Your Recovery – Day 1

At the conclusion of your procedure, you will be mildly bruised and swollen. There are no bandages for eyelid surgery – only a thin layer of Vaseline or antibiotic ointment on any suture lines, peeled, or lasered areas. Your vision will be mostly normal, although some mild and temporary blurriness and/or double vision are possible.

Your Recovery – Week 1

You should be up and about and feeling well the same day. Many patients find they nap intermittently the first afternoon, and are back to their regular energy the next day. You may shower and wash your face, getting the stitches wet, the day after the procedure.

Pain is generally mild or absent with eyelid surgery. You will be asked to use intermittent cold compresses and keep your head elevated for the first few days. Sutures, if present, are generally removed between 3 and 6 days after surgery.

By the 7th day, you may wear makeup, and almost everyone is “presentable” to run errands or go back to work. By 2-3 weeks, most people are “undetectable”, and contact lenses may be worn. If you are not self conscious about being seen with bruising or sutures in place, or work from home, expect to be back to work within 2-3 days!

Your Recovery – Long Term

Long term recovery from eyelid surgery is minimal. The last traces of the surgical procedure to be visible are usually pinkness of the incision lines or of the resurfaced eyelid skin. This pinkness is generally mild, and lasts from a few weeks to a few months. While a special concealer may be required for the first week or two, regular makeup is more than adequate after 2-3 weeks.

Results from eyelid surgery are among the most durable in facial plastic surgery, often enduring for 7-10 years or more.

If you would like to learn more about the recovery process please contact our office.