Blepharoplasty Recovery: What to Expect After Eyelid Surgery

One of the most common things I’m asked during consultations for eyelid surgery is what the recovery will be like. Understandably, it’s something people often feel uncertain about, particularly if it’s their first time undergoing any form of facial surgery. Whether you’re having an upper blepharoplasty or a lower eyelid procedure, knowing what to expect can make a real difference to how you feel going into it.

This blog is designed to give you a clear idea of what the recovery journey looks like. I’ll talk through what’s normal, what to look out for, and the steps you can take to help things along. You’ll find a week-by-week guide, some tips I give all my patients, and advice for getting back to everyday life safely and confidently.

How Long Is the Recovery from Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty recovery really depends on whether it is the upper eyelids or the lower eyelids being operated on. As a rule, recovery from upper blepharoplasty or upper eyelid lift surgery is fairly smooth and rapid. I normally tell my patients to expect one week before stitches come out and at least two weeks of bruising. Most people won’t really notice you’ve had anything done beyond the two-week mark in most cases. 

However, with lower blepharoplasty, recovery can take longer and that is because it has a higher risk of resulting in temporary dry eyes and irritation to the eyes. It is more frequent to require eye drops to lubricate the eyes for several weeks after lower blepharoplasty surgery, and depending on the technique and approach that has been required for your lower eyelids, the recovery can take longer than this. 

Most people can go back to work one to two weeks after an upper blepharoplasty, but I would normally recommend a minimum of two weeks off following lower blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty Recovery Timeline: Week-by-Week Healing Overview

The following is a guide that most people might find helpful after blepharoplasty surgery to understand what to expect with recovery and resuming everyday activities:

Day 1–3: Immediate Post-Surgery Effects

Following surgery, you can expect swelling, tightness and bruising. Sometimes the bruising doesn’t appear immediately and can appear the day after surgery or even beyond. Vision can be somewhat blurred, particularly with some of the thicker, more viscous eye drops and there can be sensations of discomfort, particularly after lower eyelid surgery. The discomfort and irritation can be in the eyes, but can also be at the outside corners of the eyes due to some supportive internal stitches. 

Sometimes people can find bright lights quite uncomfortable initially and my normal advice in this early phase is to have cool pads on your eyes, relax in a dark room and listen to your favourite audiobook or radio station.

We normally provide painkillers such as codeine for lower blepharoplasty surgery, but on the whole, for upper blepharoplasty surgery painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen work very well. The painkillers are taken for a few days and most people are able to stop them two or three days after the surgery itself. 

During this time, we normally recommend sleeping with your head slightly elevated to help settle the swelling down. It’s interesting that the swelling, even from upper eyelid surgery, can cause the lower eyelids to swell and bruise as well. Swelling, bruising, tightness

Day 4–7: Early Healing Signs

Over the subsequent few days you will find small scabs forming over the stitch lines and the eyes will inevitably be puffy and swollen. Sometimes the eyes can feel a little bit tight and after lower eyelid surgery, can even be pulled up at the corners. This is normal and all of these features will settle down during the healing process. Stitches  are normally removed a week following surgery. During this time, we advise not doing anything strenuous as this can increase swelling and can even risk postoperative bleeding.

Week 2–4: Reduced Swelling and Visible Results

By the time you get to two weeks, certainly after upper blepharoplasty surgery, the swelling will have reduced significantly and you will be in a position to start socialising and going back to work. However, there will still be some residual swelling which will take another one to two months to disappear. This is fairly subtle and not very obvious.

Lower eyelid surgery takes longer to recover from and even at the two to three-week mark you can still have irritation in the eyes, require eye drops and not feel that they have settled down just yet. The appearance of the lower eyelids following surgery can still be fairly red and bloodshot at this stage, as if you appear to have been suffering from an allergy or hay fever. This will normalise over the subsequent few weeks and makeup can start to be worn around two weeks after surgery, as long as you are careful that it does not accidentally get into your eyes. I would recommend refraining from any sporting activity or exercise for at least a month after surgery, as this will only serve to increase swelling and might take you back a step or two if done too early.

Week 6 and Beyond: Final Results

Results can only really be judged after 6 to 12 months, once the swelling has totally resolved, the scars have softened and lost their pinkness and started to mature. That is when maintenance and long term additional treatments can really enhance and prolong the longevity of the results of blepharoplasty surgery. The most effective adjunctive blepharoplasty surgery is using neurotoxin, also referred to as a neuromodulator, a medicine that weakens the muscle action around the eyes. Common brands being Botox and Azzalure. In addition, medical grade skin care or other resurfacing treatments that improve the skin quality around the eye will also help.

Tips to Speed Up Blepharoplasty Healing

There are various things that you can do to speed up recovery and help swelling to settle down quickly. The simple steps include sleeping in an upright position, minimising exposure of the eyes by not allowing yourself much screen time that dries out the eyes – this includes mobile phones, televisions and computer screens. Also using cold compresses or cool packs on the eyes can be very soothing and can reduce swelling more quickly. 

Keeping well hydrated and eating a balanced and healthy diet is part and parcel of a reliable recovery process. One other additional adjunct, particularly in lower eyelid surgery, is manual lymphatic drainage massage, which can further help swelling to reduce. This is something I normally recommend, particularly with Clare Anvar, based at Purity Bridge, who is a fantastic therapist.

What Are Normal vs. Concerning Side Effects?

Any operation carries the degree of risk, and whilst we expect various consequences of surgery such as bruising, swelling, infection, blurry eyes and dry eyes, there are certain signs that you need to look out for, and should contact me or the clinic at the earliest opportunity if you see them. These include sudden and significant pain, significant swelling, particularly if it’s on one side and not the other, changes to vision, significant differences between the left and right eyes and any bleeding that does not settle down on its own accord. 

Often there are simple interventions that can be performed to treat any complication, but sometimes it does require going back to the operating theatre and making sure the complication is dealt with expediently and properly. We always stress the importance of getting in touch at the earliest opportunity and we are always easily contactable after your surgery.

Sometimes complications or issues only appear further down the line after surgery, maybe two to three weeks after surgery. Most commonly in lower eyelid surgery this is related to lid malposition or ectropion. These terms describe the lower eyelid not sitting correctly in the right position, either because it has drooped down or because it is distracted and not adherent to the eyeball itself. This can cause inflammation and irritation, known as chemosis, in the eye and can result in feelings of itchiness, irritation and a lot of watering of the eye. Sometimes this can be managed without any surgery through massage and taping, but occasionally further surgery would be required to reposition the lower eyelid if it is not sitting correctly. This is why attending post operative appointments is crucial for regular periodic assessments to ensure your recovery is on track.

When Can You Return to Normal Activities After Eyelid Surgery?

We all have busy lives and getting back to your normal routine and everyday life is important after surgery. However, it is also important not to rush things as this could be a false economy and you could put yourself back in the recovery process. 

On the whole, driving can be started at around the two weeks after surgery, sometimes sooner, but certainly not when the eyelid stitches are in place. Most people can go back to work at two weeks, but going back to exercise at the gym needs to wait four to six weeks. Contact lenses should not be worn for around a month after surgery, and makeup can be worn around two weeks after surgery. However, as the eyelashes and areas around the eyelids can be fairly numb after surgery extra care needs to be taken when applying mascara or eyeliner.

Blepharoplasty Recovery FAQs

Does eyelid surgery hurt during recovery?

Eyelid surgery can be uncomfortable, but after upper eyelid surgery, significant pain is rarely experienced. Lower eyelid surgery can result in feelings of irritation of the eye – as if a piece of dust has got into it – and sometimes can cause discomfort at the outer corner of the eye. This tends to settle down over the first two to three days and people often stop painkillers after this point.

How long does bruising last?

You can expect bruising to last for at least two weeks after eyelid surgery, whether upper or lower, but sometimes bruising can take a month to settle down.

Will I have scars?

Upper eyelid surgery results in scars along the upper eyelid crease increase, usually extending into the crow’s feet. For lower blepharoplasty surgery, the scars are normally sit just under the eyelash line and also extend into the crow’s feet. Sometimes lower eyelid surgery can be performed through the inside of the eyelid, a trans-conjunctival blepharoplasty, and this does not leave any externally visible scars.

Can I speed up healing naturally?

Speeding up healing naturally can be supported using arnica. In addition, keeping well hydrated and drinking plenty of water will also help.

Choosing a Trusted Blepharoplasty Surgeon in the UK

I see patients for blepharoplasty surgery and other forms of facial rejuvenation surgery at my clinic in Harley Street in central London, as well as at Purity Bridge in Tunbridge Wells. 

When you see a surgeon to discuss blepharoplasty, it is important to be confident with their experience of the procedure and have an opportunity to look at a variety of before and after photographs of other patients they have operated on. You should feel comfortable and free to ask them a wide range of questions about their outcomes, their approach and the complications they have had to deal with in the past. Whilst the surgery is of course key, dealing with complications and ensuring you have high quality aftercare is also crucial. Post operative care will include nursing care, possibly a lymphatic drainage therapist as well as subsequent appointments with your plastic surgeon.

Marc Pacifico offers expert care in Tunbridge Wells and also sees patients at his office on Harley Street in London. If you are ready to explore facial rejuvenation, including the dramatic improvements possible with a deep neck lift, call us at +44 (0) 1892 536 960 or complete our online contact form to book a consultation.