Post Operative Care: Blepharoplasty

AFTER SURGERY

ICE: Ice packs or ice to the sponges help tremendously after eyelid surgery. A bowl of ice cubes and several sponges at the bedside can soothe sore areas during the first day or so. It is more important to sleep and to have ice on your eyelids, so don’t “stay up” in order to ice. When you do awaken, apply some ice for a few minutes before going back to sleep.

POSITION: Keeping the head elevated will reduce swelling.

BLEEDING AND CLOTTED BLOOD: If you bleed from one of the suture lines, apply pressure with a sponge for 10 to 20 minutes, and it will almost certainly stop. If dried or clotted blood is stuck to the sutures or along the suture line, we advise gentle cleansing with peroxide or soap and water.

SUTURES: Dr. Zubowski will remove sutures 4-6 days after surgery, and will place adhesive strips (Steri-Strips) over the part of the incisions that extends outward from your eyelids. These remain in place for several days.

SUNSCREEN AND MAKEUP: After the sutures had been removed, use a sunscreen with a skin-protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 on your eyelids when outside, and continue to do so for at least 6 months after surgery. You may apply makeup in addition to sunscreen on your eyelids the day after the sutures are removed.

ACTIVITIES: Most people feel nearly normal within a day or two after eyelid surgery (except for the eyelid itself). You can return to work as desired, provided your job does not involve any heavy lifting or straining. Do not do aerobic or heavy exercise for at least 3 weeks after surgery in order to avoid excessive swelling or bleeding.

AS YOU HEAL

DRYNESS: After surgery you may notice that your eyes feel drier than normal. This usually subsides in a matter of days to weeks. Until then, use artificial tears to comfort and protect the eye surface.

SENSITIVITY AND VISION: Your eyes may feel sensitive to light for several days and your vision may blur for a week to 10 days. These are common occurrences and should not alarm you.

NUMBNESS: Expect some numbness along lash lines. A normal occurrence, this usually disappears within several weeks.

SWELLING: All swelling will not disappear for several months. During this period, the eyelids will feel heavier and thicker than normal.

SCARS: The scars will become almost invisible when they turn white. This usually happens 4-12 months after surgery.

EYELIDS STICKING TOGETHER: Occasionally, the upper and lower eyelids will stick together the night of surgery. Use a moist Q-tip to open them gently.

“I’ve been a patient of Dr. Zubowski for over 15 years. Every procedure I have had, big and little, they have all been unfailingly caring and I’m very happy here.”

– Carol
Patient for 15 years

“Dr. Zubowski and his team CHANGED MY LIFE! I never thought in a million years I would be this confident with my body, but here I am, loving myself! I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for me.”

– Beverly
Patient for 5 years

“They’re wonderful. You’re just in great hands. From reception, to beauty, to Dr. Zubowski, it’s amazing.”

– Shirin
Patient for 20 years

“I’ve been coming to The Robert Zubowski Center for over 10 years. I drive more than 2 hours because they are worth it. I’m thrilled with my surgical results and the continuous skin care. I would never consider switching to another practice.”

– Beverly
Patient for 10+ years

“Recommending Dr. Zubowski is a no brainer for me because he doesn’t treat just the issue you’re going to see him for, he treats your entire you. The entire person.”

– Shirin
Patient for 20 years

“I am in my 76th year. Anything you see that does not look 76, is because Dr. Zubowski is a perfectionist. He takes his time and you feel so at ease. I felt very confident that whatever he would do would be perfect for me. To say I recommend Dr. Zubowski is an understatement.”

– Beverly
Patient for 5 years

“Dr. Zubowski is an artist, he’s changed my life. Whatever he tells me, I value his opinion and I wouldn’t think to go anywhere else.”

– Carol
Patient for 15 years

“The facilities at the Robert Zubowski Center for Plastic Surgery are absolutely beautiful. It was very reassuring and impressive to see such a beautiful place. Everyone was so comforting, reassuring, and kind.”

– Lauren
Patient for 6 months

“Dr. Zubowski said to me, ‘The skin on your face, the fat placement on your face is still very good, but your neck is not going to snap back because of your age and it lost elasticity,’ so right then and there, I said, ‘Okay, let’s do a facelift.’”

– Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Caroline Manzo
Read the Page Six article

“I’ve been a patient of Dr. Zubowski’s for several years and very happy with the procedures I’ve had with him. Professional, honest and careful to impart information so expectations are realistic. The staff puts you at ease and care is top notch.”

– Beverly
Patient for 5 years

“I highly recommend Dr. Zubowski if you want to see someone who is experienced, who is easy to talk to, and who does great work.”

– Lauren
Patient for 6 months

“I continue coming back to Dr. Zubowski because everything he’s done in the past was exactly how I wanted to feel at the end result. Dr. Zubowski is obviously a very talented surgeon, but he’s also very personable.”

– Monika
Patient for 25 years