Timeline: How Long Does It Take To Recover From Eyelid Surgery?

A woman with hair in a bun and clear skin (model)

Upper eyelid surgery or upper blepharoplasty rejuvenates your upper eyelids, tightening and smoothing the skin around your eyes to create a fresh, alert, bright eyed appearance. The area around the eyes is delicate and many people are apprehensive about the recovery. In this post, we answer common questions about eyelid surgery recovery and provide a helpful timeline.

Week 1

You will experience bruising, swelling, and discomfort the first few days after your procedure. Swelling and bruising usually peaks day 3-4.  Surprisingly, eyelid surgery is considered one of the least painful plastic surgeries. Most upper eyelid surgery patients report the highest post-surgical rating of a 4 on a 1-10 pain scale. Your plastic surgeon will advise you on what pain relievers you can take. Most patients use over-the-counter medication. Ice packs also help decrease discomfort and swelling during this first week.

You can return to work after a few days if you feel ready, but it’s better to take 5-7 days to let your body heal. Refrain from any strenuous activities or lifting during the first 2 weeks.

Weeks 2 & 3

At 2 weeks postop upper eyelid surgery, swelling and bruising around your eyes will have decreased significantly or diminish during this period. You should be seeing the results of your blepharoplasty at this point, and your eyes will look more open and refreshed. Makeup can be applied at this point to cover any residual bruising or hyperpigmentation from the incision. You may also return to light to moderate exercise.

Week 4

You should be enjoying most of your eyelid surgery results and showing off your new youthful look. Feel free to cleanse your face and resume any skin care. Full exercise routines and weight lifting may be resumed at this point as well.

Will I Have Scarring After Eyelid Surgery?

While some scarring after eyelid surgery is inevitable, the eyelids generally heal well. Additionally, your plastic surgeon will strategically place the incisions, so your scars are barely visible. You can see how concealed the scars are by looking at our patients’ before and after pictures.

A board-certified and experienced facial plastic surgeon can help you achieve optimal results with minimal scarring.

Steps You Can Take for a Smooth Recovery

You can take several steps to promote your smooth and speedy recovery.

  • Follow your plastic surgeon’s recommendations.
  • Do not rub or tug at your eyelids until they are fully healed.
  • Refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. This will slow the healing process.
  • Skip strenuous workouts and heavy lifting.
  • Protect your eyes from the sun until your incisions are fully healed.
  • An American Academy of Ophthalmology reminder: disclose all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements to your plastic surgeon before surgery.

Recovering from eyelid surgery is usually not as daunting as it seems, and your board-certified facial Recovering from eyelid surgery is not as intimidating as it may seem, and your board-certified facial plastic surgeon will guide you through the process. If you are ready to rejuvenate your eyes/appearance with eyelid surgery, request a consultation or call us at (980) 949-6544 to schedule an appointment.

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