Tired, heavy eyelids 10 days post op upper and lower bleph (Photo)

Question

I had eyelids surgery 10 days ago and I am healing quickly and very nicely visually. I still have anesthesia light/heavy headed periods that come and go and my eyelids feel tired. I feel like it's work to keep my eyes opened sometimes, the lids feel heavy. Is this normal after surgery and is it from the surgery or the after effects of the anesthesia? How long does this generally last?

Adam Bryce Weinfeld, MD · Answer

Yes this is relatively normal.  Edema (swelling) can increase the weight of the upper lids and make them seem heavy.  This will start to get better at 14 days.

Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD · Answer

Hi there!  10 days after surgery is not too far out, and it's not uncommon for the effects of anesthesia to stick around for several days, depending on what type of anesthesia you had.  Certain pain medications can also make you sleepy with that feeling of heavy eyelids even in the absence of surgery.  Though your swelling should have started to dissipate, you will certainly be more swollen now than you were prior to the operation and more than you will be in another 7 to 10 days.  Your symptoms should be improved in another several days and hopefully all but gone within a month.  I always advise contacting your surgeon to discuss your concerns with her/him as well.  Best wishes to you during your recovery process!.Sincerely,Jeffrey L. Schmidt, MD - Denver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

At ten days the eyes are swollen and so they can feel heavy.  Give it time to improve.  Good luck with your results.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

The heaviness and lethargy are both common postop--one from residual swelling and the other as a consequence of anesthesia and possibly pain meds. Give it time. You should feel much better within a couple of weeks. If you returned to work shortly after surgery, know that this can also contribute to the way you are feeling so try to pace yourself.

Parham Ganchi, PhD, MD · Answer

It is not unusual to feel like your eyes are heavy and tired at this point after your procedure.  There is still swelling and inflammation in the tissues around your eyes.  This can make the eyelids feel heavy.  The anesthesia should be out of your system by now.  However, if you are taking any medications (especially narcotic pain medications), this could give you a tired feeling.  At 10 days after surgery, you shouldn't really need that type of strong medication.  Check in with your surgeon to make sure that everything is healing as expected.  Good luck!Dr. Parham Ganchi - NJ Plastic Surgeon

Tired, heavy eyelids 10 days post op upper and lower bleph (Photo)

Answers (6)