How long after Blepharoplasty will I look normal?
Blepharoplasty involves a relatively short recovery period. You can reduce the swelling and bruising significantly within the first 48 hours with cold compresses and optimal aftercare. You can even speed up the recovery process with light activities, such as walking. The bandages placed over your eyes will be removed within a week. Once the bandages are removed, and most of the swelling goes down, you’ll start looking more like yourself.
Most people can resume normal activities in 7 to 10 days and strenuous activities after 2 weeks. The final results of the eyelid surgery will be apparent after about 6 weeks. To put it shortly, you can resume most of your normal activities and return to work in a week. But it will take approximately 6 weeks for all the side-effects to dissipate and for you to embrace your improved eyes.
When should you get a Blepharoplasty?
You should get a blepharoplasty if you identify with the following conditions:
- Excessively sagging skin tissue hangs over your upper eyelids
- Loose, sagging, and puffy upper eyelids droop over your eyes, impairing your vision
- Puffy upper eyelids make your eyes look swollen or tired
- The hooded appearance of the upper eyelids
- Fine wrinkles and “crepe paper” texture on the lower eyelids
- Bagginess in your lower eyelids
- Large dark circles under the lower eyelids
Is eyelid surgery painful?
Even though blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure, there’s nothing to worry about regarding pain and complications. Eyelid surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure that doesn’t involve deep cuts, complications, or extended recovery periods. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on the surgeon’s treatment plan.
General anesthesia puts you into a deep sleep, so you’re not even conscious while the procedure is done. Local anesthesia leaves you awake, but you don’t feel anything on your eyelids. If you’re anxious and scared, you can also opt for IV sedation to alleviate your emotional discomfort. As such, eyelid surgery is physically and emotionally comfortable.
The recovery procedure isn’t painful, either. You’ll experience some swelling and redness for the first few days, but these side-effects are easily manageable with the surgeon’s prescribed medications. You can also use cold compresses to reduce swelling and discomfort. Over time, you won’t even need pain medications, and you’ll be back to your usual self.
How can I tighten my eyelids without surgery?
- Dermal Fillers: Facial fillers like Juvederm, Sculptra, Restylane, and Radiesse help your body produce collagen or infuse gel-like substances to plump-up your under-eye hollows and sagging skin, thus tightening your eyelids. All it takes is a few injections, but the results usually fade away in a few months.
- Botox: Botox, and other neurotoxin modulators, temporarily paralyzes the facial muscles responsible for your drooping eyelids and the wrinkles around your eyes. As such, it tightens your eyelids for 4 to 6 months.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Derived from a sample of your blood, PRP is injected into your eyelids to make your body produce more collagen. As your body restores your collagen reserves, your eyelids look tighter and younger without surgery.
- Home Remedies: These methods only offer temporary and marginal results. But anecdotal evidence suggests you can also tighten your eyelids by applying cucumber slices or chamomile tea bags over your eyelids.
If you have any other questions or concerns about your eyelid surgery, please schedule an appointment at Cheng Plastic Surgery to discuss your options.