Upper Eyelid Swelling After Blepharoplasty

While swelling after any surgery is of course normal, it would be best to see your doctor to make sure you have not developed an infection in the operated area. It is a bit unusual to see significant swelling in the face a week after a simple blepharoplasty.
If there is no evidence of an infection, he may recommend warm or cool compresses and elevation of the head at nighttime. You may also want to discuss with him your activity level (i.e. working out), which can worsen early postoperative swelling.

It is not unusual to have some residual swelling one week after a blepharoplasty. Postoperative swelling can have a dependent nature, meaning that gravity will cause fluid to accumulate when lying flat. This generally subsides within 10 days, but it can be present for a few weeks.
Warm compresses can help to resolve swelling. Sleeping with the head elevated with more than one pillow can also minimize the amount of fluid that bulids up over the night. If there is significant swelling accompanied by redness, warmth, or pain, you should see your surgeon immediately to rule out infection.

Good question! Swelling after blepharoplasty is very normal. The eyelid skin is very thin and surgery can temporarily affect the lymphatic drainage from the eyelids which leads to a fair amount of swelling during the recovery period. This typically resolves by 1-2 weeks, but can take longer based on degree of surgery and other patient factors (blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, etc.). If the swelling comes and goes, it is likely expected edema from the temporary disruption of normal lymphatic drainage. This will likely improve on its own, but things to do to help speed the process include limiting salt/sugar intake in the diet which can cause the body to hold onto more fluids, sleep with head elevated (gravity will help fluid go downhill), intermittent ice to the affected area (no longer than 15 minutes), and limiting hot showers/steam which causes blood vessels to dilate and can cause worse swelling.
Hope this helps! Kyle Kimura, MDFacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

The majority of swelling following blepharoplasty resolves within the first week.  It is not uncommon to have some mild residual swelling for a few more weeks following surgery.  This is exacerbated by lying flat so you will likely notice it more in the morning. If you can sleep with you head and back slightly propped up to help minimize swelling during the recovery period. 

One week after surgery is still very early and normal to have intermittent swelling.  Especially after sleeping.  Since you had surgery on only one eye it is reasonable for only that side to be swollen.  It can take a few more weeks for the swelling to come down and normalize.  Also if you sleep with your head elevated above the level of your heart, this may help with the swelling you notice after sleeping.  And if there is any redness, drainage or pain that is worsening, you should really go back to see your surgeon to have them evaluate you for infection. 

It is normal to have swelling after blepharoplasty.  The majority of the swelling should resolve within weeks to a few months, but could take even a full year in some cases.  Try to sleep elevated if possible, as laying down will cause the swelling to increase again.  Try to be patient and this will resolve with time.

Swelling in the face, including the eyelids, is very common after any facial surgery. This swelling will tend to fluctuate over time and will often become evident only after lowering the head for an extended period of time such as sleeping. This swelling will resolve over time as the body develops new lymphatic channels to let the fluid escape from the area. Keeping the head elevated at all times and sometimes gentle massage can be helpful to speed recovery and decrease swelling. In most cases, this improves within just a few weeks after any facial procedure, but can last many months for some patients.
Be sure to discuss any post-surgical concerns with the surgeon who performed your procedure.
All the best,

It is completely normal that your operated eyelid still swells up over night when you are sleeping with the swelling subsiding over the day. Even though from outside your eyelid looks like it has healed, well it hasn't completely yet. Under the skin there is still a wound in a healing process. This kind of swelling will become better week after week but patients can notice it up to 4-6 weeks. The only thing that irritates me is that you mention that your half the side of your face is swollen. This is indeed unusual and worth showing your plastic surgeon. I rule out an infection because in this case the swelling wouldn't settle over the day but rather get worse and worse.

It is not unusual to swell for weeks and even up to a few month after surgery.  Also, swelling is more evident in the morning - also not unusual.  When you lay down at night you are horizontal and fluid builds up.  When you are up during the day you are vertical so fluid goes to your feet in a dependent fashion.  If this really concerns you please see your surgeon to reassure  

There is a lot of variability with regards to swelling after upper eyelid surgery.  While the body heals the incisions there tends to be a lot of fluid shifting that occurs which is all considered normal.  There is also a lot asymmetry which can occur during this process, because the fluid shifts and healing process take place differently in each eyelid. Daily activity, diet and sleeping position can all impact this process.  
If you are concerned that your doctor may have injected something into the eyelids as part of your procedure, I would recommend simply asking them.  Also if you develop severe eyelid pain or significant protrusion of the eyelid after an initial period of the swelling subsiding, than you should also contact your surgeon.
Hope that helps and good luck.  

The issue here is lymph flow. This is not blood but the other portions of the body that are fluid components. The eyes are particularly sensitive to this becasue of the lateral drainage pattern of lymph around the eyes. I have researched this topic greatly becasue it is a common issue with this procedure of which I do a lotIn my practice I have patients massage. It will get better. I recommend seeing your surgeon as they likely have a plan for this issue.Hope this helps. Best of luck,DrC