Is it normal to develop black eyes after upper blepharoplasty?

Sometimes the issue is shadowing as a result of the removal of fat volume.  I encourage you to post photographs so we can have a better idea of your issues.

This is going to be difficult to answer without seeing you in person or photos.
However I can say that bruising at 6 weeks is not considered normal and would warrant a follow up visit with your MD.

Thank you for sharing your question. Without seeing photos it is difficult to determine what the problem is. Bruising can last for weeks, but  six weeks is longer than expected. Follow up with your surgeon.  Good luck,

following upper eyelid blepharoplasty it is normal to have some bruising and swelling. The bruise can settle to the lower lids and appear as "black eyes". This will resolve with time and varies from patient to patient.  You should always discuss your concerns with your surgeon, if you feel that there is a problem. When the bruises resolve, you should enjoy a nice result. Best regards. 

Hello,  I understand your frustration with some residual yet still fading bruising, 6 weeks after having an upper eyelid blepharoplasty.  The significance of bruising after having facial plastic surgery depends on many variables.  Just like every person has a unique appearance, each person develops bruising dependent on a multitiude of factors including overall health, genetics, lifestyle behaviors including smoking, drug use, medications including vitamins and herbs.  When certain medications are stoppped pre-operatively is important to blood viscosity.  An individuals unique clotting ability comes into play as well.  I perform approximately 80 upper blepharoplasties per year.  I perform approximately 70 lower blepharoplasties per year.  Everybody bruises mildly to moderately after surgery.  At 7 days after surgery the worst of the swelling has passed and the bruising is subsiding.  I then see my patients one month later (which is 5 weeks after surgery)  The majority of patients undergoing eyelid surgery are not bruised 5 weeks after surgery.  There are exceptions.  Older patients, patients that had pre-existing dark circles under their eyes and darker skinned people especially asian or hispanic heritage, tend to be more likely to either have light residual bruising or rarely transient (temporary) hyperpigmentation.  I cannot recall any eyelid surgery patient complaining of permanent bruisng or discoloration from this surgery.  It would be very rare.  I treat these patients individually.  First, as in your case, I sympathize with your desire to be fully healed but I also must remind you that 6 weeks after facial surgery is still somewhat early.  If you truly have this issue at 3 months then thats more likely to get my attention.  Did you have dark circles under your eyes prior to surgery?  People tend to be hyperfocused on every crease and measurement after undergoing cosmetic surgery.  It is not unusual for patients to idetify an asymmetry they really had prior to surgery.  As surgeons, we try to point out obvious facial asymmetries between the right and left sides of our patients faces during the consultation, but this does not always get across to the patient or get done thoroughly.  In terms of treatment, time is on our side.  Given more time, your bruising should go away naturally.  Topical creams may be of benefit to patients with prolonged healing, including topical steroid creams as well as  certain herbs such as arnica gel or vitamin c or k creams.  I suggest you see your surgeon so he or she can see first hand the situation.  Review pre and post operative photos to check for pre-existing conditions and wait this out.  You will be healed one way or another.  

Some patients may get significant bruising with an upper lid surgery and the bruising can travel down into the lower lids.  When this occurs it can take quite a while for the bruising an discoloration to clear.  There are some laser treatments that can help. 

You should discuss this with your surgeon but normally hematoma resolves in 12 weeks  and it can take to resolve the black underlies from 1-2 months. 

Some bruising is normal. 6 weeks is a long time. You should discuss this with your surgeon. It isn't at all uncommon for people to need some treatment to the lower lids to improve the appearance of this thin skin.

Hi. Bruising after blepharoplasty is common. It can anywhere from days to weeks to resolve, but will typically improve with time. It's hard to tell what is going on without a photo though. See your surgeon to address your concerns. Best regards, Ira Vidor, M.D.