What not to eat after blepharoplasty?

5 Tips for a Speedy Recovery After Eyelid Surgery

Do you have an upcoming eyelid surgery? Thinking about recovery after any surgery can make you a little nervous. However, having surgery on your face might make you a bit more worried than you would be with your average operation.

Rest easy though, because Dr. Llaurado and our care team provide detailed aftercare instructions to our patients. Ahead of your eyelid procedure, we want you to know a few essential things, so here are five ways you can prepare for a speedy recovery.

1. Follow postsurgical instructions

Following surgery, our care team provides you with instructions about medications to take, symptoms to report, and how to care for your eyes and any incisions. We’ll review this with you before you leave and then provide a written copy of all instructions, too. Be sure to keep this document close by for the first few weeks after surgery so that you can refer to it for guidance.

2. Take time off work

It’s critical to avoid excessive movements or abrasions while you heal. The swelling and bruising will subside in about 10-14 days, so you might want to plan around this before you return to work or other community activities. However, it’s important to know that full healing will take a few months. If you have a lot of responsibilities at home, like caring for children or pets, consider asking friends and family for a bit of help following surgery.

3. Use cold compresses

You can expect to have swelling and bruising that’s similar to having a black eye for a week or two after eyelid surgery. Use cold compresses or ice packs to ease the swelling. On the day of surgery, place an ice pack over the surgical area for about 10 minutes every hour. Starting on the day after surgery, you can reduce the use of ice packs to 3-4 times each day. Continue using ice packs as needed to reduce swelling. Remember to protect your skin with a towel and be sure to apply ice for only 10 minutes at a time.

4. Keep follow-up appointments

Before you leave the office, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment for you to come back for a postsurgical evaluation. At this appointment, Dr. Llaurado will check your incisions, swelling, and overall progress. It’s crucial that you keep this appointment to ensure you’re healing as expected.

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5. Avoid these activities

When you have surgery, getting plenty of rest to allow your eyelids to recover is crucial to your overall satisfaction with the procedure. Dr. Llaurado and our care team want you to improve quickly, which means you might need to take a break from a few activities for up to two weeks after surgery.

Follow these guidelines:

Refrain from smoking Avoid rubbing your eyes Skip strenuous activities like jogging, cardio, and anything that requires straining Don’t swim Don’t lift heavy objects Avoid medications that can increase bleeding, like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin Stay out of direct sunlight until your eyelids have fully healed

If you’ve been considering eyelid surgery, it’s time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Llaurado. Give either our Arroyo Grande or Santa Maria office a call or click the “book online” button today.

Everything You Need to Know About Eyelid Surgery Recovery

How long does it take to recover from eyelid surgery? Eyelid surgery recovery time can take several months. Help speed up recovery time with these tips.

Facial plastic surgery requests have increased by 6% between 2018 and 2019. One of the most common surgical procedures is blepharoplasty (eyelid bag removal surgery).

Are you thinking of scheduling eyelid surgery soon? Before you do, it helps to set the right expectations about the recovery process. You will need to take a little time off from your usual daily activities in order to recover.

Want to learn more about the eyelid surgery recovery process? Keep reading to learn about the process and a few tips that can speed up your eyelid surgery recovery time!

Expectations After Your Procedure

After your blepharoplasty procedure, you will remain in the recovery room to ensure you are stable. Temporary side effects, soon after the surgery, can include:

Sensitivity to light
Blurred vision (caused by the lubricating ointment you are given)
Watery eyes
Numb, puffy eyelids
Double vision
Slight pain or discomfort
Swelling or bruising (often compared to having a black eye)

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After your eyelid surgery, you will need to have someone come and pick you up. Plan to have someone stay with you the first night of your eyelid surgery.

Recovery Time

Recovery can be broken down into 3 parts: bruising, swelling, and the maturation of the incision/scar. Bruising goes away first, taking about 2 to 3 weeks. Next is swelling that is much more variable, lasting upwards of 8 weeks or more. It is a slow gradual diminution. Going back to work or out in public will begin in 5 to 10 days after your surgery and will be determined by your comfort level rather than a medical reason.

It is important to note that you will have scars from surgical incisions after your eyelid surgery. It can take a up to a year or more for those scars to reach their maximum improvement. Using proper eyelid surgery recovery methods can ensure your skin heals properly during this time.

Tips for Recovery

Now that you know what to expect from your blepharoplasty, here are a few eyelid surgery recovery tips. With these tips, you can improve your recovery time and make sure you heal properly.

Please follow your doctor’s specific instructions! Do NOT under any circumstances decide on your own to make changes in those instructions without clearing it with the doctor or his/her staff first.

1. Take Time Off

Remember, your eyelid surgery recovery time mentioned earlier. It is important to prepare to take time off from work, school, or daily activities. You will need this time to heal properly.

If you need to, ask someone to cover your primary responsibilities for you. For example, you might need someone to take your kids to school and pick them up. You might need someone at work to handle your responsibilities as well.

Make sure to stock up the fridge and pantry with foods that are easy to prepare before the day of your surgery.

Otherwise, keep your schedule clear and give yourself time to heal.

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2. Follow Self-Care

To help the eyelid surgery recovery process, your doctor will suggest that you:

Use ice packs on your eyes. The constant use of ice during the first 3 days is crucial.
Clean your eyelids gently.
Use the eye drops or ointments you are prescribed.
Avoid rubbing your eyes.
Not wear contact lenses for about two weeks after your procedure.
Sleep with your head raised above your chest the first few days after your procedure.
Stop smoking

You might also need to return to your doctor’s office to have your stitches removed. Make sure to discuss these next steps with your doctor before leaving their offices after your procedure.

In the meantime, make sure to avoid using:

Ibuprofen (such as Motrin IB or Advil)
Aspirin
Naproxen sodium (such as Aleve)

You should also avoid any medications or supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, cranberry extract, etc.) that might increase bleeding. Instead, get approval from your doctor to use Tylenol or other acetaminophen products to ease your pain.

Make sure to review these self-care instructions with your doctor before the day of your blepharoplasty. That way, you will have everything you need to prepare for your eyelid surgery recovery.

3. Stay Patient

It is important to have realistic expectations about your baggy eyelid surgery beforehand. Understanding the recovery process ahead of time can help you remain patient and keep your eyes on the end-goal.

Your eyelids will probably look puffy after surgery. The incisions will probably look red, too. The swelling and bruising involved with blepharoplasty recovery tend to resemble a black eye.

That is all normal. Remain patient and you will see the results of your procedure in no time.

4. Protect Your Eyes

It is important to protect your eyes from wind, sunlight, and other elements during your recovery.

If you must go out, make sure to wear dark sunglasses and a hat for protection. You should also apply sunscreen and follow any other instructions you were given.

5. Don’t Strain or Stress

It is important to avoid straining your eyes during the recovery process. Try to avoid reading, watching TV, or checking your email the week following your blepharoplasty. Instead, give your eyes a chance to rest.

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Avoid any other activities that can cause your eyes to dry up, too.

6. Sleep Soundly

Sleep will give your body a chance to heal. Try to get a good night’s sleep each night to speed up the recovery process.

If you feel tired, take a nap. Do not push yourself. Instead, relax and focus on your recovery.

7. Avoid Strenuous Activity

Make sure to avoid any strenuous activity or stress for the first few weeks after your surgery. Too much activity can increase blood flow to your eyes and cause bleeding. These activities include lifting heavy items, aerobics, intensive exercise, and sports.

Prep for Surgery: How to Get Ready for Your Eyelid Surgery Recovery

Learning how to prepare for your eyelid surgery recovery can help improve your recovery time. Take a break from the world, close your eyes, and relax. In a week or two, you will begin to see the results of your blepharoplasty in the mirror!

Discover a younger-looking you with cosmetic and reconstructive surgery today! Eager to get started? Call Dr. Popp at (402) 391-4558 to schedule your appointment.

3 Things That Are Off-Limits After Eyelid Surgery

If you are interested in refining saggy, droopy eyelids for a fresher and more rested appearance, you may consider blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). By removing excess skin and fat and tightening the muscles, eyelid surgery will rejuvenate the appearance of your eyelids, giving your face a more pleasant and youthful expression.

After undergoing eyelid surgery, plan to allocate a few weeks to your recovery. During this time, you must take precautions and avoid certain activities or behaviors that could compromise your healing eyelids and add to your recovery timeline. Read on as Dr. Jonathan Grant and the team at Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics reveal three things that are off-limits after eyelid surgery.

1. Smoking

Smoking affects how your body heals from surgery. It slows down your recovery timeline and it puts you at risk of serious complications. If you smoke, you will be asked to quit several weeks prior to surgery and you should refrain from smoking after surgery, too.

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2. Anything That Puts Pressure on Your Eyelids

The eyelids are naturally delicate and even more so after surgery. Avoid rubbing them, pressing on them or performing any other activity that stretches or puts pressure on them. Be gentle when washing your face or showering, and avoid getting them wet. When applying ointment or other topical medications prescribed by Dr. Grant, use a gentle touch and don’t rub it on. Refrain from wearing eye makeup or contacts (wear glasses instead) for at least one to two weeks after surgery.

3. Anything That Could Increase Blood Flow to Your Eyes

For approximately two to four weeks after eyelid surgery, you must avoid any activity that could increase blood flow to your eyes, as it can lead to complications such as excessive bleeding, swelling and infection. In fact, certain vigorous activities could even cause the surgical wound(s) to reopen.

Refrain from strenuous exercise like running, jumping or aerobics (walking is fine). Also, be careful to avoid everyday activities such as lifting heavy items, bending over or lying flat, which can increase blood flow to your eyes or put pressure on your healing lids. Keep your head elevated during your recovery, including while you sleep — you can sleep on two pillows to keep your head above your chest.

Questions About Recovering From Surgery? Call Us Today

Dr. Grant and our team are the best resources for questions and concerns that arise during the recovery period. If you have questions about the recovery instructions you’ve received, or you develop a symptom that concerns you, we are here to help. You can reach us by calling (360) 336-1947 or sending us an email.

Posted in Blepharoplasty