Common Side Effects of Eyelid Surgery
A normal side effect of aging for many patients is a drooping or sagging of the eye area. Loss of skin elasticity can cause the upper and/or lower eyelids to become loose, resulting in puffy skin, folds or hanging skin of the upper eyelid, and bags beneath the lower eyelids. For many patients, these effects give an outward appearance beyond their actual age and certainly beyond the age they feel. Dr. Stuart Baker offers his Decatur patients eyelid surgery to rejuvenate the skin around the eyes, restoring a more youthful and refreshed appearance. While this procedure is safe and highly unlikely to result in complications, patients should expect to experience some side effects of surgery. Dr. Baker prepares patients for what to expect during recovery from eyelid surgery.
Common Side Effects
Each patient’s recovery from eyelid surgery will be unique, with the type of side effects experienced, the degree of side effects, and the duration of side effects varying slightly from patient to patient. However, there are common side effects that are likely to be experienced following eyelid surgery. Knowing what side effects can be expected allows patients to properly prepare for recovery, and alerts patients to any unusual side effects that may be a sign of complication. The following are common side effects of eyelid surgery that will be experienced by most patients:
- Bruising and swelling: These are the most common side effects of eyelid surgery. The alterations made during surgery will affect the skin around the eyes, causing them to swell and bruise. While most bruising and swelling will subside after several days, it can persist for many weeks.
- Discomfort: It is normal for the skin around the eyes to be tender following eyelid surgery. The eyes may also feel dry and irritated. This discomfort should fade within about 10 days and should be easily managed with prescribed pain medication.
- Dry eyes and light sensitivity: Although the alterations in eyelid surgery are made to the skin around the eye, it is not unusual for patients to experience side effects of the eyes. Many patients report that the eyes feel dry and/or itchy after surgery and are sensitive to light. This side effect is often short lived and should subside within seven to 10 days after surgery.
- Scarring: Scarring is a natural side effect of eyelid surgery. While scarring will be minimal, it will be noticeable. These scars will continue to fade over time, and may take up to a year to heal completely. Once healed, scars should have faded significantly and will be easily concealed in the crease of the eyelid.
As the side effects of eyelid surgery subside, the results of surgery will become apparent. Patients can expect to recover from eyelid surgery looking more youthful and refreshed. This procedure can lift the eyelids, eliminate puffy bags of skin, and restore a more alert appearance to the eyes. Patients can expect these results to last for many years to come.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Stuart Baker combines experience, state-of-the-art technique, and friendly professionalism to provide patients with cosmetic services of the highest quality. If you have any questions about eyelid surgery or are interested in knowing if you are an ideal candidate for this procedure, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Baker at your earliest convenience. We look forward to meeting you!