Recovery after Blepharoplasty Surgery –

During blepharoplasty, the upper (and occasionally, lower) eyelid is sculpted and tightened through surgery. Blepharoplasty may be performed for entirely cosmetic purposes, such as to create a more youthful appearance for one’s eyes. Blepharoplasty may also be performed for medical reasons, such as to improve vision in patients who have experienced sagging in their upper eyelids severe enough to obstruct their vision.

In this article board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali answers explains what patients can expect during the recovery period after blepharoplasty eyelid surgery.

Going Home after Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty patients are not required to stay overnight at the hospital unless the surgery is being performed in conjunction with an additional procedure, such as a facelift. Blepharoplasty patients must, however, be driven home from their surgery by someone else and should have someone stay with them for the night.

Pain after Blepharoplasty

Any discomfort is typically well managed with over the counter medications such as Tylenol.

Patients who experience intense pain may be prescribed pain medication by Dr. Ali, but such instances are uncommon, with blepharoplasty not being a particularly painful procedure. Any discomfort is typically well managed with over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol.

For the first several days of blepharoplasty recovery, patients should apply cold compresses to the treatment area, which will both reduce swelling and bruising and relieve the patient from pain and discomfort. While cold compresses work wonders to aid in the healing process, blepharoplasty patients should not apply ice directly to the eyelids.

Glasses and Contacts after Blepharoplasty

Not only is it possible for eyeglasses to be worm immediately after the procedure, when patients return the day after their surgery for their follow-up, the frequently arrive wearing sunglasses to mask the swelling caused by the procedure.

While blepharoplasty patients are in the clear to wear glasses almost immediately after treatment, patients should refrain from wearing contact lenses for at least a week after their surgery.

Returning to Work after Blepharoplasty

For blepharoplasty patients who work from home whose daily routine involves non-strenuous tasks such as working on the computer or over the phone, it is possible to return to work the day after their surgery.

But blepharoplasty patients will have stitches in the treatment area for a week after their procedure, and will often experience swelling and bruising around their eyes. For patients who do not mind being seen in public in such a state, it is possible to return to work once three days have passed. For everyone else, it is advised to plan on taking off about a week from work.

Driving after Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty patients may resume driving as soon as they are completely off any kind of narcotic pain medication and no longer feels at all restricted by their discomfort in a way that would impede their ability to do so.

Exercise after Blepharoplasty

Most patients report feeling ready to resume their exercise routine about a week after their blepharoplasty surgery. However, in some extremely rare cases, exercise has occasionally resulted in bleeding in some patients up to two weeks after their surgery. For this reason, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali recommends that all of his patients wait at least three weeks following their blepharoplasty procedure before diving back into their workout routine.

Showers after Blepharoplasty

Unless Dr. Ali has instructed the patient to refrain from doing so in their aftercare instructions, blepharoplasty patients are able to take a shower the night of their upper blepharoplasty surgery.

Postoperative Care after Blepharoplasty

Generally, the incision made during blepharoplasty does not require special care. For the post part, it is alright to get the eyelid wet immediately following surgery, such as by cleaning it with a soft washcloth. Once the sutures have been removed, blepharoplasty patients do not need to apply any kind of special scar ointment to the treatment area, as the healing properties of the eyelid rank among the best in the human body.

4-6 days after blepharoplasty, the sutures will be removed.

While it is exceedingly rare, it is possible for patients to experience bleeding that may apply pressure to the eye. If left untreated, this incredibly uncommon occurrence could theoretically result in blindness. Patients should immediately call their doctor if their eye become swollen after their blepharoplasty surgery, or if they experience severe pain or loss of vision. If they do not immediately receive a response, the individual should go to the emergency room. But, once again, this is exceeding rare and due to his skill and experience it has not happened to any of Dr. Ali’s patients.

Blepharoplasty – West Bloomfield, MI

Whether performed for cosmetic or medical reasons, West Bloomfield, MI area board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali is committed to providing all of his patients with beautiful results, and both a safe and comfortable surgical experience and period of recovery. Individuals in the West Bloomfield, MI area curious about blepharoplasty are encouraged to contact us today for a consultation.