Swelling after eyelid surgery
Swelling after eyelid surgery eases in stages. How the course differs between buried and incisional methods, how to manage swelling and when to contact the clinic.
Everyone swells after eyelid surgery, and it eases step by step. While swollen, the crease can look higher and thicker than it really is, so the final shape is judged once the swelling has mostly gone.
The usual course
Swelling is most noticeable in the first few days; once the major swelling subsides, daily life becomes easier. Fine swelling around the crease lasts longer and settles gradually.
- Buried suture (non-incisional) — swelling tends to go down relatively quickly
- Incisional or combined with ptosis correction — swelling lasts longer and the crease takes longer to settle
Individual variation is large. Typically major swelling subsides over 1–2 weeks.
Managing swelling
- Early on, use cold compresses as advised
- Sleep with your head slightly raised
- Avoid salty food, alcohol, saunas and strenuous exercise, which can increase swelling
- Don't rub your eyes
Cold compresses are generally used for about 72 hours after surgery, then switched to warm compresses as advised.
When to contact the clinic
If one side suddenly swells a lot, pain keeps getting worse, your vision blurs or anything else seems unusual, don't judge it yourself — contact the clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Can the two eyes de-swell at different rates? Yes, that is common. While swelling settles, the eyes can look temporarily asymmetric.
My crease looks too high — is that normal? For a while swelling makes the crease look higher. It is checked at your follow-up.