Eyelid surgery is an incredibly popular way for both men and women to refresh their look by treating common signs of aging around the eyes. A large reason for this consistent popularity is the fantastic, yet subtle, results that eyelid surgery is capable of providing. But another element is the fact that recovery after eyelid surgery is often very simple and straightforward for patients. Still, there are things that I would (and would not) recommend for anyone who is recovering after their procedure. Which is why I thought it would be helpful today to provide a few eyelid surgery recovery tips to consider.
I recommend patients to follow these simple steps in order to ensure the smoothest and easiest recover period possible after undergoing eyelid surgery:
- The night after your procedure, apply cold compresses to your eyes for 10-15 minutes every hour to help reduce post-surgery swelling. Continue to apply ice or other cold compresses in the days following surgery.
- Avoid any strenuous physical activity or exercise for one to two weeks.
- Keep up with any prescribed eye drops, ointments, or medications. We will review with you your existing eye prescriptions during pre-op to determine if they should be paused.
- Do not wear contact lenses for at least two weeks after undergoing eyelid surgery.
- Keep your head elevated above your chest for roughly a week following surgery to reduce swelling, promote healthy blood flow, and healing.
- Wear dark sunglasses with SPF coating during any time spent outdoors (including in the car) to protect your eyelids from the elements like wind and sunlight.
- If needed, use acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help manage post-surgery pain or discomfort, but avoid other medications like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and more that can increase bleeding. We will review during pre-op.
- Avoid rubbing, scratching, or irritating your eyes.
- Do not smoke or use any other nicotine product in the weeks before and after your eyelid surgery.
Check out the following video, where I discuss recovery after eyelid surgery in more detail and lay out what patients can typically expect:
The most important thing that anyone can do to promote the safest and most successful eyelid surgery experience is to select an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your procedure, follow his or her post-surgery instructions closely, and review their results from previous patients by checking out their before and after photos. For more information on eyelid surgery or to schedule a complimentary plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. David Whiteman, at Southern Plastic Surgery today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for additional patient stories, pictures, news, and much more.