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.
