Blepharoplasty is one of the least invasive facial surgeries with the best results. Besides rejuvenating the look with a clearly natural aspect and without scars, it also responds to a fast and painless surgical treatment. Without a doubt, when we talk about blepharoplasty, the post-operative period is one of the main advantages that the patient finds compared to other surgeries.
What are the post operative advantages of eyelid surgery?
Most patients who want to undergo a facial aesthetic treatment feel restrained by the possible discomfort they may suffer during the post-operative period; however, recovery from blepharoplasty is not like other treatments and despite treating such a sensitive and exposed area as the eyelids, the post-operative period presents the following advantages for the patient.
- Painless post-operative: the patient will never feel pain after a blepharoplasty You may feel some discomfort, both in the affected area and some conjunctivitis or dryness in the eyes (due to the complementary measures taken for their protection after the exposure of the cornea to the light of the operating room), but never pain.
- No scar. Lower blepharoplasty does not require stitches or dressings, so there is no scar and recovery is immediate. In some cases of posterior blepharoplasty, a fine suture is placed which is removed a few days after the operation. The scar from this suture is hidden behind the fold of the eyelids, so that it is always invisible to the naked eye.
- Quick results. The definitive results of the blepharoplasty are visible practically from the first moment, so a few days after the eyelid surgery the patient can check his new aspect and return to his normal life.
As in any other intervention, carefully following the plastic surgeon’s instructions minimizes the risk of complications.
How will I get out of the hospital?
Although many patients know that the post-operative period for blepharoplasty is quick and with little discomfort, there are certain fears about what the first day after an eyelid surgery will be like.
Eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure, performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation. The treatment takes less than an hour and the patient can go home the same day with fine tape covering the wounds and ice to reduce swelling. Eye ointment can also be applied to hydrate and protect the area, which may partially blur vision, but at no time does it prevent the patient from seeing smoothlyor force them to rely on help to move or walk.
What will the first few days be like?
During the first two days of post-operative blepharoplasty, the patient will present some swelling in the eyelids and some tension around the eyes. To treat both symptoms, both oral medication and cold application are usually recommended. Ice is essential to increase vasoconstriction caused by cold and to decrease edema. The swelling of the eyelids is also accompanied by small bruises, the intensity of which depends on the age of the patient. Purples can be extended up to two weeks and to treat them it is advisable to apply ice and cream with vitamin K. Once the stitches are removed after the first week, the patient can put on makeup to disguise the purple or yellow tones that may still be present around the eyelids, but he/she must avoid using eye makeup until at least two weeks after the operation. The use of mascara is allowed only from the third week. With regard to itching and dryness of the eye, it is sufficient to apply eye drops that lubricate and protect the cornea, as well as wash the eye with serum. During the first days, this feeling is natural and proper after the surgery and does not respond to an infection. Other recommendations that should be followed during the first few days to speed up the blepharoplasty recovery process are:
- Avoid heated environments that produce dryness in the eye.
- Take a shower with warm water instead of hot water and without wetting your head so as not to wet the plaster.
- Try to sleep in a horizontal position and on your back to avoid irritating the area and lifting the stitches. Before sleeping, apply ointment and when getting up, if you feel dry, wash your eye with serum and apply eye drops or ice.
- Wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from the sun. They also help to conceal the plasters and bruises
- Avoid high intensity sports until after the first 20-30 days.
In any case, although these measures help to reduce the discomfort and shorten the recovery period from the eyelid surgery, the duration of the blepharoplasty post-operative period will depend on each patient and their arterial tension and the vascularization of the area, as well as the medication they usually take.
Will I be able to live a normal life?
Post-operative recovery from blepharoplasty is rapid, and rarely leaves negative consequences or presents pain or discomfort beyond what is discussed in this article. The post-operative period of blepharoplasty is compatible with the patient’s normal life. Although vision may be partially blurred at first, it is possible to read and work with the computer without problems. To drive, you must wait until your vision is fully recovered and no longer blurred. And regarding the return to work is recommended from the first week after the intervention. In any case, most patients have fully returned to their usual routine within 2 or 3 weeks. By that time, the patient can also clearly see what the results of the intervention are. In less than a month, patients can enjoy a rejuvenated face with natural results that greatly improve their quality of life.
