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Blepharoplasty recovery: the timeline and what practices tell patients
US eyelid surgeons tell patients to expect about 10 days off work, sutures out after about 1 week and swelling settled in about 2 weeks. The final result shows after about 3 months.
Recovery by stage
The time practices state for each stage, and the studies behind it.
What the research shows
Days after surgery, from the published studies.
| Day | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|
| Hours 0-3 |
|
| 24 hours |
|
| Day 0-1 |
|
| Days 1 to 7 |
|
| Day 3 |
|
| Day 3-5 |
|
| Day 5 |
|
| Day 7 (1 week) |
|
| Day 8 |
|
| Day 9 (average) |
|
| Day 11 |
|
| Weeks 1 to 6 |
|
| 2 weeks to 1 month |
|
| Day 30 |
|
| 1 to 2 months |
|
| After week 6 |
|
| 3 months |
|
| 6 months |
|
What speeds or slows recovery
| Factor | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|
| Arnica ointment |
|
| Blood pressure |
|
| Blood thinners |
|
| Other bleeding risks |
|
| Wound reopening |
|
| Technique |
|
| Scar care |
|
Back to work
Practices say patients return to work in about 10 days.
7 days
“Lower blepharoplasty: most patients return to daily activities within 7 days.”
Dr. Allan Wulc, MD
wcosmeticsurgery.com/eyes/blepharoplasty #1 · Plymouth Meeting, PA
2 weeks
“Typically return to work 1-2 weeks after lower blepharoplasty.”
Dr. Marie Somogyi, MD
austinface.com/cosmetic/lower-blepharoplasty #2 · San Antonio, TX
2 weeks
“Most lower eyelid surgery patients can resume work and light activities within 1 to 2 weeks.”
7 days
“A week off from work is advised after upper blepharoplasty; sutures come out 7 days after surgery.”
2 weeks
“Many patients are able to return to work within one to two weeks following blepharoplasty.”
Dr. Grady Core, MD
coreandassociates.com/face/blepharoplasty #6 · Birmingham, AL
7 days
“About one week off work for upper or lower eyelids alone; two weeks often recommended for upper and lower together.”
Dr. Munique Pinheiro Maia, MD
maiaplasticsurgery.com/blepharoplasty #20 · Tysons Corner, VA
One quote per surgeon, each linked to the practice page it comes from.
Bruising
Practices say bruising fades in about 2 weeks.
3 weeks
“Ptosis repair: bruising is common and expected for one to three weeks, regardless of approach; can extend to lower lids or chin.”
Dr. Allan Wulc, MD
wcosmeticsurgery.com/eyes/ptosis-repair #1 · Plymouth Meeting, PA
2 weeks
“Upper eyelid surgery downtime is about one to two weeks for most bruising and swelling to recede.”
Dr. Gregory Lewen, MD
lewencosmetic.com/eyelid-surgery/blepharoplasty-miami #22 · Aventura, FL
3 weeks
“Sunglasses often worn 2-3 weeks to conceal residual bruising and swelling after lower eyelid lift.”
Dr. Mark Leyngold, MD
leyngoldplasticsurgery.com/lower-eyelid-lift #24 · Meridian, ID
7 days
“Eyelids and face will look bruised and swollen for about a week.”
7 days
“Lower eyelid: mild bruising and swelling should subside in about a week.”
Dr. William Lao, MD
doctorlao.com/face-new-york/lower-eyelid-surgery #29 · New York, NY
7 days
“After one week, most of the bruising from an upper blepharoplasty will have most likely resolved on its own.”
One quote per surgeon, each linked to the practice page it comes from.
Swelling
Practices say swelling settles in about 2 weeks.
4 weeks
“Most bruising and swelling from lower blepharoplasty fade within 2-4 weeks.”
Dr. Marie Somogyi, MD
austinface.com/cosmetic/lower-blepharoplasty #2 · San Antonio, TX
10 days
“Lower blepharoplasty recovery typically runs 7 to 10 days, with more first-week swelling than the upper procedure.”
3 weeks
“Lower eyelid surgery: most swelling and bruising healed in about two to three weeks.”
Dr. Gregory Lewen, MD
lewencosmetic.com/lower-eyelid-surgery-miami #22 · Aventura, FL
2 days
“Ice recommended on the eyes for the first 48 hours after blepharoplasty to reduce swelling.”
2 weeks
“Double eyelid surgery: swelling and bruising during the first 1-2 weeks; mild swelling may last 6 months or more.”
2 weeks
“Mild swelling, bruising and sensitivity after lower eyelid lift gradually subside within one to two weeks.”
One quote per surgeon, each linked to the practice page it comes from.
Sutures out
Practices take the sutures out after about 1 week.
7 days
“Ptosis repair: sutures usually dissolve within one week; some dissolving sutures are kept up to six weeks to hold the eyelid crease.”
Dr. Allan Wulc, MD
wcosmeticsurgery.com/eyes/ptosis-repair #1 · Plymouth Meeting, PA
7 days
“Upper eyelid surgery sutures are usually removed within 5 to 7 days.”
7 days
“Upper eyelid stitches are usually removed about one week after surgery during a quick office visit.”
Dr. Gregory Lewen, MD
lewencosmetic.com/upper-eyelid-surgery-miami #22 · Aventura, FL
6 days
“Double eyelid surgery sutures remain in place for around four to six days.”
Dr. William Lao, MD
doctorlao.com/face-new-york/asian-eyelid-surgery #29 · New York, NY
2 weeks
“Upper blepharoplasty: sutures typically removed at first follow-up, 10 to 14 days after surgery.”
Dr. Dustin Heringer, MD
aofps.com/eyelid-surgery/upper-eyelid-surgery #31 · Tucson, AZ
7 days
“Sutures from functional upper blepharoplasty are removed approximately one week after surgery.”
One quote per surgeon, each linked to the practice page it comes from.
Exercise
Practices allow exercise again after about 3 weeks.
2 weeks
“Avoid rigorous activity, bending and heavy lifting for the first 1-2 weeks after upper blepharoplasty.”
Dr. Marie Somogyi, MD
#2 · San Antonio, TX
Dr. Malena Amato, MD
austinface.com/cosmetic/upper-blepharoplasty Austin, TX
3 weeks
“Strenuous workouts and heavy lifting should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks after lower eyelid surgery.”
2 weeks
“Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for 2 weeks after lower eyelid lift.”
Dr. Mark Leyngold, MD
leyngoldplasticsurgery.com/lower-eyelid-lift #24 · Meridian, ID
2 weeks
“More strenuous activities should be avoided for around two weeks after upper eyelid surgery.”
Dr. William Lao, MD
doctorlao.com/face-new-york/upper-eyelid-surgery #29 · New York, NY
10 days
“No bending, lifting or straining for 7 days after blepharoplasty; no strenuous activity for about 10 days.”
6 weeks
“Asian eyelid surgery: light cardio at 2 weeks, full cardio and weightlifting at 4 weeks, full activity at 6 weeks.”
Dr. Huay-Zong Law, MD
lawplasticsurgery.com/asian-eyelid-surgery-dallas #35 · Dallas, TX
One quote per surgeon, each linked to the practice page it comes from.
Contact lenses
Practices allow contact lenses again after about 2 weeks.
3 weeks
“Refrain from wearing contacts for approximately two to three weeks after surgery, or when cleared.”
Dr. Gregory Lewen, MD
lewencosmetic.com/eyelid-surgery/blepharoplasty-miami #22 · Aventura, FL
2 weeks
“Most patients can safely resume wearing contact lenses about two weeks after the procedure.”
Dr. Mirwat Sami, MD
houstonoculofacial.com/cosmetic-blepharoplasty-houston #23 · Bellaire, TX
2 weeks
“Do not wear contact lenses for at least two weeks after eyelid surgery.”
Dr. Neal Goldberg, MD
doctorgoldberg.com/face/eyelid-lift #123 · Scarsdale, NY
7 days
“Contacts can be worn when swelling goes down enough to manipulate the eyelids; some patients can do this a week after surgery.”
Dr. Eric Swanson, MD
swansoncenter.com/eyelid-surgery #394 · Leawood, KS
10 days
“Contact lenses can be resumed 7-10 days after eyelid surgery.”
2 weeks
“Wearing contact lenses may be uncomfortable for the first week or two after eyelid surgery.”
One quote per surgeon, each linked to the practice page it comes from.
Makeup
Practices allow makeup again after about 2 weeks.
10 days
“Wearing makeup is prohibited for at least 10 days after the procedure.”
Dr. Neal Goldberg, MD
doctorgoldberg.com/face/eyelid-lift #123 · Scarsdale, NY
2 weeks
“Most patients can wear makeup about 10 to 14 days after surgery.”
Dr. Scott Chapin, MD
drchapin.com/face/eyelid-lift #156 · Doylestown, PA
2 weeks
“Most patients have to wait 10 to 14 days to resume wearing makeup.”
Dr. Bhupendra Patel, MD
patelplasticsurgery.com/eyelid-surgery #192 · Salt Lake City, UT
7 days
“Makeup may be applied over sunscreen beginning one week after surgery.”
Dr. Karen Horton, MD
drkarenhorton.com/face/eyelid-lift #193 · San Francisco, CA
2 weeks
“Patients can typically start wearing eye cosmetics, including makeup and false eyelashes, after the second week of recovery.”
Dr. Larry Fan, MD
77plasticsurgery.com/services/asian-eyelid-surgery #195 · San Francisco, CA
2 weeks
“Eye makeup is usually safe to resume 10-14 days after surgery, once incisions have healed.”
Dr. Dominick Gadaleta, MD
og-aesthetics.com/facial-plastic-surgery/eyelid-rejuvenation #223 · Menlo Park, CA
One quote per surgeon, each linked to the practice page it comes from.
Final result
Practices say the final result shows after about 3 months.
6 months
“Final results of lower blepharoplasty visible at 6 months.”
Dr. Marie Somogyi, MD
austinface.com/cosmetic/lower-blepharoplasty #2 · San Antonio, TX
3 months
“Final results become fully visible between 3 to 6 months as the eyelids settle and scars mature.”
Dr. Munique Pinheiro Maia, MD
maiaplasticsurgery.com/blepharoplasty #20 · Tysons Corner, VA
3 months
“Final results reach their full effect 2-3 months after blepharoplasty treatment.”
2 months
“Around one to two months to see the full results of double eyelid surgery.”
Dr. William Lao, MD
doctorlao.com/face-new-york/asian-eyelid-surgery #29 · New York, NY
3 months
“Eyelid malposition surgery: final results become clearer around 2 to 3 months after surgery.”
Dr. Dustin Heringer, MD
aofps.com/eyelid-surgery/eyelid-malposition #31 · Tucson, AZ
6 weeks
“Blepharoplasty full results are visible at the six-week mark.”
One quote per surgeon, each linked to the practice page it comes from.
Other statements
Travel, showering, sun and other instructions, in the practices’ own words.
“Patients need assistance getting home after Asian double eyelid surgery and are not allowed to drive.”
Dr. Edward Lee, MD
nuveau.co/procedures/asian-double-eyelid-surgery #7 · Houston, TX
10 days
“Recovery takes about a week for the upper eyelids and 10 days for the lower ones.”
Dr. Thomas Sterry, MD
drsterry.com/plastic-surgery-new-york/face/eyelid-surgery #62 · New York, NY
10 days
“Eyelid surgery: avoid travel for 7-10 days locally; longer for international travel.”
Dr. Boris Ackerman, MD
doctorackerman.com/procedure/eyelid-surgery #184 · Newport Beach, CA
3 days
“Generally, you will be able to drive your car in about two to three days following your eyelid surgery.”
Dr. Anurag Agarwal, MD
aestheticsurgerycenter.com/surgical/blepharoplasty #408 · Naples, FL
1 day
“You may shower 24 hours after an eyelid procedure.”
4 days
“Eyelid surgery: usually can get around independently by the second day; with sunglasses may go to the store by day 3-4.”
Dr. Tracy Cordray, MD
cordrayplasticsurgery.com/faqs Charleston, SC
One quote per surgeon, each linked to the practice page it comes from.
Method
How the times are counted.
- Each quote is printed as it appears on the practice's own website, from its blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery, brow lift or FAQ pages, with a link to the page.
- A week counts as 7 days and a month as 30. Where a quote gives a range, the day count is one end of it and the quote shows the full range.
- The typical time for a stage is the middle value across practices: each practice's own middle value first, then the middle of those. Two surgeons at one practice count once.
- A statement with no time in it is left out of the typical time.
- Times differ by operation (upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, brow lift) and by patient. The quotes name the operation where the practice does.
These are the practices' own statements to their patients. The surgeons named are from the Top 500; a surgeon without a profile page links to their practice's own site.