Tips for Speeding Up Recovery After Eyelid Surgery

Tips for Speeding Up Recovery After Eyelid Surgery : Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is an outpatient surgical operation that addresses laxity in the upper and lower eyelids. Most patients have a short and brief recovery period.

However, it is vital to understand that each patient’s recovery phase from blepharoplasty varies. The patient’s pain tolerance, overall health, and their body’s normal recovery reaction can all impact recovery.

Here are some tips to help you heal faster and easier.

Take Time Off

Allow yourself at least one week off from work, school, or public obligations. This period is vital for the quality of your eyelid surgery recovery, and it also allows you to heal away from prying eyes.

Enlist a relative or close friend to drive you back to the house on the day of your surgery and assist you with everyday chores during the initial one to three days of recovery. Stock your home with food and other essential items to avoid the necessity of running errands.

Reduce Swelling and Bruising

Applying a cold compress to your eyes, as advised by your physician, helps reduce swelling & bruising. Doing so is crucial during the initial week of recovery. You should apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for up to twenty minutes each time, once every hour.

Follow Incision Care Guidelines

Your physician will provide you with incision care tips. Following this carefully will speed up your eyelid surgery recovery and minimize scarring.

Typically, you will be asked to cleanse the area twice daily with a cotton sponge soaked in a saline mixture of hydrogen peroxide. Afterward, you will apply your ophthalmic ointment.

Avoid Strenuous Activity

During the first two to four weeks following eyelid surgery, you should avoid activities stimulating blood flow to the eyes. This implies avoiding the most prominent risk factors, such as jogging, sports, and intense exercise.

You will also need to be careful with physical activities like bending, lifting heavy objects, and sleeping on your back. This is because physical activities may raise tension in your head and force extra blood into your eyelids.

Sun Protection Is Important

After eyelid surgery, it is essential to protect your eyes from sunlight. You can do this by wearing sunglasses or a hat when you are outdoors. It would help if you also avoid exposure to direct sunlight for at least two weeks after your surgery.

If you must be in the sun, make sure to wear sunscreen on your face to protect your eyes. This will help to speed up your recovery. In addition, wearing a hat can help provide extra protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

Maintain Good Eye Care

Here are some good eye care tips to help you speed up your recovery:

Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes
Raise your head as you sleep
Limiting screen usage and reading will help you avoid stressing your eyes
Use glasses rather than contact lenses for two to four weeks
Avoid wearing makeup or using lotions near your eyes
Take any prescribed medications as directed

Frequently Asked Questions

How painful is eyelid surgery recovery?

Based on a recent study, you may experience pain from four hours after the surgery. In addition, swelling spikes at 17 hours. The pain is generally mild to moderate and can last for as long as seven days.

After my procedure, would there be any visible scars?

The incisions are not noticeable because they are tucked away in the lower lid’s interior, beneath the lower lashes, or within the natural folds of the eyelid. These incisions are usually unnoticeable after they have healed.

Can I get eyelid surgery while getting a facelift?

Yes. The two operations can be combined or completed independently. Combining surgeries allows you to ensure complete facial harmony.

After eyelid surgery, when can I resume wearing my contact lenses?

It is essential to wait until the eye has healed before putting in contact lenses, as this can help prevent infection. Once the sealing has gone down, it is usually safe to put in contacts.

After surgery, will I be capable of reading right away?

As a result of corneal swelling and the application of eye lubrication that your doctor will prescribe, your vision may become fuzzy after the surgery. Within a few days, your sight will fully recover.

Are eyelid surgery results permanent?

The effects of blepharoplasty are lengthy. However, over time, the skin’s resilience and the muscles that support the eyes will tend to alter in reaction to the environment, sunshine, and aging. As time goes on, additional aging concerns may develop.

How can I determine if I’m a candidate for eyelid surgery?

If you are bothered by extra loose skin on your upper or lower eyelids, you might consider having eyelid surgery.