Will My Facial Swelling Go Down?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have old dermal filler in my face that clogs up my lymphatics and swells sometimes and stays swollen. I also have lymphedema in my body, so altogether, a compromised lymphatic system. The other day, I was stupid and got a manual lymphatic drainage massage whilst sick, and they massaged my face. Two days later my eyes changes dramatically. Now have very small, sunken in appearing eyes and worst of all, they appear really close set now. I don’t know if it’s due to swelling or clogged lymphatics or old filler, but I don’t recognize myself in the mirror and I’m terrified I’ve damaged myself permanently. Is there any way to fix close set eyes? Thank you

A:Injectable fillers, when done enough times and in adequate volumes, can certainly obstruct lymphatic outflow. However it slows it but does not stop it. Therefore I think if you get it a few days to week it should be a self resolving issue. That would be important since there is no surgical solution to chronic lymphedema of the face.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon