Cosmetic Procedures - Eyelid/Brow Surgery - After Surgery

With blepharoplasty alone, only antibiotic ointment is applied to the suture lines and there is no dressing. With forehead/brow lifting, a circumferential head dressing will be applied to keep some pressure on the scalp and forehead tissues for the first 24 hours after surgery. In either case, cool compresses are used on the eyes for the first several postoperative days. Considerable eyelid swelling and some bruising around the eyes should be expected. Sutures will be removed in five to seven days after surgery. Makeup can be applied one week after surgery. Complete clearing of all swelling and bruising may take up to three weeks to resolve.

Complications associated with eyelid and forehead surgery are few. The most severe is overresection of skin from the eyelids such that the eyes can not close completely or an increased tendency after surgery for dryness or itchiness of the eyes. Otherwise, healing problems with the incisions are quite rare. Subtle differences in position of the eyebrows or amount of remaining skin and fat about the eyes may be perceived on close examination.