Updated for 2019
Blepharoplasty, more commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a popular plastic surgery among both men and women. Although it is often a cosmetic procedure, one of the benefits of eyelid surgery is that it can also be used to help correct vision problems caused by severely drooping upper eyelids.
In either case, you should plan to take some time off work and stressful or strenuous activities while you recover from your procedure. To help you make the process as smooth and easy as possible, remember these top three eyelid surgery recovery tips.
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Keep Your Head Elevated
You’ll need to keep your head elevated above the rest of your body to reduce swelling while you recover from blepharoplasty, even while sleeping.
Many people find that it helps to stack two or three pillows on top of one another to be able to sleep comfortably while keeping their head inclined.
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Use Cold Compresses to Help with Swelling
After your eyelid surgery, using cold compresses can also help to manage swelling. As a general rule of thumb, apply an ice pack for no more than 20 minutes at a time, then leave it off for 40 minutes. Also, you should never apply ice directly to your skin.
Make sure you’re using either a coated ice pack, or place a towel between the cold surface and your face. Cold therapy is used to reduce pain and swelling, while hot therapy is typically used for muscle and joint stiffness.
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Follow Your Plastic Surgeon’s Cleansing Guidelines
Proper eyelid hygiene and cleansing are going to be crucial steps to a smooth, seamless eyelid surgery recovery, so make sure you adhere to your plastic surgeon’s guidelines.
Depending on your goals, your plastic surgeon may suggest combining a med spa treatment like BOTOX® to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area.
If you have questions along the way, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and ask!
Author: Dr. Daniel G. Kolder
Dr. Daniel G. Kolder is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. As a highly trained plastic surgeon serving Ventura County, he is best-known for his warm, easy manner, compassionate care, and beautiful, natural results.