What Is the Recovery for Cosmetic Eyelid Enhancement?

Typically, the recovery time required for cosmetic eyelid enhancements is approximately two weeks. However, patients are given guidelines to minimize swelling and bruising, with sutures being removed three to six days after surgery. In general, the recovery time for blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)  can take up to two weeks for the swelling and bruise to subside. While the eyelid surgery itself requires about one to three hours, depending on the extensiveness of the procedure, the results will last for up to 10 years, or permanently.

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery:

A corrective procedure that can significantly improve the look of your eyes. You can remove excess wrinkles and reduce the bags or dark circles on the lower eyelids. As part of the aging process, our eyelids tend to develop a tired or aged appearance that is enhanced with lines, wrinkles, and puffiness. As an outpatient surgery, blepharoplasty is performed with the local anesthetic. The side effects of blepharoplasty are mild and tend to be displayed as swelling, bruising, and discomfort. The patient might experience burning, itching, dryness, and watering of the eyes, which are all temporary conditions. In some cases, the patient will experience excessive sensitivity to light that lasts only through the first few weeks.

Recovery Time

The recovery time for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) typically takes approximately two weeks. Within the first few days, the patient will experience mild to moderate pain and discomfort around their eyes. However, the surgeon will prescribe a mild pain medication or even over-the-counter medication. Before the end of the first week, sutures will be removed. The bruising and swelling can typically last up to 14 days. The patient will experience some sensitivity to light, but that will fade over the course of the following week or two. Individuals who usually wear contact lenses will be instructed to avoid use for the first 10 days after the surgery. However, this is usually dependent on personal comfort levels. Patients can resume applying eye makeup approximately six days after surgery, once the sutures have been removed, and not before.

Anesthesia

The experienced blepharoplasty surgeon will typically use a variety of anesthesia, including general anesthesia in some cases. Patients will often combine surgeries during the procedure that include a facelift, laser skin resurfacing, or a forehead lift. Because most patients choose to have blepharoplasty as an elective surgery, it is usually not covered by insurance. However, there are cases where eyelids block the patient’s field of vision, which might be covered under an insurance policy. It is important to check with the insurance provider to see if there is coverage.