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Eyelid Surgery -
Surgical Recovery
Length of surgery
Operation takes 60 minutes for the upper eyelids and 90 minutes for the lower lids. The upper lids can be done under local anaesthetic, while if all four lids are done I recommend general anaesthetic.
Nights in hospital
Can be a day case or one night stay.
Dressings and stitches
You will have one long stitch for each eyelid treated. This stitch is easily removed at the day 5 visit.
Postoperative instructions and recovery
Day 1 You should be taking it very easy! Either relax in the hospital or at home.
Day 2-5 You can be up and about but your eyes will be swollen and have stitches that are visible. Sunglasses may be useful.
5-14 Your stitches will be removed and most of the swelling and bruising will settle over this time. You will be feeling much better from here onwards. You can start exercising gently and build it up over the next 10 days.
Week 3 onwards you will be nearly back to normal.
Final outcome
Although your result will be noticeable early it will continue to improve over the first three months.
Follow up
Wound check and removal stitches at day 5. Follow up by the cosmetic nurse or Mr McCulley as required. Set follow up to see Mr. McCulley at 3 months. NB There are no charges for any follow up appointment relating to your surgery.
Time off work and socializing
Allow 1-2 weeks. People vary in recovery. Most patients are very comfortable at one week and it is only the bruising and swelling that may make you feel uncomfortable about going to work. Most bruising has gone by the third week.
Time to exercise
Walking a distance at 3 days, swimming by 10-14 days (if fully healed). Strenuous exercise (aerobics etc) should be avoided for 4 weeks.
Driving
Although you may feel able to drive by 3-5 days you need to be completely free of pain and have no restriction of vision to be covered by your insurance. This may be in your second week.
