Recovery is an important part of blepharoplasty or eyelid lift cosmetic surgery procedure. The patient should have a clear understanding of the recovery process and the estimated downtime involved following eyelid surgery. The surgeon will explain about the recovery at length at the time of pre-op consultation.

Dr. Bram Kaufman is a board certified plastic surgeon providing eyelid surgery and other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Dr. Kaufman will address the patient’s concerns about recovery and other aspects in order to help them make an informed decision. Patients in Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and surrounding communities have an opportunity to receive eyelid surgery from Dr. Kaufman.

 

Initial Recovery

Immediately after the eyelid cosmetic surgery, the patient’s eyes would be covered with bandages. The patient will be moved to a separate recovery area where the bandages will be taken out. Once the surgeon determines that the patient is fit to go home, they will need to have some responsible person to drive them back home.

The surgeon may provide a lubricating appointment to mitigate early post-op itching and discomfort. Cold compresses should be used in the first two to three days to reduce swelling. In some cases, the surgeon may prescribe pain medications to keep the patient comfortable.

The initial recovery is commonly marked by mild swelling, bruising, irritation, or dry eyes. The surgeon may provide eye drops to prevent dry eyes. Most of the symptoms will disappear in about one week, but swelling will resolve gradually over several weeks.

 

First Few Weeks

During the first week, the patient should desist from performing any activities that put unnecessary strain on the eyes, such as reading, watching television, surfing the Internet or wearing contact lenses. The head should be placed in a raised position in the first few days to support the healing process. Plenty of rest will help to recover well in the first week.

Around the end of first week, the sutures will be removed. At this point, most patients will be in a position to resume their normal activities at home or return to work. In the first month, it may be better to wear dark sunglasses to protect the eyes against sun and wind. Frequent naps are encouraged in the first few weeks because the eyes may get tired more quickly.

The patient should avoid vigorous activities, excessive bending or lifting of heavy weights for two to four weeks. This will help to prevent increased blood flow to the eyes. Experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Kaufman receives patients from Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and nearby areas for .

 

Estimated Recovery Period

While the initial recovery will happen quickly, and the patient will return to their normal routine in a week to 10 days, complete recovery will take several weeks. Bruising will disappear from the second week, but mild swelling and redness may linger for several weeks. As the swelling gets completely eliminated, the eyes will begin to appear younger and more alert, providing a more youthful look to the face.

To learn more about cosmetic treatment and procedures or to schedule a consultation by Cleveland Ohio area plastic surgeon, Dr. Bram Kaufman, please contact us at 1-216-778-2245 or click here.