Eyelid Surgery Recovery
The eyes are often referred to as the “windows to the soul” because they express a person’s emotions. Unfortunately, aging around the eyes can make people feel self-conscious about their appearance. Excess fatty tissues and loose skin create folds and bags that can make a person look tired or aged.
At the Chicago Hair Institute, Dr. Sahar Nadimi offers blepharoplasty to smooth and lift the skin around the upper or lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, restores a more youthful and alert appearance. Prior to treatment at our Chicago, IL, practice, patients should know what to expect from eyelid surgery recovery. Here, we provide a brief summary of the typical recovery process following blepharoplasty.
Eyelid Surgery Side Effects
One of the things that patients are often most anxious to learn about eyelid surgery recovery is what type of side effects will develop as they heal. It is important that our Chicago patients know what type of side effects to expect after eyelid surgery so that they are prepared to manage them. It also enables them to recognize if rare complications develop, such as an infection.
The most common eyelid surgery side effects include:
- Inflammation around the eyes
- Bruising around the eyes
- A tight or itchy sensation around the eyes and eyelids
- Excessive tearing
- Dry eyes
- Blurry vision
- Pain or irritation
Side effects are a normal part of the recovery process. While eyelid surgery side effects are not pleasant, they should not cause any severe discomfort, and with proper care, side effects resolve in a timely manner.
How Long Does Recovery Last?
Eyelid surgery recovery can be broken down into a few stages. The first stage of recovery involves the removal of surgical stitches. Stitches may dissolve on their own or they may be removed by the surgeon. Stitches usually remain in place for about a week after eyelid surgery.
Even after stitches are removed, patients will continue to experience eyelid surgery side effects. Side effects start to dissipate within the first week of surgical recovery. For instance, blurry vision usually only lasts a few days. Inflammation and bruising tend to last longer. It can take around two weeks for bruising and inflammation to resolve to the point that irritation subsides and people feel well enough to return to work and most other routine activities. This is generally considered the second phase of eyelid surgery recovery.
Although patients should feel mostly back to normal a few weeks after eyelid surgery, it takes longer to completely heal from the procedure. Individuals are generally advised to avoid heavy lifting or other strenuous activities for at least four to six weeks following surgery. And even though the eyes should look remarkably better two to three weeks after treatment, final surgical results can take up to three months.
Recovery Tips
There are some recovery tips that patients can follow to promote smooth and timely healing after eyelid surgery. These practices encourage healing and minimize the risk of surgical complications:
- Closely follow all post-surgical care instructions
- Use any prescribed medication exactly as directed
- Get plenty of rest during the initial stage of surgical recovery
- Keep the head slightly elevated when resting or lying down
- Avoid wearing eye makeup or other facial cosmetics for at least two weeks after surgery
- Refrain from rubbing, scratching, or putting pressure on the eyes
- Use ice packs or cold compresses to alleviate swelling
- Use over-the-counter pain medication, as needed, to alleviate discomfort
- Avoid swimming pools and hot tubs for at least two weeks after surgery
Contact Us
Eyelid surgery lifts droopy eyelids, eliminates puffy bags, and can even improve vision. If you’d like to learn more about blepharoplasty treatment or its recovery process, Dr. Sahar Nadimi would be happy to answer any questions you may have. To schedule a consultation at the Chicago Hair Institute, send us a message online or call (630) 932-9690 at your earliest convenience.
