Key Takeaway
|
Post-operative care after blepharoplasty is just as important as the procedure itself. Proper care helps speed up healing, reduce swelling, and prevent complications, ensuring a smooth and natural-looking result. In this article, we will guide you through the essential dos and don’ts to take care of your eyes correctly after surgery.
What is Double Eyelid Surgery?
Double eyelid surgery is a procedure that creates a defined eyelid crease by making an incision and suturing the skin to form a natural fold. This enhances the eyes, creating a larger, more defined appearance. Beyond aesthetic benefits, the procedure also addresses issues such as asymmetrical eyelids or drooping eyelid skin.
Today, various double eyelid techniques are available. These are designed to achieve the desired blepharoplasty results while minimizing scarring, pain, swelling, and recovery time. However, post-operative care is crucial for optimal healing. Patients should educate themselves on what to avoid after the procedure, including certain foods and behaviors that could prolong recovery, increase swelling and bruising, or lead to undesirable results.
How Long is the Recovery Time After Blepharoplasty?
After double eyelid surgery, a recovery period of one to three months is required for the eyelid crease to settle properly. However, the healing time varies for each individual and depends on several factors, such as the surgeon's expertise, the surgical technique, and the patient's age. Older patients tend to experience prolonged swelling due to excess skin laxity. This often requires additional skin removal.
Additionally, the body's natural wound-healing process slows with age, leading to a longer recovery period. Proper blepharoplasty aftercare also plays a significant role in the healing process. Therefore, patients should be mindful of post-operative care instructions to prevent delayed wound healing.
Things to Avoid After Double Eyelid Surgery
Proper blepharoplasty aftercare is key to a smooth recovery and optimal results. Avoiding certain habits can minimize swelling, prevent complications, and speed up healing. Here’s what to avoid for the best outcome.
Avoid Staring at the Screen
Avoid staring at screens, including TVs, computers, smartphones, tablets, or even books, as prolonged focus can cause dry and irritated eyes. As part of aftercare for blepharoplasty, take breaks every 20-30 minutes to rest your eyes and promote healing.
Do Not Wear Contact Lenses
Avoid wearing contact lenses for 2-4 weeks, or until your wounds are fully healed. Switch to glasses temporarily, as contacts can irritate the wound and increase the risk of inflammation or infection. Proper aftercare is essential for optimal blepharoplasty results.
Avoid Rubbing, Scratching, or Irritating the Eyes
Another important precaution after blepharoplasty is to avoid touching, rubbing, or scratching your eyes. Dirt and bacteria on your hands can cause the wound to become infected. Additionally, vigorous rubbing or scratching may disrupt the newly created eyelid fold.
Refrain from Smoking for Recovery After Ptosis Surgery
To ensure the best possible recovery after ptosis surgery, it is crucial to avoid smoking for at least one week. Smoking negatively impacts blood circulation, leading to increased blood flow to the wound, which can cause more swelling, hinder healing, and increase the risk of scarring. Additionally, cigarette smoke can irritate the eyes and the surgical site.
Be Careful Not to Get the Wound Wet.
Moisture can slow down wound healing and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, after blepharoplasty, avoid getting the wound wet. Use a soft cloth or cotton pad soaked in warm water to wipe your face around the wound area gently, then pat dry thoroughly. Continue this for at least 10 days, and follow your doctor's instructions regarding wound care, until the wound is fully healed.
Foods to Avoid for Good Results Following Blepharoplasty
After blepharoplasty, proper nutrition plays a crucial role in the healing process. However, certain foods can hinder healing, increase swelling, and slow down recovery. In this section, we will explore some of the foods to avoid after your blepharoplasty procedure for optimal results.
Raw or Undercooked Food
Raw or undercooked foods, such as sushi, fermented fish, larb, and koi, may contain harmful bacteria and parasites that can increase the risk of infection and inflammation at the surgical site. It is advised to avoid consuming these foods for at least one month for optimal blepharoplasty results. Instead, focus on eating well-cooked, clean foods that are protein-rich, such as pork, chicken, milk, various beans, and vitamin- and mineral-rich fruits and vegetables.
Fermented or Pickled Foods
Fermented foods like pickled fruits, pickled seafood, fermented sausage (Naem), and shrimp paste may also contain harmful bacteria. Additionally, they may contain chemicals like preservatives and antifungal agents, which can lead to wound inflammation and slow healing. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid consuming these foods for at least one month after blepharoplasty aftercare to ensure proper recovery.
Seafood
Seafood, such as tuna, salmon, shrimp, and crab, is high in protein and can be consumed after blepharoplasty. However, it should be sourced from clean, safe places to ensure it's free from contamination and must be cooked thoroughly. Seafood should be avoided by anyone with allergies, as it can cause reactions, including swelling and itching around the face and eyes.
Spicy or Heavily Seasoned Food
Spicy foods, such as tom yum, som tam, and various salads, are often high in sodium. Sodium can draw water into the skin, causing swelling at the surgical site. The spiciness can also stimulate blood flow, which can lead to excessive sweating. This sweating can irritate the wound and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, spicy foods are among the things to avoid in blepharoplasty for aftercare.
Century Egg
Century eggs carry a potential risk of bacterial contamination due to the curing process. This contamination could increase the risk of infection after a surgical procedure like blepharoplasty. Therefore, it's advisable to avoid consuming century eggs during the healing period. For protein sources that support tissue repair after surgery, chicken eggs, duck eggs, or quail eggs are nutritious options. These eggs provide protein, which is essential for healing, and their consumption is not associated with the development of keloid scars after blepharoplasty.
Alcoholic Beverages
Because alcohol has anticoagulant properties and stimulates blood circulation, it can cause wounds to bleed more easily, heal slower, and have an increased risk of infection. Therefore, it is important to avoid alcoholic beverages for at least one month after double blepharoplasty for proper aftercare.
Supplements and Vitamins
Certain supplements and vitamins, including vitamin E and fish oil, can affect platelet clotting, causing blood to clot more slowly and increasing the risk of swelling and inflammation at the surgical site. It is recommended to avoid these supplements for at least one week before and after blepharoplasty. If you're unsure whether the supplements or vitamins you're taking are safe, consult your doctor first.
Aftercare Tips Following Blepharoplasty for Good Results
Aftercare following blepharoplasty is crucial to ensure optimal healing and achieve the best results. Proper care can minimize complications such as swelling, scarring, and infection while helping the eyes heal faster. In this guide, we'll cover key aftercare tips to help you recover smoothly and maintain the aesthetic results of your eyelid surgery.
1. Cold Compress and Warm Compress
Hot and cold compresses are effective methods for reducing swelling after blepharoplasty. During the first 24 hours post-surgery, apply cold compresses—a cold cloth or a gel ice pack wrapped in a cloth—gently pressing it around the eyes to constrict blood vessels, relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation, and help control bleeding.
After the first 48 hours, switch to warm compresses. Use a warm, damp cloth or wrap a gel pack soaked in warm water and gently apply it to the eye area, morning and evening, for 15 minutes each time. This will help improve blood circulation, reduce bruising, and accelerate swelling reduction for faster healing.
2. Sleeping with a high pillow
To reduce swelling after blepharoplasty, sleep with your head elevated using one or two higher pillows during the first 1-2 nights. This will help reduce blood flow to the treated area/eyes, minimize swelling and bruising, and speed up the healing process. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or side, as this can put pressure on the wound and hinder healing.
3. Clean the Wound
In the early stages after blepharoplasty, there may be slight bleeding from the incision. Use a cotton swab soaked in saline solution to gently clean the wound and apply ointment as prescribed by your doctor, twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
4. Follow the Doctor's Prescription
After surgery, the doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers. It is important to complete the full course of anti-inflammatory medication, but pain relievers can be taken only when necessary. If there is excessive swelling, bruising, or any other abnormal results after blepharoplasty, it is important to consult your doctor immediately.
5. Wear Glasses When Going Outside
Sunglasses help protect the eyes and wounds from sunlight, dust, and dirt that can cause irritation, dryness, and itching after blepharoplasty. Therefore, wearing sunglasses is recommended whenever going outside.
When Will Swelling Go Down After Blepharoplasty?
Another common question people have is, “How long will it take for the swelling to go down after blepharoplasty?” Typically, the swelling after double eyelid surgery lasts about 1-3 weeks, depending on various factors such as self-care and age.
However, if you follow your doctor's instructions and are mindful of the postoperative restrictions, your recovery time will be shorter, and the swelling will subside more quickly.
Why Choose to Get Blepharoplasty at Saonanon Clinic?
Saonanon Clinic is a specialized clinic in plastic surgery and ophthalmology, with expertise in eyelid surgery in particular. The clinic stands out from typical beauty clinics by focusing on the quality of its work and client satisfaction, rather than pursuing profit. Safety is a top priority, with specialized surgical techniques and post-operative care that result in minimal swelling and bruising.
Recovery is quick, allowing patients to return to work shortly after. The clinic is staffed by specialized ophthalmic surgeons, equipped with modern tools and a clean, standard-compliant surgical room. This ensures that the results of double eyelid surgery are refined and beautiful, as evidenced by the clinic's excellent review of double eyelid surgery.
Double Eyelid Surgery Review
Summary
After blepharoplasty, proper aftercare is crucial for healing. Avoid certain foods, such as raw or fermented items, spicy dishes, and alcohol. Apply cold compresses for the first 24 hours, followed by warm compresses. Elevate your head while sleeping to reduce swelling. Take prescribed medications as directed. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Swelling typically subsides within 1-3 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions About After Blepharoplasty (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions About After Blepharoplasty are common among those who have undergone the procedure. Proper aftercare is essential to ensure the best results, so here are some of the most asked questions regarding recovery, care tips, and potential concerns post-surgery.
Does Eating Pickles After Blepharoplasty Cause Longer Swelling?
Eating all types of fermented foods, such as pickled vegetables, pickled fruits, and pickled seafood, after blepharoplasty can cause prolonged swelling and increase the risk of infection. This is because fermented foods may contain harmful bacteria and are typically high in sodium, which can lead to inflammation and delayed healing.
Is It Necessary to Put Ointment on the Wound?
An important aspect of aftercare following blepharoplasty is wound cleaning. If the wound is well taken care of, and cleaned regularly, and precautions are followed, such as keeping the wound dry, it may not be necessary to apply ointment. However, if the wound feels itchy or tight, a thin layer of ointment can be applied in the morning and evening to alleviate discomfort.
Is It Okay to Wear Makeup After Double Eyelid Surgery?
After blepharoplasty, you can wear makeup, but it is recommended to avoid applying makeup around the eyes for at least one month. This helps prevent the risk of infection from chemicals or dirt that may be present in cosmetics.
How Long Does It Take to See Results from Blepharoplasty?
Your eye's appearance will gradually improve over the course of 1 to 3 months. Most people feel ready to resume public activities and work within 10 to 14 days.
What Are Bad Results After Blepharoplasty?
Bad results after blepharoplasty can include excessive swelling, infection, scarring, uneven eyelid appearance, dry eyes, or difficulty closing the eyes completely.
Is Walking Good After Blepharoplasty?
Walking is one of the best exercises after blepharoplasty as it enhances blood circulation, reduces the risk of blood clots, and accelerates recovery. Start slowly and gently, gradually increasing the intensity over the first three weeks.