Swelling after lower Blepharoplasty

I recently had a bilateral lower blepharoplasty done 4 1/2 weeks ago. Swelling had resolved after a week or so, but over the past few days both, lids are getting puffy again. How long does swelling take to completely reslove? Do I need to go back to my surgeon as early as possible?

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10 answers to “Swelling after lower Blepharoplasty”

A: Keep head elevated, avoid salt and vigorous activity to avoid swelling after blepharoplasty

Brooke R. Seckel, MD

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... more

A: Eyes can be puffy 2-3 months after surgery

William Portuese, MD

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... more

A: I would see your doctor

Scott E. Kasden, MD

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.

A: Yes, it is imperative that you return back to your surgeon for a follow up reevaluation!!

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

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!

A: Eyelid swelling after Blepharoplasty is common

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

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... more

A: Blepharoplasty adn swelling

Steven Wallach, MD

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.

A: Wait, lymphatic massage and sleep upright

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

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... more

A: Probably more common than not

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

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... more

A: Swelling will come and go

Andrew Y. Kleinman, MD

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... more

A: Two months for best blepharoplasty results

Robert M. Freund, MD

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.

Comments

aliu
109 posts
5 Jan 2009

Lower eyelid puffiness/swelling is one of the great mysteries in plastic surgery.  No one quite knows exactly what causes it and therefore no one quite knows how to treat it. Even without surgery the lower eyelids can fluctuate in appearance. One theory is that the orbital fat behind the lower eyelid skin is very sensitive to hormonal changes and therefore can fluctuate in size due to our hormonal balance.  If you were healing just fine and then suddenly that many weeks out noticed some new swelling, it might not be related to the surgery. That being said, you are still quite early in the healing phase and your lower eyelid has not returned to "normal".  Healing can take up to 6 months to be complete. Just to make sure I think it is reasonable to pop into your surgeon's office and get checked. Speedy recovery!

jason oconnor
1 post
17 Apr 2009

i had lower blepharoplasty 8 weeks ago now,i am happy with my left eye, but my right is still a little puffy and hard to the touch, like there is something trapped under the skin. should i worry? thasnks

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