The lower blepharoplasty or lower eyelid surgery refers to a procedure that removes bags of fat or skin to rejuvenate the lower eyelids. Despite being one of the procedures with outstanding results, it is necessary to consider all details and nuances related to recovery after the lower blepharoplasty surgery. Especially those concerning post-surgery guidelines are of great importance since they can often be uncomfortable. Therefore, it is essential to familiarize yourself with all details related to what happens after lower blepharoplasty.

Days Right after Surgery

Recovery Room

First, the patient wakes up in the recovery room to watch how the anesthesia affects the body, and then he/she is discharged since eyelid surgery is typically an outpatient procedure. However, the patient should always have a driver and assistance for the first day or two after the surgery.

Swelling

After eyelab surgery, there is usually some swelling and bruising depending on the anatomy of the patients or the invasiveness of the chosen procedure. Moreover, in the first few days following the procedure, the patient can expect some significant swelling as well. Still, this side effect is normal, and it should subside on its own in a week after lower blepharoplasty.

Discomfort

Similarly to swelling, some discomfort and tension are normal after eyelid surgery. Moreover, your doctor may prescribe special pain medicines to alleviate some of the post-surgery discomfort following eyelid surgery. Nonetheless, it is crucial to avoid aspirin or other pain medications if the doctor did not recommend them.

The First Week after Surgery

Resting

The first week after lower blepharoplasty is by far the most crucial one since the body needs to properly recover from the procedure. Hence, it is of great importance to limit physical activity as much as possible during this week. The reason for this is that increased activity raises the pressure in the body and causes more swelling, which can lead to post-surgery complications. Moreover, it may also help to elevate the head when resting or sleeping.

Cold Compresses

A cold compress is usually an excellent way to reduce post-surgery swelling and discomfort. Hence, before using any cold compresses, it is crucial to consult your doctor on this matter since they should approve this method and explain how to use it correctly. Remember that you should never use frozen compresses or put pressure on the eyelids.

Eyes

After eyelid surgery, the patients may notice that their eyes are watery, irritated, puffy, and dry. On the other hand, most people report that their eyesight improves right after the eyelid puffiness goes down. In addition, the patient may also expect to have blurry vision for the first few days following lower blepharoplasty. Nonetheless, most people report that their vision becomes clearer as the swelling subsides. Moreover, a doctor may prescribe special eye drops or cream to alleviate some of the post-surgery discomfort after eyelab surgery. Hence, it is essential to use these medications as directed by the surgeon in order to promote better healing.

Stitches

Depending on the type of eyelid surgery, the stitches may be removed on the 7 th day after the procedure or disappear within a month if they are invisible ones that dissolve inside the tissues. Nevertheless, it is vital to take special care of the stitches to prevent any post-surgery complications since they are essential for the healing process. Hence, if the incisions become infected or you suspect that they are infected, it is crucial to contact the doctor immediately.

Week 2 and Later

Swelling

Two weeks after eyelab surgery, the swelling and bruising should completely go away. However, it is normal to expect some puffiness in the following months after lower blepharoplasty. Similarly, yellow-green bruising should also disappear, leaving no trace of eyelid surgery.

Activities

The patient can return to all of their daily activities and resume light duties 10-14 days after eyelid surgery. Moreover, it is essential to avoid strenuous jobs for a certain time after the procedure to let the body recover.

Makeup

It is possible to cover the bruises and swelling with special cosmetics after two weeks following eyelid surgery. However, it is essential to refrain from using cosmetics until the incisions heal. Moreover, it is better to use hypoallergenic foundations and other face cosmetics recommended by the doctor.

Follow Up Visits

Depending on how the post-surgery period goes, the doctor may want to see the patient several times to monitor the healing process. Hence, it is vital to contact them immediately if any additional concerns develop after eyelid surgery. The doctor will track the post-surgery progress and may take pictures for their records.

Long Term Healing and Final Results

Healing

Although most of the swelling, discomfort, and bruising should subside within 2 weeks or a month after lower blepharoplasty, it may take longer for the eyelid surgery to heal properly. In some cases, patients may also notice some occasional swelling for a few months after eyelab surgery. Nonetheless, the results of eyelid surgery would be lasting.

Scars

The scars following eyelid surgery should be barely noticeable several months after the procedure. The reason for this is that most incisions are placed at the back or underneath the lower eyelid (conjunctional incision). Hence, after healing, the incision sites would be almost invisible. Moreover, the scars will continue to fade for about 12 months after eyelab surgery.

Sun Protection

It is of great importance to make sure that the skin around the incisions is protected from UV radiation to promote faster healing. Hence, once these sites are fully healed, it is vital to take special care of the sensitive skin.

Maintaining Results

Even though the results of lower blepharoplasty are long-lasting, it is essential to keep in mind that no surgery is permanent. Lower eyelid surgery can last for several years after the procedure. Hence, it is crucial to take care of the skin on a long-term basis following eyelid surgery.

Potential Risks and Healing Timeline

Like any other surgery, the lower blepharoplasty procedure comes with a list of potential risks and post-surgery complications. Nonetheless, most of them are rather rare, and eyelid surgery is generally one of the procedures with fewer post-surgery damages. Moreover, most of the potential risks can be minimized with the proper post-surgery care and doctor’s follow up. Therefore, it is vital to address all of the post-surgery concerns and questions for the doctor after lower blepharoplasty. In this way, most of the post-surgery discomforts will be minimized, and the risks following eyelid surgery will be avoided.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lower eyelid surgery is an effective way to rejuvenate one’s appearance and look younger. Combined with the right knowledge about what happens after lower blepharoplasty, the comprehensive aftercare will help minimize post-surgery discomfort while maximizing results from eyelid surgery.