Blepharoplasty Recovery: What to Expect
As skin elasticity deteriorates and collagen diminishes, the skin around the eyes begins to look loose and baggy. Excess skin around the eyelids can make a person look tired, worn down, and aged.
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, eliminates skin and sometimes fatty deposits to smooth and tighten the upper or lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery offers promising results, but as with any other surgical procedure, patients must recover before enjoying all the benefits of treatment. Facial plastic surgeon David A. Sherris prepares his Buffalo, NY, patients for what to expect during blepharoplasty recovery, including anticipated side effects.
Blepharoplasty Side Effects
All surgical procedures result have a healing period. Side effects are a natural reaction as the body heals from the procedure. The most common side effects of eyelid surgery include the following:
- Inflammation
- Bruising
- Discomfort
- Excessive tearing
- Dry eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
Eyelid surgery side effects are usually most severe two to three days after treatment. Side effects gradually diminish over time. Discomfort and eye irritation should clear up within a week or two of recovery. Bruising and inflammation dramatically improve during the first two weeks of recovery, but inflammation especially on lower eyelids can linger depending on the complexity.
How Long Does Blepharoplasty Recovery Last?
Blepharoplasty recovery occurs gradually. Many side effects diminish within 7 to 14 days after treatment. Most patients feel well enough to return to work or other routine activities at this stage of recovery. This is largely based on a person’s comfort with their appearance, since some bruising and inflammation may still be noticeable.
Although our Buffalo patients should feel back to normal in about two weeks, there are still some necessary precautions as the body continues to heal. Patients should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for at least two to three weeks after surgery.
Blepharoplasty Results
Many patients are anxious to learn when they can expect eyelid surgery results. The appearance of the eyes will be greatly improved post-surgery but will continue to improve as inflammation subsides. Most patients notice a dramatic improvement two to three weeks after surgery, but it can take two to three months for the body to fully heal from any surgical procedure.
Blepharoplasty Recovery Tips
Dr. Sherris offers his Buffalo patients thorough post-surgical care instructions that must be carefully followed. Additionally, the following care tips support healing and promote a smooth and timely blepharoplasty recovery:
- Get plenty of rest, especially during the early stages of recovery
- Keep the head slightly elevated when resting
- Keep incision sites clean
- Stay well hydrated
- Limit reading, computer work, and other activities that strain the eyes for the first several days after surgery
- Refrain from wearing makeup or using facial creams for two weeks
- Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from harsh UV rays
- Report any unusual symptoms to Dr. Sherris as soon as possible
Contact Us
If you are considering blepharoplasty to minimize the signs of aging and rejuvenate your appearance, Dr. David A. Sherris would be happy to provide you with more information about the procedure. To schedule a surgical consultation at our facial plastic surgery center, send us a message online or call (716) 884-5102 at your earliest convenience.