Department of Surgery
Strong Health's Specialists in Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery
Recovery After Eyelid Surgery
Immediately Following Surgery
For the first 48 hours after surgery, the incisions will be lubricated with ointment and you’ll be asked to keep iced eye pads on your eyes to reduce swelling and bruising. After 48 hours, the eye pads can be used intermittently for any sensation of burning or itching. You may also be asked to use eyedrops for a while. On the third day after surgery, you may put lukewarm eye pads on your eyes if you need them for comfort. You may also need to wear dark glasses for a week or so to prevent irritation from the sun and wind.
After A Few Weeks
Your stitches will be removed two days to a week after surgery. Your eyelids will be discolored and swollen for about seven to ten days, and feel “tight” or “stiff” for a while. To keep your eyes lubricated during this time, you’ll try exercises such as close your eyes, then “looking” at the ceiling.
During the first few weeks after surgery, you may have excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and double or blurred vision. The whites of your eyes may have red splotches, but they will disappear after two to three weeks.
You should be able to read or watch television after two or three days, but don’t wear contact lenses until your doctor approves it. You should be able to go back to work in a week to ten days, and can use make-up then to cover the redness of the scars. You’ll avoid bending at the waist for about five days and strenuous activity (especially activities that raise your blood pressure, such as lifting and rigorous sports) for about ten days to two or three weeks.
You'll have some scars from the surgery, but they're usually hidden and will fade in time and should be scarcely visible.
Healing is Slow - But Results Are Great
Healing does take time and often people feel depressed for a while after plastic surgery, especially in the early days when their faces are bruised and swollen. This is quite normal and will pass. And remember why you chose to have the surgery. If you've met your goals, then your surgery is a success.