When considering eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) many people are concerned about the recovery process
Eyelid Surgery Recovery in Miami
When considering eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) many people are concerned about the recovery process and how long it will take to return to normal activities. In this blog, we will discuss how long it takes to recover from eyelid surgery, what can impact the recovery process and what you should avoid during recovery.How long does it take to heal after eyelid surgery?
Recovering from eyelid surgery is much easier than you might think. Pain is not usually an issue after eyelid surgery and any mild discomfort may be relieved with pain medication as recommended by your surgeon. Stitches are usually removed in 5-7 days and the slight incision mark is hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid. For about 80% of patients, there will be no noticeable incision marks, swelling or bruising in about 7-10 days. The remaining 20% of patients will need more time. Generally, patients may return to work in 3 days but if the goal is to be discreet, the 7-10 day rule holds up as long as the patient has been following the recovery protocol. Any remaining marks that show after this time can be easily hidden with make-up. Eyelid surgery can have one of the most straightforward recoveries in facial plastic surgery but recovery will vary from patient to patient. There are several things that will impact healing after eyelid surgery in Miami:- The patient's individual constitution will determine the rate at which the individual typically heals.
- The amount of bleeding during surgery impacts the amount of bruising. All surgeons try to minimize bleeding but if there was bleeding from a small blood vessel that was difficult to stop, there will be more bruising and healing will take longer.
- People who smoke are at risk of a higher rate of complications and healing time is significantly longer. Smoking should be avoided for at least 14 days prior to surgery.
- Various medications and supplements should be avoided for at least 14 days before surgery. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, Naprosyn (and other anti-inflammatories which can thin the blood), vitamin E and fish oil.
- Adhering to the recovery protocol as recommended by your surgeon. For example for 1-3 days after surgery, you should keep your head elevated (using extra pillows at night) and apply ice.
