5 Tips to Speed Recovery After Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery, or a blepharoplasty, is one of the most effective ways to combat aging in your face, opening up your eyes for a more youthful look. While modern surgical techniques have come a long way, there’s still a period of recovery after eyelid surgery that you need to consider. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to speed your way to your results sooner.

Here at DiGeronimo MD Advanced Plastic Surgery, under the expert direction of Dr. Ernest M. DiGeronimo, we offer a comprehensive suite of surgical and nonsurgical services to our Miami area clients, allowing them to achieve the look they want. One of the simpler surgical procedures we provide is eyelid surgery, which can do wonders for breathing new life into an aging face by opening up sagging and hooded lids.

If you’ve opted to have us perform an eyelid surgery, here are five tips to help speed your recovery, giving you, quite literally, a new outlook on your world in very little time.

1. Going home

We perform your blepharoplasty in our outpatient surgical facility, and you’re free to return home afterward. You should arrange for someone to drive you home and plan on taking it easy for a few days afterward.

During this time, we’re going to ask that you keep your head elevated on two or three pillows while you sleep or rest, so be sure to prepare your couch or bed accordingly beforehand. 

If you have sutures, they stay in for up to a week, and we ask that you not shower for the first three days to allow time for the incisions to heal. When you do shower, use gentle shampoos and warm water (not hot) and avoid getting any soaps near your eyes.

If you wear contact lenses, you need to plan ahead because we ask that you rely on glasses for the first two weeks and avoid contact lenses.

2. Keep it cool

One of the best things you can do during the first days of your recovery is to keep ice compresses on hand and apply them to your eyes. This not only keeps the swelling to a minimum, but it helps with any discomfort you may be feeling. Ice can also constrict your blood vessels to minimize any bruising.

3. Don’t rub

During the weeks following your eyelid surgery, protect your eyes against any agent that may cause you to rub your eyes. This point is extremely important because absent-mindedly rubbing your eyes can have a serious impact on your newly minted eyelids. So, if you have allergies, talk to us about taking your allergy medications to avoid watery, itchy eyes, and wear sunglasses when you’re outdoors.

If you have something that’s irritating your eyes, use a clean cloth to gently dab the area and avoid rubbing your eyes at all costs.

4. Don’t smoke

If you smoke, make your eyelid surgery the reason to finally quit. Smoking slows down the circulation of your valuable healing resources, prolonging your recovery.

5. Take it easy

Even when we give you the green light to return to your normal activities, don’t engage in anything strenuous where you may be bending down. Keep your head up high (practice that great posture!) and avoid lifting and bending over for a week or two.

Rest assured, we supply you with complete aftercare instructions that list in detail what you can and can’t do during your recovery from eyelid surgery. As well, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have along the way. Simply give us a call at 305-376-0542, send us a message on our website, or use our easy online booking tool to set up an appointment.