Blepharoplasty procedures require the appropriate aftercare to ensure the best results and a smooth recovery. While blepharoplasty is only a minorly invasive procedure, there will still be a recovery period to deal with residual swelling and bruising. Employing the correct aftercare techniques will minimise discomfort, lower the risk of infection and prevent excessive bleeding.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a form of eyelid surgery, typically done as a cosmetic or medical procedure. It is often used to address issues such as bagginess and excess skin present around the eyelids.
Blepharoplasty procedures involve making incisions into the eyelids. The surgeon then works to reposition fat, skin or muscle around the eyelid areas to create the desired results. When done properly, eyelid surgery is able to help improve facial harmony for the patient.
What aftercare do you need directly after a blepharoplasty?
Directly after blepharoplasty, aftercare involves rest and recuperation. Your eyelids will be very sensitive and need to recover from the swelling. There are some key steps that you should take in the early stage of the recovery process.
After the procedure, you might have swelling and bruising. In the rare circumstance that this affects your vision, you should find someone to drive your home and stay with you for the first day or two of your recovery.
It’s also important to avoid sunlight, since your eyes will be extra sensitive to it. Wear dark sunglasses on your drive home and wear them any time you go outside for the first week of recovery.
Once you get home, ensure you get a lot of bedrest. You should keep your head elevated on four to five pillows to reduce eyelid swelling. Using cold compresses for the first 24 hours after the procedure is also important.
What aftercare do you need to recover from your blepharoplasty?
In the weeks following your blepharoplasty procedure, there are certain activities you should avoid in order to get adequate aftercare. This is because they may heighten your risk of bleeding, infection or significant pain.
Exercise
Strenuous activities such as exercise should be avoided for at least four weeks after your blepharoplasty procedure. This is because they could raise your blood pressure and cause the wounds from your incisions to bleed. Weight lifting or aerobic exercises like swimming and running should be avoided until you have fully recovered. However, going on slow, gentle walks can be beneficial.
Ice packs
Make sure to continue applying cold compresses or ice packs wrapped in cloth to your eyes 10 minutes up to 6 times a day, for the first few days after your procedure. This helps to reduce swelling and bruising around the area.
Avoid sunlight
Be careful to protect your eyes from sunlight during your recovery period. This means wearing dark sunglasses when you go outside and using strong sunscreen to prevent your eyelid surgery scars from being damaged.
Showering
For at least the first five days after your blepharoplasty procedure, you should only shower below the neck. The eyelids will still be in the early stages of healing, so they will not be in a position to handle running water. You can gently wipe them with either wet wipes or a soft washcloth. For your hair, you should just use dry shampoo for this period.
Medication
Typically, you will be given medication for your recovery period. This will most commonly be pain medication and eye drops. Prescription painkillers help you to manage the pain following your procedure and reduce the inflammation that occurs. Eye drops may be prescribed to help sharpen your vision after the eye ointment makes it blurry.
Contact lenses
You should avoid wearing contact lenses for the first two weeks of your recovery. However, you may start using prescription glasses after a few days.
Do you need to have a follow up appointment after your blepharoplasty?
It’s important to schedule follow up appointments after your blepharoplasty procedure. This gives your surgeon the chance to remove your stitches and assess how your recovery is progressing.
Your follow ups will typically be between five and seven days after your surgery. They allow your physician to assess your recovery. A professional opinion is key to identifying potential recovery issues and addressing them before they become significantly harmful.
Book a blepharoplasty appointment with West Coast Plastic Surgery
Anyone that requires a blepharoplasty appointment in Perth should do so with West Coast Plastic Surgery. We have the experience and the customer-centric approach to ensure both your procedure and your recovery go perfectly. Contact us today if you want to book a blepharoplasty appointment.