Blepharoplasty Weeks 3 and 4: Most Swelling Gone

General information about typical recovery, not medical advice. Every eye and every surgery is different, and your surgeon's instructions override anything on this page. Read our full disclaimer.

By weeks 3 and 4 the visible bruising is normally finished and most of the swelling is gone. What remains is usually deeper, more even fullness that reads as slightly heavy lids rather than as an obvious bruise. Mornings are still puffier than evenings for many people.

The incision line is often at its most noticeable now, pink and firm, before it starts fading. Numbness is still expected. StatPearls reports that decreased sensation along the eyelid margin after upper blepharoplasty lasts six to eight weeks, and AAO states that eyelid numbness involving the upper eyelid skin and eyelashes typically resolves over 2 to 4 months.

Dryness can linger, and it is a recognized complication rather than a sign you did something wrong. StatPearls notes many patients need daytime drops and nighttime lubricating ointment. Tell your surgeon if your eyes burn, blur, or feel gritty enough to be distracting.

Most normal activity is back by now for most people, but exercise clearance, contact lens clearance, and sun rules are still your surgeon's call.

Usually normal at this stage

mild residual puffiness, worse in the morning
pink, firm incision line
small differences between the two sides
numbness or odd sensation along the lid and lashes
dry eye needing drops
occasional itching as the scar matures

Still off-limits

follow your surgeon on full-intensity workouts and heavy lifting
keep the incisions protected from sun with sunglasses and shade
keep using artificial tears if the eyes feel gritty
do not massage or treat the scar unless your surgeon told you to

Call your surgeon now if you notice any of these

Sudden severe pain in or behind the eye, especially with swelling that keeps getting worse. AAO states that severe pain, decreased vision, and progressive swelling may represent retrobulbar hemorrhage and should be brought to immediate medical attention. Go to an emergency room now.
The eye pushing forward or bulging, or lids so tight and swollen you cannot open them. Proptosis is a documented sign of retrobulbar hemorrhage, which EyeWiki describes as a rapidly progressive, sight-threatening emergency.
Any decrease or loss of vision, or vision getting worse over hours instead of better. Loss of vision is listed by AAO among the possible complications of eyelid surgery, and EyeWiki notes intervention for retrobulbar hemorrhage needs to happen within about 2 hours of onset.
Nausea and vomiting together with eye pain and pressure. StatPearls lists pain, proptosis, nausea, vomiting, and reduced vision as the presentation of retrobulbar hemorrhage, which it calls a surgical emergency.
New double vision. Double vision is listed among the complications of lower eyelid and transconjunctival blepharoplasty by StatPearls. Call your surgeon the same day.
Signs of infection: spreading redness, warmth, increasing swelling after the first few days, yellow or green discharge, or fever. Infection is listed by AAO among the possible complications of eyelid surgery.
Bleeding from an incision that does not stop with gentle steady pressure, or a firm lump under the skin that is growing quickly.
Not being able to close the eye fully once the early swelling has gone down, or an eye that feels raw, painful, and very light sensitive. Early incomplete closure is common and usually resolves within days per StatPearls, so closure that is not improving needs to be checked.
Any wound that opens or separates, or a suture that has come loose and is scratching the eye.

These warning signs after blepharoplasty can point to problems that need same-day care. Do not wait for your next scheduled visit. If you cannot reach your surgeon's office, use their on-call line, or go to an emergency room.

Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology; American Academy of Ophthalmology (EyeWiki); StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf

Sources

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed 2026-08-25.

Blepharoplasty Weeks 3 and 4: Most Swelling Gone

Usually normal at this stage

Still off-limits

More on blepharoplasty recovery

Sources