Sagging eyelids can make you appear tired or older than you actually are, but blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid lift surgery, can restore youthfulness by lifting these tissues and rejuvenating them.
On the day of your procedure, prepare a night bag containing comfortable dressing gown, slippers, toiletries, bottled water and snacks – as well as someone to drive you home once the anesthesia wears off.
What you can and can’t do before and after blepharoplasty include avoiding strenuous physical activity, contact sports, sun exposure and getting your eyes wet for the first week. In addition to following these guidelines, it is also important to maintain regular follow-up visits with your surgeon.
What You Can Do
Eyelid lift surgery removes excess fat, muscle and skin from the upper eyelids to make them appear wider and can also improve sagging and wrinkled skin for a more alert look. Recovery typically takes around two weeks with some initial side effects such as bruising or swelling around your eyes; these should dissipate over time.
To speed your recovery, it is crucial that you adhere to your doctor’s directions precisely. This includes sleeping with your head elevated for reduced swelling and to avoid straining of your face during this period. Ice packs or frozen finely broken up peas can also help manage pain and swelling during this time period; use them every 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off as directed to manage this period as well as drinking lots of water to stay hydrated as well as maintaining a well-balanced diet to aid recovery as fast as possible.
Two weeks post surgery, you should resume normal activities like walking. Light exercise such as this should be undertaken, though take it easy and avoid bending over or getting your hair wet. When washing your hair with tap water instead of distilled, as reports have emerged of surgical wound infections due to its regular usage.
Protecting your eyes from sun exposure is also key; wear dark sunglasses and a hat when going outdoors to shield the sun’s harmful rays from harming sensitive eyes and causing further bruising or swelling. Be very gentle when cleansing your face using mild cleansers and sunscreen daily if possible – this will help minimize scarring and premature aging of eyes resulting from blepharoplasty procedures. By following these tips, you can get maximum benefit out of blepharoplasty surgery procedures.
What You Can’t Do
Blepharoplasty involves making incisions to remove excess skin and fat from eyelids. A surgeon will leave stitches in place as part of this procedure; it’s important that these don’t come loose while healing takes place. You’ll also need to make appointments with your physician for some days after the surgery to have incision sites checked and stitches removed; taking time off work may be necessary for this step; so arrange with friends or family members who can help around the house so you can focus on resting while healing properly.
After an eyelid procedure, it is advisable to keep your head elevated on several pillows for at least two weeks or as directed by your physician, in order to reduce swelling and promote better eyelid wound healing. In addition, use a cooling device or wet washcloth with saline solution as appropriate in cleaning the area; creams or makeup should not be used until all incision sites have fully healed.
After eyelid surgery, it’s normal to experience some bruising and swelling that will gradually subside within weeks. Mild to moderate itching is another common side effect that usually resolves itself with cool compresses; if you experience severe itching accompanied by redness and swelling contact the office immediately for assistance.
If you intend to exercise, wait for approval from your physician before beginning. Too much physical exertion may increase blood flow to the eyes and lead to bleeding and bruising. Furthermore, smoking post-op increases risks by delaying wound healing time and increasing complications.
After surgery, it is also essential to avoid rubbing your eyes as this could cause the incisions to open up further. You should also exercise caution when exposed to sunlight, as too much UV exposure may interfere with healing and cause scarring or hyperpigmentation of scars. If necessary, wear sunblock with SPF 30 protection in order to shield your skin from UV rays. All in all, proper care and precaution during the post-op period is essential for successful results of your Facial Cosmetic Surgery.
