In this video, our own board certified oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Aliza Epstein, walks you through what to expect after eyelid surgery at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute.
Dr. Epstein walks through the normal healing process, including bruising and swelling during the first two weeks, temporary blurry vision, and how long it typically takes to look and feel more like yourself again. She also discusses activity restrictions, time off from work, and why rest, icing, and ointment use are important during the first week of recovery.
This video helps patients plan ahead by outlining realistic recovery timelines, work and exercise limitations, and what is considered normal after eyelid surgery. If you’re preparing for an eyelid procedure or considering a consultation, this overview will help you feel informed and prepared.
Hi, I’m Dr. Aliza Epstein, and I’m an oculoplastic surgeon at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute. In this video, I’m going to focus on what to expect after your eyelid surgery.
First of all, you’re not going to look great right after surgery—and that’s absolutely normal.
You can expect bruising and swelling, with the worst of it occurring during the first two weeks after surgery. I typically tell patients that by about one month after surgery, you’ll look mostly back to normal, although final healing can take several months.
During the first week, your vision may be a little blurry. This is due to the swelling and the work done around your eyes, so this is expected. Because of this, your activities will need to be limited.
I typically recommend taking one week off from work. If you work from home, it’s okay to use the computer, but you should still plan to take at least a few days off.
During the first few days, you’ll be doing a lot of icing, and for the first week, you’ll be applying ointments around your eyes. For these reasons, taking one week off work is generally recommended.
During the first one to two weeks after surgery, you should avoid heavy lifting, bending over, straining, and exercise. You won’t be able to return to the treadmill until two weeks after surgery, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Thank you for listening to this video. We look forward to seeing you for a consultation at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute, and I hope this video helped you understand what to expect after surgery.
