Generally, an upper lid blepharoplasty is a non painful procedure that patients can usually have performed, and enjoy a minimal amount of post-operative pain medicine, because the procedure is very mild. It's almost like a skin excision, and the eyelid itself is not particularly painful.
After blepharoplasty surgery, the eyelids will be bruised and swollen for one to three weeks. However, most patients say their eyes look normal and better than before after one to three months.
Will I be in pain? This is not a painful procedure and blepharoplasty recovery is relatively easy. Any pain following surgery will usually be slight and can be managed with the appropriate painkillers. These should be distributed to you after the procedure.
Your eyes may look swollen and bruised after your surgery. The eyelid swelling is usually worse early in the morning and will get better during the day as you sit or walk around. You may also have swelling on your cheeks and jawline. This will start to get better 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery.
Are you awake during droopy eyelid surgery? In an Awake Blepharoplasty, patients are completely conscious during the procedure. The local anesthesia is usually paired with a soothing sedative to help the patient stay calm and relaxed.
Avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting and rigorous sports. Keep activities to a minimum for 3-5 days; avoid strenuous activities for 2-3 weeks. Read or watch television after 2-3 days.
Winter is often the best season for eyelid surgery for a variety of reasons. Below you will find why it's the most helpful time in regard to your recovery and what to expect if you decide to move forward with the procedure.
Don't rub your eyes or attempt to go swimming, work out vigorously or lift heavy objects. Keep your eyes covered from the sun and wind with dark, protective sunglasses. Do not attempt to wear contact lenses for the first few weeks after your surgery. Your doctor will tell you when it is okay.
Swelling typically appears shortly after surgery, peaks two to four days after the procedure, and then slowly subsides over the next few days. Some residual swelling may remain for several weeks, but this is typically minor and shouldn't interfere greatly with social commitments.
Your eyelid may be swollen and bruised for 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. The appearance of your eye may continue to get better for 1 to 3 months. Most people feel ready to go out in public and back to work in about 10 to 14 days. This may depend on your job and how you feel about people knowing about your surgery.
Your vision may be blurry for some time after surgery. It typically returns to normal after two or three days. Full recovery takes about two to four weeks. During that time, you may have some bruising around your eyes.
Infection and bleeding. Dry, irritated eyes. Difficulty closing the eyes or other eyelid problems. Noticeable scarring.
Blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that dramatically improves appearance and reduces droopy, baggy eyelids. Aging changes around the eyelid are due to several factors: excess skin, sun exposure, gravity, heredity and thinning and laxity of skin.
Can Eyelid Surgery Make Your Eyes Look Bigger? Yes. Double eyelid surgery (upper and lower blepharoplasty) can make your eyes look bigger by excising excess skin around the eyes and lifting sagging skin.
People who are not ideal candidates for eyelid surgery are those who suffer from chronic dry-eye, hypertension, circulation disorders, thyroid disorders, diabetes or heart disease. Individuals who have glaucoma are advised to speak with their doctor before considering the surgery to find out if it is safe for them.
Reduce caffeine and carbonated drink intake in the first few days. You should abstain from alcohol during the first week following surgery.
Physical Exercise after Eyelid Surgery – Blepharoplasty
Walking is one of the best form of exercise after eyelid surgery. Walking in the initial phases of recovery can promote blood circulation, prevent blood clots and lead to a smoother recovery. It will give you a surge of energy as well.
Since the eyes swell following eyelid surgery, the ability for a patient to blink is affected. Consequently, the cornea is not covered adequately by the tear film, which causes a dry feeling. In some cases, the procedure alters the composition of the tear film, leading to dry eyes.
Cosmetic eyelid surgery and your appearance
Getting a blepharoplasty definitely changes the appearance of your face.
The results of your blepharoplasty become more visible as side effects, like swelling and bruising, subside. Most patients love their outcomes and do not seek repeat treatments. While future aging may cause your eye bags to return, this ultimately depends on your age, skin condition, and lifestyle choices.
Eyelid surgery is a minimally invasive procedure. Your surgeon won't make any deep cuts to the lid. The topical procedure will only affect the surface of your skin. During the procedure, you won't be able to feel the surgery.