I Had Upper Eyelid Surgery 4 Days Ago and There Has Been Swelling by my Cheekbones...is This Normal?

Swelling in this area is common after eyelid surgery.  We have our patients use ice for the first few days.  We also have them try and keep their head elevated at 30 degrees for the first week to help the swelling.  Keep in contact with your surgeon and let him/her know about your progess.

healing after eyelid sugery:


see my other posts on this subject

swelling can extend down the face

ice and time should make this better

one to two weeks is typical

allergies can cause swelling as well

Swelling over the cheekbones and even down into the midface and cheek is fairly common after upper eyelid surgery.  This usually resolves within one to two weeks.  If there is concern over excessive or progressing swelling you should see your operating surgeon to further evaluate.

Upper eyelid surgery can produce some swelling in the cheek area.  This may be normal.  Allow 10-14 days for the bulk of the swelling to go away.  It may 3 month before all the swelling has resolved.

Dr. ES

Yes. This is not unusual at all. The eyelid skin is quite thin and edema [fluid/swelling] and bruising will track around down to the lower lid and cheek due to gravity effects. Be patient and within a week or so it should be resolved.

 

Depending on the extent of dissection and skin redundancy, it is not unusual to have swelling and bruising to the level of the cheek bones especially the first 7-10 days after upper eyelid surgery. Keep your head elevated. Avoid strenuous physical activity and continue to communicate closely with your surgeon if your swelling has not improved by 10 days. Complete resolution of post-op swelling may take up to 4 weeks depending on the patient's age, over all health and medical as well as the extent of soft tissue dissection during the surgery.

 

In my experience visible swelling after eyelid surgery is universal and normal and often extends into the cheeks; It usually lasts for 1 to 2 weeks and gradually resolves. It rarely causes the lids to close and is rarely very painful. Ice does not usually help after 2 days. Infection can increase the swelling. Elevation of the head helps reduce it even after a few weeks. 

Check with your doctor if you are concerned that the swelling is abnormal.

I have performed Eyelid Surgery for over 20 years and it's not unusual to have some swelling of the eyes and cheek areas after an Eyelid Surgery.  It should slowly resolve in the coming days.  As always, it's best to ask the surgeon that did your Eyelid Surgery this questions for specific recommendations.