Blepharoplasty, the medical term for eyelid surgery, is an enhancement procedure many men opt to have each year. As with all surgery, male eyelid enhancement has a specific recovery period. Being informed on what to expect during your recovery is just as important as knowing what happens during the actual surgery. Immediately after your surgical recovery, in our outpatient facility, your post-op care and healing will depend on your diligence, along with seeing the process through until fully cleared by Kole Plastic Surgery. Because male Blepharoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis, patients need another adult to sign them out and drive them home. You will be under IV sedation or general anesthesia, asleep during the entire procedure depending on your preference or need for additional more complex procedures.
Immediately after returning home after surgery and in the first 24—48 hours, usually patients experience swelling and redness around the incision areas. The eyelids normally feel tight and somewhat sore. Cold packs are used, placed on moist gauze pads directly on the eyes to help reduce swelling. Your eyes might have excessive tearing and a burning sensation with on and off dryness around the inner eye area. This will be alleviated by ointments sent home with you that are also put on the eyes in the recovery room. Eye drops are also necessary to ease eye dryness. Blurred vision can occur from the ointments, yet, is temporary and not only a side effect from ointments, but, from the procedure, as well. An additional temporary side effect, sometimes, is light sensitivity.
Throughout the first week following your male eyelid procedure, avoiding activities that can exaggerate drying and tiring out the eyes is helpful. Activities such as:
- Reading
- Watching television
- Wearing contact lenses
- Computer use
- Swimming
Dr. Kole usually removes sutures between 5-7 days. For the first 6 to 8 weeks after male Blepharoplasty, your eyes must be protected from the sun and wind when outside by wearing dark sunglasses. Many patients notice that their eyes feel fatigued a bit more easily in the first few weeks after surgery. As with any invasive procedure, it is always best to listen to your body and report anything concerning to Dr. Kole. It is during this time of healing activities such as: bending, lifting heavy objects, strenuous sports should be avoided, as they increase the blood flow to the eyes.
Patients may return to work and resume normal daily activities after 3-5. Although you may return to work after this time there will be a time up to two weeks where you will still be black and blue and people will notice you had surgery done as this area is difficult to conceal as men don’t typically wear make-up. There are a handful of men who feel the recovery and healing process seems long. These patients are usually highly active and work long hours, rarely sitting down at home. They don’t handle the early stage, when their faces are first swollen and rest is needed extremely well. It is after a few weeks, when patients begin to notice a welcome change in their appearance. The results of eyelid surgery – eyes that look younger and more alert – and talking things through with Dr. Kole always remind patients why they chose to undergo the procedure in the first place. When recovery is finished and your enhanced facial appearance is natural and most pleasing, the few weeks of recovery and healing are always worth the outcome.
Please contact The Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center at 215-315-7655 to schedule your complimentary consultation with Kole Plastic Surgery. Our Office and Licensed Ambulatory Surgical Center is conveniently located at: [primary_address] Southampton, PA, [primary_state] [primary_postal]
