Lower Eyelid Recovery Period <Step-by-Step Guide> Dr. Kim Hyun-jo Tells You!

Lower Eyelid Recovery Period <Step-by-Step Guide>

Dr. Kim Hyun-jo Tells You!

Hello.

This is Obje Plastic Surgery.

Lower eyelid surgery is not simply a procedure where you just pull the skin under the eyes.

You need to consider the recovery times of the skin around the eyes, fat, and muscles all together.

So just as much as the surgical result, what needs to be watched closely is the recovery process.

If you do not fully understand this process, it is easy to start worrying unnecessarily even about small changes during recovery.

In fact, after lower eyelid surgery, the degree of swelling and bruising changes by stage,

and the speed at which skin elasticity recovers and the precautions needed in daily life also differ a little at each stage.

If you know this flow in advance, it helps you get through the lower eyelid recovery period much more steadily.

In this post, we will divide the recovery process after lower eyelid surgery by time period,

and organize together the care points that are especially important to know at each stage.

I will explain step by step so that you can focus on recovery without unnecessary worry.

What is the “golden time” for lower eyelid recovery?

For the first 2 to 3 days after lower eyelid surgery, swelling and bruising are the most noticeable.

Because the care during this period has a major impact on the entire lower eyelid recovery period,

the first week is often referred to as the “golden time.”

The reason swelling occurs is easy to understand when broken down simply.

When lower eyelid surgery is performed, micro-damage naturally occurs in the skin, fat, and muscle tissue, and this causes an inflammatory response.

To recover from this inflammation, the body sends more blood to the area,

and in this process, blood vessels dilate and fluid accumulates between tissues, which appears as swelling and bruising.

That is why cold compresses help in the early postoperative period.

The cold stimulus constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow and fluid movement, so it is effective in easing swelling and bruising.

Another important part of early recovery, along with swelling management, is face washing and showering.

Until the sutures are removed, we advise avoiding face washing and showering as much as possible.

This is because if the sutured area is exposed to water, the risk of infection may increase or the wound may open.

If you must wash your face or shower, you should be careful to avoid direct contact between water and the surgical area.

When applying ointment as well, rather than using too much,

you should lightly coat the sutured area with a clean cotton swab.

Glasses can be worn as long as they do not press directly on the surgical area,

but contact lenses are recommended only after about one week after surgery, once the swelling has subsided to some extent.

Also, in the early recovery period, alcohol and overly salty foods can worsen swelling, so it is best to avoid them if possible.

There are no other foods that must be especially restricted, and there is no particular food that will dramatically speed up recovery.

Eating a balanced diet as usual is sufficient.

Some caution is needed with medications.

Drugs that increase bleeding tendency, such as anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, fever-reducing pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and blood flow improvers,

are recommended to be taken starting 3 to 4 days after surgery.

However, this can vary depending on your recovery condition,

so it is safest to decide after consulting with your attending doctor.

It is not over when the sutures are removed

About 5 to 7 days after surgery, the sutures are removed.

At this point, the wound may look much more healed on the surface, making it feel as if recovery is already over.

However, the tissue beneath the skin is not yet completely stabilized.

So gentle face washing and showering are fine, but

stimulation such as strong massage with cleanser or rubbing with a towel can, in rare cases, cause the sutured area to open.

Of course, if the sutured area opens, it does not necessarily mean it must be sutured again.

The treatment method varies depending on the extent of the opening, so it is important to visit the clinic promptly and have the condition checked.

Light exercise such as walking is fine, but running, cycling, or strength training that involves lifting heavy objects

can increase blood pressure and blood flow, which may trigger bleeding or swelling,

so it is better to start these activities at least one month after surgery.

Hot environments such as saunas, bathhouses, and swimming pools, where there is exposure to hot water or possible bacteria,

can also affect recovery, so it is safest to use them only after one month as well.

After one month, can you stop caring for it?

When discussing the lower eyelid recovery period, the reason the “one month” mark is often mentioned is

that by then, noticeable swelling and bruising have mostly subsided

and daily life is no longer significantly inconvenienced.

However, it usually takes about 3 to 6 months for the skin, muscles, and connective tissues to fully stabilize and for the final result to settle.

Collagen rearrangement and tissue regeneration progress gradually during this period.

Therefore, rather than completely stopping care after one month, it is better to avoid excessive irritation while adjusting your daily routine in line with your body’s recovery speed.

Today, we divided the lower eyelid recovery period into stages and explained the care methods and precautions.

Lower eyelid surgery can lead to satisfying results only when the recovery process afterward is considered together with the surgery itself.

Dr. Kim Hyun-jo of Obje Plastic Surgery considers the structure of the skin, fat, and muscles under the eyes together,

and values not only the surgical result but also a recovery process that proceeds stably.

Based on the balance and harmony of the overall facial proportions, we pursue changes that are not excessive but natural,

and even after surgery, we continue careful care that closely monitors the condition at each recovery stage.

This has been Obje Plastic Surgery. Thank you.

<🔽🔽A helpful video to watch together🔽🔽>

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• This post is medical information written by Obje Plastic Surgery Clinic in compliance with the Medical Advertising Act.

• The effectiveness of procedures may vary depending on the individual, and side effects may occur. We strongly recommend having a thorough consultation with medical staff in advance before deciding on the procedure.