If you’ve recently undergone blepharoplasty or are considering it, understanding what to expect during your recovery will help make the experience easier and less stressful. And while looking at photos is certainly beneficial, simply knowing what each day will bring can help settle your mind as well.
This article will take you through a day-by-day and week-by-week journey, highlighting the recovery process, results, improvements, and necessary restrictions. We’ll also provide some unique eyelid surgery recovery tips to help optimize your healing process and ensure the best possible outcome.
Day by Day Lower Eyelid Surgery Recovery Time Photos and Tips
Day One (Immediately After Surgery)
On the day you return home after your procedure, swelling, bruising, and some discomfort are common. It’s essential to have someone accompany you on your drive home, and having some assistance at home can be beneficial as well.
Some daily activities may be more difficult at first. This is because your vision may be blurred, and you might experience sensitivity to light. If you’ve had excess skin removed, these symptoms may be slightly worse at the outset. But you can reduce swelling in some cases with a cold compress (always check with your surgeon).
Day Two
As you wake up on the second day, the swelling and bruising may have intensified, but again, this is normal. Continue following your surgeon’s recovery instructions by using the necessary eye drops and taking your medications as directed. Ensure you keep your head elevated to minimize swelling, and avoid strenuous activities.
Day Three
By the third day, some patients notice a reduction in swelling and bruising. However, do not be alarmed if it is still present. Follow your surgeon’s instructions on wound care and medications carefully.
Week One
During the first week, you may still experience some residual swelling, but it should gradually improve. Bruising will also be present during this week.
You might be able to return to light daily activities, but avoid anything that could strain your eyes or cause dryness. Attend your follow-up appointment with your surgeon to monitor progress. Usually, after one week, sutures can be removed, and you can return to work.
Weeks 2-3
By this stage, most patients are back at work and have observed significant improvements in swelling and bruising. You may feel more comfortable resuming additional daily activities and light exercise, which can help increase blood flow. Still, as with any cosmetic surgery recovery, avoid activities that could risk injury to your healing eyelids.
Weeks 4-5
Around the fourth and fifth weeks, you will likely notice more substantial improvements in the appearance of your upper eyelids if you’ve had upper blepharoplasty and in your lower eyelid skin if you’ve had lower eyelid surgery.
The majority of the swelling should have subsided, and your final results will start to become apparent. Most patients can go back to a normal exercise regimen around four weeks after surgery.
Week 6 and Beyond
At this point, your lower or upper eyelid surgery recovery should be mostly complete. However, remember that individual healing rates vary. It’s essential to continue following your surgeon’s advice, wear sunscreen to protect your delicate eye skin, and avoid excess sun exposure.
How to Optimize Your Blepharoplasty Recovery and Maximize Your Results
Here are some tips and self care instructions recommended by cosmetic surgeons to promote improved healing after lower or upper eyelid surgery.
1. Follow your surgeon’s instructions.
Listen carefully to your surgeon’s post-operative instructions after upper or lower eyelid surgery. These guidelines are tailored to your specific situation and can significantly impact your recovery and final results.
2. Keep your head elevated.
Elevating your head while resting can aid in reducing swelling and promoting a more comfortable recovery.
3. Avoid intensive exercise and strenuous activities.
Avoid any activities that could strain your eyes, including heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, and bending over.
4. Protect your eyes from the sun.
Wear sunglasses and use sunscreen to protect your sensitive eyelids from harmful UV rays.
5. Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods.
Proper hydration and a balanced diet can support your body’s healing process and promote optimal recovery.
6. Take day by day eyelid surgery recovery time photos to track progress.
By taking regular photos of yourself, you can see what your eyelid surgery before and after looks like and the changes that have occurred. You’ll naturally want upper day by day eyelid surgery recovery time photos if you’ve undergone upper blepharoplasty and photos of your lower lids if you’ve undergone lower blepharoplasty. As you continue to improve, go back over your photos so that you can see your improvements and give yourself motivation and encouragement.
7. Get adequate rest.
Allow your body ample time to heal by getting a good night’s sleep every night. Whenever you feel tired, try to let yourself relax and rest.
8. Manage discomfort with medication.
If needed, take prescribed pain medication as directed to manage post-surgery discomfort.
9. Don’t wear contact lenses or eye makeup.
If you wear contact lenses as a rule, ensure you do not wear your lenses for the first few weeks following surgery (ask your surgeon for precise times). The same goes for eye makeup.
Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation Appointment
Now that you know what to expect during your eyelid surgery recovery, remember that everyone’s recovery journey will be unique, and it’s essential to follow your surgeon’s instructions closely.
If you have any questions or concerns or would like to learn more about eyelid surgery, we encourage you to contact us and schedule a consultation appointment. At your appointment, you and Dr. Mohan can discuss more about eyelid surgery cost, recovery, surgery candidacy, and more.
Our experienced team is here to help you feel better about yourself and achieve your desired results. Don’t hesitate to take the first step toward a more vibrant and confident you. Call us today!
References
https://www.verywellhealth.com/eyelid-surgery-recovery-2709807