How Long Does It Take to Recover From Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery, medically known as a blepharoplasty, can truly be life changing. You see dramatic results in the improvement of the eye area and often times, it helps with a persons vision as well. Eyelid lift surgery can achieve long-lasting, aesthetic, and functional improvements. Eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, to minimize under eye bags and remove excess tissue in the upper and lower eyelid.
Eyelid surgery treats the area around your eyes that could have a few concerns:
Permanent bags underneath the eyes
Drooping below the brow
Excess skin above or below the eyes
Fat pockets above or below the eyes
Eyelids turning in or outwards incorrectly (typically on the lower lid)
Anyone who is bothered by the appearance of the tissue around the eyelids and/or experiences blocked peripheral vision because of this tissue may want to consider blepharoplasty to address these issues. Often, clients who have this procedure find that they have a more awake, youthful appearance.
What is the process for an eyelid surgery?
Once we have determined that a blepharoplasty is right for you, a few dates will be scheduled. The pre-op assessment, the surgery itself, and a post-op assessment will all need to get on the books to ensure the best possible outcome for you. The pre-op appointment is key to ensuring that you are physically ready and able for the surgery but also to go over everything you need to know to be best prepared and successful in achieving the results you are looking for.
On the day of the procedure, the surgeon will numb the eyelid area and may provide medication to ease any anxiety associated with the surgery. Then, he or she will make tiny incisions along the eyelids, remove excess tissue as detailed in the surgical plan, and close the incision with sutures.
Although this is an outpatient procedure, you should plan to have someone drive you home afterward and stay with you overnight. This is the same as any other time you may need to have any anesthesia. You will feel just a bit off or out of it as the medication wears off over the next 24 hours. Applying cold compresses, elevating your head, and taking over the counter pain medication as directed can resolve your discomfort in the first few days.
How long does it take to recovery from eyelid surgery?
Some clients experience pain at the surgical site, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or dry, irritated eyes, but these problems typically resolve within a few days of surgery. Within 10 to 14 days, bruising and swelling will clear up, and you will be able to see the final results.
Closely following post-care instructions can help facilitate a healthy recovery. Control discomfort and swelling by applying an ice pack to the eyes for 10 minutes every hour. Avoid heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, and similar activities for at least a week from surgery, and refrain from smoking during that time. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses for at least two weeks.
Clients can typically return to work after about a week and resume exercise and more vigorous activities within two to four weeks. Protecting your skin from sun damage by using a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 whenever you go outside can help preserve the results of your surgery.
Before moving forward, you should have realistic expectations for the surgery and make sure you are in good health. You must stop taking medications that cause bleeding, including ibuprofen, warfarin, naproxen, and aspirin, at least a few weeks before the procedure. You should also quit smoking, as it can increase your risk of complications.
Are there any potential risks or complications of an eyelid surgery?
As with all surgical procedures, an eyelid lift carries a small chance of complication. Let’s talk about the potential risks and complications of eyelid surgery that you may encounter:
Dry and/or Irritated Eyes- after your eyelid surgery, your eyes could feel more dry than normal. Likewise, the feeling could be more of an irritation than of dryness. This happens since the area underwent surgery causing changes to the skin around the eye. Following your surgery you will be given an eye patch to wear at night. Please use as directed by your care provider to prevent rubbing and injury to your surgical site at night which can also cause irritation of the eye.
Itchy Eyes- Sensations such as itching and a “gathering together” or tightening feeling are a normal part of the healing process. Please be very careful not to forcefully rub or scratch your eyes after your surgery.
Bleeding and Infections- It is possible for the area where the surgery was performed to end up getting infected or have some small bleeding. This is again why it is so important to follow your doctor’s directions and make sure to ask any clarification questions prior to the surgery. It is also incredibly important to make sure you are only working with an oculoplastic surgeon- we will talk more on this further into the article.
Vision Problems- this is a temporary thing. Some people find they have blurry vision and some find it is more double vision. This generally will only last a few days after your surgery as the eyes are adjusting and healing.
Trouble Closing Your Eyes- this is most commonly noticed when you are trying to go to sleep. The eye patch given to wear at night can help to create that darkness enjoyed. With removal of skin in the area, your eyes need to adjust and heal. It is very rare for this to be a permanent problem.
Swelling in the Area- this also is a temporary thing that is fairly common due to the nature of the eyelid surgery. Immediately following your surgery, there will be a slight noticeable swelling which will increase on day two following your operation. 48 hours following your surgery is when this swelling will reach its peak. After 48 hours, swelling should start to decrease. Applying cool packs will help to decrease swelling. We will review this with you at one of your surgical appointments.
NOTE: Please refrain from using any creams or makeup on your face until after your stitches are removed.
After your surgery is complete and you have had some healing time, you will come back into the office for a follow up consultation to see how everything is healing. At this time, we are able to address any concerns you may have and typically are able to remove any stitches that were needed. This is preplanned to occur 7-14 days after your eyelid surgery in most cases.
Attention to detail is such a key factor that often gets overlooked. You never want to feel like you are on a factory line pumping out surgeries! Make sure you get the individual attention you deserve from a professional you can trust has your best interests in mind. Here at Perich Eye Centers, we pride ourselves on being the best place to have your eyelid surgery done since we know the eyes the best. Call us today at one of our Florida locations that is most convenient to you! Scroll down to see the location list.
