Swelling won't go down after 3 weeks and it's uneven, why is this happening? (Photos)

Question

Hi,Im 20 years old. I had done double eyelid surgery 3 weeks ago and swelling wont go down. I saw other peoples picture who is done by my doctor and their swelling go down in 10 days . I saw another persons picture whose eyes swell didnt go down after 2 years it freaks me out!! The doctor made my eyelid too big and swelling wont go down and it looks like uneven. Is it just me or smth really wrong? If it is I want to know what it is and do smth before its too late and before school starts.

Chase Lay, MD · Answer

You're 20 years old.  You have soft skin.  You have fair skin so the incision is pink.  Depending on what your long term goals are this could be very normal.Stay calm.  You're still normal and this will improve with time.  3 weeks is super early.  I perform this procedure literally every day and I can tell you sometimes people are just very puffy after surgery for 1-3 months or even later.  My patients are often sitting in the lobby looking at each other, comparing experiences, and will most heal pretty quickly many take more time.  You're ok at the moment.  Talk to your surgeon.Be patient.

Umeng David Thao, MD · Answer

Hi. Thanks for your questions.  Be patient. You are still in the early stage of healing.  Everyone heals differently and takes time for the swelling to subside. I would advise you to continue to follow up with your surgeon to make sure healing goes smoothly.  Best wishes!

Darab Hormozi, MD · Answer

You are quite early in your recovery.  Not everybody heals at the same speed.  Stay calm and let the healing process take place.  It is not unusual to see swelling even 5-6 weeks after surgery, but they all subside as healing takes place.

David Cheung, MBChB, Bsc(Hons), FRCOphth · Answer

Hi Hana. Greetings from the UK. I'd really advise you not to worry about it for now. For most of my patients undergoing incisional double eyelid surgery, their eyes do remain swollen with a thicker higher pretarsal area for several weeks at least following surgery. Similarly I wouldn't worry about crease height nor asymmetry for now. Most eyelids start to thin down again from about 4-6 weeks post op. So the best advice is not to worry about it and just let time do its thing. bw
David

David Kahng, MD · Answer

Dear Ms. Michi,
Thank you for your excellent question and photos.  The incisions appear to be healing well.  In the majority of patients, 90% of the swelling resolves by the first month and this is when I advise my patients to resume normal physical activity.  Most patients are "photo-ready" by 3 months.  So to answer your question, it appears as though you are on the normal course of healing.  If you are concerned, please see your surgeon so that he or she may examine you.  Hope this helps.  Dr. Kahng.

Swelling won't go down after 3 weeks and it's uneven, why is this happening? (Photos)

Answers (5)