Eyelid surgery is one of the most successful plastic surgery procedures available for both men and women. The procedure is popular in large part because recovery time is minimal and results look completely natural. However, as with any other surgical procedure, it is important for patients to follow the prescribed after-care routine following surgery.

What to Expect After Surgery

Eyelid surgery can be performed in a hospital setting or in an in-office surgical suite at a plastic surgeon’s office. Following the procedure, which can take up to several hours, patients can expect to wake up feeling groggy with slightly blurred vision. There may also be swelling near the incision sites. Dry eye is a common side effect following surgery, but your plastic surgeon can provide eye drops and ointments to apply on the incision sites.

After-Care

It is important to go over post-operative instructions prior to undergoing a blepharoplasty procedure in order to know what to expect following surgery. Here are some tips to speed up the recovery process following eyelid surgery:

• Soreness can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Place cold compresses over the eyes to reduce swelling.
• Use eye drops as needed to keep eyes moist.
• Keep the head elevated to minimize swelling.
• Avoid activities that are strenuous on the eyes, including reading and watching television.
• Keep incisions moist with prescribed ointment.
• When venturing outside, protect eyes from the elements with dark sunglasses.

For the first few weeks after surgery it is best to avoid any type of activity that can strain the eyes, including excessive exercise and weight-lifting. The eyes may be red for several days following surgery, but this will fade with time. Overall, expect to be back to your day to day activities in about two weeks. To learn more about eyelid surgery recovery, talk to a plastic surgeon or schedule an appointment with a cosmetic surgery consultant.