Eyelid surgery, known to plastic surgeons as blepharoplasty, is one of the easier cosmetic procedures in terms of recovery. Even so, most patients are anxious to be able to go out in public as soon as possible, and some can take only limited days away from work. Just about everyone wants to know what he or she can do to ensure they bounce back from eyelid surgery as fast as possible.
Let’s assume you know the basics: ice and elevation to reduce swelling and bruising, plenty of rest, and sunglasses and sunblock for protection from the elements. What else can you do?
Here are three secrets that can help speed your blepharoplasty recovery:
- Limit activities that increase the flow of blood to the eyes. Some items on this list are obvious, such as exercise. You should definitely plan to take it easy for several days to keep your heart rate from becoming elevated. Crying also increases blood flow to the eye area—you’re probably aware of this because of the way your eyes look after a good cry. Other activities to avoid may not be so obvious, though, such as bending and lifting. These are things you do daily without thinking too much about them, so ruling them out for a few days will require paying attention.
- Avoid pursuits that tend to cause dry eyes as much as you can. These include reading, watching TV and working on the computer. What can you do instead? Try listening to music and audio books. If you haven’t done so already, this could be a good time to invest in an MP3 player and learn how to download podcasts. In short, increase your “listening” activities and limit your “watching” activities.
- Finally, you would be wise to lay off alcohol during your initial recovery. Drinking can cause fluid retention—just what you don’t want if you’re working to minimize swelling.
When you’ve scheduled eyelid surgery, you will receive post-op instructions from your plastic surgeon. No matter how detailed that list might be, it’s a good idea to seek more information. You can go online and look for sites that cover a wide variety of cosmetic surgery topics—some encourage patients to share their experiences, others feature questions by real people with answers supplied by plastic surgeons. You can also ask the staff at your surgeon’s office if there are blepharoplasty patients you can talk with.
Whether your goal is to head back to work with a more youthful appearance, radiate vitality and good health at the gym or simply greet each day with a refreshed outlook, blepharoplasty should turn out to be a great choice for you. Be sure you have a solid plan down to the last detail, including preparing for recovery ahead of your procedure, and you will be back to the life you enjoy in no time.
Dr. Elliot Jacobs is an experienced, highly recognized New York plastic surgeon focusing on procedures for men. An innovator in his field. Dr. Jacobs has developed advanced techniques for correcting gynecomastia (enlarged male ‘breasts’) through liposuction, with a focus on comprehensive improvements from the chest to the waist area. He also provides surgical correction for men with overactive sweat glands through a minimally-invasive procedure that significantly reduces sweat production without eliminating it entirely.
A native New Yorker, Dr. Jacobs has served on the US Air Force and is an Honorary Police Surgeon for the New York City police Department. After earning his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, he completed a General Surgery residency there as well, and received specialized training in plastic surgery techniques before ultimately earning the position of Chief Resident in Plastic Surgery. Dr. Jacobs is board-certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Plastic Surgery; he is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and a Fellow of both the American and the International Colleges of Surgeons.
Dr. Jacobs recognizes the challenges that men experience due to problems such as enlarged breast tissue and overactive sweat glands, and he enjoys working with his patients personally to help restore their appearance and help enable them to enjoy a more confident outlook. Dr. Jacobs is committed to the ongoing advancement of plastic surgery techniques, and is a Consultant in Plastic Surgery to the United Nations. A frequent contributor to national and local news sources, Dr. Jacobs is also on the attending staff of several New York area hospitals and is the author of Mantalk: Tips from the Pros for Great Looks, Good Health and Maintaining Your Competitive Edge
