Blepharoplasty Recovery Explained
Every person experiences blepharoplasty in their unique way. Some patients may encounter double vision where others notice only slight blurriness and sensitivity to light. There is also a chance that the skin around incisions or the eyes may appear red or feel numb for a short time after surgery. Bruising, swelling, and watery eyes are also common after-effects of blepharoplasty. While the degree of any one of these symptoms varies from one person to another, most patients describe them as tolerable and manageable with approved pain medication.
Caring for the eyes after blepharoplasty is a simple process. Aftercare instructions include steps like keeping the skin around the eyes clean and applying topical ointment as directed. Initially, prescription pain medication and any other prescribed directions should be carefully followed. Even if the pain is not distracting, oral medication should be taken for at least a few days. Contacts should not be worn after blepharoplasty, and strenuous activity should be avoided for several days. While it is not necessary to stay indoors and in hiding after eyelid surgery, it is vital that any outdoors excursions be enjoyed from behind sunglasses and beneath a wide-brimmed hat.
Blepharoplasty may involve the placement of small stitches that need to be removed after several days. When possible, though, dissolvable stitches are used to close the tiny incisions made in the upper or lower eyelid.
The recovery period after blepharoplasty usually reaches completion in a week or two. After this time, a significant reduction in swelling and bruising has occurred, and makeup can be applied to cover any remnants of discoloration from bruises. Scars are usually barely noticeable, if at all. They do, however, take up to six months to fully heal.
Eyelid rejuvenation achieves permanent improvement of the appearance of the eyes. To learn more about this procedure, call our Bloomington office at (309) 664-1007.
