Blepharoplasty Surgery Aftercare

It is normal to have bruising and swelling after upper eyelid surgery or lower eyelid surgery. Bruising and swelling is typically much improved after one week but mild swelling can persist for up to 2-3 months.

• Call the office immediately if you experience any of the following:
  • Sudden excessive pain, excessive bleeding, sudden swelling of one eyelid more so than the other, loss or change in vision
• Keep all dressings clean, dry and intact. Tape and sutures will be removed at your follow-up appointment.
• Apply the prescription eye ointment to the eyelid incisions 4 times a day. You may put the ointment on a Qtip or your fingertip and apply it directly to the incisions, over the sutures.
• You may use preservative free eye drops to help lubricate the eyes during the day. You can purchase these over the counter. Look for a preservative free eye drop like Bausch & Lomb Soothe Preservative Free or Systane Ultra PF. You may use these as often as needed.
• You may also use a preservative free lubricant eye ointment before bedtime to keep the eyes moistened while you sleep. You can purchase this over the counter as well. Bausch & Lomb Soothe Lubricant Eye Ointment Nighttime Preservative Free. Place a ribbon of ointment inside the lower lid before bedtime. This will make your vision blurry and that is normal.
• You can shower 48 hours after surgery. Soap and water can run over the incisions and the sutures but be careful not to scrub or rub directly on the incisions while washing or drying off. Be gentle. Pat dry.
• NO baths, Jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms, swimming, or submerging the incisions until after the incisions have completely healed. This is typically at least 4 weeks after surgery
• Do NOT take Aspirin, Aspirin-containing drugs, or Vitamin E for 2 weeks after surgery.
• You may use over the counter Tylenol and Ibuprofen for pain relief as long as you have no allergies or medical conditions that prevent you from taking these drugs. These medications may be taken together for maximum relief or staggered for more continuous pain control.
  • Tylenol (acetaminophen) 1000 mg: take every 6 hours or as needed for pain
  • Motrin (ibuprofen) 600 mg: take every 6 hours or as needed for pain
• Arnica Montana is a homeopathic anti-inflammatory that can help swelling and bruising to resolve more quickly. It is available over the counter at most pharmacies in oral tablets or topical forms (gel, cream). You can apply to the skin where there is bruising and swelling but not directly over incisions. You can start the oral tablet 1-2 days before surgery or use the tablets or topicals after surgery.
• Avoid sleeping on your side or face down. Sleep on your back with extra pillows under your head, neck and upper body to maintain a slightly elevated position.
• No alcohol for at least 1 week after surgery.
• Driving is typically OK 5-7 days after surgery. The swelling must be improved enough so you can see clearly, you must be able to safely get in and out of the car, move your body enough to see behind you, and not be taking any of the following medications: gabapentin, tramadol, oxycodone, diazepam (Valium).
• You may use some frozen peas in a baggie to place gently over the eyes. This should be applied on the skin for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes, as often as possible when awake to help with swelling.
• Makeup may be applied to the eyes 4 weeks after surgery. Be very gentle when removing makeup.
• Avoid sun exposure to the face for 6 weeks after surgery. Use sunscreen thereafter.
• Do not lift/push/pull anything heavier than a gallon of milk for the first week. After the first week, you may gradually increase lifting and activity including exercise as tolerated.
• Avoid strenuous activity, lifting, or bending for 1 week after surgery. If you must pick something up from ground level, squatting is better than bending.