Is there swelling and bruising after a blepharoplasty? The answer is yes: there is always swelling and bruising. What varies is the amount of swelling/bruising and the time it takes to disappear. Some people will experience minimal swelling while others will have difficulty opening their eyes the first two days after surgery. To diminish the amount of swelling, it is important to apply ice compresses to the operated area the first day of surgery. Regarding bruising, it will usually take about 10 days to disappear, but it may also last for weeks. It is very difficult to predict who will experience a lot of swelling/bruising, although people taking certain medications and multivitamins are at greater risk. Such medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, and clopidogrel. Supplements that may prolong bruising include omega 3, garlic, ginseng, and vitamin E.