Components Of Healing From Blepharoplasty
A blepharoplasty can improve the signs of aging in the eyes, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles.
People who are interested in getting a blepharoplasty procedure may be interested in the recovery period after a blepharoplasty procedure, also known as eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery is primarily composed of 2 methods of procedures. First, upper lid or lower lid eye surgery, which usually consists of the removal of excess skin around the eyes, and second, the removal or repositioning of eyelid tissue and the tightening of the orbicularis oculi muscles. A common question that surgery candidates have is “What is the recovery like after a blepharoplasty procedure?” On average, people resume normal activities a week or two after surgery.
Components of Healing
Time Off
Most patients experience an 80% to 90% reduction of swelling within the first 2 weeks. In upper blepharoplasty procedures, most patients can usually go back to work and social activities after a week. Lower eyelid surgery recovery can be a bit delayed compared to upper eyelid surgery, because it usually requires about 10 to 14 days of recovery for patients to resume normal social activities.
Bruising and Swelling
The areas of the eyes that are impacted by surgery are prone to bruising and swelling immediately after surgery. The skin below the eyes is the thinnest skin of the entire body, and bruising in this area can last up to 6 weeks after surgery. The fragility of the skin requires extended healing time for some people. There are several factors that can affect the recovery from bruising and swelling. These include age, health conditions, lifestyle, and the overall wellness of the body.
Bruising and swelling can be covered up with makeup after 1 week. Blepharoplasty patients should consider purchasing medical-grade makeup that is formulated to conceal post-procedural pigments from the skin like the ColoreScience Corrector palette, which contains 5 shades and SPF.
Patients can expect most of the bruising and swelling to be gone within the first 2 weeks of surgery. In the case of lower blepharoplasty, there can be more persistent swelling that can last for several weeks. Although prolonged swelling and bruising can happen, it’s not too common.
Pain
The great majority of blepharoplasty patients experience minimal pain after eyelid surgery. The first 48 hours after surgery is when people can expect to feel the maximum discomfort and pain. Your plastic surgeon can prescribe analgesia medications for your recovery after surgery.
Dryness
Patients who are prone to dry eyes may experience dryness in the first 4 to 6 weeks of surgery. Swelling from the surgery can increase the feeling of dryness in the eyes. Usually that will last for a few weeks. Lubricating tear ointment that can help with dryness in the eyes is prescribed after eyelid surgery.
Activities
Patients can expect to be able to go back to normal activities like reading, watching TV, and Web browsing after several days, usually 1 week after surgery.
Other activities like bending over and strenuous activities like lifting things should be avoided in the first 2 weeks after surgery. It is very important to reduce your risks of increasing your blood pressure in the first 2 weeks after surgery to minimize further risks of more bruising and swelling after surgery, which can delay healing.
Vision
Patients can expect to recuperate normal vision usually about 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Blurry vision immediately after surgery is normal and temporary as a result of the antibacterial ointment drops that are used after the procedure. Lubricating eye drops can also cause mild blurriness in the first few days after surgery. The eyes are not really impacted by a blepharoplasty procedure, because the surgery is only on the upper or lower eyelids, not on the actual eye. Patients can expect to see clearly and do regular activities like reading and watching TV a few days after surgery.
Stitches
Your plastic surgeon will strategically place internal or external stitches to help the incision marks heal. If you have non-dissolvable stitches, you are usually required to follow up with your surgeon after 5 days to have the stitches removed. Stitch removal is quick, and people can expect to feel minimal to no pain during the removal of stitches after eyelid surgery.
Exercise
Exercise after surgery is to be avoided for the first 3 weeks after surgery. Patients should relax and focus on recovering for the first 2 weeks after surgery. They can resume normal activities like walking after that 2-week period. Patients can resume aerobic activities usually 3 to 4 weeks after having surgery.
Eyelid Surgery
The technique used in the surgical procedure that minimizes trauma and preserves the eyelid tissue and muscles beneath the eyes ultimately determines how the recovery is after eyelid surgery. Patients with individual lifestyle factors like excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption or with medical conditions like diabetes can expect delayed healing. It is very important to disclose all medical conditions to your surgeon to maintain the highest level of safety for your eyelid surgery. A consultation with a certified facial cosmetic surgeon is the first step in discovering if you are ready for a blepharoplasty procedure.
*Disclaimer: Similar and/or permanent results are not guaranteed based on the treatment/procedure and may vary from patient to patient, based on multiple factors, including genetics and lifestyle of each patient.*
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