How much rest do you need after eyelid surgery?
How many days should you set aside for eyelid surgery? That’s one of the most important questions when you want to balance the procedure with work, family, and social commitments. You won’t need to stay home for weeks, but getting plenty of rest during the first few days is important. Exactly how long you’ll need depends on your recovery and daily activities. In this blog, you’ll learn what you can do during each stage and how to adjust your schedule accordingly.
After 48 hours
The First 48 Hours After Eyelid Surgery: Why Rest Is Important
It’s best to keep the first two days after eyelid surgery free of commitments. Your eyelids may be swollen, tender, and discolored. By taking it easy, keeping your head slightly elevated, and applying cold compresses as recommended by your doctor, you can help minimize the swelling.
That doesn’t mean you have to stay in bed all the time. Walking around the house gently is usually fine. Above all, avoid activities that involve a lot of bending over, lifting heavy objects, or strenuous exertion. This will give the wounds a chance to heal.
Our advice: Plan for at least two quiet days after your eyelid surgery, without work commitments, strenuous household chores, or other obligations.
Your schedule
On average, how many days of rest do you need?
Would you like to request time off or reschedule appointments? If so, it helps to distinguish between resting and recovering, light activities, and physical exertion. The schedule below provides a general guide for the recovery period following an uncomplicated eyelid surgery.
| Period | What can you usually do? |
|---|---|
| Days 1 and 2 | Rest at home, move gently, and apply cold compresses as advised. |
| Days 3 through 5 | Gently resume light activities when you’re feeling well. |
| Days 6 through 10 | You’ll often be back at work or making plans for social activities, depending on your recovery. |
| After 1 to 2 weeks | Many daily activities are possible again. Gradually increase the intensity of your activities as advised by your doctor. |
| After that | The remaining swelling and scarring will gradually subside. |
These timeframes are not set in stone. Recovery from an upper eyelid lift may differ from that of a more extensive procedure. Would you like to know more about what you’ll experience physically? Then read our blog about recovery from an eyelid lift, day by day.
Returning to Work
When can you return to work after eyelid surgery?
Do you work from home and set your own schedule? If so, you may be able to gradually take on some light work after three to four days. This could include answering emails or completing a short administrative task. Be mindful of tired or sensitive eyes, and be sure to take plenty of breaks when working at a computer.
Do you work in an office, have a lot of customer contact, or would you rather wait until the visible swelling and bruising subside? If so, it’s best to schedule about a week to ten days off. If you do physically demanding work, you may need more recovery time. Discuss this with your doctor in advance so you don’t have to return to work too soon.
Can you organize your work flexibly? If so, it’s better to start with a few quiet hours rather than jumping right into a full workday.
Daily Activities
When will you be able to go grocery shopping, clean, and meet up with friends again?
After a few days, you can often resume light household chores, as long as you don’t overexert yourself. Making a cup of coffee or tidying up a little is different from vacuuming, carrying heavy grocery bags, or working in a bent-over position for long periods of time. It’s best to postpone such activities until your doctor says it’s safe to resume them.
It’s also best to build up social engagements gradually. A casual visit from a family member is usually easier to fit into your schedule than a birthday party or a formal dinner. Also, keep in mind that swelling and discoloration may still be visible during the first week.
Are you planning an important event for which you’d like to be fully recovered? If so, allow for more time than just the first week. The last bit of swelling may remain visible for longer.
Preparation
Practical Tips for Planning Your Recovery After Eyelid Surgery
Proper preparation makes the first few days after the procedure much easier. If you don’t have to keep getting up to take care of things, you can focus on your recovery.
- Do your grocery shopping in advance: make sure you don’t have to carry heavy bags during the first few days.
- Prepare meals in advance: cook something now that you’ll just need to reheat later.
- Get your supplies ready: think of extra pillows, clean cold compresses, and any prescribed medication.
- Arrange transportation: Ask someone to take you home after your treatment.
- Clear your schedule: be sure to keep the first two days free of commitments.
- Plan to get help— especially if you have young children or usually do a lot of household chores.
In addition, always follow the aftercare instructions provided by your treating physician. Cooling, medication use, and wound care should be tailored to your treatment.
Family Life
How do you make sure to get enough rest with young children?
When you have young children or a busy family, taking two days off is sometimes easier said than done. Still, it’s a good idea to arrange for help in advance. Think of someone who can take your children to school, run errands, or temporarily take over the task of lifting a toddler.
A school break might seem like a good time to have eyelid surgery, but if your children are home all day, it can actually be harder to get enough rest. So don’t just consider when you’re off work—think especially about when someone can help you.
Ideally, choose a time when you not only have time to be at home, but also actually have the space to recover.
Getting Back to Being Active
When can you resume exercising after eyelid surgery?
With a normal recovery, many people feel much better after about two weeks. However, that doesn’t mean that every sport or strenuous activity is automatically a good idea at that point. Exercise that causes your heart rate and blood pressure to rise significantly can lead to additional swelling or secondary bleeding during the initial recovery phase.
Aepril Clinics recommends avoiding strenuous physical activity, at least during the first week. Consult your doctor to find out when you can resume running, strength training, or intense exercise. After that, gradually build up your activity level and don’t push yourself if your eyelids are still tender or swollen.
Even after you’re feeling well again, the small wounds and scars will continue to heal. The final results of an eyelid lift become apparent in the weeks and months following the procedure.
When should you contact us?
What if your recovery doesn’t go as expected?
Swelling, slight bluish discoloration, and a tight feeling around the eyes may be part of the normal healing process. However, be sure to contact your treating physician if your symptoms clearly worsen, such as with increasing redness, pus, fever, or persistent pain.
If you experience a sudden loss of vision, severe eye pain, or rapidly increasing swelling, seek immediate medical attention. Do not wait until your scheduled follow-up appointment if you have these symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Rest After Eyelid Surgery
Be sure to set aside at least the first two days for rest. For work and social engagements, about a week to ten days is often more practical, depending on your recovery and your work schedule.
No, usually not. Walking around the house at a leisurely pace is generally fine. Be sure to avoid bending over, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity. Always follow your doctor’s personalized post-operative care instructions.
Light computer work may be possible again after a few days if your eyes feel comfortable. Build up your screen time gradually and take regular breaks. If your eyes are very irritated or tired, it’s a good idea to get extra rest.
Avoid strenuous physical activity, at least during the first week. When you can resume intense exercise depends on your recovery and the advice of your treating physician.
The swelling is often most noticeable in the first few days and then gradually subsides. After about one to two weeks, the area usually looks less swollen, but slight residual swelling may persist for longer.
Rates
How much does eyelid surgery cost at Aepril Clinics?
The cost of eyelid surgery depends on the type of procedure and your individual situation. View our current prices on our pricing page. During a no-obligation consultation, we’ll discuss which treatment is right for you and what the costs are.
During the consultation, you’ll also receive information about post-operative care and how much time you should set aside for your recovery. This will allow you to schedule the procedure at a time that fits your work and personal life.
Would you like to know how much recovery time you need?
Are you considering eyelid surgery but aren’t sure how much time you’ll need to set aside for it? At Aepril Clinics, we’ll discuss your goals, the procedure, and what to expect during recovery during a no-obligation consultation.
