People often say the eyes are the soul’s windows. Your eyes are one of the first things people notice about you, but sometimes the natural aging process isn’t kind to the eyes. It is not uncommon for people to need blepharoplasty to improve the appearance of the upper or lower eyelids. Today, our aesthetic experts at SkinMD Chicago in Orland Park, IL are taking a closer look at eyelid surgery recovery to help you determine whether it is right for you.
What Is Recovery Like After Blepharoplasty?
Recovery after blepharoplasty varies based on the scope of the procedure and how well you care for yourself during your recovery period. If you only receive lower eyelid surgery, you can be back to work in only a week. If you receive upper eyelid surgery in addition to lower eyelid surgery, you should stay home from work for two weeks to give your eyelids plenty of time to heal.
What Steps Should I Take to Ensure the Smoothest Recovery Possible?
Your choices play a significant role in affecting the recovery process. If you want to be back on your feet completely healed as soon as possible, you need to make caring for yourself your top priority. The better care you take of yourself, especially during the early days of your recovery, the sooner your recovery period will be over.
For example, you need to make sure you are well-nourished, well-rested, and properly hydrated. If you do all of these things, you will be back to feeling like your old self in just a week or two. If you push yourself too hard shortly after your procedure, you will only delay your recovery.
Nourish Your Body
To end your recovery period as quickly as possible, nourish your body with nutritious, natural foods. You shouldn’t take dietary supplements to get the nutrients you need because they are not very bioavailable (your body can’t absorb and use all of the nutrients in them) and they contain high levels of vitamin E. You must avoid consuming too much vitamin E during your recovery period because it thins your blood.
Instead of taking a multivitamin, plan at least three balanced meals per day that include at least one fruit, one vegetable, 14 grams of protein, soluble fiber, and water. Individual protein needs vary, but a good general rule of thumb is you should consume 0.36 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight. If you weigh over 116 pounds, multiply your body weight by 0.36 and divide by the number of meals and snacks you want to have each day.
Rest
We understand that slowing down is hard. However, you need to commit to lots of rest if you want to recover fully as quickly as possible. Your recovery will end sooner if you commit at least seven hours nightly to sleep. However, for the best results, you should go to bed at a decent hour every night and make sure all of your alarms are turned off.
Your body will know when it has had enough rest. If you have kids or pets, try to get someone to stay with you to take care of them in the morning so you can sleep until your body has had enough rest. Also, be aware that you may feel the need to nap during the day. Do not ignore your body’s message that it is time for rest.
Ice
Ice can also help you speed up your recovery process. You shouldn’t apply ice directly to your eyelids, but you should apply a cold compress near your eyelids regularly throughout the day.
We will give you specific instructions on how to use cold therapy to speed up your recovery process during your initial consultation. These instructions will be repeated after your procedure, and you are more than welcome to call us at any time during your recovery process if you have any questions.
Make and Stick to a Game Plan
Making and sticking to a game plan will also make your recovery as short and sweet as possible. For instance, your recovery will be easier if you create your post-op meal plan ahead of time and make sure you have all of the ingredients you need to make your meals.
If you don’t have someone to cook for you while you’re recovering, make your meals ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them as necessary, so you can spend as much of your time resting as possible.
Ask for Help
It is important that you have someone drive you home after your eyelid surgery. However, it is highly advisable to have someone stay with you for at least the first few days of your recovery period.
You shouldn’t have to worry about waking your kids up and getting them ready in the morning, walking your dog, and making a high-protein breakfast for yourself. If possible, have someone stay home with you for at least 72 hours so you can focus all of your attention on resting, hydrating, and nourishing your body.
Follow the Post-Op Instructions
Once the general anesthesia used to keep you comfortable during your procedure has worn off, we will give you a list of instructions to follow during your recovery period. For example, you will be given instructions on how to clean your eyes daily, how to sleep with your head elevated above your heart, and how to stay hydrated.
It is also of the utmost importance that you protect your delicate eyelid skin from sun exposure when you go outside. Even if it is overcast out, wear eye protection (UV-blocking sunglasses, not polarized sunglasses) and a brimmed hat. To further protect your eyes from sun damage, strongly consider wearing sunscreen.
Have Realistic Expectations
Having realistic expectations will also ensure your recovery will go as well as it possibly can. You may be frustrated because you have to take things slow for a week or two, but you should always keep in mind that your recovery won’t last forever.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
The only way to find out whether you are a good blepharoplasty candidate is to come in for an initial consultation. However, there is a good chance that you will qualify if you are in fairly good health and worried about the appearance of your upper or lower eyelids.
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
No region of the body is immune to the natural effects of the aging process. Over time, gravity takes too great a toll on the delicate skin of your eyelids, and they start to sag noticeably. At the same time, your facial muscles weaken, and your facial fat distribution shifts.
The result of all these changes is your eyelids look hooded, heavy, and old. Eyelid surgery removes any excess skin you have, redistributes your fat pockets to create a more balanced look, excises any excess fat you may have, and tightens the loose muscle and skin tissues.
What Does This Procedure Treat?
Blepharoplasty can be used to treat the signs of aging affecting the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. It can be used to treat cosmetic concerns or medical concerns. When it is used for cosmetic purposes, it can make you look years younger and provide long-lasting results. Under-eye bags that won’t go away despite sleep, hydration, and anti-aging cream will be a thing of the past, and upper eyelid sagging will be reversed.
When it is used for medical purposes, your vision can improve to the point that it is safe for you to drive again and you will easily be able to read your favorite books and play your favorite video games. It is not uncommon for people to not consider this procedure until their upper eyelid sagging has become so bad that their vision is seriously impaired.
Concerns Related to the Eyelids
This procedure is sought primarily to reverse concerns related to the eyelids. For instance, this procedure can be used to:
- Reverse eyelid drooping
- Lift sagging upper lids
- Excise excess upper eyelid skin
- Reverse puffiness by excising fat
- Eliminate under-eye bags
- Treat lower eyelid wrinkles
- Excise excess lower eyelid skin
Book a Primary Evaluation Now
Your eyes are one of the first things people notice about you, and you want to make a good impression. Even if your upper eyelids aren’t drooping to the point you have vision problems, you may still be a good candidate for eyelid surgery. To find out for sure if this procedure is right for you, contact us today at SkinMD Chicago in Orland Park, IL or Skokie, IL to book your initial evaluation.
