Recovery and follow-up care
Your skin starts healing the moment the plastic surgeon completes the procedure. We always allow patients to rest for about 45 minutes after the procedure to give them time to recover. You continue to relax in the comfortable treatment chair with a cold gel eye mask on and can tell your partner, relative or friend about the procedure. At that point you will feel tremendously relieved.
Our assistant will place a pillow under your knees and provide you with a blanket if you wish. As the tension subsides you may start to feel cold.
The cold gel eye mask will be replaced after approximately 20 minutes. This is important in promoting recovery. Rest, especially during the first 48 hours after the procedure, and repeatedly applying a cold compress will help accelerate the healing process.
Upper eyelid surgery tends to heal a little more quickly than lower eyelid surgery. After the procedure the skin around your eyes will feel slightly taut. Our plastic surgeons use a bipolar diathermy operative technique that minimises haematoma formation. Yet, despite this, there may be some local bruising and slight swelling. This normally resolves within a week. If you have thin skin, the redness may take somewhat longer to subside.
Factors that affect recovery from eyelid surgery
Rest
It is important that you rest for at least 48 hours after the procedure. During this period we recommend that you walk around a bit every hour or so. This is good for the circulation and helps to accelerate wound healing.
Exertion
You should avoid pushing, lifting and bending for 2 weeks after the surgery.
Showering
You can take your first shower 24 to 36 hours after your surgery. The plasters on your eyelids should not get wet. When you shower, make sure the water is not too hot. This can cause swelling in the tissue that has been operated on.
Contact lenses and makeup
You must not wear contact lenses for 2 weeks after the surgery. You should also avoid wearing eye makeup for the first 2 weeks.
Alcohol, smoking and aspirin
Not smoking will help speed up the healing process. It is also important to avoid alcohol and medication that contains aspirin for the first week after the surgery.
Sun
It is best to protect the scars from exposure to direct sunlight. We recommend that you wear sunglasses. If you use a sunbed, make sure the area around your eyes is protected.
Follow-up care
Our nurse will arrange to call you the day after your surgery. We will want to know how you feel. Your first follow-up appointment will be scheduled a week after the procedure. During the appointment the area affected by the surgery is examined and the stitches are removed.
We will schedule another appointment for you 3 months later so the plastic surgeon can perform a final check-up. It will then be possible to determine whether the eyelid surgery achieved the desired result.
We will book your next appointment with you each time you leave the clinic. We also offer evening and weekend appointments if this is more convenient.
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