes to be puffy. This all sounds temporary, but consult your doctor.

Even though it has only been four-and-a-half weeks since your blepharoplasty, the eyelids can remain puffy for two months after the surgery. Hormones, altitude, air pressure changes, and salt intake can worsen this puffiness. After two to three months, most of this should resolve. A low-salt diet will help keep puffiness to a minimum as well.

This doesn't sound worrisome, but your doctor can help this resolve sooner. I would recommend that you keep your head elevated when you sleep, and avoid raising your blood pressure or pulse. Allergy season may be starting where you are, so this may be kicking in.

Eyelid swelling after Blepharoplasty is common and can have a variety of causes. There is no immediate need to return to your physcian unless it is associated with infection, redness, drainage, fever, pain or visual disturbances. Anticipate time for the healing process to subside which is usually a minimum of 3-4 months after surgery.

Swelling after eyelid surgery is common. This may persist for several weeks or even a few months expecially if you are very active.  Give it time.

Swelling and bruising after lower lid cosmetic surgery varies between different patients and depends also on the degree of dissection and whether a cheek release was performed. More time is needed for all the swelling and bruising to disappear. Most patients lose most of the swelling by 4 weeks, but over the years, I had a few patients who had swelling for longer periods. In these patients, I believe it was due to redundant edema (trapped intercellular swelling). Few things might... more

Keigo, This scenario is not an unfamiliar one. It is not uncommon to have swelling dissipate and then return a week or two later in the lower lids post blepharoplasty. It may be caused by something as simple as sleeping in a flatter position. You've paid good money for your surgery, so don't hesitate to return to your surgeon for some advice and reassurance. Good luck!