One Eye More Swollen After Removing Stitches: Will This Get Better With Time?

Question

After removing stitches - 3 days ago - one eye appears more swollen than the other, will this get better in time ? if not do i need to book a visit with the surgeon ? Many Thanks

Tanuj Nakra, MD, FACS · Answer

You must be just around 10 days postop at this point, still within the 2 week window that the vast majority of patients have obvious postoperative swelling after blepharoplasty.  There are so many factors that lead to asymmetric healing: which side you sleep on, which side may have bruised more from surgery, an asymmetric surgical plan by your surgeon, etc.   It is interesting to now that the vast majority of blepharoplasties are performed in an asymmetric fashion by eyelid surgeons since every human being has inherent facial asymmetry.  We analyze these asymmetries and create customized surgeries for each eyelid.  The late Dr. Russell Neuhaus who founded our group oculoplastics practice 30 years ago had a saying for your situation: "the eyelids are sisters not twins".  And so the surgery for each side and the healing for each side will undergo its own evolution during the healing process.Final comment: I tell patients it takes 2 weeks to get to the point where people won't ask you questions about your eyelids, 1 month for you to feel truly proud of the results, and several months for ultimate healing and resolution of swelling.Best wishes to you!

Christopher I. Zoumalan, MD, FACS · Answer

It is common to have asymmetric swelling after eyelid surgery with or without the removal of sutures.  I would be patient, continue routine followup with your surgeon to make sure that your healing is process is progressing as expected.  Good luck.

Lee E. Corbett, MD · Answer

It's very normal to see something different from side to side early on. Be patient. The face swells a lot but it will get better. As far as seeing your surgeon, you can never go wrong stopping in for a quick check. He or she is the very best person to advise you because only your surgeon knows exactly what was done during your procedure.

George Commons, MD (retired) · Answer

After eyelid surgery one eye is always more or less swollem than the other.  If you had 3 eyes you could rank them one, two, three etc.   This is normal and time solves all.  My Best,  Dr C

Fred Hackney, MD (retired) · Answer

It is common after a blepharoplasty for one eye to have more swelling than the other.  Even though they were operated on at the same time they will heal differently.

One Eye More Swollen After Removing Stitches: Will This Get Better With Time?

Answers (5)

Answer: Eyes will be symmetric

Answer: Eyes will be symmetric

Answer: One eye appears more swollen than the other.

Answer: One eye appears more swollen than the other.

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Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

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One Eye More Swollen After Removing Stitches: Will This Get Better With Time?

Answers (5)

Answer: Eyes will be symmetric

Answer: Eyes will be symmetric

Answer: One eye appears more swollen than the other.

Answer: One eye appears more swollen than the other.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.