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Swelling After Eyelid Surgery: When to Worry and When It’s Normal

Swelling after eyelid surgery, whether it’s upper eyelid surgery or a procedure involving both eyelids, is a typical part of the body’s healing process. It’s a natural response to the trauma inflicted on the body during the surgical procedure.

That said, it’s important to know what to expect during recovery—what’s normal and when swelling might be a sign of something more serious.

If you have any questions or concerns, whether you’re a patient or just looking for a second opinion, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Joanna Kam!

Dr. Joanna Kam is a leading specialist in South Jersey for managing swelling associated with eyelid surgery.
Dr. Joanna Kam at Kam Facial Plastic Surgery specializes in managing swelling after eyelid surgery to help patients achieve the desired results.

Is Your Eyelid Swelling Normal?

  1. Some swelling, redness, and mild discomfort are normal after eyelid surgery and usually improve within a few weeks.
  2. Keeping your head elevated and using cold compresses can help reduce swelling and speed up recovery.
  3. Severe swelling, excessive pain, or signs of infection like pus or fever may indicate a problem that needs medical attention.
  4. Avoiding salty foods, blood-thinning medications, and heavy lifting can help prevent excessive swelling.
  5. Following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions is the best way to ensure a smooth and safe healing process.

Understanding Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty in New Jersey is an expert surgical procedure that involves the careful removal or adjustment of skin, muscle, or fat from the eyelids.

Based on what the patient needs and what the expert surgeon recommends, this facial plastic surgery can be performed on the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both eyelids. It can correct issues such as impaired vision that results from excess skin or fat obstructing the field of view.

Blepharoplasty patient results

* All patients are unique and individual results may vary.

Common Swelling Symptoms After Eyelid Surgery

Swelling is a common symptom after any surgical procedure, including eyelid surgery. It is the body’s natural response to trauma and is part of the healing process. However, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms associated with swelling after blepharoplasty to ensure proper recovery and avoid complications.

Pain and Discomfort Around the Eye Area

Tenderness and Redness in the Area Around the Eye

The skin around the eye, a delicate and sensitive area, may undergo noticeable changes following the eyelid surgery. It’s not uncommon for the skin to become tender, a sensation that might be more pronounced in the hours and days after surgery. This tenderness can be accompanied by a distinct redness, a visible sign of the body’s healing process in action.

Itching, Burning Sensation, or Irritation

It’s not uncommon for patients to experience itching, a burning sensation, or irritation in the days after blepharoplasty New Jersey. These symptoms can be particularly noticeable in the first few hours after surgery and may persist for several days or weeks.

This discomfort can directly result from the body’s healing process as it responds to the trauma of the surgical procedure. The sutures used to close the incisions can also cause some irritation as the body adjusts to their presence. 

Blurred Vision

The Normal Eyelid Surgery Healing Process

The healing journey after eyelid surgery varies from person to person, but there are some common stages that most patients go through. Immediately after the surgery, the eyelids will be swollen and bruised, and vision may be blurry. This is a normal part of the recovery process and should gradually improve over the next 1 to 3 weeks.

In the days following the surgery, it’s important to rest, get enough sleep, and keep the head elevated to help reduce swelling. Limiting activities such as reading, computer work, and TV for the first few days can also help speed up healing.

Patients may experience pain, discomfort, tenderness, redness, and blurred vision as symptoms of swelling after eyelid surgery.
Patients may experience irritation and discomfort in the area around the eye
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Best Ways to Reduce Swelling after blepharoplasty

Several strategies can help to manage swelling after eyelid surgery, ensuring a more comfortable recovery and optimal results.

Applying a cold compress, such as an ice pack or a cold pack, to the eyes in the hours after surgery, specifically for the first 24-48 hours, can significantly help to minimize swelling and soothe any discomfort or eye irritation.

The cold compress works by reducing the body temperature in the area, which in turn helps to control the body’s natural inflammatory response. 

Maintaining an elevated position, particularly during periods of rest and sleep in the days and weeks after surgery, can significantly aid in reducing fluid pressure in the eye area, thus minimizing swelling.

Using a couple of extra pillows to prop up your head can help facilitate the body’s natural process of fluid drainage, thereby reducing the likelihood of fluid retention around the surgical sites. 

Activities that can increase blood pressure, such as bending over, lifting heavy items, or engaging in strenuous exercises, should be avoided for at least two weeks after surgery to prevent exacerbating the swelling.

This includes any form of intensive exercise or cardiovascular activity that could potentially heighten the body’s blood pressure and fluid pressure, thereby increasing the risk of swelling after eyelid surgery. 

It’s crucial to follow the surgeon’s postoperative instructions closely. This may include instructions on how to clean the eye area, when and how to use eye drops or antibiotic ointment, and when to return for follow-up visits.

When to Worry About Swelling After Eyelid Surgery

While swelling is a normal part of the recovery process after eyelid surgery New Jersey, there are some instances where it may be a cause for concern.

If the swelling is severe, uncontrolled, or persists for a longer period than expected, it’s important to seek medical attention. This could signify complications such as infection or a reaction to the surgery.

Signs of infection include increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or pus draining from the surgical site. If these symptoms are present, immediate medical help should be sought.

If the surgeon notices signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness or pus draining from the surgical site, immediate medical help should be sought.
A surgeon can explain how swelling can be reduced

In some cases, patients may have an adverse reaction to the medication or anesthetic agents used during or after surgery. Symptoms can include severe trouble breathing, sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or vision changes. If these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical help.

While some bleeding and scarring are normal after surgery, excessive bleeding or scarring can be a sign of complications and should be addressed by a medical professional.

Tips to Prevent Excessive Swelling after blepharoplasty

While some degree of swelling is unavoidable after eyelid surgery, some steps can be taken to prevent excessive swelling and promote a smoother recovery.

Avoid Blood Thinners

Limit Salt Intake

High sodium intake can lead to fluid retention and exacerbate swelling. Limiting salt intake can help to minimize postoperative swelling.

Stay Hydrated

Talk with a Blepharoplasty Surgeon

Engaging in a thorough consultation with a board-certified surgeon like Dr. Kam about blepharoplasty surgery is a crucial step to learning more about the eyelid surgery recovery process. It’s also the best time to discuss any concerns about complications post-surgery, such as swelling. Contact us today to schedule a consultation in New Jersey.