Resuming Normal Activity After Eyelid Surgery

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Returning to Work & Resuming Normal Activity

After your eyelid surgery - Returning to work and resuming your normal schedule

The first day or two after eyelid surgery are usually spent resting. After you have been home for a few days, your eyes should be comfortable watching television or reading for a limited period of time. Many of our visitors recommend audio books to get them through the first few days.

If you wear glasses, keep them handy. If you wear contacts, make sure you have a pair of eyeglasses in your current prescription. You will not be able to wear contact lenses for a few weeks after your eyelid surgery. After several weeks without your contact lenses, you will have to get used to them all over again. (Sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news.)

Most eyelid surgery patients are instructed to keep their activity level to a minimum for three to five days after their eyelid surgery.

Avoid any activity which would put stress on the incision sites or that would cause elevated blood pressure. For one to three weeks after your eyelid surgery, you should avoid heavy lifting, bending and participating in active sports. Passive sporting activities are usually OK. Check with your plastic surgeon. You should also avoid anything causes fluid retention. Culprits are fatty, salty foods and alcoholic beverages. Make sure you get plenty of fluids, especially water. Proper fluid intake is crucial to your healing.

Going out in public after eyelid surgery

Women and men who have had cosmetic eyelid surgery usually feel comfortable going out in public after one or two weeks. Based on an informal FaceForum survey, the average is about ten days.

Most people find that the ten day to two week period is a good time to return to work after eyelid surgery.

Keeping your eyelid surgery under wraps.

Your plastic surgeon will probably give you instructions on how to conceal the bruising that remains.

"Camouflage cosmetics" is the term that is used to describe the products and techniques used to cover any bruising and scarring you'll experience after your eyelid surgery. Camouflage products are often available from your plastic surgeon's office or from drug or department stores. Camouflage cosmetic products are used by people with scars and birthmarks. Most cosmetics counters at department stores will be familiar with them. Check with your plastic surgeon to ensure that the products you want to use will not cause a problem with your incisions.

Many people find that they have additional light sensitivity after eyelid surgery. If you are one of those people, you may choose to wear sunglasses when you are in bright light. The wraparound style sunglasses are often recommended. A tip from FaceForum's visitors: If you know you are going to be wearing a style of sunglasses different from your usual pair, wear the new style for several weeks before you have surgery. That way, when you're wearing those sunglasses after your surgery, they won't seem out of character for you.

Ask your plastic surgeon about sunscreens that you can apply to your eyelids and incision sites. This is often an important type of protection that can minimize scarring in the long run.

Eyelid surgery - long term healing

All healing takes time. Your eyelid surgery scars will eventually fade, becoming virtually invisible. As you heal, your scars will be pinkish and somewhat plump. The pinkness can persist for six months or longer.

For many people, the results of eyelid surgery are are permanent. At a minimum, you can expect the results of your eyelid surgery to last for years.