What to Expect After Your Eyelid Lift
More than 200,000 people have undergone blepharoplasty, or eyelid rejuvenation, each year for the past few years running. The popularity of the eyelid lift is not unfounded in the least. Men and women recognize that aging eyes don’t just make them appear older; heavy eyelids can also create an unfriendly and fatigued appearance. Blepharoplasty is a straightforward procedure that quickly refreshes the face by merely focusing on the eyes.
Patients who are considering blepharoplasty often have questions about recovery. Here, we will explain what it is really like to recover from this cosmetic procedure.
Swelling and bruising are the most common side effects after eyelid rejuvenation surgery. Most patients expect this, along with some tenderness and soreness. The fortunate thing about post-surgical swelling and bruising is that these side effects typically only last a few days. Sleeping with the head elevated minimizes fluid accumulation in the surgical area and may decrease the severity of swelling as well as bruising. Cold compresses, applied for twenty-minute sessions, can also aid tissue healing with minimal swelling.
To manage the minor discomfort that follows surgery, patients are encouraged to take prescription pain medication as directed in their post-op instructions. After about a week, it may be possible to transition to over-the-counter medications to remain comfortable. Comfort and other side effects usually decrease quickly over a seven-day period. After this time, most patients can return to most of their normal activities without apparent signs of surgery. It is necessary to postpone more strenuous activities for several more weeks to avoid disrupting the healing process.
Patients are often interested to know how they can prevent scarring after blepharoplasty. In many cases, incisions are made on the inside of the eyelid where they will heal naturally without any assistance. External incisions on the eyelid are made in a discreet place such as the natural crease or the lash line. In these situations, slight redness may be noticed for the first few days after surgery. As tissue heals, the pinkness in scar tissue decreases.
Blepharoplasty recovery tends to follow a general process. However, the extent and duration of side effects will differ from one person to another. Learn more about the eyelid lift performed by Dr. Bershof and how it can help you look refreshed. Call our Denver office at 303-399-7662.
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