How long does it take to recover from blepharoplasty?

Recovery from Blepharoplasty is quick but because surgery is in the middle of the face, the dressings and any bruising will be visible.

There are a few patients who disregard this and continue normal life, however, we would suggest that exercise is a bad thing as it will delay recovery from bruising and swelling. Working from home is a good option, but it will take 10 days for bruising of the lower eyelids to settle, the upper eyelids generally settle rather quicker. Bruising can be disguised with make-up and we can advise you about cosmetic camouflage. If you are at all sensitive, you should take two weeks before appearing at work. Stitches are removed in the first week. You should also remember that vision can be a little blurred the first day. This is partly due to the surgery and local anaesthesia used, even when you have a general anaesthetic, but also the ointment applied inside the eyelid morning and night does to some extent obscure vision.

On occasion surgery to the lower rather than the upper eyelid can cause swelling which is a nuisance for longer. There is always swelling of tissues after surgery and if this extends under the conjunctiva and on to the eyeball, this is called chemosis. It makes the eye look watery and this can take several weeks to completely settle. In addition, any bruising under the conjunctiva gives bright red ‘haemorrhages’. Chemosis and haemorrhages are of no significance other than the appearance, it does eventually settle.

Swelling can also push the lower eyelid away from the eyeball causing an ectropion, which is annoying but in most cases settles spontaneously within a few days or weeks.

What is the fastest way to recover from a blepharoplasty?

The fastest way to recover from a blepharoplasty is to keep your head elevated as much as possible after the surgery for at least the next 2 to 3 days. This includes sleeping in an upright position and avoiding activities that may cause dry eyes. Applying an ice pack can also help accelerate the recovery process too.

An individual's recovery time may be different depending on many factors, do not return to work until you’ve fully recovered and avoid things that may dry your eyes such as excessive screen time.

How long does it take to recover from lower blepharoplasty?

It usually takes around two weeks to recover from a lower blepharoplasty, although the length of blepharoplasty surgery recovery may be different for everyone. The time taken to recover will depend on how well you look after yourself, avoiding exercise/strenuous activities alongside refraining from too much screen time. However, the majority of people will be able to return to work within two weeks.

For more information on blepharoplasty recovery, seek the advice of a professional. At the Cadogan Clinic we offer comprehensive advice to individuals based on their circumstances and our specialists will be able to answer any questions you may have, to find out more simply get in touch with us via the contact form on our website.

Do I need to get blepharoplasty stitches removed?

You may need to have stitches removed depending on the type of stitches your surgeon used. Typically during a blepharoplasty, either dissolvable stitches are used and will not require removal after the surgery. Alternatively, the other type of stitch used will require taking out within 7 to 10 days, it’s important to discuss this with your surgeon prior to the surgery.

Will I have permanent scarring?

There is unlikely to be any major permanent scarring after a blepharoplasty, the incisions will leave a small scar although the placement will dictate how severe this scar looks. Fortunately, the eyelids are one of the easiest places to heal and leave little in the way of scarring meaning individuals shouldn’t worry about scarring after their blepharoplasty.

How long after blepharoplasty do you see results?

The final result of the blepharoplasty is usually seen after approximately 6 weeks, at this stage only very minor swelling may still be visible as the tissue around the eyes adjusts post surgery. Your eyes will appear rejuvenated and refreshed at this point. 

Is blepharoplasty painful?

Although this surgery involves a delicate part of the body, blepharoplasty is not actually painful and the recovery is usually quite straightforward.

The procedure itself takes place under a general anesthetic, so you will not be able to feel anything or be aware of what is happening during the surgery.

Like any other cosmetic surgery, there may be some minor discomfort during recovery along with some bruising and swelling. This should subside within a few days. Any discomfort can be eased by taking over-the-counter painkillers if needed. However many patients find that they don’t require any pain relief at all after undergoing blepharoplasty. The procedure has very little downtime and you will be able to return to your daily activities a few days after your blepharoplasty.

Dry, irritated or watery eyes are a common side effect of blepharoplasty. If there is any feeling of grittiness in the eyes after surgery, this can be treated with eye ointment which will be given to you at the time of your blepharoplasty. It is important that you apply this ointment as directed by your surgeon.

You should follow all the aftercare instructions issued to you by your surgeon in order to aid the healing process, reducing the likelihood of any discomfort. This includes sleeping on your back in an elevated position and carefully using ice packs to help reduce any swelling.

Once you have returned home after your eyelid reduction procedure, you will have access to the Cadogan Clinic’s dedicated on-call nursing team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This team of specialists is dedicated to your comfort and pain control, and will be there to answer any questions you may have after your surgery.

Will I need more surgery later?

People who wish to enhance the result of their first procedure can opt for more surgery at a later date through undergoing blepharoplasty plus, which is an extra cosmetic procedure at a later date designed to improve the results of the first.

Some patients may require a repeat surgery after a decade or so although the results of the initial blepharoplasty will last a significant amount of time.

How long does it take to heal from an upper eyelid blepharoplasty?

How long is recovery for lower eyelid transconjunctival blepharoplasty?