Contact & assessment

If the swelling is new, one-sided or painful

Do not book a cosmetic consultation first. Swelling that has developed over weeks rather than years, swelling on one side only, a swelling that is red, warm or tender, or an eye that protrudes or is gritty needs medical assessment. If there is breathlessness, fatigue, weight change or swelling of the ankles, or any change in vision or double vision, that assessment is urgent rather than routine, and emergency care is the right route.

Arranging an ordinary assessment

Where the puffiness has been present for years and is the same on both sides, appointments are made through the hospital outpatient line or through the appointment service described on the appointments page. Say that you are asking about the eye area so that the right clinic time is booked. If you are travelling from outside Chongqing, say so when you book, because the assessment and any tests can sometimes be arranged in fewer visits.

What to bring

Bring a list of your current medicines and allergies, the names of any conditions you are being treated for, and any previous treatment records for the area, including injectable treatments and when they were given, because the timing changes how the area is assessed. Bring photographs of your face from several years ago as well, since they show whether this is new or lifelong better than memory does.

What happens at the consultation

Expect an examination rather than a presentation. The area is watched at rest and with you looking up, the skin is pressed to see whether it holds an impression, the lid and eye surface are examined, and the history covers sleep position, salt, alcohol, allergy, thyroid, kidney and family pattern. You should leave knowing which mechanism is present, whether anything should be done about it, and what the options and their limits are.

Questions without booking

Questions about the content of this site, including any correction you believe should be made to it, are welcome through the hospital administration line. Clinical questions about your own case are best answered in person, and we will say so rather than guess.