6 months post op and have persistent swelling. Is this a normal side effect? (photos)

It looks like it may be lymph trapping. I would try lymphatic massages, antihistamines to decrease that response, and at worst, radiofrequency can also help.

It would be helpful to see if that swelling was there before surgery. If it doesn’t go away with time it can be improved with lower eyelid surgery.

A mid facelift is notorious for having prolong swelling.
I don’t think you have a fluid collection that can be drained.
Some of this is related to the outcome of the procedure and some of it is swelling.
Anytime we make assessments regarding the outcome of a plastic surgery procedure. We always need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures.
We don’t know what you look like before the procedure then we can’t assess what your face looks like now.
If you don’t have proper before and after pictures, then ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took.
For right now I suggest you give yourself a full 12 months.
At six months your results are getting close to final and I don’t expect that your results are gonna change all that much.
At 12 months, it’s unlikely you’re going to see any further changes.
Most of the significant swelling typically subsides in the first 3 to 6 months.
The remaining swelling is going to be subtle.
Consider reposting with a complete set of proper before and after pictures.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD