Eyelid Surgery
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How was your eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery recovery?

Posted 23 Aug 2009

Wanted to hear for other eyelid surgery, bleph, patients who are recovering from eyelid surgery. How long has it taken to get back to work? what side effects do you have? what else do you wish you knew ahead of time before surgery?  How is your eyelid surgery recovery going? Thank You!

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taylor. (2 posts) 4 Mar 2009
I had an upper Blepharoplasty procedure done 2 weeks ago to get rid of excess skin on the uper eyelid. A lot of the initial extreme swelling and redness has improved, but I still have some swelling on my eyelid, which makes it difficult to see real well straight ahead or up. My concern, because I know it can take some more time for all the swelling to subside, is that my upperlid and eyelid area is numb and my upperlid doesn't move or blink, though I can now feel my eyelashes. My lowerlid has to come up to do the blinking, but doesn't come up all the way to properly moisten the eye. When I got my stitches out last week, my doctor said that was normal. But I talked to a couple of people who had the same procedure done and they hadn't experienced what I'm experiencing. Should I be concerned or is that all part of the healing process?
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD (942 posts) 6 Mar 2009
Two weeks is still early after lid surgery and you will have some residual swelling.Make sure that your eyes still well covered (eye drops and ointment). A helpful technique is to massage the lower lid gently to help with the lid movement and eye closure.
View answers from Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
deehotflash (43 posts) 27 Apr 2010
I had the surgery 2 weeks ago and am seeing well and even able to wear my soft contacts now. when I went in for a checkup (in the first week) the doc had me look up look down move the eyes around and said to do that. My eyes lost the hanging top lid and the small baggage underneath, so my eyeys look a bit rounder , but also I look really awake , haha Maybe keep practicing and go back to the doc for another eyecheck. that is very important if it is affecting you eyes. Also, I have been on eye drops continuously since the surgery and had a bit of redness but it is clear now. So maybe some drops could help? I wish you well.
marhoffer (3 posts) 8 Sep 2010
Hello Taylor You had your eye surgery over a year now, how do you like it? I just had mine for 2 weeks now,, it's openning slowly, very slowly, but I am still afraid.
Minnie (37 posts) 8 Mar 2009
After about 1 1/2 weeks after upper and lower eyelid surgery, it feels strange to look up. I just keep blinking and "practicing" and each day if feels just a little bit better. I don't have trouble closing my eyes, but I could only open them a little more each day. I haven't put anything on my eyes except the antibiotic ointment I was prescribed. I was told to stop that after one week. I am to resume next week and massage also.
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD (942 posts) 9 Mar 2009
All this sounds very normal.With time the swelling will go down and your lid mobility will increase.Best of luck! hs
View answers from Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
marhoffer (3 posts) 8 Sep 2010
Hi mImi how is your recovery? I just got mine surgery for 2 weeks, just using oilment but the eyes are openning slow. does your open all the way?
Lee Campbell (1 post) 31 May 2009
I had my eyelid tendon shortened on May 15th. My upper eyelid is still at half-mast. My brain thinks it is fully open; the mirror says otherwise. I have returned to the surgical center three times; the second time, I was given a week's round of steroid pills, which I finished five days ago. I have only been told to "give it time"; however, I look disfigured! Would upper eyelid massage help? What are the eyelid muscle enhancing drops mentioned by one physician, above?
Hisham Seify, MD, PhD (942 posts) 5 Jun 2009
a clinical exam will be the only way to determine the extent of the clinic problem ,massage will help to stretch the tissues but must be done under supervision.hope that helps
View answers from Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Tom at RealSelf (Community Manager - 606 posts) 23 Aug 2009

Talib - there are over 100 eyelid surgery recovery stories and experiences described on RealSelf.com. Start here by reading

Blepharoplasty reviews and stories
Wood (1 post) 4 Mar 2010
I am 42 years old and recieved upper and lower eyelid sugury and am very excited its over and very excited to look a bit younger! Although it has only been 7 days, I still look pretty bad just from the brusing. I know it will take time but does brusing take longer than swelling? I do not have much swelling just black and bluemarks underneath. Secondly, I am a very active person and can't stand not spinning every morning. I know I can not do strenuous activity but walking the dog is ok correct? My doctor responded with "see me in two weeks" and basically ignored my request! eeek What can I do after a week regarding excercise?
deehotflash (43 posts) 28 Apr 2010
Listen to the doc. Let things heal up, and my bruises were almost completely gone by 2 weeks. Takes time. Good luck.
Debbie Thomas (5 posts) 19 Mar 2010
My eyes do not close after an upper and lower eyelift, it has been two months. My doctor is doing nothing. He claims he did not take out too much skin. But he did.
Santa Maria5726 (30 posts) 30 Mar 2011
Debi did this issue ever resolve?
Dayanna (4 posts) 31 Mar 2010
well i had ptosis surgery my left eye has a different shape from my right eye i also have a doble crease nor does my eye close all the way...the dr just gives me the run around..i ahve been like in prison in my home for for 10 months i dont know what todo anymore have been in his office several times my yelids are often in pain..and i get alot of migrane headache...i can no longer wear contacts because my eye gets so dry..my eye lids feel so heavy...like i said before my surgeon doesnt even know what to say how to fix the issue plizzz if anyone is going thru the same thing plizz reply...
laciegirl (2 posts) 25 Apr 2010
I am so very sorry you are having to go thru this.I have a lage psd underneath my left eye.Had lower lids done about 2 years ago.I am still battleing the problem.I had fat taken from my hip and injected into my eye where it was so hollow and try and hide the bulge on my cheek bone.Has 8 micro dermabrassion treatments ,blue peel,lazer surgery, 2 ILP treatments and finally a filler.I feel like a freak !!! I am so scared that I will look like this the rest of my life.The depression is overwhelming as you can tell.I would NEVER had it done if I had know the out come.I was reasured that everything would be just fine.I had told him before surgery that I had seen pics on line of eye lids hanging out and were below my eye.I had to take surgial tape and and pull my skin up to try and get it to not look so bad.Wore the sunglasses,the whole nine yards.Yes he was board certified with all the bells and whishles.I am 51 and care about the way I look.I am searching for another dr. to correct this problem.They all are so afraid to touch me.What are people like me and you surpose to do ??? I thought I was the only one with this problem.If you find out any info please let me know.I would be happy to send you a pic.Good luck to you.I would not wish the on my worse enemy.
Trishie (5 posts) 31 Mar 2011
I am considering the surgery on my right eyelid since i damaged it myself after having a contact stuck in my eye. I forcibly removed it and now my lid droops. I am terrified to have this done. I am wondering how you made out after all this time. Is it better?
Trishie (5 posts) 3 Apr 2011
Has anyone had eyelid surgery due to a damaged muscle underneath the eyelid? I tore my muscle after having a contact lens stuck to my eyeball. After ten minutes of forcibly tugging on my eyeball I was left with a droopy eyelid from the muscle being torn.
8095anon (3 posts) 10 Jul 2010
I hope that both of you are finding some relief or at least peace a few months later. I had surgery five weeks ago and have slight lower lid retraction but more worrying have developed severe dry eye (not enough tears, so this will not improve with time) which is now going to need managing for the rest of my life. I have had to give up my work overseas and go back to live with my parents to focus on finding a way to cope and suitable treatments. I feel I have ruined my life.
Santa Maria5726 (30 posts) 30 Mar 2011
did this ever improve? i have dry eye and am at 10 weeks. just hoping yours did and mine will!
suzrus (1 post) 6 Jan 2011
I am 24 hours post op, and so far no difficulties at all. The only pain was during surgery, when they injected anesthesia into my eyelids; when I complained, they stopped and applied Fentanyl. Not as bad as I was expecting.

I was very relieved that they applied dark contact lenses into my eyes before starting the incisions. I was beyond myself, worrying about a scalpel only millimeters away from my eyeball. The contact lenses alleviated that fear.

I applied ice packs constantly the first day, and was scrupulously hygienic. Also slept upright on the couch all night long. I was expecting a hideous face the second day (today) but no such thing! Everything is okay; I feel all right. All together, surprisingly pleased.

I had an excellent doctor; Dr. Leslie Cunningham. (This was a medically necessary surgery.) My friend, driving me back home yesterday, commented on how better I looked already. Even with stitches and blood.
Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager - 4,028 posts) 6 Jan 2011

So glad to hear you're doing well, suzrus. When you're feeling up to it, it'd be great if you could post a review for others who are considering blepharoplasty.

Please keep us posted on your healing. :)

flipc (3 posts) 15 Mar 2011
Hey , so sorry to hear of anyone with complications. I am 12 days after upper bleph and still have a teensy bit of swelling but other than that everything is fine. Good luck...
sassycass (8 posts) 26 Jan 2011
Hi everyone,It's been 2 wks ago today that i had both upper and lower lids/bags done! I just had the stitches taken out yesterday. Thank-God, for me that was the worst part.I can see a difference already, still a bit red and feels odd to look upward but i'm so pleased with it so far, I just have 1 concern, i have pooling of blood under my left eye, i need to see my doctor again in 5 days, he said to apply a warm compress and massage upwards.Anyone else have this happen?
Santa Barbara7926 (90 posts) 16 Feb 2011
I am a month post op upper/lower. Still swelling above and below eyes. At two weeks my eyes were even - now it seems the left eye is smaller than right. Not sure if this is the result of the uneven swelling but it is troubling. My eyes were even prior to this. I remember right after the surgery the nurse putting pressure on the left eye because of some bleeding. The eye is a little sore but no vision problems. The doctor said assymetry is normal at this stage but it worries me! Anyone go through this?

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