How Much Downtime Is Required After Eyelid Surgery?
Do you have eyelid surgery coming up, or are you considering it? Every year, hundreds of thousands of people undergo eyelid surgery.
Whether your eyes are misaligned, droopy eyelids obstruct your vision, or you would like to improve the appearance of your eyelids, eyelid surgery can make a remarkable difference in your life.
Like most surgical procedures, eyelid surgery does involve a recovery period. Keep reading to find out how much downtime is required after eyelid surgery!
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty, commonly referred to as eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure that can be performed on the eyelids for a few different reasons. During eyelid surgery, a skilled oculoplastic surgeon can remove muscle, skin, and fat from the eyelid area to achieve the desired results.
This procedure can be done to improve your vision, appearance, or both. There are two types of blepharoplasty: upper eyelid blepharoplasty and lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
Depending on each person’s needs, one procedure might be recommended over another. In some cases, people may need both upper and lower blepharoplasty.
What Happens During Eyelid Surgery?
Before the procedure, your eye doctor will apply local anesthesia to numb the eyelid area. With an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, a small incision is made in the crease of the upper eyelid so that it will blend in once healed.
During the procedure, the oculoplastic surgeon will remove excess skin, muscle, and fat while also repositioning any remaining tissue as necessary. After this is complete, they will close the incision with sutures.
With a lower eyelid blepharoplasty, an incision is made just below the lower lash line or on the inner surface of the lid, where it will not be visible. The oculoplastic surgeon then removes and adjusts skin, muscle, and fat and closes the incision.
Some people have eyelids that sag because their levator muscle has become weakened. The levator muscle lifts the eye. In this case, ptosis surgery can be performed to tighten that muscle so that the eyelids return to a lifted position.
What Is the Recovery Like After Eyelid Surgery?
When you get eyelid surgery, you will be monitored for a short time after the procedure is complete. Then, you can go back home to recover.
Your eye doctor may also prescribe eye drops to keep your eye lubricated and to prevent infection. Be sure to take any prescription eye drops as directed.
It’s also important that you refrain from any strenuous activities, such as exercising in the weeks following surgery. These can elevate your blood pressure and make it harder for your body to heal.
You should also limit the amount of time you spend on focused activities like reading and watching TV. These can strain your eyes and dry them out.
In addition, as your eyes are healing, you should avoid touching or rubbing them. Clean them gently, and avoid getting products like shampoo or makeup in that area.
Who is a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are generally healthy adults who have excess upper eyelid skin, under-eye bags, or droopy lower eyelids that contribute to a tired appearance. Suitable candidates may experience droopy eyelids that obstruct their vision or cause other functional problems. 
Ideal candidates will have realistic expectations about the potential results. Some factors that may make you a good candidate for blepharoplasty include having naturally baggy eyelids that run in your family, changes to the eye area due to aging, vision impairment from sagging upper eyelids, and a desire to improve the overall aesthetics of the eyelids and under-eye region.
The best way to determine if you may be a good candidate for this procedure is to schedule a consultation with your eye doctor at Complete Eyecare West. Discuss your particular concerns with your experienced oculoplastic surgeon, and they will be able to guide you to the appropriate solution.
Will I Have to Take Off Work After Eyelid Surgery?
Generally, it is recommended that you plan to take at least a week or so off after eyelid surgery before going back to work. Even working from a home computer during the period immediately following your surgery can hinder the healing process.
To support your body as it heals, relax as much as possible in the time following the procedure. After about ten days, most people feel comfortable to return to work.
By that point, stitches will have dissolved or been removed. However, you may want to give yourself more time if you do not yet feel ready due to bruising or other reasons.
Full recovery from eyelid surgery can take up to a few months, so be sure to take good care of your eyes and follow all of your eye doctor’s recommendations for a healthy recovery.
Are you interested in exploring whether eyelid surgery is right for you? Schedule an appointment at Complete EyeCare West in Columbus, OH, today!
