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A Guide To Blepharoplasty Recovery

Home » Blog » A Guide To Blepharoplasty Recovery

A Guide To Blepharoplasty Recovery

    Our eyes are the most identifiable, all-telling part of our bodies. They communicate all of our emotions, even when words cannot. Since our eyes are such an important feature, it’s hard to watch them lose their sparkle when signs of aging cause fine lines, drooping eyelids, and puffiness around them.

    What is blepharoplasty?

    Blepharoplasty, known as eyelid surgery, includes the removal of excess skin from the eyelids to restore the youthful appearance of the eyes. As the eyes are a significant part of the face, having blepharoplasty promotes facial rejuvenation. It has a high patient satisfaction rate, with a 92% “Worth It” rating based on over 2,000 recent ratings by blepharoplasty patients on RealSelf.

    Dr. Kaplan recommends some patients get blepharoplasty along with a face lift because they target such a vital feature that the face lift does not. Blepharoplasty patients report being happy with their results, not just making them look younger but more alert and awake.

    Dr. Kaplan offers two types of blepharoplasty at The Kaplan Center, one surgical and one non-surgical:

    Surgical: SOOF Elevation – The surgical option for the blepharoplasty Dr. Kaplan offers is the SOOF Elevation technique, in which he carefully realigns hollowed fat deposits below the eye that may have fallen onto the upper cheek. He then redrapes the fat deposits over the lower part of the eye near the lower eyelid so that they are closer to the position they were naturally at before the impact of aging, gravity, and other environmental factors. This technique is for more mature patients with advanced signs of aging, such as drooping.

    Non-Surgical: Pinch Blepharoplasty – The non-surgical technique for rejuvenating the eyes by addressing skin laxity, wrinkles, and fine lines, known as pinch blepharoplasty, works by removing excess skin and tightening the eye area without altering the muscle or fat pads. If you require only moderate improvements to the eye area or are noticing small changes to the eyelids at a young age, this may be the best option for you.

    Whether you get a surgical or non-surgical blepharoplasty, you should allow yourself plenty of rest time and be well-prepared for recovery.

    How long is blepharoplasty recovery?

    You will need to rest in the first 4-5 days until the removal of your stitches, then you will spend approximately 1-2 weeks recovering after your eyelid surgery.

    You should wait about 7-10 days before resuming your usual day-to-day activities, but about double that time when it comes to more strenuous activities such as cardio or weight lifting. The area around your eyes will become swollen, and you may have blurred vision. These reactions are normal and should improve within a week or so.

    It can take approximately six months for visible redness to dissipate but remember it is a normal part of the healing process and will lead to your intended results.

    Will I stay in a hospital after my blepharoplasty?

    Blepharoplasty rarely requires patients to stay the night in a hospital facility. The procedure is on an outpatient basis, and you should be able to leave immediately after surgery and heal in the comfort of your own home.

    How can I prepare for blepharoplasty recovery?

    Eyelid surgery can be a life-changing procedure as the results will allow the youthful glow of your eyes to make a return. If you are considering this surgery, you are probably in your more mature years. Preparing for your surgery is essential to ensure a safe recovery and to achieve your desired results.

    Prior to your blepharoplasty, your surgeon will likely recommend a complete eye exam, visual field testing, and eyelid photography along with the physical exam of your eyelid condition, according to Mayo Clinic.

    Take time to rest

    Your eyelids are a significant part of your face and can be very sensitive when having surgery on them. You must listen carefully to Dr. Kaplan’s instructions regarding downtime. Avoid strenuous activities as they may result in a follow-up procedure or unnecessary complications with your healing.

    You should let yourself rest and limit activity for the first 4-5 days after your blepharoplasty. If you give yourself time to rest, you’ll thank yourself later when you heal well with your fresh, youthful-looking eyes.

    Avoid driving

    Driving after your blepharoplasty procedure should be avoided because your vision will be blurred. You will also be taking pain medication for the first few days.

    Find someone to help you during your recovery

    You will not be able to drive or move much after your blepharoplasty. You must find someone ahead of time and make arrangements to help run any necessary errands, cook, help with household duties, or handle childcare. Plan, plan, plan.

    Eat foods that promote healing

    Believe it or not, nutritious foods rich in antioxidants significantly impact a speedy, smooth recovery. Try sticking to fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, proteins, and whole grains to give your body the love it needs as it heals to reveal your new, younger-looking eyes.

    Have loose-fitting clothes to wear

    When you put on a shirt, it goes over your eyes, and if something with a tight neckline rubs against the surgery site, it could irritate you. Try to be careful when getting dressed during blepharoplasty recovery, considering the need for shirts with loose necklines or even button-ups.

    Do not take full showers

    Between the amount of water and the pressure of the water coming out of a shower head, it can risk complications in the healing process of your eyelids. You can use a soft washcloth when gently cleansing below your eyes, but do not put your face under a shower head while recovering from blepharoplasty. Once you can take full showers based on Dr. Kaplan’s recovery instructions, you should use gentle products such as baby shampoo on your hair and gently wash your eyelids.

    Stay hydrated

    Your body may become dehydrated after any type of surgery. After your blepharoplasty, stay hydrated so you can heal and recover as quickly as possible and get back to doing the things you love with your new, youthful-looking eyes.

    Am I a candidate for blepharoplasty?

    If you are interested in eyelid surgery because you have noticed wrinkles and crow’s feet around your eyes, this is not the procedure for you just yet. You may want to look into non-surgical options such as Botox or injectable fillers to reduce the appearance of fine lines. You are most likely a candidate for this procedure if your upper eyelids are drooping from excess skin and/or your lower eyelids are puffy from fat pockets. These are some of the signs that you need a blepharoplasty. Some people even have blepharoplasty to correct their vision when their eyelids droop too low and interrupt their peripheral vision. Characteristics of a good blepharoplasty candidate include:

    • You have bags or puffiness beneath your eyes
    • You have loose, excess skin above and/or below your eyes
    • You have fine wrinkles on your eyelids
    • Your eyelids are sagging to the point of visual impairment
    • You do not smoke
    • You are overall healthy enough to undergo the procedure
    • You have realistic expectations of your blepharoplasty results

    If you think a blepharoplasty is right for you and are ready to do all the planning necessary to recover safely from the procedure, contact Dr. Kaplan today for a consultation to see if you are an ideal candidate and to ask all necessary questions before a blepharoplasty.

    The Kaplan Center

    The Kaplan Center is a medical practice ran by board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Gordon Kaplan in Edgewater, NJ. With over two decades of experience, The Kaplan Center specialises in plastic and reconstructive surgery for the face and body, along with a number of non-surgical treatments.