Is it normal for swelling to persist beyond three weeks after upper eyelid blepharoplasty? (Photo)

Thank you for your question.  It is absolutely normal to have swelling of the eyelids after surgery for up to 3 months.  As you start resolving the swelling, you may see pockets of swelling. Massage those areas gently from inside to out.  Hope this helps.

Your swelling is minimal and not likely noticeable to others.  The upper eyelid ptosis that you have, is not caused by swelling.  Assuming that you did not have ptosis before surgery, your upper eyelid blepharoplasty has caused this ptosis.  This occurs without the fault of the surgeon (except that they may or may not have told you this was a possibility).  Healing in the eyelid after blepharoplasty can actually disinherit the tendon that raises the upper eyelid.  As the eyelid heals, the eyelids become progressively more droopy.  I do not think that this ptosis will resolve with more healing.  The eyelids needs to heal at least 6 months before considering revisional ptosis surgery. 

It is not unusual to have a little residual swelling in the lids a month after a blepharoplasty. The swelling is usually mild, like yours. This little bit of swelling can take up to 6 months to go away, so be patient. Andrew Campbell, M.D.

Facial Rejuvenation Specialist

Quintessa Aesthetic Centers