Tightness and Swelling Post-Blepharoplasty

asked 3 years ago by GLS in CT, USA
Latest answer by Charles K. Lee, MD
Question viewed 6,609 times

I had incisional double eyelid and lower blepharoplasty a month ago. One of my eyes isn't recovering well; the eyelid is still swollen and feels a little tight. The other eye is also bigger than the other. Is this normal, and will it eventually get better?

10 answers to Tightness and Swelling Post-Blepharoplasty

Swelling takes severeal months

Swelling takes several months at the least when performing asian eyelid surgery. The problem of doing anything with two side by side structures - eyelids, ears, breasts - is that swelling may not happen at the same rate. if you sleep on one side, then your swelling will be different from side to side. If a small blood vessel bled a little after surgery - a normal occurence, then that side will be more swollen. in the end, be patient and let the healing process take its course.... more

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Wait a little longer for swelling after Blepharoplasty to resolve

One month after surgery is still quite early to make a determination of the final result. When you reach the three-month mark, then you will have a much better idea of how the folds and eyelid position will look. It is not unusual to have some eyelid asymmetry in the early period, but after approximately 3 months you will have a much better idea of the final shape and position and your surgeon can determine if you need to have your lid and crease position revised.

Charles K. Lee, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

After Asian Blepharoplasty, healing will take months

After surgical procedures, the healing process will continue for months, although in most cases, a good deal of swelling improves in the first month or two. In the case of lower blepharoplasty, there is sometimes a risk of tightness where the lower lid can pull downward. This can often be improved with upward massage on the eyelid during the recovery period. If your right eye is more prominent (it naturally bulges forward more), this can also make that eye appear to be more open. These... more

Brett S. Kotlus, MD
Rochester Oculoplastic Surgeon

Tightness and swelling after blepharoplasty will improve

The tightness and swelling of your lower eyelids will improve, but after a month I would expect you to be less swollen. Ask your doctor is he/she approves of massage which can help the swelling and also may help the retraction of your right lower eyelid. The fact that your right eye looks larger is due to the retraction of the right lower eyelid-this may require future revision of the right lower eyelid does not soften and stretch upward with time. See your doctor and be sure to continue to... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

This can take a little longer to resolve itself

I can see that from your picture your right eye is a little bigger. This can happen with lower eyelid blepharoplasty when this procedure entails taking skin and fat. The skin resection and the scar contracture is what can cause the lower eyelid to retract downwards revealing more eye in your right eye. This can take a while to resolve on it own. Sometimes, steroid injections can help. In the long run, it may require other procedures to improve this. This is one reason why I don't prefer... more

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Still too soon to tell

One month after eyelid surgery is still too soon to tell the final results. Prolonged swelling is possible. Some things that may help: Try to sleep on your back, avoid salty foods (soy sauce, MSG!) and limit activity. Warm compresses can reduce swelling and gentle stretching exercises can help your lower lid come up. Of course, speak to your surgeon for his/her recommendations.

Jonathan Hoenig, MD
Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

Eyelid surgery

Eyelid assymetry is normal. I am sure you had some asymmetry before surgery. ALso differential swelling is also possible. Make sure that your eye is not irritated. If it is , it probably is just dry and need to be lubricated with saline drops or gel. You should follow closely with your doctor to make sure it is nothing else.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Wait till all swelling are resolved

It is too early to see the final result and you should wait. You also need to discuss this with your surgeon. The difference between left and right eye is common and you need to compare to the preop pictures.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Lower eyelid position after Blepharoplasty

Inferior lower eyelid position and swelling after surgery can be normal elements of postoperative blepharoplsty. Massage and administration of opthalmic antibiotics may minimize infection dry eyes resulting from the scleral exposure. In most cases, continuous massage will help eliminate early signs of inferior lower eyelid position. Most of all, speak to your plastic surgeon as early and as frequently as possible.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Swelling, lid level and eye shape

As expressed by several of my collegues ,swelling could take sometime to resolve. However,few things needs to be excluded.Infection,hematoma. The picture taken is not well centralised but it seems that the right lower lid level is lower.As long as no exposure symptoms occur,it should be fine. I ask my patients to massage the eye lid in a gentle way to be able to help with the final lid level. Hope that helps!