Blepharoplasty Recovery — Week-by-Week Guide to Eyelid Surgery Healing

Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) | Sydney

Of all the questions patients ask before eyelid surgery, the most common is about recovery. Most are pleasantly surprised. Blepharoplasty isn’t a comfortable week (there’s bruising, swelling, and the eyes look operated on for a while), but it’s far more manageable than people expect. The eyelid skin is thin and the blood supply is generous, which means healing tends to move along reasonably well. Planning two weeks off social commitments is sensible. Planning for a difficult, painful recovery usually isn’t.

Dr Scott J Turner is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) with specific training in eyelid surgery, performing both upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty. He consults at his Sydney clinics in Bondi Junction and Manly, with surgery performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital and Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.

Upper vs Lower Blepharoplasty: Recovery Differences

These are genuinely different procedures with different recovery timelines, and it’s worth understanding them separately before surgery.

Upper blepharoplasty is usually performed under local anaesthesia with sedation, as a day procedure. You’re home the same day. Recovery is relatively straightforward, and most patients get through the first week comfortably at home without needing much help.

Lower blepharoplasty is a different situation. It’s always performed under general anaesthetic in a private hospital, and recovery takes longer. There are two approaches: the transconjunctival approach, where the incision is placed inside the lower eyelid with no external scar, and the transcutaneous approach, with a small incision just below the lash line. Transconjunctival patients recover faster. Transcutaneous patients have external sutures and more tissue disruption, so the timeline is longer.

If both upper and lower are done together, recovery follows the lower eyelid timeline. Plan for two weeks before returning to social settings.

For day-by-day detail on upper blepharoplasty specifically, see the upper blepharoplasty recovery day-by-day timeline.

Week-by-Week Recovery Timeline

Day of Surgery

Upper blepharoplasty patients go home the same day, usually within a few hours. Lower blepharoplasty and combined procedures involve a brief observation period before discharge.

The eyes will feel tight and heavy straight after surgery. Vision may be slightly blurry from the antibiotic ointment applied during the procedure. That clears up quickly. You’ll need a driver (there’s no getting around this). Having someone available for the first 24 hours makes the day much easier.

Days 1 to 3: Peak Swelling

This is the worst of it. Swelling and bruising peak somewhere around 48 to 72 hours. The eyes will look significantly more swollen than they did in the recovery room. This is completely normal and not a sign that anything has gone wrong. Bruising typically extends below the eye and sometimes onto the upper cheeks. Expect it.

What helps:

Cold compresses for 10 to 15 minutes every hour while awake, for the first two to three days. Use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth, never apply ice directly to the skin
Head elevation at all times, including sleep. Extra pillows or a reclining chair for the first few nights. Sleeping flat increases pressure in the eyelid area and worsens the swelling
Genuine rest. Avoid bending forward, straining, or anything that drives blood pressure toward the head

What to avoid:

Blood-thinning medications or supplements, unless specifically approved by Dr Turner
Smoking and alcohol, since both slow healing and worsen bruising
Screens tend to be uncomfortable in the first few days. The eyes feel dry and sensitive to light. Rest them as much as you can

Days 4 to 7: Swelling Begins to Settle

From around day four, things start looking noticeably better. Swelling reduces, and bruising shifts from deep purple to yellow-green. The eyes still look operated on (that doesn’t resolve in a week), but the change from the peak swelling days is significant enough that most patients feel a lot better about where things are headed.

Upper blepharoplasty sutures come out at approximately one week. It’s a quick, comfortable appointment. Lower blepharoplasty transcutaneous sutures are removed at five to seven days.

By the end of week one, most patients are managing independently at home and starting to feel like themselves again.

Eye care during this period:

Continue prescribed antibiotic drops or ointment as directed
Don’t rub the eyes, particularly important in the first two weeks
Contact lenses can’t go back in for at least two weeks
Sunglasses are essential outdoors. They protect healing skin from UV and wind, and they’re a practical way to go out without drawing attention to the bruising

Week 2: Returning to Normal Settings

Week two is when most patients start feeling human again. Visible bruising is fading, swelling has reduced substantially, and the eyes are starting to look more like their final result. Still some puffiness, particularly in the mornings, but the worst is clearly behind them.

Upper blepharoplasty. Most patients are comfortable returning to desk-based work and light social settings in one to two weeks. Some residual puffiness remains in the upper eyelid crease, but it’s generally manageable with makeup from week two onward.

Lower blepharoplasty (transconjunctival). Most patients are resuming normal activities within five to seven days. No external sutures to deal with, which makes the early recovery considerably easier.

Lower blepharoplasty (transcutaneous). Return to activities within ten to fourteen days. Some patients prefer to wait until the full two weeks before appearing in public.

What opens up at two weeks:

Sunglasses and light makeup over healed incisions
Light walking throughout recovery, encouraged for circulation
Short domestic air travel may be appropriate, but discuss with Dr Turner before booking

Weeks 3 to 6: Continued Settling

Residual swelling keeps resolving through weeks three to six, though slowly enough that day-to-day changes aren’t always obvious. Morning puffiness is normal. Fluid accumulates overnight and disperses during the day. It evens out progressively.

Exercise. Light walking from two weeks is fine. Anything more demanding (gym, running, swimming, anything that spikes the heart rate) should wait until four to six weeks. The reason isn’t excessive caution. Raised blood pressure in the operated area can cause a haematoma or disrupt the result during this phase. For activity-specific detail, see exercise after eyelid surgery.

Swimming and saunas. Avoid pools, hot tubs, and saunas for at least two weeks, preferably four. Heat and pool water both create infection risk and worsen swelling when the tissues are still settling.

Scar management. Once incisions have healed, usually from week two, gentle massage with silicone gel can begin. Continuing for two to three months helps the scars mature. Upper blepharoplasty scars sit in the natural eyelid crease. They’re not visible with the eyes open, and over three to six months they become barely detectable even when the eyes are closed.

Months 3 to 6: Final Result

The final result is typically fully apparent between three and six months. Residual swelling has resolved, incision lines have faded, and the eyes look defined. This is when patients see what the surgery actually achieved.

A few things worth knowing. Lower blepharoplasty patients and those with thicker skin may notice continued refinement beyond six months. Mild asymmetry during healing, including one eye appearing more swollen than the other for a period, is completely normal. It resolves as healing completes. Don’t make any final judgments about the result before the three-month mark.

What to Watch For

Most blepharoplasty patients have an uneventful recovery. The following are signs to contact the practice promptly:

Increasing rather than decreasing pain after the first 48 hours
Sudden increase in swelling on one side only
Any changes in vision, including sudden blurring or loss of visual field
Discharge from the incision sites beyond the first few days
Marked asymmetry developing after the first week

Dr Turner and his team are available throughout the recovery period. Post-operative appointments are scheduled at regular intervals and all concerns can be raised directly. For the broader list of potential complications, see blepharoplasty risks and complications.

Recovery Tips Summary

Head elevation at all times for the first two weeks, including during sleep
Cold compress for the first 48 to 72 hours, 10 to 15 minutes per hour
No contact lenses for two weeks
No eye makeup for two to three weeks
No strenuous exercise for four to six weeks
No swimming or saunas for two to four weeks
Sunglasses outdoors throughout recovery
Scar massage with silicone gel from week two onward
Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements throughout recovery
No smoking or alcohol during the healing period
In-clinic LED therapy may be discussed at the practice as adjunctive recovery support

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does blepharoplasty recovery take?

Upper blepharoplasty recovery: sutures removed at one week, most patients return to work and social settings at one to two weeks, final result at three to six months. Lower blepharoplasty (transconjunctival): return to normal activities within five to seven days, final result at three to six months. Lower blepharoplasty (transcutaneous): sutures removed at five to seven days, return to activities within ten to fourteen days, final result at three to six months. Combined upper and lower follows the longer of the two timelines.

When can I return to work after blepharoplasty?

Most patients return to desk-based work within one to two weeks of upper blepharoplasty, and within seven to fourteen days of lower blepharoplasty depending on the approach. The timing depends on how comfortable you are appearing in public with residual bruising and swelling. Makeup can help from week two onward. Discuss your specific work requirements with Dr Turner at your pre-operative consultation.

When can I exercise after eyelid surgery?

Light walking can resume gradually from approximately two weeks. More vigorous exercise (running, gym, swimming, high-impact activity) should wait until four to six weeks. Returning to exercise too early increases the risk of haematoma and raised pressure in the operated area. For the full activity-by-activity progression, see exercise after eyelid surgery.

When does swelling go down after blepharoplasty?

Swelling peaks at 48 to 72 hours and begins to reduce noticeably from day four. Most visible bruising and obvious swelling resolves within two to three weeks. Residual puffiness, particularly in the mornings, can persist for two to three months. Final resolution of deep swelling occurs at three to six months.

Can I wear makeup after blepharoplasty?

Eye makeup can typically be worn from week two onward, once the incisions have healed. Avoid applying makeup directly to the incision lines in the early weeks. Makeup on the lid crease above the scar should wait until the incision is fully healed. Sunscreen over healed incisions is important when going outdoors.

Related Procedures and Resources

Related procedures:

Helpful guides:

Consult with Dr Scott J Turner

Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, FRACS (AHPRA MED0001654827). Blepharoplasty consultations are held at the Bondi Junction clinic (39 Grosvenor Street) and the Manly clinic (Suite 504, Level 5, 39 East Esplanade). Surgery is performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital or Delmar Private Hospital in Dee Why.

The consultation fee is $450. The booking pathway follows AHPRA cosmetic surgery requirements: a minimum of two consultations, GP referral, cooling-off period, psychological screening, and a $1,000 surgical deposit payable only at the second consultation.

Book a consultation on 1300 437 758 or [email protected].

Recovery After Blepharoplasty — A Week-by-Week Guide to Eyelid Surgery Healing