42 y/o- ready to unpack my eye bags with a lower blepharoplasty/skin pinch

Today is Day 8. I’ve attached some pics without makeup. My incisions have healed well and even without makeup I think it would be hard for someone to immediately notice I had surgery. My eyeballs are still “angry.” The chemosis is still there. Still putting ointment in at night to help. But my eyes often feel itchy and the swelling of the membranes makes it sometimes feel like there is something in my eye when there’s not. Artificial tears helps.

I had some new swelling pop up yesterday on my upper right cheek bone. From what I’ve read this is not uncommon... just gravity working on the swelling and moving it south. I’m doing compresses and massages and I feel like it’s already better than yesterday.

I attached some pics in “good” lighting to better show the incisions. I also attached some in “bad” lighting to show that I still have bags. While it’s disappointing, I have to remember it has just been a week. And from everything I’ve read, it can take up to 3 months or longer to see the final results. My eyes went through a lot last week and residual swelling is to be expected. (Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself!) Haha It’s just hard to remember that when everything else has healed so well and quickly.

Put some light makeup on for the first time tonight. Still some swelling but I feel much more human now!

I had my follow-up appointment with my surgeon this morning and everything went great. He kept saying that he couldn’t get over how well I have healed. He even had to check his notes to confirm it had only been 6 days since the bruising is pretty much all gone. He cleared me to start wearing make-up again (hallelujah!), showed me some massages to do, and basically told me to keep doing whatever I’ve been doing because it’s been working. He said the compresses and ointments were optional at this point and that I don’t have to worry about sleeping inclined anymore since most of the swelling is gone. I plan to keep doing the ointment at night until the redness is gone and artificial tears as needed. And I’ve come to really like my eye mask (from Walgreens), so might still do some cold compresses occasionally because it feels good on my eyes. (And my family leaves me alone when they see I have it on!)

I feel like my under eyes are still puffy, which is completely to be expected at only 6 days post op. I can see an improvement from before surgery, but still have bags. But I’m optimistic they will continue to go away in the coming weeks. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s been less than a week...and l’m not completely healed despite the bruising being gone.

I’ve attached some pics. I think the biggest improvement can be seen when I smile. No big bags. And please note, my eyes were asymmetrical before the surgery. :)

I can’t say enough good things about my surgeon. I’m really glad I decided to go with an oculoplastic surgeon. I don’t have to go back for another 3 months, but I’ve got his cell and he told me to call/text if I have any concerns between now and then.

I’m having a BA next Wednesday (with another doc) so I’m glad this recovery has gone so well. So now fingers crossed, the BA goes as well, too!