Patient Guide

Blepharoplasty
Recovery

What to expect week by week after tissue-preserving cosmetic eyelid surgery — swelling, activity, and the timeline to your final result.

Upper Eyelid Recovery

Upper OFA-Bleph™ recovery depends on the exact plan. A skin-only functional case may settle quickly; cases involving deeper release, crease refinement, or orbital fat transposition can have more swelling while the eyelid-brow contour softens.

Days 1–3

Cool compresses every hour while awake. Head elevation — sleep on two pillows. Mild discomfort managed with prescribed analgesics. Swelling peaks day 2–3.

Days 4–7

Suture removal at day 5–7. Return to desk work typical. Bruising begins to yellow. Avoid bending, lifting, or straining.

Days 7–14

Socially presentable, especially with sunglasses. Most bruising resolved. Incision line may appear slightly pink.

Weeks 3–6

Progressive return to exercise — walking first, then light cardio, then full activity. Avoid contact sports for 6 weeks.

Months 3–6

Scar fully matures. Residual firmness resolves. Final result visible.

Lower Eyelid Recovery

Lower eyelid recovery is generally similar but swelling can be slightly more pronounced given the extent of dissection, especially when fat transposition is performed.

Days 1–3

Cool compresses, elevation. Chemosis (conjunctival swelling) may be present — this is normal and resolves.

Days 4–7

Return to light work. Lower lid may appear slightly rounded initially — this normalises as swelling reduces.

Days 7–14

Socially presentable. Lower lid position normalises. Residual swelling continues to reduce.

Weeks 3–8

Firmness in the lower lid-cheek junction gradually softens. Progressive return to full activity.

Months 3–6

Transposed fat fully integrates. Tear trough fill settles. Final result.

General Recovery Tips

  • ✓Sleep with head elevated on two pillows for the first two weeks
  • ✓Apply cool (not ice-cold) compresses to reduce swelling — 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off
  • ✓Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E for 2 weeks on either side of surgery
  • ✓No makeup near the incisions until cleared by Dr. Gill (typically 1 week)
  • ✓UV protection — sunglasses and sunscreen — from week 2 onwards to protect healing scars
  • ✓Avoid alcohol for 2 weeks — it increases swelling and bruising
  • ✓Contact lenses may be worn again at 1–2 weeks — confirm with Dr. Gill
  • ✓Do not rub or massage the eyelids for 6 weeks
When to contact us:Increasing pain after day 3, vision changes, significant asymmetry in swelling, discharge from the incision, or any concern that doesn't feel right. Our team is reachable directly — post-operative questions are expected and welcome.

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