Blepharoplasty Recovery

It is commonly said that eyes are the windows to the soul. And, this statement is true in many ways. Our eyes are one of the most striking and attractive features of our faces. A lot can be told about us just based on our eyes. Whether we are happy or sad, healthy or sick, angry, worried or relaxed, emotion is conveyed and projected through the eyes. For this reason, people naturally look to the eyes during conversation as the eyes can give away the true nature of someone’s feelings.

Without a doubt, these are some of the reasons why products that beautify or draw attention to the eyes, such as eyeliners, mascaras, and eye shadows are so popular. Now, thousands more are opting for cosmetic surgery to beautify the eyes, namely blepharoplasty, every year.

So, what exactly is blepharoplasty? Blepharoplasty is the name given to the surgery that deals with tightening of the upper and lower eyelids. It has many purposes such as fixing droopy or puffy eyelids, reducing dark circles around the eyes, and eliminating wrinkles. For some patients in whom upper eyelid skin laxity is so severe that it is overhanging the eyelid and obstructing vision, blepharoplasty has both a cosmetic and functional benefit.

In our practice, blepharoplasty usually entails an incision within the natural eyelid crease. Through this incision, the skin and muscle overlying the upper or lower eyelid is elevated and excess skin and muscle is removed. Years ago, most blepharoplasties also involved removal of fat from the eyelid to reduce baggy lids. These days, there is a sense that the eyelid puffiness has more to do with loss of facial volume in the cheek below the eyelid that is better treated with fat transfer to that area rather than removal of fat from the eyes.

Blepharoplasty recovery usually takes about one to two weeks to heal substantially. However, patients can continue their routine tasks at home in as little as two or three days after the surgery.

For proper recovery, there are several precautions of which patients need to be aware to assist the recovery process and prevent excessive bruising or swelling. Here are some of them:

• Use ice or cold compresses for the first few days to reduce swelling
• Sleep with your head elevated because this helps in keeping the swelling down
• Avoid all forms of strenuous exercise or activities for two weeks
• Do not use contact lenses for at least one to two weeks. However, glasses can be worn without any problems
• Wear sunscreen for the first few months or any such covering which will shade your eyelids when exposed to sunlight
• Sunglasses can also be extremely useful in protecting the sensitive skin during the recovery period

In preparation for a blepharoplasty procedure, you will be required to discuss your medical history, reveal any health problems that you may have, and have your eyes and vision examined. There are certain things which will also need to be stopped prior to the operation including smoking and alcohol consumption.

In addition, you should avoid certain medicines for two weeks before and after the surgery. These medicines include common tablets like aspirin and ibuprofen.

After the procedure, there might be mild blurring of vision for a day or two from the swelling but blepharoplasty is generally not at all painful. Moreover, you will not be able to drive immediately after the surgery. We recommend you bring a family member or a friend to drive you back home safely. Lastly, in the days following the surgery, be prepared to leave off any activity which causes pressure on your face and eyes.

Now that you know more about blepharoplasty, if you are considering this procedure, you are more than welcome to schedule a consultation with our experienced surgeons at Beverly Hills Profiles to go over your specific needs and have your questions answered. We look forward to hearing from you!