If you are contemplating Eyelid Surgery then the recovery process might be heavy on your mind. Just like any surgery, Eyelid Surgery involves a period of recovery following the procedure. The best way to ease anxiety over recovery is to know what to expect after the surgery. The information below will inform you about what is involved in recovery from eyelid surgery. This will also give you insight into the healing process, caring for yourself and how long recovery lasts.
Where should recovery take place?
During your initial consultation, your doctor will lay out the process proceeding your Eyelid Surgery. You will decide with your surgeon if you want your procedure to be outpatient or overnight. Depending on a patient by patient case an overnight might not be needed. Furthermore, the area of recovery is also dependent on a specific patient.
What will happen right after the surgery?
Surgery is very specific and so is recovery. There are a variety of issues that can arise during recovery, however they are not common. Some typical recovery symptoms include redness and swelling. Your incisions will be red and visible at first, and your eyelids may be puffy and feel numb for several days. Due to the nature of this being a surgery in the eye area, tears can be excessive. On the flip side, dryness can occur and your doctor will provide you with ointment. Some other common side effects include temporary blurring of vision and temporary sensitivity to light.
Will I have discomfort or pain?
It is possible to experience some slight pain or discomfort which can be alleviated with Tylenol or acetaminophen. Your doctor will most likely recommend staying away from aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin, or naproxen, and any other medications or herbal supplements that may increase bleeding. If your pain is extreme it is important to let your doctor know right away.
What should I do once I leave the hospital?
It is recommended that you have a strong support system set up prior to your consultation and procedure. This is important because you will need assistance in the hours, days, and weeks following your surgery. You will need someone to pick you up after you have had your procedure. It is also important to have a person or multiple in place to help you as much as you need. Following the procedure, if you find yourself outside at any time it is important that you have dark sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and elements. It is imperative that you allow yourself relaxation time following the procedure. This is the best way to allow your body the strength to heal. You should plan to relax, stay home, and use cold compresses on your eyes on the day of surgery as well as the day after. During the first week of recovery, it is recommended to avoid activities such as reading, watching television, wearing contacts, and using a computer. Along with eye activity, it is also noted that you should avoid strenuous activity such as heavy lifting, swimming, aerobics, and jogging. Basically, you need to try to avoid any kind of activity that will cause a lot of head movement. It is also recommended that your head is elevated during the first couple days of recovery to alleviate some bruising and swelling effects. This is possible by sleeping with your head raised higher than your chest and propping it up with various pillows.
When will my stitches be removed?
The typical time frame for the removal of stitches depends on each individual patient. The average time for removal is between two and seven days after the Eyelid Surgery.
When can I resume normal activities?
Many patients feel well enough to resume normal activities around the tenth day of recovery
How long is the recovery period?
As mentioned above surgery is very individualized. Meaning there isn’t a concrete ending day for recovery. The process can happen quicker or longer depending on your body. If you become depressed from the side effects of recovery just know that your body is working extremely hard to unveil the changes that have been made. Once you see your results the doubt will fade and you will be left with the wonderful results that you wanted.
If you’d like to learn more about Eyelid Surgery you can schedule a private consultation. During your initial meeting, our surgeon will provide you with all the information you need about the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
To schedule your consultation, call 212-628-6464!