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Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Aftercare

Recovery guidelines for upper and/or lower eyelid surgery. Follow these instructions carefully for optimal healing. This online guide should be used alongside the official leaflet and the specific instructions given to you by your surgical team at Waterfront Private Hospital.

Typical Recovery Time: 1–2 weeks initial recovery, 3–6 months for final results

When to get help — your traffic light guide

Green

Tell us at your next appointment:

  • •Lower eyelid pulling away from eye

Anything else that is niggling or worrying you — no concern is too small. Mention it at your next appointment, or call us during office hours.

Reviewed 4 July 2026 · v1.0

Your information leaflets

Related Information Leaflets

These are separate information leaflets about the procedure itself — not the aftercare instructions below.

How to Use This Information

The advice below is based on Waterfront Private Hospital's written blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) aftercare leaflet. It is general guidance for the average patient and may be adapted by your consultant for your individual circumstances.

Always follow the specific instructions given to you on the day of your surgery and in your printed leaflet. If there is ever a difference, follow your consultant's written or verbal instructions and contact us for clarification.

Before You Leave the Hospital

  • Medications: Pain medications collected. Take painkillers regularly for the first 3 days - don't wait for pain to develop.
  • Chloramphenicol eye ointment: Apply into the eye at bedtime (not on the suture line). It protects the eye and stops it drying out overnight — usually 1 week is enough.
  • Gauze for compresses: Gauze provided for wet compresses. Use cooled boiled water.
  • Compression stockings: Given if applicable for DVT prevention (especially if general anaesthetic used).
  • Follow-up appointment: Booked with nurse for days 6–7 for stitch removal.
  • Transport home: A responsible adult must take you home and stay overnight.
  • Emergency numbers: Saved to your phone.
  • Laxatives: Provided if needed (prevents constipation from medications).

Recovery at a Glance

  • Days 1–2: Significant swelling, black eyes possible. Rest; cool compresses if soothing; many patients prefer the head raised.
  • Days 3–4: Swelling peaks, bruising spreads. Continue compresses, gentle cleaning.
  • Week 1: Bruising yellowing, swelling reducing. Nurse appointment for stitch removal.
  • Week 2: Most bruising fading, feeling better. Shower normally, light activities.
  • Weeks 3–4: Near normal appearance. Resume exercise gradually.
  • Months 2–3: Final healing and full activities.

Your Painkillers

Every medicine you go home with is clearly labelled with its dose and how often to take it, and your nurse will go through your painkillers with you before you leave.

Take them as directed on the label. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can safely be taken together. If your pain isn't controlled despite taking your painkillers as directed, contact us.

Scar Care and Massage

When to Start — Begin scar massage from week 2, after your nurse appointment confirms healing is progressing well.

Massage Technique

  • Clean hands thoroughly
  • Apply plain moisturiser (E45 or similar)
  • Use fingertip in small circles along scar line
  • Massage along entire scar line (including both upper and lower lids)
  • Include outer corners where lumps may form
  • Perform 2-3 times daily for 3 minutes
  • Special Areas
  • Lower lid scars: Very gentle upward strokes only - lower lids are delicate
  • Outer corners: May feel lumpy for months - gentle massage helps break down tissue
  • Fat transfer sites: Gently massage donor area (thigh/tummy) after 3 weeks
  • Scar Timeline
  • 3–6 months: Pink/red appearance (longer if under 45 years old)
  • 6–12 months: Gradually fade to white
  • 12 months: Final result achieved - scars become much less noticeable

Lifestyle Guidelines

✓ DO

  • Sleep propped up on extra pillows if comfortable
  • Cool compresses if you find them soothing
  • Walk regularly (prevents blood clots)
  • Wear sunglasses outdoors (UV protection)
  • Keep wounds clean and dry
  • Take laxatives if constipated
  • Attend all appointments
  • Be patient with healing
  • ✗ AVOID
  • Rubbing or pulling eyes
  • Bending over or straining
  • Heavy lifting for 4 weeks
  • Smoking (delays healing)
  • Alcohol while taking painkillers, and ideally while swelling is settling (first 1–2 weeks)
  • Hot showers/baths (first week)
  • Swimming until wounds are fully healed (about 4 weeks)
  • Rushing back to activities

Return to Activities Timeline

  • Eye makeup: 2 weeks — New products only
  • Contact lenses: 2–3 weeks — Very clean hands
  • Driving: 2 weeks — When vision clear and comfortable
  • Work (office): 2 weeks — May need concealer for bruising
  • Work (physical): 3–4 weeks — Avoid heavy lifting initially
  • Exercise (walking): 1 week — Build up gradually
  • Exercise (gym): 4–6 weeks — Start at 50% intensity
  • Swimming: About 4 weeks — once wounds are fully healed; goggles help if eyes feel irritable
  • Flying (short): 2–3 weeks — Under 3 hours, compression socks
  • Flying (long): 3–4 weeks — Over 3 hours, move regularly

Blood Clot (DVT) Prevention

After general anaesthetic, you are at slightly higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT - blood clots). Reduce this risk by:

  • Walking regularly: Get up and move around every few hours
  • Wearing compression stockings: If provided, wear for 2 weeks as instructed
  • Staying hydrated: Drink plenty of water
  • Avoiding long periods sitting: Change position frequently
  • Seek immediate help (999 or A&E): If you develop calf pain with swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath - these could be signs of a blood clot.

Recovery Timeline

What's Normal

  • •Significant swelling (eyes may swell shut)
  • •Black eyes appearance
  • •Blurred or double vision
  • •Light bleeding or oozing
  • •Tightness and discomfort
  • •If fat transfer: soreness at donor site (thigh/tummy)

Your Care Routine

  • •Cool compresses if soothing (optional — mainly for comfort)
  • •Keep your head comfortably raised when resting where you can
  • •Clean eyes gently with cotton bud and cooled boiled water
  • •Apply antibiotic ointment at bedtime
  • •Take pain medications regularly
  • •Walk around every few hours (prevents blood clots)
  • •No shower or bath - use wet wipes only
  • •Keep all stitches completely dry

Pain Management

  • •Take painkillers on schedule (don't wait for pain)
  • •Codeine 1-2 tablets every 6 hours if prescribed, max 8 tablets daily
  • •Cold compresses reduce swelling and discomfort

Follow-Up Appointments

Week 1 (Days 6–7) - Nurse Appointment

Essential stitch removal and wound check appointment.

  • Stitches removed (painless procedure)
  • Wounds examined for proper healing
  • Lower eyelid position checked
  • Advice on scar massage techniques
  • Questions answered about home care

Further nurse reviews — as needed

Some patients need further nurse reviews. If so, the nurses will arrange these with you and will discharge you from nurse-led care once they are happy your wounds have healed.

Around 6 months — surgeon review (final follow-up)

Your surgeon will usually see you at around 6 months to assess your final result. Your surgeon is always available to review you sooner if required, and in some circumstances may wish to see you before your final follow-up.

Note: Your appointment schedule may vary. Always follow the specific dates and times given in your appointment card. Contact us if you need to reschedule.

Source: hospital aftercare leaflet · Last reviewed: 4 July 2026 · Version 1.0

Your emotional recovery

How you feel matters too

An emotional dip in the first weeks after surgery is common and usually passes. We've written honestly about what to expect, what helps, and where to find support.

How you might feel after surgery →

Post-Operative Checklist

  • Many patients find it comfortable to sleep with the head raised on a couple of extra pillows for the first week — it helps the swelling settle
  • Cool compresses can be soothing in the first few days — 5–10 minutes at a time, as often as feels comfortable. They're optional: they mainly help comfort rather than speeding up swelling
  • You can shower and bath from the day after surgery, but the eye area MUST be kept dry — the steristrips are often holding down the sutures and can come off if wet
  • Clean eyes gently with cotton bud and cooled boiled water
  • Apply the chloramphenicol ointment into the eye at bedtime (not on the suture line) — it protects the eye and stops it drying out overnight; usually 1 week is enough
  • Take pain medications regularly - don't wait for pain
  • Wear sunglasses when outdoors (UV protection and comfort)
  • Attend all follow-up appointments (especially week 1 for stitch removal)
  • Walk regularly to prevent blood clots
  • Avoid rubbing or pulling eyes

Wound Care Instructions

  • You can shower and bath, but keep the eye area completely dry — tilt your head back and avoid direct spray to the face
  • Gently clean eyes with cotton bud and cooled boiled water
  • Apply the prescribed chloramphenicol ointment into the eye at bedtime — it also stops the eye drying out overnight
  • Week 1: Nurse appointment for painless stitch removal
  • After stitch removal: Can wet the eye area gently
  • Week 2 onwards: Can shower normally and wet wounds
  • Begin gentle scar massage from week 2 (after nurse check)
  • Apply plain moisturiser (E45) for scar care
  • Lower eyelid scars: Very gentle upward strokes only
  • Outer corners: May feel lumpy for months - gentle massage helps

Pain Management

  • Take your painkillers as directed on their labels — every medicine you go home with is labelled with its dose and frequency, and your nurse will go through them with you before you leave. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can safely be taken together
  • Take painkillers on schedule (don't wait for pain)
  • Codeine: 1-2 tablets every 6 hours if prescribed, max 8 tablets daily
  • Most pain subsides significantly after first week
  • Swelling typically peaks at 48–72 hours, then gradually decreases
  • Cool compresses are optional but can be soothing in the first few days

Activity Restrictions

  • Days 1–3: Rest; showering is fine but keep the eye area dry
  • Days 4–7: Continue keeping the eye area dry when washing; gentle walks with sunglasses
  • Week 2: Can return to desk work, light household tasks
  • Weeks 2–3: Light exercise (walking), avoid heavy lifting
  • Weeks 3–4: Begin light gym exercise (start at 50% intensity)
  • Week 2 onwards: Can apply makeup after 2 weeks (new eye products only)
  • Weeks 2–3: Can wear contact lenses again (clean hands essential)
  • Week 2: Can start driving when vision clear and comfortable
  • Weeks 3–4: Can resume normal work (office-based)
  • 3–4 weeks: Physical work - after heavy lifting restrictions lifted
  • 4–6 weeks: Resume full gym exercise with surgeon approval
  • About 4 weeks: Swimming, once the wounds are fully healed (goggles help if your eyes feel irritable)
  • 2–3 weeks: Short flights acceptable (under 3 hours, compression socks)
  • 3–4 weeks: Long-distance flights (over 3 hours, move regularly)
  • Avoid bending over or straining for 4 weeks
  • Never rub or pull eyes

FAQs

My eyes look completely swollen shut - is this normal?

Yes, severe swelling is common with combined surgery. As long as the swelling is soft (not hard), it will reduce over 3–5 days. This is completely normal.

When will I look presentable for work/social events?

Most patients feel comfortable in public with makeup after 2–3 weeks. Full healing takes 4–6 weeks. Bruising yellows and spreads down face (due to gravity) before fading.

My lower eyelid feels loose - should I worry?

Contact us for advice. We may recommend gentle massage exercises to help the lid tighten. This can improve with specific movements.

Why do my cheeks hurt if I had fat transfer?

The donor site (thigh or tummy) will be sore for 1–2 weeks. This is normal and improves quickly. Gentle massage after 3 weeks helps.

Can I cry or laugh?

Yes, but it may feel uncomfortable initially. Normal emotions won't harm your results. Be gentle with facial expressions for the first week.

When will the watering/dryness improve?

Eye irritation (dryness or watering) is common for 2–3 months. Use preservative-free artificial tear drops available from any pharmacy.

Is it normal to regret having surgery?

Mood changes are very common when swollen and bruised. You'll feel much better as healing progresses. Most patients are delighted with their results once swelling has resolved.

When can I wear eye makeup again?

You can use concealer makeup after 2 weeks. Use only new products on the eyes to avoid infection risk. Timelines here are a little longer than for upper-eyelid-only surgery because combined or lower-lid surgery involves more tissue healing.

How long will my scars be visible?

Scars are pink/red for 3–6 months (longer if under 45 years old). They gradually fade to white and become much less noticeable over 12 months with proper care and sun protection.

What about scar care and massage?

Start gentle scar massage from week 2. Use fingertips in small circles along the entire scar line, including outer corners. Apply plain moisturiser. Massage 2-3 times daily for 3 minutes. This helps fade scars faster.

Download Guide

Download Blepharoplasty PDF

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Need Help?

0131 376 3785hello@waterfronthospital.co.uk