A straightforward recovery — but a visible one
Blepharoplasty — aesthetic eyelid surgery — corrects excess skin on the upper eyelids and bags under the lower eyelids. It is a short procedure, most often performed as day surgery, under local anaesthesia sometimes combined with sedation.
The recovery is rarely painful. It is, however, visible: 'when will I look presentable?' is the question that concerns patients most, and it deserves an honest answer.
Day by day: what to expect
Day 0 — the day of surgery
You go home the same evening. The main sensation is a feeling of tightness in the eyelids, sometimes tingling or slight watering of the eyes. Sharp pain is unusual: a simple painkiller is generally enough.
Days 1 to 4 — peak swelling
Swelling and bruising reach their maximum around 48–72 hours, then begin to subside. A few simple measures make a real difference:
- Sleep with your head elevated for the first few nights
- Apply cool compresses (never ice directly on the skin)
- Avoid exertion, heat (sauna, hot baths) and head-down positions
Days 5 to 7 — stitch removal
The stitches are removed between day 5 and day 7, at a follow-up appointment. Bruises turn yellow and become easier and easier to conceal.
Days 7 to 14 — back to social life
Most patients return to social and professional life within 7 to 10 days, possibly with camouflage make-up (allowed on the scars once healing is complete, in practice around day 10) and tinted glasses.
Beyond — the result settles in
The eyes look rested by the end of the first month, but residual swelling — invisible to others — takes 3 to 6 months to disappear completely. The scars, hidden in the eyelid crease or just below the lash line, fade gradually over several months.
Work, sport, screens, contact lenses: practical timelines
- Work: 7 to 10 days for an office job; sooner if you work remotely and appearance is not an issue
- Screens: possible from the first days, accepting that your eyes will tire more quickly
- Contact lenses: generally after 2 to 3 weeks, depending on your surgeon's advice
- Sport: gentle resumption around 2 to 3 weeks, intense or contact sports after 1 month
- Sun: systematic protection (sunglasses, sunscreen on the scars) for several months
Warning signs that warrant a call
Complications are rare, but certain signs justify calling without delay: intense and increasing pain on one side, reduced vision, very asymmetric swelling, active bleeding, fever. Your surgeon gives you written instructions and remains reachable — one of the major advantages of having surgery close to where you live.
Can surgery be avoided?
When the excess skin is moderate, or the concern is hollow under-eye circles rather than bags, aesthetic medicine alternatives are worth discussing: hyaluronic acid injections for hollow tear troughs, botulinum toxin for crow's feet. The consultation is where the right indication — surgical or not — is established.
Key takeaways
- Recovery involves little pain but is visible: swelling and bruising for 1 to 2 weeks
- Stitches removed around day 5–7, social life resumed around day 7–10
- The final result is assessed at 3–6 months
- Simple instructions: head elevated, cool compresses, no exertion or heat at first
To have your eye area assessed and receive a personalised treatment plan, book a consultation with Pr Ignacio Garrido, plastic surgeon in Paris 16.