Side Effects that Are Likely to Develop Following Eyelid Surgery
It can be very frustrating to wake up feeling alert and energized only to look in the mirror and see a tired or angry looking person staring back. Unfortunately, that is just what can happen when aging begins to affect the skin around the eyes. Lost elasticity leads to loose sagging skin and can also result in fine lines, wrinkles, and bags. All of this results in a tired, worn down, and aged appearance. To address these concerns, Dr. Azita Madjidi offers her patients eyelid surgery, which lifts and tightens the skin around the upper and/or lower eyelid to restore a more refreshed and alert appearance. This is a safe and effective procedure, but it does make drastic alterations to the eye and will require ample recovery time. During recovery, our Houston patients will experience eyelid surgery side effects. Below patients can learn more about these side effects and how best to deal with them.
Side Effects
Any surgical procedure is going to result in some side effects during recovery. Unfortunately, this is a natural and unavoidable part of the surgical process. The good news is that the side effects of eyelid surgery are minimal and will dissipate fairly quickly. By being prepared and following the provided post-surgical care instructions, most patients will experience a comfortable recovery period that is free of complications. Below are the most likely side effects of eyelid surgery:
- Swelling: Swelling is the most common side effect of eyelid surgery. Although it may take several weeks for swelling to go down completely, it should subside significantly during the first week of recovery, making it possible for patients to return to their normal routine without any obvious signs of surgery.
- Bruising: Bruising may also occur around the eyes. As with swelling, bruising may take a few weeks to disappear completely, but should fade drastically within the first week of recovery.
- Pain: The skin around the eyes will likely feel tight and uncomfortable in the first few days of recovery. This, along with the swelling, bruising, and other side effects may cause pain and discomfort for patients. This pain should be easily managed with prescribed pain medication.
- Difficulty closing the eyes: During the initial recovery period, some patients find that it is difficult to close the eyes completely. As such, many patients also have difficulty falling asleep. Fortunately, this is only a temporary condition that should correct itself in the first week of recovery.
- Corneal irritation or dry eyes: It is common for the eyes themselves to feel dry, itchy, or irritated after surgery. An excess of tears or a lack of tears may also be experienced. This irritation should slowly fade over the first several days of recovery.
During recovery from eyelid surgery, there are steps that can be taken to ease discomfort and assist in the relief of some of these post-surgical side effects. This includes the use of pain medication as prescribed, the use of ice and cold compresses, giving the body time to rest, staying well hydrated, and keeping the head elevated to relieve swelling. With proper care, most patients feel significant improvement within one week following surgery.
Contact Us
If you look in the mirror and see an image that does not reflect your inner energy and vitality, it may be time to consider cosmetic enhancement. Dr. Azita Madjidi offers a range of cosmetic procedures than can enhance a patient’s natural beauty while erasing unwanted signs of aging. If you’d like to learn how we can help you reach your aesthetic goals, contact us at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you!