Are you planning to have an eye bag removal treatment? Not sure about what to do for better results after the surgery? Don’t worry. This article covers post-treatment recovery in detail and hopefully, answers some of the questions you have in mind.
Eye bags are mild puffy areas under the eyes that are usually formed in old age due to increased skin laxity and loss of underlying supporting tissues.
In the past few years, much advancement has been made in the field of eye bag removal surgery. The new surgical techniques have minimal downtime, a shorter recovery period, and fewer side effects. Despite this advancement, post-operative care still carries a lot of importance. It plays an integral role in speeding up the recovery process and also helps in avoiding any potential complications.
The following discussion revolves around the recovery phase of eye bag removal surgery. Moreover, we shall also discuss some valuable tips regarding the post-procedural care of eye bag removal treatment.
What To Expect After Eye Bag Removal Surgery
After your eye bag removal surgery, you will be left to rest in the recovery room for a while to look for any immediate post-procedural complications, after which you will be good to go.
You may experience temporary side effects including;
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Mild pain or discomfort
- Photosensitivity
- Blurry vision (due to the application of the lubricating ointment)
- Watering in eyes
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Numbness around eyes
- Puffy eyelids
These side effects are usually temporary and will subside eventually.
How Much Time Is Required For The Recovery Process
Recovery occurs in several phases. First, your bruises along with the majority of the swelling will subside within 10 to 14 days. The rest of the swelling will diminish in the following months. Scars of surgical incisions, on the other hand, takes a relatively longer time to fade away. Results will finalize 6 months later.
However, if you properly follow the guidelines of post-operative care, it will not only accelerate your recovery process but also you will have better and natural-looking results in the end.
Recovery Tips For Post Eye Bag Removal Surgery
Follow these tips to speed up the recovery process after eye bag removal surgery.
Care Your Wound
Wound care is essential for minimizing the risks of any adverse effects like an infection. Therefore, follow all the related instructions given by your doctor.
If a bandage is applied to your eye after the procedure, keep wearing it as long as recommended by your doctor. Clean the wound sites and also keep the area dry. Don’t rub your eye until your wound heal, otherwise, it may cause the wound to bleed again.
Protect Your Eyes
Protect your eyes from dust, wind, and bright lights. Wear dark sunglasses or sunshades when returning home after the procedure because light sensitivity is a common complaint after treatment, and therefore, sunlight may cause discomfort to your eyes.
Avoid Contact Lenses
It is recommended to avoid wearing contact lenses for at least 2 weeks after having an eye bag removal surgery. Use glasses instead.
Cold Compresses
It is essential to do cold compression on your eyes for the first 3 days after the treatment. It helps in resolving the redness and swelling of the wound sites.
Here is the guideline regarding how to use cold compresses after the surgery;
- Before using the cold compresses, wash your hands thoroughly.
- Now take a sterile gauze pad and apply the cold sterile saline solution over it to make a cold compress. (Note: The temperature of normal saline should be low. For this purpose, you can place the saline in the refrigerator, freezer, or on ice)
- Close your eye and apply cold compresses to it. It is recommended that during the first 24 hours, place cold compresses for 10 to 15 minutes, then let the skin rest for 15 minutes, and then do the same repeatedly as much as possible while you are awake. Alternatively, you can also use ice packs for cold compression.
Be Careful While Showering
You can take shower anytime after the eye bag removal surgery but make sure that your dressing does not get wet as it will disturb the recovery of the wound site. For this purpose, you can either take shower below the level of your neck or you can tilt your head while showering in such a way that water does not flow towards your treated eye. Similarly, you should also keep soap, shampoo, or face wash from getting into your eyes.
Sometimes, water-proof dressing is applied after surgery. In such cases, you can take shower in the normal way without taking much care about the dressing.
On the other hand, you should avoid long and hot baths, saunas, steam rooms for the first 2 weeks as those conditions may interfere and prolong the recovery process.
Don’t Apply Makeup
Wearing makeup after eye bag removal surgery can irritate the wound sites and also increases the risks of infection. Moreover, the process of applying and removing makeup can interfere with the healing process.
Therefore, it is advised that creams, lotions, and makeup like mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, etc, should not be applied over the treatment site for at least 2 weeks after the procedure. However, you can wear makeup on the rest of your face.
Don’t Stress Your Eyes
Give your eyes adequate rest during the recovery period. Don’t do tasks which put a strain on your eyes like reading, watching TV, working on a computer, etc, for the first few days.
Avoid Driving
The pain medication and eye drops prescribed after eye bag removal surgery makes the vision blurry. Therefore, driving is forbidden during the first few days of recovery.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
You should not do strenuous activities like weight lifting, intense exercise, jogging, biking, aerobics, etc, for at least two weeks after the eye bag removal surgery. It is because such activity increases the blood flow to the eyes, and increases the risks of bleeding.
Sleep Adequately
It is important to have adequate sleep to speed up the healing and recovery process.
Also, it is recommended to sleep with your head elevated after the procedure for at least 2 weeks after the procedure or till your doctor has advised. Use 2 to 3 pillows under your head for this purpose. It helps to relieve swelling quicker.
Use Eye Drops
Your doctor will prescribe you sterile saline eye drops or eye ointment after the eye bag removal surgery. You may be directed to use these drops if your eyesight becomes blurry or if you experience symptoms like itching, redness, or pain in the eyes.
Put these eye drops in the inner part of your eyes after every 4 hours, or as your doctor has prescribed.
Follow these instructions to apply eye drops or ointment.
- Wash your hands.
- Tilt your head back.
- Put eye drops in the inner part of the eye.
- Don’t pull your eyelid while applying the eye drops as it can disturb the wound sites.
- Now, close your eyes for 30 to 60 seconds to allow the eye drops or ointment to spread thoroughly.
- Make sure that the eyedropper tip or ointment does not touch your eyelashes.
Take Medications
Make sure that you completely understand the prescription, dosage, and usage guidelines. Take antibiotic or pain medications as per the recommendation of your doctor.
If you were taking any blood thinner medication before the eye bag removal surgery and had stopped taking them for the sake of the procedure, ask your healthcare practitioner if or when to restart those medications.
You may be advised to not use the following medications and supplements as they increase the risk of bleeding;
- Ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin IB, Advil, etc)
- Aspirin
- Naproxen sodium (e.g. Aleve)
- Fish oil supplements
- Vitamin E
- Cranberry extract, etc.
Follow up
Follow-up with your surgeon is also essential after the eye bag removal surgery as it not only helps the doctor to keep a close eye on your recovery process but also allows the early detection and timely treatment of any potential complications. You may also need to pay a visit to your doctor for the removal of sutures (stitches) which is usually 7 days after the procedure.
Therefore, make sure that you attend all the appointments with your doctor after the eye bag removal surgery.
Bottom Line
Many new techniques have been introduced for the removal of eye bags which have minimal side effects and a short recovery period. However, for better results and faster recovery, post-surgical care is very important. Therefore, follow the post-operative care guidelines given by your doctor after the eye bag removal surgery. Take medications on time and attend all the follow-up appointments with your doctor.
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