With age, the skin around the eyes can noticeably droop and sag. This can cause a tired, worn out look and may even impact vision. Blepharoplasty removes unnecessary skin, fat, and muscle from the upper and/or lower eyelid area to help you look younger and fresher in a natural way. The procedure can even improve vision issues — usually related to particularly droopy upper eyelids.

While blepharoplasty may seem like a surgery that requires a lengthy recovery, the good news is that in most cases, patients are able to get back to their regular activities after just 10 to 14 days. In fact, by 4 weeks after blepharoplasty, nearly all of the swelling and bruising should be gone and you likely won’t even be able to tell you had surgery.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect after blepharoplasty.

What Side Effects Should You Expect During Blepharoplasty Recovery?

Check any day by day eyelid surgery recovery time photos, and you’ll notice right away that the side effects from blepharoplasty change fast. The good news is, progress can be achieved in a very short amount of time. In fact, most patients are able to see the majority of their results just 4 weeks post blepharoplasty.

In the meantime, here are some of the side effects you might experience:

Bruising

One of the most challenging parts of blepharoplasty recovery is that bruising is often an issue for one to three weeks after blepharoplasty. This is mostly a challenge because it can sometimes be uncomfortable for patients to go out in public or even see their friends, coworkers, or family members when they have significant bruising on their face. 

Still, this is a natural side effect, and it will go away with time. It is worth noting here that you should not attempt to cover any bruising with makeup or other products. Instead, let the discoloration improve naturally with time.

Pain

The good news with blepharoplasty is that there won’t be much pain for patients during their recovery. Directly after the procedure, patients usually take some ibuprofen or Tylenol. In some cases, a different pain medication may be prescribed. 

The majority of patients require some help with discomfort during early recovery. But after that, no pain medication is usually necessary.

Swelling

Like bruising, swelling around the eyes and in the cheeks may last for about one to three weeks. Again, this is a normal response from your body after surgery, and it will dissipate over time.

Vision Side Effects

It’s not uncommon for patients to experience some light sensitivity, double vision, and/or blurred vision after blepharoplasty. These side effects will likely be most noticeable for the first few days after your procedure, but they will usually go away within a few days. If you experience any persistent vision issues, it’s important to contact your surgeon immediately.

What Should You Expect 1 Week Post Blepharoplasty?

After one week, most blepharoplasty patients have some residual swelling and bruising around their eyes and on other parts of their face. There should not be any pain for most patients at this point, and you should have normal vision other than some slight discomfort from the swelling (no blurriness, dryness, or itchiness).

Unfortunately, the bruising and swelling can make going out in public uncomfortable for some people. However, if you are okay with others knowing you had surgery, you will generally be able to return to work and go where you please over the following weeks (2-3 weeks post blepharoplasty).

What Should You Expect 4 Weeks Post Blepharoplasty?

4 weeks post blepharoplasty, most patients do not notice any swelling or bruising, and they are able to return to their jobs and other daily activities, feeling like themselves again. There should be no vision issues or pain. In some patients, a small amount of bruising or swelling will persist, but again, this should dissipate over the following few weeks.

Most patients will also notice that the “tight feeling” they had right after surgery will be dissipating by this time. The eyes will appear wider, and you should start to look more awake and well-rested than you are used to.

SEE ALSO: How Long Will My Eyes Feel Tight After Blepharoplasty?

Tips During Blepharoplasty Recovery

Many patients experience an extremely smooth recovery from blepharoplasty largely because of how they care for themselves at home. Here are some tips to aid you during your blepharoplasty recovery.

Wait to return to your normal activities until you get approval from your doctor.

Blepharoplasty is not a procedure that requires too much downtime, but there are certain activities you’ll need to avoid right after your procedure. These include exercising, driving, wearing contact lenses, using eye makeup (and skincare products), and showering (submerging your face in water). You’ll also need to take some time off work.

Don’t head back into these activities until you are approved to do so by Dr. Lahar. You will meet with Dr. Lahar several times for follow-up appointments during your recovery. At these appointments, he will inform you when you can go back to your daily activities. Following these cues will ensure you achieve optimal results and don’t rush your recovery.

Prioritize rest.

Getting as much sleep as possible will help you recover faster and better as well. After an invasive surgery, it can be normal for your body to require more sleep. Don’t hesitate to relax and rest when you feel tired. This is your body telling you what it needs.

Take care around water.

For about two weeks you’ll need to avoid swimming, going into hot tubs, or otherwise submerging your face in water. About 24 hours after your surgery, you will be able to take a shower. However, ensure that you keep water, soap, shampoo, and other products well away from your eyes, forehead, and the rest of your face.

If you require vision correction, follow these steps.

For those who are used to wearing contacts, it’s important not to wear your lenses for at least two weeks after surgery. Wear your glasses instead, when required. When not required, you may not even want to wear your glasses as the nose pads and bridge can be uncomfortable when the eye area is swollen and sensitive.

Schedule a Blepharoplasty Consultation Today

Don’t let droopy skin around your eyes reduce your self-confidence or cause you vision problems. Blepharoplasty can take years off your face and improve how you see the world. Schedule a consultation to discuss your options with Dr. Lahar today.

References

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery/recovery