Can swelling from a facelift damage the results from a blepharoplasty?

Question

I had an upper and lower eyelid lift surgery and 8 weeks after I got a facelift with a different doctor. My eyes are swollen and bruised after the facelift. Will that damage the results from the blepharoplasty? Will the swealling spread the scars I have on my upper eyelid? Thank you

Stephen M. Krant, MD, FACS · Answer

You can control and decrease post swelling in many ways:
1. Continue to use topical ice/frozen peas over the swollen areas.
2. Arrange manual lymphatic drainage by a trained therapist to help mobilize and eliminate the swelling edema.
3. Use a diuretic with the OK from your surgeon.
4. Keep your head elevated when sleeping. (Put a pillow under the head of the mattress)
5. Diet - reduce/eliminate your salt intake.
6. Can use an eye mask PRN to keep pressure on the surgical areas. 
7. Can also use the postop garment for the face and neck at night PRN.
8. If there is a lot of swelling, possible 5 day oral steroid pack.
The sooner you can reduce the swelling/bruising, the better the healing and final result. Ask your surgeons about each of these. 
Good Luck!

Adam D. Stein, MD · Answer

There should be no negative impact on previous eyelid surgery from a facelift unless the surgeon was completely unqualified to perform your surgery and was operating in the wrong place.  It is not uncommon for swelling to occur on the face quite far from the area that has been operated on. Take care.

Jeffrey R. Raval, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Hello, thank you for the question. As long as both of your surgeries were performed by board-certified surgeons and your eyelids were well on the road of healing, you should be just fine. Good luck!

Ritchie Younger, MD · Answer

Assuming both of your surgeries were performed by Board certified Facial Plastic Surgeons with vast bleph and facelift experience-you can relax.  Facelift surgery will temporarily impair drainage from both eyes-thus the new swelling and potential bruising around your eyes. Keep the head elevated and judiciously keep your face and eyes cool with episodic ice applications-and both your eyes and face will gradually develop into the new face and eyes that you have imagined.  No need to worry as you become the new you !!

Andres Bustillo, MD, FACS · Answer

As long as the eyes were healing well before the facelift, I see no reason why the results would be compromised.

David Gilpin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Your facelift should not damage your results from your upper and lower blepharoplasty.  These procedures are routinely done simultaneously, and heal very well.  In an extreme case, if you had out of the ordinary swelling with your facelift, it could be argued that this could cause some unwanted results with your eyes.  However, it doesn't sound as if this is the case.  Be sure to follow up with both of your surgeons to discuss your concerns.  I hope that this helps!-David Gilpin

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  While it certainly could occur, it would be unlikely. These procedures are very common to be performed together, with excellent results. Tension on incisions causes widened scars. While your reasoning is correct, it is very uncommon to occur with the blepharoplasty. Regardless, keep up with your surgeon’s recommendations of minimizing swelling via positioning, garments, or medications as well as restrictions. Best wishes!

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Swelling due to a facelift should not affect the results from an upper and lower blepharoplasty done 8 weeks earlier.  The scars from the upper blepharoplasty should also not worsen due to any swelling from the facelift.

George Sanders, MD · Answer

That is a very good question. I personally have not seen that sort of damage occur, but it is theoretically possible. I would encourage you to be diligent with the ice application, head elevation, oral steroids, and any other ways your doctor is trying to reduce swelling. You should probably be just fine.

Howard A. Tobin, MD · Answer

That would be most unusual.  I would not be at all concerned at this time.  When the swelling resolves, you should be fine.

Can swelling from a facelift damage the results from a blepharoplasty?

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