Bruising After Eyelid Surgery
Bruising and swelling after eyelid surgery are common side effects and are not a complication of surgery. Swelling and bruising often appear within a couple of hours after surgery and will be most visible approximately 3 to 4 days after surgery. Swelling will gradually disappear over the next two weeks, although it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks for swelling to resolve fully. Bruising is quicker to disappear and often takes no more than one or two weeks for full resolution.
This should result in minimal impact on your daily activities. The eyelids are a highly vascularised structure, and so they heal rapidly, which allows people to enjoy the results of surgery within only 3 to 4 weeks after having a blepharoplasty. The healing process involves a certain amount of swelling and bruising, although there are several actions which people can take to reduce these common side effects. It is also important to be aware that symptoms of bruising and swelling can be worsened by certain activities. Achieving a smooth recovery means following all of your surgeon’s postoperative instructions. If you have any concerns or questions about eyelid surgery recovery, we recommend reaching out to our dedicated postoperative nursing team.
Our specialist consultant plastic surgeons have considerable expertise in providing high standards of medical care before, during and after eyelid surgery. We pride ourselves on being available for any questions or concerns during recovery after eyelid surgery. We prefer a proactive approach to postoperative care to ensure early recognition of potential complications after surgery.
How to reduce swelling and bruising after eyelid surgery
There are several practical steps which patients can take to reduce swelling after eyelid surgery.
Apply cold packs
Cold packs are useful when applied during the first two days after blepharoplasty to reduce post-operative swelling. You should avoid applying cold packs for excessive periods of time to avoid causing cold injury to the skin. No more than 15 minutes of application followed by 15 minutes without will help to protect the skin. The benefits of cold packs are seen when they are used during the first few days after surgery.
Maintain head elevation
It would be best if you slept propped up on a couple of pillows to ensure your head is maintained in an elevated position. This will help to reduce swelling in the area around the eyes. Alternatively, you could sleep upright in a reclining chair for 3 to 5 days after surgery.
Wear sunglasses when outside
It is recommended to wear dark sunglasses if you plan to go outside in the early recovery period. Excess sun exposure can be a risk factor for prominent scarring. We would also recommend wearing sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.
Drink plenty of water
Keeping well hydrated after surgery will help to accelerate the resolution of any swelling as well as help to reduce fluid retention. We would recommend drinking a minimum of 2 L of water each day which will also help in flushing toxins from the body.
Eat the right foods
Eating the right foods after eyelid surgery will help with healing and recovery. Try to avoid highly processed foods and reduce salt content, as high levels of salt in the diet will increase postoperative fluid retention.
Minimise bruising and swelling – top tips
Reducing bruising and swelling after eyelid surgery also involves avoiding certain activities, and the following should be avoided to prevent potential complications.
Do not smoke
Smoking should be stopped at least four weeks before and after eyelid surgery. Wound healing is affected by smoking and could increase the risk of wound breakdown. All tobacco products should be avoided, and we would also recommend the avoidance of vaping and nicotine replacement products to ensure post-operative bruising disappears quickly after surgery.
Avoid applying makeup too early
Applying makeup immediately after surgery could increase the risk of wound infection and affect the healing of the incisions. Certain types of makeup may be associated with localised inflammation of the skin, and this can result in excessive scarring. You should avoid applying any makeup until eyelid surgery incisions have fully healed. Only brand-new make-up should be applied after surgery.
Avoid strenous exercise
Strenuous exercise carried out too soon after surgery could increase post-operative swelling and lead to wound healing complications. We would advise against any formal vigorous exercise for at least six weeks after surgery. Exercise is highly beneficial for health, although starting too soon after surgery is not a good idea.
Do not wear contact lenses
Patients should wear glasses after eyelid surgery as contact lenses are associated with an increased risk of corneal irritation.
Avoid blood thinner medication
Certain types of medications which thin the blood, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, should be avoided for at least ten days before surgery as they are associated with an increased risk of bleeding. If you would like to take pain relief, paracetamol is usually recommended by your surgeon.
Blepharoplasty recovery FAQs
How long does it take for swelling to disappear after eyelid surgery?
You should expect to have swollen eyelids for at least three weeks after surgery, depending on the type of procedure being undertaken. It may take up to 6 weeks for all swelling to disappear.
What is the best way to reduce swelling after upper eyelid surgery?
You should apply cold packs during the first three days after surgery to reduce swelling and avoid smoking for at least four weeks before and after surgery. Certain types of medication that thin the blood should be avoided to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding. It is important to keep well hydrated and eat foods that are low in salt. Contact lenses should be avoided, and make up should not be worn until the incisions are fully healed.
It is very common for patients to have bruising after eyelid surgery. This is due to the fact that there are many blood vessels in the area around your eyes, which may be affected by your procedure. In this guide, we review the aspects of Bruising After Eyelid Surgery, How do you get rid of bruising after eyelid surgery, How long does it take for eyelid surgery to completely heal, and stages of bruising after eyelid surgery.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Bruising After Eyelid Surgery, How do you get rid of bruising after eyelid surgery, How long does it take for eyelid surgery to completely heal, and stages of bruising after eyelid surgery.
Bruising After Eyelid Surgery
Bruising is a common occurrence after eyelid surgery. When the skin around your eyes is cut, there is a risk of bleeding and bruising. Bruising can also occur if you have a low blood count or if you smoke cigarettes. However, bruising is not something that should be expected – or accepted – with eyelid surgery. There are steps you can take prior to your procedure that will minimize your chance of bruising after blepharoplasty:
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If you notice bruising after eyelid surgery, it’s important to understand why it is happening and what you can do about it. Bruising is caused by bleeding under the skin, which can happen during any type of operation on your face or neck. The amount of bruising varies from patient to patient depending on their age and overall health status as well as how much blood has been lost during the procedure.
Bruising occurs because there are tiny blood vessels just under our skin that become damaged when we have an injury such as surgery; these vessels will leak into surrounding tissue causing discoloration (bruise). In most cases, this discoloration goes away within a week or two after surgery but sometimes lasts longer depending on how deep into these tiny veins or capillaries they were cut during surgery–these deeper cuts allow more blood leakage into surrounding tissue which results in more extensive discoloration over time compared with superficial ones where only surface layers were disturbed resulting in less overall bleeding into surrounding tissue causing less significant bruising at first glance but possibly causing greater scarring later down road if left untreated properly now while still fresh wounds heal faster than old ones do so treat them well now before they get worse later!
Bruising After Eyelid Surgery
Bruising after eyelid surgery is common. It’s not something that should be expected, but it can be minimized by finding a qualified surgeon who understands the anatomy of the eyelids and knows how to perform an upper or lower blepharoplasty.
If you’re considering eyelid surgery, make sure your surgeon has experience in this area so that you have minimal bruising after your procedure!
When eyelid surgery is performed, the incisions are made in such a way as to minimize the appearance of a scar. As with all surgical procedures, there is a risk of bruising at the incision site.
When eyelid surgery is performed, the incisions are made in such a way as to minimize the appearance of a scar. As with all surgical procedures, there is a risk of bruising at the incision site. Bruising usually resolves within 1-2 weeks after surgery but can take longer if you have significant swelling or bleeding under your skin.
The skin around the eyes is extremely thin and very sensitive. As a result any trauma, including bruising, can cause a significant amount of swelling.
The skin around the eyes is extremely thin and very sensitive. As a result any trauma, including bruising, can cause a significant amount of swelling. While this is normal for most patients, it may take longer than expected for your bruising to resolve.
If you have any concerns about your postoperative recovery please contact our office at (555) 555-5555 for further assistance or information about Bruising After Eyelid Surgery.
While bruising after eyelid surgery is common, it is not something that should be expected – or accepted. There are methods you can use to minimize the risk of bruising after your procedure. It starts with finding a qualified surgeon who understands the anatomy of eyelids and the delicate work required to perform an upper or lower blepharoplasty.
While bruising after eyelid surgery is common, it is not something that should be expected – or accepted. There are methods you can use to minimize the risk of bruising after your procedure. It starts with finding a qualified surgeon who understands the anatomy of eyelids and the delicate work required to perform an upper or lower blepharoplasty.
The best way to avoid bruising after eyelid surgery is by having an experienced surgeon who knows how to avoid causing damage during any portion of their procedure(s). A good surgeon will also discuss their plans for minimizing bruising before performing any part of your surgery so that you know what to expect from them throughout your entire experience.
Minimizing You Chance of Bruising After Eyelid Surgery
To minimize bruising after eyelid surgery, you should:
- Make sure that your doctor knows about any medications or supplements that you are taking. The use of aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen sodium (Aleve) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before or after surgery. Alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate and bleed more easily than usual. It also slows down clotting time in case bleeding does occur during surgery or afterward at home when applying pressure immediately stops the flow of blood from a cut on an arm or leg but does not stop bleeding inside tissues where there is no external source for pressure such as a bandage around an injured finger joint.
How do you get rid of bruising after eyelid surgery
Uncomplicated and ideal healing depends on how well you care for yourself. Please read these instructions carefully before your eyelid surgery and ask us about any questions you may have.
The most important things to do for eye care in the first 4 days are:
Use cold compresses as much as possible for the first 4 days after surgery. Gel Packs, or face cloths & gauzes soaked in ice water, squeezed out, and folded to cover the forehead and eyes work well. Gel packs and/or cold compresses can be used continuously. Do not use ice packs for longer than several minutes at a time. Ice cannot be used for longer than several minutes at a time due to the risk of frostbite.
Stay upright as much as possible starting the morning after the operation. Lying down flat in bed aggravates swelling. Sitting up and walking around is advisable. Use at least 2 to 3 pillows to elevate the head while resting or sleeping, and try to stay on your back rather than on your side for the first two weeks.
Apply saline/lubricating/artificial tears eye drops a minimum of 5 to 6 times daily. Refresh eye drops is a good brand. If you have any sensation of irritation in the eye use the eye drops even more frequently. The eye drops can be used every several minutes since they are only saline. You must use the eye drops even if you do not have the sensation of a dry eye. You must use the eye drops even if you have tears rolling down your cheeks. The eyelids may be slightly open for some time after surgery due to swelling and the eye needs lubrication with lots of eye drops to prevent dryness.
Apply Lacrilube/GenTeal ointment/gel (Overnight Eye gel) to the eyeball at night when you go to sleep for the first 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery to prevent a dry eye. Lacrilube ointment can be placed on the eyeball during the day if your eyes feel especially dry or if you have the sensation that something is in your eye.
Take Arnica montana in pill form starting 1 to 2 days before your procedure and continuing until bruising is gone. Our brand of Arnica is taken: 3 pills under your tongue 3x a day. Other brands have different dosing instructions. Arnica montana cream or gel can be used after the surgery on bruising located on the cheeks. Do not place Arnica Montana cream or gel on the eyelids as it may cause eye irritation.
Wear sunglasses when outside during the first 2 weeks. Wearing sunglasses protects your eyes from sun exposure, prevents dust or debris from getting into your eyes, and acts as good camouflage for bruising.
No lifting, bending, straining, exercising, or aerobic activity. Incision lines should be cleaned 1 to 2 times per day with Water and a Q-tip to remove any crusting that may build up.
Vaseline (a thin layer) should always be a kept on the incision line to help the skin heal. Apply Vaseline at least 2-3 times per day or more to keep the incision line moist.
Overall Recovery
Prior to surgery, arrange for someone to take you home (and stay overnight if you are having outpatient surgery) and bring you to the office for your first post-operative visit the next day. You may also need a ride to the office on the 4th day after surgery.
Your first office visit will be on the first post-operative day (or you will be seen in the hospital if you were admitted over-night). There will be two visits in the first week (the day after surgery and the 4th day after surgery) and several further visits within the first few months.
Eyelid sutures are removed 4 to 5 days after surgery. Surgical staples for the forehead lift are all removed within 10 days.
Bruising and swelling can increase for up to 4 days after your surgery. Everyone gets some degree of bruising and swelling. Cold compresses help decrease bruising and swelling in the first 4 days after surgery. Warm compresses help dissolve bruising after the first 4 days. Make sure the warm compress isn’t too hot and cause a burn. Because the skin has temporary decreased sensation in the region of the surgery, please test how warm the compress is somewhere else on your body.
Fluctuating eyelid swelling is common in the first 2 months after surgery. You may wake up with eyelid swelling in the morning that goes away over the course of the day. Keep your head elevated. Use a cold compress if necessary.
Avoid sunburns and tanning your facial skin for 3 months. You do not want to injure the healing incision lines. Use sun block with an SPF 30 or more if staying outside in the sun or snow.
Avoid bending over, heavy lifting, straining, exercising and aerobic activity for 3 weeks after your surgery.
Be careful no to bump your eyes or face – beware of restless children, bedmates or pets.
Take Dr. Brunner’s prescriptions as advised. Ask Dr. Brunner when to resume other routine medications you were taking before the surgery.
Use sleeping pills and analgesics only if absolutely necessary, as they sometimes make people feel dizzy or weak and delay your return to normal function. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen (Aleve, Advil, Motrin), for two weeks after your surgery as it may cause bleeding. Try extra strength Tylenol before taking Tylenol with codeine.
Any progressive or one-sided decrease in vision should be reported immediately. Also report any progressive or severe pain, swelling, bruising or bleeding. Tell the nurse if you are in the hospital, or call our office if you are at home.
If you have any questions or concerns, call the office at 921-9497. We have a 24-hour answering service, which will contact Dr. Brunner. Should you feel it necessary, go to the Emergency Department at The Medical Center At Princeton and identify yourself as Dr. Brunner’s patient.
How long does it take for eyelid surgery to completely heal
Blepharoplasty, known colloquially as eyelid surgery, is one of the world’s most popular cosmetic procedures. The eye area is very prone to revealing the signs of aging due to how thin the skin is in the area. At Boulder Plastic Surgery in Boulder, CO, we are proud to offer both upper and lower blepharoplasty to help our clients continue to look as young as they feel. If you’re considering this procedure, read on to learn more about the recovery process.
How Long Is Recovery After Eyelid Surgery?
If you get lower eyelid surgery, you can generally expect to be recovered fully after just 14 days. However, recovering from surgery requires a lot of energy. If you get lower and upper blepharoplasty, a full recovery may take you a bit longer. Everyone’s blepharoplasty recovery experience is different, but you should not be taken aback by feeling exhausted for the first 24 to 72 hours post-op. Make sure you rest as much as your body tells you to, especially during this time.
By the eighth day of your recovery, you should be feeling like your old self. However, it is still important to rest your eyes as much as possible. It is also very important that you keep fueling your body properly so it can continue to heal, and get lots of sleep. Moreover, it is important that you do not exercise too much, smoke, drink alcohol, or subject yourself to excessive heat. These can increase your blood pressure significantly.
How Long Will I Need to Take Off From Work?
You can generally expect to need between five and 10 days off from work. Usually, people who only get upper or lower blepharoplasty feel up to going back to work after just a week off. Contrastingly, people who get upper and lower eyelid surgery feel they need two full weeks to dedicate to their recovery.
What Can I Do to Recover Faster?
During your initial consultation, we will give you a complete rundown of what to do to take care of yourself after your procedure. While every recovery experience is unique, you can feel confident that your recovery is going as smoothly as it possibly can if you adhere to all of the post-op care guidelines. Here is a brief overview of what is expected:
Eat Nutritiously
Maintaining a healthy diet during your recovery period will help you tremendously. To recover from the incisions made during your surgery, your skin requires an abundance of collagen. To produce a sufficient amount of strong, healthy collagen, your body needs lots of three vital amino acids and vitamin C. It also needs lots of water. Therefore, you should strongly consider eating water-dense foods that are high in vitamin C and protein.
For example, eating broccoli after your eyelid surgery is a great idea because broccoli is high in water, vitamin C, and protein. As an added bonus, this cruciferous vegetable is also high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber will be a crucial component of your diet if you take certain analgesics to remain comfortable after your procedure. Sometimes, certain analgesics can make regular bowel movements difficult. Soluble fiber will mitigate the risk of constipation.
Drink Plenty of Hydrating Fluids
You will also help to ensure your recovery goes as quickly as possible if you remain hydrated throughout your recovery process. To reiterate, water is a vital ingredient for the production of collagen in the foundational layer of your skin. It is also crucial for keeping your existing collagen strong and healthy. If you get tired of drinking water, don’t just increase your sodium intake to make your body retain more water.
Remember that there are several beverages that will hydrate you effectively. For example, if you get tired of drinking still water, try drinking sparkling water. If you start to find the taste of tap water boring, try drinking mineral water or infusing your water with your favorite fruit. You can also increase your hydration by drinking black coffee or unsweetened tea. Neither coffee nor tea has enough caffeine to act as a diuretic.
Rest Your Eyes
After some cosmetic procedures, it is okay to sit in your favorite recliner and watch TV. However, it is extremely important that you rest your eyes as much as possible after blepharoplasty, especially if you get both upper and lower blepharoplasty. Instead of exposing your eyes to many hours of blue light by watching television or playing a computer game, try to keep yourself entertained by listening to an audiobook or working on a number puzzle in natural light.
If you look at a device that emanates blue light waves, wear a special pair of eye protection that will block the blue light. The more blue light you are exposed to, the more your ability to sleep deeply is negatively affected. Your ability to fall asleep quickly is also affected by blue light, and getting plenty of restful sleep is a very important part of the recovery process.
Protect Your Eyes
It is also very important that you protect your eyes after blepharoplasty if you want to heal as quickly as possible. If it is very windy and you have to go out, make sure you wear eye protection. If it is sunny out, wear sunglasses. Otherwise, wear clear or amber glasses to protect your eyes from the wind. It is also very important that you keep your eyelids from burning.
To avoid direct sunlight, wear a billed hat whenever possible. When wearing such a hat is not appropriate, wear sunglasses with UV protection and do your best to stay indoors between the hours of 10 and 4. Also, make sure you wear a high SPF sunscreen that blocks UVC rays when you go outside.
Rest Your Brain
Resting your eyes will go a long way in helping you recover as quickly as possible. Resting your brain is another key step you must take to ensure you heal fully as soon as possible. Usually, adults can function adequately with just 7.5 hours of sleep. Since recovering from surgery is so demanding on your body, you should aim to get nine consecutive hours of sleep. The more consecutive sleep you get, the more restful sleep you generally get.
If you don’t usually sleep for nine hours per night, you may want to try sleeping for nine hours nightly before your surgery. Get a good sense of how long it takes you to fall asleep at night and adjust your bedtime accordingly so you’re not late for work. If you find yourself struggling to sleep for nine consecutive hours, consider your sleep hygiene. You may sleep better if you practice such good habits as:
Rest Your Body
Another important step to take to ensure you heal as quickly as possible is to get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week. Moderately intense aerobic exercise supports your cardiovascular system. The importance of this is that your cardiovascular system transports everything your skin needs to build collagen and heal itself, like micronutrients, macronutrients, oxygen, and human growth factors. The stronger your vascular system is, the faster you’ll heal.
However, if you push yourself too hard, you will only slow your recovery down. Make sure that you take breaks while exercising whenever you feel you need to. If you feel like walking for 30 minutes in a row is too taxing, walk as far as you can comfortably. Then, try to walk some more when you’re feeling up to it. At the end of the day, any gentle movement you do to get your blood flowing a bit more is better than being sedentary. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.
Stages Of Bruising After Eyelid Surgery
With all the intricate work that is done during eyelid surgery in Beverly Hills, some minor bruising is a common side effect.
How Long Will the Bruising Last?
Initially, red bruising can appear right after your procedure. After about three or four days the bruises will turn purple and then blue. At the five to ten-day mark the bruising will begin to heal, fading in color, and turning green to yellow until completely gone. It can take up to four weeks for all discoloration to be gone. The timeline will depend on the severity of the bruises and your body’s ability to heal.
How to Reduce Bruising
Bruising is going to happen regardless, but there are certain ways to keep it minimal, some of which include:
Concealing Your Bruises
It’s best to stay indoors the first week, and avoid the sun and wind exposure, however, if you must go out, we suggest wearing some dark sunglasses.
Once the surgeon sees that the incisions have healed and there’s no risk of infection, we’ll give you the okay to wear concealer and other make-up. Typically, this will be about ten days after the procedure.
Eyelid Surgeon in Beverly Hills
When working on such a fragile area as the eye, you want to make sure that you instill the knowledge and experience of a surgeon like Dr. Kami Parsa of Beverly Hills, who specializes in these type procedures. To see what a difference he can make, call to schedule a consultation today.
465 N Roxbury Dr. Suite 1011 Beverly Hills, CA 90210
10 thingsyou must know
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Patient Testimonials
Dr. Parsa is not only an amazing surgeon! He is also very caring and meticulous! His expertise shows in his wonderful bedside manner overall knowledge of his field. I appreciate his knowledge, advice and professionalism for over 6 years. I trust him with my eyes and refers him to my family and friends! His staff is trusting and caring and I love seeing them!
Words cannot express how thankful and appreciative I am to have found you. I am deeply grateful for you, for your generosity and caring nature as pertaining to my medical condition. As you know, I was apprehensive about having further surgery, but you are and have been reassuring and confident in the type of procedure you would perform in order to fix my eyelid from the beginning. The fact that you are not pushy and gave me the time and space to make the decision on my own allowed me to prepare myself mentally and emotionally, that really made a difference. Besides from that, your continuous generosity made me confident that you were the right doctor for the task at hand. You will never know how appreciative I am of that. I would also like to let you know how pleased I am with the results of the surgery. I have not felt this comfortable in years. My parents are also very grateful since this was my 14th surgery. You have a true gift. Thank you again for your patience, time, concern, and overall care. I pray that God continues to give you strength to help people who truly need life-changing medical procedures.