Swollen Bags After Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

No need to get worried for now. You are fairly recently post-op and there is most likely residual swelling and the tissues have not settled. It usually takes several weeks to months for the swelling to completely resolve after blepharoplasty. That is why your appointment is five weeks away. However, if you have any concerns, then you should see your surgeon sooner. Good luck.

It's not unusual for patients to develop swelling in the periorbital region after upper lid blepharoplasty. In the vast majority of patients, this swelling is transient and resolves in about one to two weeks following surgical intervention. Unfortunately, in some cases, swelling may be persistent lasting several months following surgery.It's not uncommon for this swelling to extend into the surrounding soft tissue. When this happens, gravity can have a significant impact upon the location of the swelling. This often results in dependent edema which explains the swelling below your tear trough area.When this situation arises, it's important to avoid strenuous activity, maintain head elevation and avoid salt intake. When these steps are taken, resolution of swelling is facilitated.If you're concerned about post-operative swelling, it's important to consult your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to address your concerns and alleviate your anxiety.

You question is helpful for many patients who share the same concern. It is not unusual for some swelling to persist beyond 2 weeks after lower eyelid blepharoplasty. The full amount of swelling can take a few months to completely resolve. There is certainly no need to be concerned at the 2 week mark. Thank you for sharing your question.

Dear Kjeans,
Two weeks after a lower eyelid surgery is not very much time. It is completely expected that at this time frame you will have residual swelling in the lower eyelids and at the top of the cheek. This could account for the fullness you are describing. It may be that with enough time, this will resolve.
How long should you wait? Typically, we tell patients that the most obvious swelling will settle in about 6 to 8 weeks. However, there are always exceptions to every rule. You should not be concerned about this swelling at this time frame. The issue should be much better possibly resolved by the time of your next visit. Remember it is very hard to be patient while the body heals.
If your swelling persists after this time frame, consider recontacting the Realself community and include before and after photos.

This area under the original lower eyelid fullness is a malar festoon.  This is due purely to swelling after surgery.  Gentle massage should help.  More than likely they will gradually improve over the next several months. 

I would not be concerned at this point. Two weeks out is a very short period of time after eyelid surgery. I would give it a good 2-3 months to see how things end up. most likely that this will go away.

Since it has only been two weeks since your lower blepharoplasty, it is impossible to tell anything at this point. The eyelids are still swollen. The bags from where the surgery is performed and the malar cheek pad area are both swollen and bruised at this point. A person should wait at least two to three months to determine whether or not there are any further residual fat bags in the lower lids before contemplating revision eyelid surgery.

At two weeks it is too early to tell what the source of the swelling is due to so it is most likely due to your recent surgery.  Frequently the lower eyelid continues to resolve swelling and post operative changes for up to one year.
 

Some swelling is going to persist for weeks after the bleph. I can' t tell if yours is a little more than usual, or about what is expected.

As a surgeon, I always want to hear from my patients when they have a concern. Going on that, I suggest that you schedule an appointment with your doctor. One thing that he may recommend is massage. Don't try to figure this out on your own, follow his instructions.

Never be shy about communicating with your doctor, it is your right, and is the path to a great outcome.

scottkinfw@msn.com
www.drkasden.us

At only 2 weeks out, it's way too early to tell if you will have any persistent swelling after blepharoplasty. It takes many weeks, sometimes months, for all of the swelling to go down. If you had a concurrent fat augmentation or transposition procedure to fill in the tear troughs, it might take even longer for the swelling to go down.
I would talk to your physician about your concerns, they may suggest some conservative treatment to help with the swelling. Most likely this will resolve with time. Hope that helps.