- Surgery is performed on an outpatient basis in most cases. Patients go home shortly after the procedure. If your surgery is extensive or combined with other procedures, you may need an overnight hospital stay.
- Your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first two days. Your eyes will probably feel sticky and itchy and have a burning sensation in the first few days after surgery. And you may experience blurry or double vision. Your eyelids will most likely feel dry and tight, and you may experience mild numbness along the lash line.
- You’ll want to take it easy for the first 3 to 5 days after surgery. You may be feeling good, but you will want to rest during that first week. Stitches will be removed within a week after surgery and bruising and swelling will begin to fade at that time.
- Most patients return to work within a week to 10 days. The bruising and swelling subside around this time. You can wear makeup around the eyes within 7 to 10 days and wear contact lenses in 3 to 4 weeks.
- Your scars may look slightly pink for six months or longer. Eventually, the scars will fade and remaining lines become hidden in the creases of your upper lids and just below the lashes of lower lids or inside the lower lids.
- You will have to be careful with sun exposure. You will need to wear sunglasses with a special eyelid sunblock for several weeks as your eyes will be sensitive to sunlight, wind and other airborne irritants. You will need to protect your incision scars from sunlight for at least a year after surgery.
- Results generally last between 5 to 10 years. Aging, gravity and environmental factors all contribute to eventual sagging and drooping of the eyelid area. Following your surgeon’s instructions carefully will help you prolong results.
If you live in the Washington, D.C., area and are interested in learning about surgical and non-surgical ways to improve the look of your eyes, call our office at 202-785-4187 to schedule a consultation.
