Eyelid surgery makes you look younger, rested, refreshed and alert. After the healing process, you should expect to wait at least several weeks in order to see the final result. Incisions will fade over a couple of months. Eyelid surgery is usually long-lasting, but they may be affected by heredity and lifestyle factors. Surgery may cause puffiness and bags but these are not permanent. The skin continues to age and skin laxity along with the fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may, at some point, return. Sometimes loss of tone in the forehead causes additional sagging of the eyebrows which mimics a recurrence of drooping upper eyelids.
If this happens, correction may require a forehead lift or a secondary eyelid procedure. Even though the ageing process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following eyelid surgery. Some patients find that they want to make additional improvements at a later time or frequently take a beauty treatment to slow down the ageing process of the skin.
Before Surgery
We highly recommend you to stop smoking as this will influence the healing process of the wound. Smoking after the surgery is not permitted for the same reason as mentioned above. Medication could also affect the healing process. Medication such as aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs prevent the blood from clotting, which is not good for the healing process. Ask your doctor about preoperative instructions with your medication.
The surgery will take place in a clinic and we strongly advise you to bring someone along to stay with you for the next 24 hours because the surgery can influence your eyesight.
The Surgery
Your eyelid surgery may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite. Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Normally, local anaesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing eyelid surgery. However, general anaesthesia may be desirable in this surgery. For your safety during the operation, we monitor your heart pulse, blood pressure, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. Your vision will be blurry as a result of ointment used to soothe and protect the eye during surgery as well as from the swelling. That is normal aftermath of eyelid procedures. However, there will occur surprisingly little discomfort after the surgery. You probably will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation with someone you bring along to help you in case you need something, however, you are allowed to stay overnight in the hospital, surgical facility or hotel.
After Surgery
After the surgery you should rest with your head elevated. Your doctor may instruct you to apply cold compresses to your eyelids. You should not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications. You may feel a ''tight'' sensation around the eyes, which is normal. After 48 hours of surgery, you may experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising. Some patients find that mild swelling persists for several weeks, while others may see the swelling resolve in as little as one week. After seven to ten days, bruising should disappear and you are allowed to use make-up. Your vision could be blurry for a few days or longer. Your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to light and you can experience excess tearing or dryness. Your doctor will suggest you an eye drop for the burning or itchiness in your eyes. You can use dark sunglasses to protect your eyes.
You should avoid your eyes getting tired from reading or other activities such as watching TV for a long time. You will be able to resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less. Although you might feel like going back to work just a few days after the surgery, your vision may still be slightly blurry and this could influence your driving. The recovery time differs for every patients healing process. There is no certain time for full recovery.