Blepharoplasty, more commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure performed to lift the skin on the eyelids. This not only gives the eyes a more youthful appearance, but also helps patients whose vision has been compromised by the sagging skin on heavy eyelids. When patients come to Tampa facial plastic surgeon Dean George Davis for blepharoplasty, they will receive all the information they need to prepare them for and guide them through the recovery period. For patients interested in lifting and tightening the skin on the eyelids, here is an overview of what our Tampa patients should expect from blepharoplasty recovery.
Side Effects
While the body’s response to blepharoplasty will vary slightly for each person, we typically ask that our patients plan to give themselves between one and two weeks to recover from blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery. Patients will have sutures on both eyelids for about a week after surgery. The incision sites will need to be cleaned and bandages changed per Dr. Davis’ instructions. For our patients in Tampa, eyelid surgery is likely to result in any or all of the following common side effects of blepharoplasty:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Discomfort
Dr. Davis will prescribe a pain medication to help patients manage any discomfort following surgery. While bruising and swelling are normal and should subside on their own within two weeks following surgery, there are steps our patients can take to alleviate these symptoms. These include getting plenty of rest (with the head slightly elevated), keeping the body well hydrated, and icing the areas that are bruised and swollen. In addition, patients should refrain from any strenuous activity while they are healing to avoid pulling or bleeding at the incision site. While patients should be able to return to work and be seen in public without any noticeable signs of bruising or swelling within two weeks, the results of eyelid surgery will continue to be refined within the first year following surgery, as the incisions completely heal.
Signs of Complications
It is important for our patients to understand what to expect during recovery from blepharoplasty so that they also know what is not considered a normal side effect of the procedure. If patients experience any unusual side effects during recovery, they should schedule an appointment with Dr. Davis as soon as possible. Some signs of complications from eyelid surgery include:
- An inability to fully close the eyes
- Unusual folds or creases in the eyelid skin
- Dry eyes
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Any loss of vision
It is extremely rare for patients to experience any of these symptoms following surgery, but if complications do occur, Dr. Davis will discuss with you the best way to address these problems.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are concerned with heavy, sagging eyelids and the way they have affected your appearance or vision, schedule an appointment with Dr. Dean George Davis to learn more about blepharoplasty. Eyelid surgery may be just what is needed to refresh and tighten the skin on your upper and lower eyelids.