Upper eyelid surgery recovery guide

Upper eyelid surgery is a straightforward surgery with around a week of downtime. However, final results can take up to 3-6 months. Here is our full guide to what you can expect as you recover from your upper blepharoplasty surgery at McKeown Medical.

Dr Darren Mckeown

Published by Dr Darren McKeown

Date posted — 28.10.24

Surgeon marking a woman’s lower eyelid area with a surgical pen during a pre-procedure consultation.

Day-by-Day Recovery Guide (Days 1-7)

Day 1 (Surgery Day)

  • Swelling and Discomfort: Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort are common. As the local anaesthetic wears off, you may notice some blood oozing from the edges of your wound. This is normal and to be expected. Please use some gauze to gently dab any exudate.
  • Aftercare: Try to keep your head elevated at all times, even while sleeping. Apply the cold compresses we provided to the eyes for 10-15 minutes every hour to help reduce swelling and bruising.
  • Medication: If you have any discomfort, you can take simple over-the-counter medications like paracetamol. Before bed, use the chloramphenicol eye ointment. Try to use the ointment immediately before bed because it will likely blur your vision.
  • Restrictions: Avoid straining, bending over, or heavy lifting. Do not apply makeup or skincare products near the eyes.

Day 2-3

  • Appearance: Bruising and swelling may increase over the first 48 – 72 hours and start to peak around this time. We expect things to get worse before they get better.
  • Aftercare: Continue to use cold compresses intermittently throughout the day. Avoid touching or rubbing the eyes.
  • Medication: Continue to use the eye ointment before bed at night.
  • Rest: Get plenty of rest to help with healing.
  • Eyesight: You may experience blurry vision due to eye ointments or swelling—this is normal and should improve gradually.
  • Phone call: the practice nurse will call you to check on how you are getting on with healing and answer any questions you have.

Day 4-5

  • Healing: Swelling and bruising should start to decrease slightly around this time.
  • Warm Compresses: You should stop using cold compression at this stage. If you feel you would like some soothing relief, use warm compression with a clean cloth dipped in hot water.
  • Medication: Continue to use the eye ointment before bed at night.
  • Activity: You can begin light activities but avoid anything strenuous.

Day 6-7

  • Follow-Up: A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled around this time to remove your sutures. Although patients are often anxious about the removal of sutures, most patients find it to be a painless experience and reflect that they were worried about nothing!
  • Comfort: Discomfort should be decreasing significantly by this time.
  • Medication: you can stop using the ointment at night when the sutures are removed

Month-to-Month Recovery Guide (Months 1-6)

Month 1-2

  • Healing: Swelling will continue to subside gradually. The scars should start to lighten but will still appear pink.
  • Appearance: Most patients feel comfortable returning to social activities without makeup, as residual bruising and swelling are minimal.
  • Physical Activity: You may resume more intense workouts and activities.
  • Scarring: Continue using sunscreen to prevent pigmentation in healing scars. You can begin using some moisturiser to massage the scars. This will help to soften and flatten the scars.

Month 3-6

  • Final Results: Most patients see their final results within this time frame. Minor swelling may linger, but it typically won’t be noticeable to others.
  • Scarring: Scars should continue to fade to a faint, less noticeable line. Scar massage should continue to help.
  • Lifestyle: Patients can usually resume all regular activities without restrictions.

 

If you have any unexpected symptoms following your procedure, please contact the clinic by telephone on 0141 370 0509. In the event of a medical emergency, please call this number and speak to someone. The number is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. In the event of a medical emergency, please do not contact us by email or social media because these messages can be missed.

Dr Darren Mckeown

Dr Darren McKeown

Our founder, Dr Darren McKeown, is renowned for his expertise and artistry with dermal fillers. As a peer-reviewed medical author, he is passionate about treatments that stand up to scientific scrutiny. Above all, Dr McKeown believes in a global approach; delivering flawless results – and rejuvenation that lasts.

Related Articles

Woman with arms raised wearing a white halter top against a dark background.

Cosmetic body surgery

Loose Skin After Weight Loss or GLP-1 Injections

Loose Skin After Weight Loss or GLP-1 Injections: Why the Right Treatment Varies So Much From Person to Person and...

Black and white portrait of a woman in profile wearing a halter-style top, with soft lighting highlighting her jawline, neck, and upper body contours against a dark background.

Cosmetic body surgery

Saggy Arms After Weight Loss Injections?

How Quantum RF Can Help Tighten Loose Arm Skin After GLP-1 Weight Loss

Understanding the Benefits of Anti-Wrinkle Injections

Filler

Your First Dermal Filler Appointment at McKeown Medical: What to Expect

A first dermal filler appointment should begin with assessment rather than treatment, and the difference sets the tone for everything...

Dr Rhona is back!

We’re delighted to share that Dr Rhona Cameron will be returning to clinic at the beginning of September following her maternity leave and her diary is now open for appointments! 

We know many of you have been looking forward to seeing Rhona again, and we’re so pleased to welcome her back! 

If you’d like to book an appointment with Dr Rhona, you can do so via our website or app, or contact the team on 0141 370 0509.
Once again, the combination treatment wins the day! 

This patient came to us hating her neck and jowls, but she would not consider anything invasive. Treating the neck is always a challenge especially with non-invasive treatments only. 

For this patient we first of all reduced the fat under the chin using CoolSculpting, then we did some hyaluronic acid under the mandible to define the jaw and finally we did some Sofwave to tighten the skin.

 The patient is over the moon with her results. What do you think?
I genuinely think the Quantum Lift is changing what is possible for patients who want to improve their jawline and neck, but do not want to undergo facelift surgery.

I have used earlier generations of skin-tightening technology and, honestly, I was often underwhelmed by the results. This is different.

By combining precise power-assisted liposuction, targeted treatment of the neck muscle where needed, and QuantumRF skin tightening, we can address the three things that most commonly age the lower face and neck: muscle, fat and skin.

This patient is shown just 24 hours after treatment. There is still swelling to settle, but the early change in her jawline and neck contour is already clear.

I have also included clips from the procedure for anyone who likes seeing the technical side of what we do.

Would you consider a minimally invasive alternative to facelift surgery for your jawline or neck, or would you rather go straight to surgery?
The biggest mistake I see after weight loss? People choose a treatment before understanding what's actually causing their loose skin.

Not all "loose skin" is the same, which is why the right treatment for one person can be completely wrong for another.

If you've lost weight and aren't sure which option is right for you, the first step isn't choosing a device. It's getting the right diagnosis.

Looking for some advice? Send us a DM to get started.

Join us on Instagram to keep up with the latest results and expert insights from the clinic team.