If you’ve had upper and lower eyelid surgery in New York City, NY, (also called blepharoplasty), it’s really important to take care of your eyes while you heal. At MFSS, we understand your eyes are super important. Not just for seeing but for expressing how you feel. We’ve got simple tips to help you recover fast and get the best results.
What Can You Expect After Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery in New York City, NY?
Right after your surgery, your eyes might feel sore, swollen, or bruised. That’s okay. It’s normal, and it will get better with time. Some people may also feel tightness around their eyes or notice their vision is blurry for a short time. Your doctor will tell you what to expect and what’s normal. If anything feels strange, or you’re unsure about something, just ask us for help.
Now, let’s talk about how to take care of your eyes so they heal well and stay healthy.
Be Gentle With Your Eyes
After surgery, your eyes will be really sensitive, so you need to be super gentle with them. Don’t rub, touch, or press on your eyes or the skin around them. Even if your eyes feel itchy or annoying, try not to scratch. Your skin is healing, and touching it might slow things down or cause problems.
When you clean your face, use a soft, damp cloth, and be gentle. Don’t scrub or splash water on your eyes. Instead, pat the area dry carefully without rubbing.
Follow Your Medication Plan
We’ll give you specific instructions about any medicines or eye drops you need to use. This may include antibiotics and lubrication drops to prevent infection or keep your eyes from getting too dry. Make sure to use them the right way and don’t skip any doses.
Use the prescribed medicine for pain only when you need it, and don’t take more than what’s recommended. Some medications like aspirin should be avoided because they can make bruising worse. If you’re unsure about what’s safe, just ask us!
Keep the Area Clean
It’s really important to keep the skin around your eyes clean. We’ll tell you how to gently clean the stitches and the area around your eyes. Make sure you use clean hands and any special products we give you, such as sterile water or wipes.
Be careful not to let dirt, makeup, or sweat get near your eyes. If you need help, ask a family member or friend to help you clean the area.
Rest and Take It Easy
Your body needs rest to heal well. For the first few days, try not to do things that will strain your eyes, like reading, watching TV, or staring at screens for a long time. If you need to use your phone or computer, make the screen dimmer.
Also, avoid activities that could increase blood flow to your face, like lifting heavy things, bending over, or exercising. Taking it easy and staying calm will help you heal faster.
Use Cold Compresses
After eyelid surgery, swelling and bruising can happen, but cold compresses can help with that. You can use a soft cloth or an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Just gently place it on your eyes for 10-15 minutes at a time.
Make sure the cold compress doesn’t touch your stitches directly, and don’t press too hard. Using cold compresses is an easy way to feel better and reduce swelling.
Protect Your Eyes From the Sun
After surgery, your skin will be extremely sensitive to the sun, so it’s very important to keep it safe. When you go outside, wear dark sunglasses that protect against UV rays. A wide brimmed hat can also help block UV rays from your face.
Try not to stay in the sun too long, especially in the first few weeks. Too much sun can make your skin irritated and slow down your healing.
Sleep in the Right Position
The way you sleep after upper and lower eyelid surgery in New York City, NY, can actually help you heal faster. Hence, try to sleep on your back with your head slightly raised. You can use an extra pillow or wedge to keep your head up. This will help reduce swelling and keep pressure off your eyes.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach or side, because it could press on your face and slow down your healing.
Avoid Makeup and Skincare Products
We understand you might want to get back to your normal routine, but it’s best not to wear makeup around your eyes until we say it’s okay. Even gentle makeup can irritate your healing skin or bring in bacteria.
The same goes for skincare products. Don’t use creams, lotions, or oils near your eyes unless we’ve given you permission. Once your skin is healed, you can slowly start using these products again.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Healthy
Drinking a lot of water and eating healthy foods can help your body heal from the inside. Try to eat foods full of vitamins and nutrients, like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.
It’s also best to avoid salty foods because they can make swelling worse by making your body hold onto water. Drinking water and eating healthy food will help you feel better while you heal.
Watch for Warning Signs
Most people heal just fine, but it’s still important to keep an eye out for any problems. Contact us right away if you notice any of these things:
- Pain that doesn’t get better with medicine
- Redness or swelling that becomes worse instead of better
- Bleeding or fluid coming from your stitches
- Fever or chills
- Sudden changes in your vision
Be Patient With Your Healing
Healing takes time, and everyone gets better at their own speed. Most people start feeling better after a week or two, but it can take a few weeks for the swelling and bruising to go away completely. Your scars will also get better and become less noticeable over time.
Don’t try to rush it or get upset if it takes longer than you expected. Trust that your body is healing, and remember, the results will be worth it in the end.
Come to Your Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up appointments are really important for your healing. During these visits, we’ll check how you’re doing, take out stitches if needed, and answer any questions you might have.