If droopy eyelids and puffy under-eye bags make you look older and wearier than you feel, it may be time to explore eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). This popular procedure improves your appearance by rejuvenating the upper or lower eyelids (or both) to help you look younger and more alert. Men and women who want to address issues such as eyelid drooping, sagging, and puffiness benefit the most from a procedure like eyelid surgery.
If you’re considering this procedure, you may be curious about all that eyelid surgery recovery entails. After all, knowing what to expect after blepharoplasty can help prepare you for a successful procedure and outcome. In this blog post, we share details about recovery, photos, and tips to help you better understand blepharoplasty and enhance your recovery and results.
Understanding Blepharoplasty Recovery Time
Blepharoplasty recovery varies for each patient based on the correction required and your unique aesthetic goals. Most patients find that the first week after blepharoplasty surgery requires the most downtime. After a few weeks, you can appreciate looking more youthful and vibrant.
Here’s a more detailed overview of what to expect throughout your blepharoplasty recovery:
Day of Surgery
You can return home on the day of surgery, but it’s essential to prioritize rest to facilitate healing and recovery.
One Week Post Op
Swelling and bruising usually peak, but applying ice or cool compresses helps minimize any discomfort. Keeping your head elevated, including during sleep, also reduces swelling.
Two Weeks Post Op
Swelling and bruising greatly diminish. You can typically wear contact lenses again, return to work, resume exercising, and get back to other regular activities.
Tips To Accelerate Blepharoplasty Healing
Following your post-op protocol and protecting your eyes during healing are critical to your blepharoplasty results. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recommends minimizing direct sun exposure by wearing darkly tinted sunglasses until healing is complete.
Here are some other key tips that contribute to a successful recovery:
- A dedicated skincare routine. Gently cleansing the eyelid area using mild skincare products reduces your risk of infection during healing.
- Daily moisturizing. Keeping your delicate eyelid area hydrated preserves the skin’s moisture and suppleness while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Being patient. Trusting the healing process and remembering that achieving your final results may take several months contributes to a better experience and outcome.
- Ongoing protection. Even after the healing process is complete, continuing to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and brimmed hats helps preserve your blepharoplasty results.
“Looking Ahead” After Eyelid Surgery
As you enjoy visibly firmer-looking skin around your eyes in the weeks following your blepharoplasty surgery, keep in mind it can take up to 6 months for residual swelling to completely resolve.
Scars are well-concealed in the crease of the eyelids or along the lower lash line and continue to fade until they’re virtually undetectable. Read our related blog post for more post-op tips to help you minimize scarring.
Combining upper and lower eyelid surgery doesn’t lengthen your recovery time. However, adding complementary procedures such as a brow lift or fat transfer can enhance your results but lengthen the recovery time.
While blepharoplasty doesn’t stop the aging process, you can expect to enjoy looking younger for many years.
Take the Next Step
Now that you better understand eyelid surgery recovery, I encourage you to book your personalized blepharoplasty consultation at our practice. Contact us today to request a consultation online or call us at (718) 720-9400.
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