As with all surgeries, there are certain precautions to follow in the postoperative period, and especially in the preoperative period, so that the procedure goes smoothly and the next steps go even better.
Before the patient undergoes upper and lower blepharoplasty, it is essential that they have clinical and laboratory tests. During the consultation with the plastic surgeon, the individual’s health will be assessed, including measuring blood pressure and identifying any pre-existing diseases and other habits.
The second step is laboratory testing: complete blood count, coagulation panel, kidney function, among others. It is also at this point that the anesthesiologist will assess which method is ideal for your profile.
After all the necessary assessments, and once it is confirmed that there will be no risk during the cosmetic surgery, the patient can schedule the surgery, stop certain medications, and refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking – one month before the procedure.
How can the blepharoplasty scar be improved?
The healing process depends on each person and is a crucial factor for a quality result. In addition, it is essential to follow all medical instructions to avoid possible complications and increase the likelihood of a faster recovery.
During this process, it is extremely important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid smoking, as smoking affects circulation in the skin’s peripheral vessels and ends up delaying healing.
Excessive movement of the eyelids should be avoided as much as possible in order to reduce pressure on and stretching of the sutures.
Greater care should also be taken with the way you sleep: you need to sleep on your back for the first two weeks. Hygiene should be done normally with soap and water, and wearing sunglasses is recommended, as the sun can harm the scars and cause changes in skin color.
Because the skin of the eyelids is thinner, the scars are usually concealed in the skin folds on the upper eyelid and close to the lashes on the lower eyelid. To know what the scars will ultimately look like, it is advisable to wait for the maturation period, which lasts from six months to a year.
What care is needed after eyelid surgery?
After blepharoplasty surgery, the patient does not need to be hospitalized. As soon as the procedure is finished, cold compresses are started in the operating room. The compresses should be applied on the first and second days after surgery, for 15 to 20 minutes every hour.
On the third and fourth days, the interval between compresses increases to every two hours, and on the fifth and sixth days to every three hours.
Postoperative care is not very demanding: the patient simply needs to rest, avoid exertion in the first few days, stay out of the sun and use cold compresses to minimize swelling. The doctor also recommends using eye drops to reduce eye discomfort and taking the medications prescribed by the surgeon until the follow-up visit for stitch removal, as well as facial and, in some cases, body lymphatic drainage.
How long does blepharoplasty recovery take?
After the cosmetic procedure, the patient should keep up some special care for up to 15 days.
Recovery is divided into a few phases:
- The stitches are removed after one week;
- Between 14 and 21 days after surgery, the swelling and bruising appear;
- The final result of the scars can be seen after six months.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation. Whether any procedure is indicated depends on an in-person assessment, case by case. CRM SP 90.116 | RQE 11.350.
