How Long Does Blepharoplasty Recovery Take?

At a glance

Days 1–2: Tightness, swelling, some blurry vision from ointment; cold compresses. Main limits: Rest with head elevated; no bending or lifting.

Days 3–7: Bruising peaks then begins to fade; stitches often removed around day 5–7. Main limits: No contact lenses or eye makeup; limit reading and screens if eyes are dry.

Week 2: Most visible bruising gone; many return to work and social plans. Main limits: Sunglasses outdoors; no strenuous exercise until cleared.

Weeks 3–6: Residual swelling, especially lower lids, keeps easing. Main limits: Resume full exercise and contacts when the surgeon says.

Months 2–6: Incision lines fade; final eyelid shape settles. Main limits: Sun protection on scars.

Days 1–2: cold compresses and rest

Expect tightness, mild discomfort, watering or dryness, and blurred vision from protective ointment. Surgeons commonly recommend cold compresses for the first day or two and sleeping with the head raised on pillows to limit swelling. Have someone drive you home and stay with you the first night.

Days 3–7: bruising and stitch removal

Bruising and swelling usually peak in the first few days and then start fading. If non-dissolving stitches were used, they're often removed within about a week. Avoid rubbing your eyes, contact lenses and eye makeup until your surgeon clears them.

Week 2: back in public

By about the second week, most people can return to desk work and social plans, sometimes with tinted glasses or light concealer once incisions have healed and the surgeon allows makeup. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and bending are usually still restricted because they raise blood pressure in the face.

Weeks 3–6: the last of the swelling

Lower eyelid swelling often takes longer to resolve than upper. Many surgeons clear full workouts and contact lenses somewhere in this window.

Months 2–6: final results

Upper eyelid incisions, placed in the natural crease, usually fade until they're hard to see. Lower eyelid surgery done from inside the lid (the transconjunctival approach) leaves no visible scar. The eyelid shape keeps refining for several months.

Upper vs. lower vs. combined

Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin through the eyelid crease and is often the quickest recovery.

Lower blepharoplasty treats under-eye bags; swelling can last longer, especially if fat is repositioned.

Combined procedures (upper and lower, or eyelids plus brow lift or facelift) follow the slowest component's timeline.

Functional upper blepharoplasty to improve a blocked visual field follows the same healing course; insurance coverage, if any, depends on documented visual-field testing.

Planning your recovery

Time off: plan on roughly one to two weeks away from work and events.

At home: cold compresses, extra pillows, lubricating eye drops if prescribed, and sunglasses.

Screens and reading: dry eyes are common early on; take breaks and use drops as directed.

Medications: ask your surgeon which medications and supplements to stop before surgery, since some increase bruising.

Questions for your consult: whether you're a better candidate for upper, lower or both; whether a brow lift is also needed; incision approach; when stitches come out; when you can wear contacts and makeup.

When to call your surgeon right away

Seek urgent care for sudden or severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling or bulging of one eye, bleeding that won't stop, any loss or significant change in vision, or shortness of breath or chest pain. Call your surgeon for fever, increasing redness or discharge.

Related Haute MD guides

What Is Blepharoplasty? · How Long Does Facelift Recovery Take? · How Long Does Plastic Surgery Recovery Take? · Lower blepharoplasty with Dr. Alexandra Condé-Green

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Dr. Alexandra Conde Green — plastic surgeon, Boca Raton, FL; upper and lower blepharoplasty

Dr. Nora Siegal — board-certified ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon, Lancaster, PA; cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery