Eyelid surgery is a safe and effective option to tighten your sagging skin, bring a more open look to your eyes, and prevent vision impairment. It is a non-invasive surgery that removes excess fat and skin from your brows and makes you look better. Consult Dr. David Shokrian to learn about the benefits, recovery time, and risks associated with this surgery, also known as blepharoplasty. He explains what happens during the surgery, how long it takes to recover, and what you can do to ensure you get the best results within the shortest possible time.
What Is Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin from the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. As you age, eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken, which leads to a collection of fat and skin above and below the eyelids. This results in sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids, and bags under the eyes.
Sagging skin around the eyes not only looks unappealing but can also reduce vision, especially in the upper and outer parts of the visual field. With eyelid surgery, you can reduce your chances of getting rid of these problems, smooth out fine wrinkle lines and look younger and alert. Sometimes it is also known as eyelift surgery, although the two procedures are different.
Recovering From Eyelid Surgery
Recovery from blepharoplasty is relatively short compared with other types of surgeries, but it can still take several months. You can speed up the recovery time by having realistic expectations of what happens after the surgery and following your surgeon’s instructions carefully.
Eyelid Surgery– What Happens Afterward?
You will remain in the recovery room after the procedure. The surgeon will want to make sure you are stable before you can go home.
Temporary side effects that you may experience soon after the surgery may include:
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision, usually caused by the lubricating ointment
- Watery eyes
- Numb, puffy eyelids
- Double vision
- Slight pain or discomfort
- Swelling or bruising, which is just like having a black eye
After your blepharoplasty surgery, you will not be able to drive. You will have to arrange for someone to come and pick you up. It is also advised that you have someone stay with you for the first night as a precautionary measure.
How Much Does It Take To Recover From Eyelid Surgery?
Recovery from eyelid surgery can be broken down into 3 parts:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Maturation of the scar/incision
The bruising will go away in about 2 to 3 weeks. Swelling takes some time, and it may take about 8 weeks or even more before you make a complete recovery. You can go back to work or resume your routine activities in 5 to 10 days after the surgery, but it depends largely on your comfort level and what you feel. Recovery from eyelid surgery is a gradual process, and the appearance of your eye may continue to get better for 1 to 3 months.
You must know that there will be scars from the surgical incisions after the surgery. It can take up to a year or even more for these scars to improve or fade maximally. Ask your surgeon about eyelid surgery recovery instructions to ensure timely and anticipated healing.
Read more: Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Post-Operative Instructions
Tips for Recovering From Eyelid Surgery
Knowing what to expect from your blepharoplasty ensures you heal properly. It is crucial to follow the doctor’s specific instructions as they can play a significant role in your recovery. Here are some tips that improve your recovery time and lead to desired outcomes.
Take Some Time Off
Recovering from eyelid surgery takes some time. You must be prepared to take some time off from work, school, or routine activities to rest and heal properly. Ask someone to cover your primary responsibilities to ensure it does not interrupt your healing process.
Limit your reading, computer work, and TV for the first few days as it can put a strain on your eyes and affect your recovery process.
Care For Yourself
To speed up the eyelid surgery recovery process, your doctor will provide some self-care instructions. They include:
- Using icepacks on your eyes – constant use of ice during the first 3 days is essential
- Cleaning your eyelids gently
- Using eye drops or ointments as you are prescribed by the surgeon
- Avoiding rubbing your eyes
- Avoiding wearing contact lenses for about two weeks after your procedure
- Keeping your head elevated, above your chest for the first few days after your procedure
- Quitting smoking
- Avoid taking ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen sodium
The surgeon will call you a few days after the surgery to remove the stitches. Make sure to follow all the instructions to ensure you get desired outcomes.
Set Realistic Expectations
Understanding the recovery process and setting realistic expectations about your baggy eyelid surgery can keep your eyes on the end goal. You will have to be patient, understand what happens post-surgery, and follow the doctor’s instructions to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Your eyelids will probably look puffy after surgery, and the incisions will look red too. The swelling and bruising during blepharoplasty recovery often resemble a black eye, but this is all normal. Knowing how it goes and being patient will help you get the best results within no time.
Care For Your Eyes
Protecting your eyes from wind, sunlight, and other elements during the recovery is very important. If you have to go out, make sure to put on dark sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes from exposure to the sun. Applying sunscreen and following any other instructions given by your doctor is essential to guard your delicate eyelid skin and ensure timely healing.
Do Not Stress or Strain
Avoid straining your eyes during the recovery period. Try to avoid reading, watching TV, or using too much computer in the week following your blepharoplasty as it puts unnecessary stress on your eyes. Give your eyes a chance to rest for better results. Check out with your doctor which activities can cause your eyes to dry up, and stay away from them.
Sleep Well
Sleep is the best way to give your body a chance to heal. A good night’s sleep can speed up the recovery process. Take a nap whenever you feel tired. Do not make yourself do what you cannot. Instead, relax and focus on getting better.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
You must avoid all strenuous activities during the initial weeks after your surgery. It is because too much physical activity can increase the flow of blood to the eyes and lead to bleeding if you are not careful. You should avoid lifting heavy items, aerobics, intensive exercises, and sports for as long as your doctor says to prevent complications.
Learning how to prepare for eyelid surgery and what you need to do can help you achieve desired results. It is best to take a break from hectic, routine activities, close your eyes, and relax. Even though the scars from the cuts may take months to fade, you can look forward to years of relief from sagging, drooping eyelids. You will see how blepharoplasty affects your looks and overall personality within a few weeks.
Blepharoplasty can restore your self-confidence and make you look younger and more rested. Schedule an appointment with Dr. David Shokrian at Millennial Plastic Surgery to discover its benefits and potential complications. He discusses the procedure, the time it may take for you to recover from the surgery, and what you can do to enjoy satisfactory results. With proper care and knowledge, you can look forward to enhancing your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both and restoring your youthful appearance.