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.
According to a study published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, pain tends to peak around 4.4 hours after surgery. Likewise, swelling peaks at 17 hours, blurred vision at 8.7 hours, and bruising at 33.6 hours. The pain is typically mild to moderate and can last for up to seven days.
Once you undergo eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, you can expect to spend approximately seven to 14 days resting and recovering. Once you reach the two-week point, you can enjoy your new, youthful-looking eye area.
The short answer is yes – you may not look the best right away, but you will be able to see, but swelling will vary from patient to patient. Your eyelids will be puffy, your incisions may appear red, and the swelling and bruising may resemble a black eye.
Your eyelids will probably look puffy after surgery. The incisions will probably look red, too. The swelling and bruising involved with blepharoplasty recovery tend to resemble a black eye. That is all normal.
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.
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.
After blepharoplasty, we recommend that you sleep on your back with your head elevated for at least 3-4 weeks. This helps reduce eyelid swelling and speeds up recovery.
For the first 72 hours, sleep with your head in an elevated position, either in a recliner with your head elevated or sleeping on 2-3 pillows. No lifting or bending over. There will be a slight bloody dripping or oozing. Don't get alarmed.
Your Recovery
After surgery, your eyelid may feel tight and sore. Your eye may be watery, dry, sticky, itchy, or sensitive to light. Your vision may be blurry for a few days. Your doctor will give you medicines to help with pain and discomfort.
Local anesthesia is the right way to go for a blepharoplasty, as it's important for your facial plastic surgeon to evaluate the results while the face can move. However, even with local anesthesia, you will be in no condition to drive yourself.
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.
Answer: Post bleperoplasty swelling
Post surgical swelling of the eyelids always cause the eyes to appear more closed in the early post op phase. As the swelling subsides, they return to a more pleasing and youthful appearance.
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.
For three to four weeks after blepharoplasty, you should avoid lifting, bending and crying, to avoid irritation to your eyes. You should also not exercise or play sport during this time, as this increases blood flow to the area which can impede the healing process.
On the day of surgery, place an ice pack over the surgical area for about 10 minutes every hour. Starting on the day after surgery, you can reduce the use of ice packs to 3-4 times each day. Continue using ice packs as needed to reduce swelling.
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.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the vast majority — roughly 91% — of eyelid surgery patients are over 40, and more than half of that 91% is over 55.
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.
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.
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.