Lower Blepharoplasty Aftercare

There are two versions of lower blepharoplasty – trans-cutaneous (through the skin) and trans-conjunctival (through the eyelid inside with no external scar)

What to expect after the operation – Transconjunctival

• After the surgery you should not drive or use machinery for at least 24 hours, until you have recovered feeling, movement and co-ordination.
• It is common to find it hard to close the eyes in the first week
• It is common to have watery eyes this will last a few weeks, 
• The black eye makes it look like the eyebag hasn’t been corrected – don’t worry it takes a week to start see the results. 
• You will have drops to put into the eye four times a day.
• You can wear eye masks but do not overly ice the eyes – this can cause more issues.
• You may have a little bleeding from the internal cut which makes it feel like the ‘eyeball’ is bleeding. Don’t worry this is normal and put gentle pressure with a gauze on the lower eyelid. 
• Activities that increase the blood flow in your face (for example, bending over, straining, lifting or taking a hot bath) may increase the chance of bleeding, so avoid these for the first week.
• Sleep with extra pillows to keep your head raised and be gentle with your eyelids for at least another month. You can gently clean your eyes with wet gauze.
• You will be able to do light activities after one or two weeks. Most patients take a week off work after the operation, depending on their job.
• After 1 week you should be able to drive.

Seeing the results

• At first your eye skin may seem too tight and swollen, and one side will look ‘nicer’ than the other – this asymmetry lasts the first week of recovery.

What to expect after the operation – Transcutaneous

• After the surgery you should not drive or use machinery for at least 24 hours, until you have recovered feeling, movement and co-ordination.
• It is common to find it hard to close the eyes in the first week
• It is common to have watery eyes this will last a few weeks, 
• The black eye makes it look like the eyebag hasn’t been corrected – don’t worry it takes a week to start see the results. 
• The cut can gently pull the lid downwards for the first few weeks while the muscle wakes up from the incision.
• The mild distortion at the corner of the eyelid does not last – but it is tightened to protect downward drift of the lower lid – this makes the eyelids look uneven but don’t worry it is rare to be permanent.
• You will have ointment to put in the eye daily.
• You can wear eye masks but do not overly ice the eyes – this can cause more issues.
• You may have a little bleeding from the incision – don’t worry this is normal and put gentle pressure with a gauze on the lower eyelid. 
• Activities that increase the blood flow in your face (for example, bending over, straining, lifting or taking a hot bath) may increase the chance of bleeding, so avoid these for the first week.
• Sleep with extra pillows to keep your head raised and be gentle with your eyelids for at least another month. You can gently clean your eyes with wet gauze.
• You will be able to do light activities after one or two weeks. Most patients take a week off work after the operation, depending on their job.
• After 1 week you should be able to drive.

Seeing the results

• At first your eye skin may seem too tight and swollen, and one side will look ‘nicer’ than the other – this asymmetry lasts the first week of recovery.
• Sutures are typically removed 6-10 days post surgery.

Emergencies to look out for

• Whilst very rare (and not seen in our practice) major bleeding after surgery can cause swelling, a change in colour, and pain, usually just on one side. If the bleeding is inside the eye socket it can cause headaches and affect vision. If this happens, go straight to your nearest A&E department.
• More commonly you can experience conjunctivitis (chemosis) which may require attention – the corner of the eye gets a yellow/jelly type swelling – we may give you additional drops to treat this.