Most eyelid surgery is performed as a day surgery procedure, so you should expect to be able to go home on the same day as your blepharoplasty operation.

In the first 24 hours, it is normal to expect:-

•    Drowsiness
•    Dry throat
•    Nausea (possibly)
•    Discomfort and stiffness

The local anaesthetic helps with pain control for the first evening, but has usually worn off by the following morning. Regularly taking paracetamol for the first few days after the operation is important in minimising your discomfort and need for stronger pain killers. Artificial tears during the day and eye ointment at night is also a good method of improving the comfort after eyelid operations.

There is about a week of social down time after eyelid surgery, where you will not want to be having photographs taken at events. Most people can return to an office job within a few days and are comfortable in general public within a week. If combined with other procedures, the recovery may be a bit longer.

Gently walking is the only exercise you should plan on doing for the first few weeks, and it will take about four weeks before you will feel well enough to return to the gym or restart running. Your body will tell you (pain) if you are trying too soon.

You will be asked to see Dr Gavin Sandercoe for a follow up at one week, one month, three months (optional) and six months after your operation. Some procedures may require longer follow up. If there are any problems, we want to hear from you and sort it out as soon as possible!