Swelling and Management After Double Eyelid Surgery

Hello,

I am Kim Sung-hoon, a board-certified plastic surgeon and facial designer.

Today, I will discuss the swelling that most people worry about after double eyelid surgery. (‘붓기’ is an incorrect expression; the standard Korean word is ‘부기’.)

The first question most clients ask when they come for a double eyelid surgery consultation is:

‘How long do swelling and bruising last?’

‘How long does it take for the swelling to go down?’

If there are no special side effects, most of the swelling subsides within a week. After about two weeks, a stranger meeting you on the street wouldn't notice you had surgery. It takes approximately two months for the swelling to completely disappear, to the point where even you can't remember your pre-surgery appearance.

Both the clinic and the client must work together to minimize swelling. Let's look at methods the clinic can employ and ways clients can manage it in their daily lives.

1) Client's Efforts

① Compresses

Proceed with cold compresses first, then warm compresses. This is the most crucial management method after surgery.

② Sleeping Posture

Keeping the surgical area elevated above your heart helps minimize swelling and edema with the aid of gravity. It's good to use a slightly high, comfortable pillow when you sleep.

③ Exercise

When you squat or lift heavy objects, abdominal pressure increases, causing blood to rush to your face. This can lead to small blood vessels in the surgical area bursting, causing blood accumulation, or worsening swelling and edema. It's best to avoid strenuous exercise for four weeks after surgery. After two weeks, light exercises like jogging or brisk walking can actually help blood circulation and reduce swelling and edema.

④ Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol can dilate peripheral blood vessels, promoting swelling and edema, and can also reduce immunity, leading to inflammation and infection. It's best to refrain from alcohol for 2-3 weeks after surgery.

⑤ Smoking

The doctor's fundamental advice is simply ‘no smoking’. If continuous abstinence is not possible, strict abstinence from smoking is necessary for two weeks after surgery. Smoking accelerates inflammatory processes in the body and is detrimental to swelling and edema.

⑥ Posture

Bending your head down or picking up objects from the floor can cause an increase in blood pressure in the face, which can worsen swelling and edema.

2) Clinic's Efforts

① Hyaluronidase

Commonly known as a filler-dissolving injection, ‘Hyaluronidase’ is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid, a cross-linking substance in tissues. It works by drying out tissue moisture, thereby suppressing swelling and edema.

② Dexamethasone (Steroid)

As an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, it is used for various purposes. In plastic surgery, it can be used to reduce post-operative swelling and edema.

③ Aminophylline

This medication acts on bronchial smooth muscles and has a diuretic effect, which can be used to reduce swelling and edema.

④ Oral Medications

Various medications such as Venoruton and Traumeel can help suppress swelling and edema. (There are too many medications to mention them all.)

⑤ LLLT (Low Level LED Therapy, Phototherapy)

Irradiating the skin with light promotes regeneration and blood flow, which can help with swelling and edema.

⑥ Intraoperative Cold Compress

Intraoperative cold compresses suppress swelling and edema from the very beginning, which are inevitably caused by tissue manipulation during the surgical process.

⑦ Taping Method

After surgery, the taping method can be used above the double eyelid line to compress the swelling, thereby minimizing swelling and edema.

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In addition to these, there are many other customized swelling and edema suppression programs that each clinic offers to its clients, which cannot all be mentioned individually.

This time, we looked at methods for managing swelling and edema after double eyelid surgery.

I will always strive to be a plastic surgeon who is honest and does not exaggerate.

Thank you.

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