At Dean White’s practice, we want our patients to be as informed and educated as possible before they go through a procedure. Our team is always prepared to provide advice and listen to your concerns. Below we share five tips we find very helpful prior to undergoing a blepharoplasty.

1) Put the time and research into finding the right surgeon

It can take you a long time to find the surgeon, who not only has the right qualification and experience but whom you also feel comfortable with. The extra time it takes you to research and attend consultations will be worth it when you find a highly qualified surgeon who listens to your needs and concerns.

2) Eyelid surgery is not meant to be a transformation

While blepharoplasty can change the way your eyes look, this is not the main focus of the procedure. Depending on your goals, you plastic surgeon will work with you to achieve the best outcome both physically and aesthetically.

3) Swelling, redness, and dry eyes post operation

After the procedure, you may experience numbness or mild discomfort; bruising or swelling on the whites of the eyes; wet, dry or irritated eyes; and sensitivity to light. You will look puffy and swollen for a while, but keeping cool compresses on both eyes will help to reduce the swelling. Avoiding eye makeup or contacts can further improve the healing process. You can also try to sleep with your head elevated to keep the puffiness down.

4) Wait a year for full results

While your final results will be visible within weeks, it can take up to a year for incisions to fully heal. Try not to focus too much on how you look or thinking about what the end result will be. Even when the swelling starts to reduce, there is still a long way of healing to go and you will only see your final result once the swelling is completely gone. Each patient and each lid heals at a different pace – be patient.

5) Give yourself time to heal

Like mentioned above, to completely heal can take up to a year. Going through surgery can be a stressful experience and it’s important that you give yourself a break, both physically and emotionally. It’s important to listen to your surgeon’s directions and to thoroughly follow their after-care instructions. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will go through your concerns together.