If you’re unsatisfied with the appearance of your upper or lower eyelids, eyelid surgery could potentially be an effective option. The procedure, which is also known as blepharoplasty, can address several eyelid issues, including excess skin, bulges, and bags or dark circles beneath the eyes. If you decide to undergo eyelid surgery in Denver, getting through the recovery process smoothly will be imperative for achieving optimal long-term results. Here, we’ll take a closer look at what you can expect from your recovery period after blepharoplasty.
The First 24 Hours After Surgery
Immediately after your eyelid surgery, Dr. Weber will evaluate your eyelids and ensure that you’re ready to be discharged home. Once it’s clear that you haven’t suffered any complications, you’ll be able to return home with someone else driving you. During this time, your vision may be blurry or you might notice mild dryness or irritation of the eyes. You should have a friend or family member stay with you for the first night after surgery, as you’ll need to spend the majority of your time resting. If you’re experiencing discomfort, you can alleviate it with ice and the prescription medications provided by Dr. Weber. It is very important that you avoid aspirin, Aleve and Ibuprofen/ Motrin/ Advil if you’ve undergone lower eyelid surgery as these medications can thin your blood and increase your risk of complications.
Week One of Recovery
During the first week of recovery from eyelid surgery, you may experience some swelling and soreness around the eyes, but these symptoms should subside gradually on their own. You should still get plenty of rest during this time, but as soon as you feel up to it, it will be beneficial to start taking light walks around your home. This will keep your blood flowing and help to speed up the healing process. Other things you can do during the first week of recovery to help your body heal include:
- Periodically apply a cold compress to the area around your eyes (apply for 10 minutes and then allow your tissue to recover for 10 minutes before reapplying cold)
- Sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling
- Maintain a nutritious diet
- Keep yourself hydrated
- Follow all of Dr. Weber’s instructions
- Contact Dr. Weber immediately if you encounter any unusual symptoms or complications. The best way to reach Dr. Weber is to call the office phone number. The answering service will forward your call if you need the doctor after hours.
We will see you in the office 5 or 6 days following surgery to check on your progress and verify that you’re healing properly.
Week Two of Recovery
During your second week of recovery from eyelid surgery, you’ll still want to get lots of rest and allow your body to heal. However, you should be able to function significantly more by this point. For example, it should be no problem to complete light tasks around the house and to return to work during this phase of recovery. You can also return to exercise at 50% of your normal intensity.
Week Three of Recovery
After you’ve been recovering for two weeks, you should be pretty close to fully resuming your normal routine. During the third week, you can start wearing light makeup and contact lenses once again. Some patients at this time are able to return to their normal exercise routines as well, although it’s always best to check in with your doctor before partaking in any intense physical activity. However, it’s still recommended that you wear sunglasses to protect your eyes when exposed to direct sunlight.
The Following Weeks
Typically, it takes around six weeks for the healing process to be complete after blepharoplasty. Around that time, the final results of the procedure should become visible, and the last of the swelling should be nearly gone. By this point in the process, your upper and/or lower eyelids should appear youthful and rejuvenated, and you’ll be able to start truly enjoying the fruits of your surgery and recovery.
Choosing Dr. Weber for Your Eyelid Surgery
Choosing a qualified facial plastic surgeon for your eyelid surgery can help to ensure that you have a smooth recovery period and achieve superb results. Dr. Stephen Weber is a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon renowned for his precision and attention to detail. He’ll work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan, and after the procedure, he and his team will do everything they can to make the recovery period easier for you. Call our office today to schedule your consultation!