Blepharoplasty is an increasingly popular form of cosmetic surgery that is often referred to as an eyelid lift. The purpose of this procedure is to lift the skin on the upper and/or lower eyelids and to remove any excess that may be sagging and, in the case of the upper eyelids, potentially obscuring your field of vision.
 

Blepharoplasty is a fairly straightforward procedure and incisions are made in the natural creases of the eye to minimize scarring. You will be under the effects of a general anesthetic or in some cases, a combination of local anesthetic and sedation. Whichever form of anesthesia you are given, you will not feel any pain and will have little to no awareness of what is happening around you.
 

When your blepharoplasty is complete, you will be able to see a transformation it the appearance of your eyes. Sagging, loose skin will be removed, and your eyes will be opened up, making them look refreshed and more youthful. However, this doesn’t happen immediately, and you need to take special care during your recovery to ensure that you get the best possible result from your surgery. To help you do just that, here are our top blepharoplasty recovery tips.
 

Arrange for some support

You will not be able to drive following your surgery, and if you have had a general anesthetic, you may find that the effects last for up to 24 hours. Therefore, it is important that you have a friend or family member that can drive you home after your procedure and is happy to stay with you until the anesthetic has completely worn off.
 

Expect to look a little different

Before you can start to enjoy your new appearance, you will first need to accept that you may look like you’ve gone a few rounds for several days after your surgery. Inflammation, bruising and redness are very common, and many people prefer to stay at home until these fade a little.
 

Take your pain medication as directed

There is nothing to gain by being in pain. Nevertheless, many people put off taking pain relief medication until they are in absolute agony. Unfortunately, being in pain can actually slow down the healing process as well as making life pretty miserable for you. If you are given pain medication, take them as directed as this will prevent your discomfort from reaching unbearable levels.
 

Raise your pillows

You will need to get plenty of rest to allow your body to heal. When you sleep, be sure to raise your pillows so that your head is higher than the rest of your body – and obviously sleep on your back. This will help to reduce inflammation.
 

Follow the care instructions provided

You will be given very specific advice regarding caring for your eyes while your eyelids heal. This will include everything from how long you need to wear your dressings to how to clean your eyes and face. You will also be told what activities you can and can’t take part in, for example, you will be asked to avoid swimming for at least a week. Follow these instructions exactly to reduce your risk of complications and improve your outcome from your procedure.
 

Avoid facial cosmetics for up to a week

Cosmetics and moisturizers increase the risk of an infection developing as well as potentially irritating your healing wounds. Therefore, these should be avoided for around 7 days following your blepharoplasty.
 

Don’t smoke

Smoking is the single biggest inhibitor of healing since it compromises the flow of oxygenated blood around your body. It also increases the risk of complications occurring. If you can’t quit altogether, stop smoking for at least a week before and after your eyelid surgery.

If you are considering blepharoplasty and would like more information about any part of the procedure, including what to expect from your recovery, please contact our offices where our experienced and reassuring staff will be happy to help you.