Recovering after a upper eyelid surgery: Read Nanc’s experience!

On the day of surgery, I was surprisingly calm. Just to be safe, I took two paracetamol beforehand, partly because I tend to get migraines. Once on the operating table, I felt a bit tense, but luckily my mother was allowed to stay with me in the operating room. I found the anaesthetic injections intimidating, but they were over quickly. Fortunately, they were not painful, just uncomfortable.

Once numb, I felt nothing during the procedure, though I did notice an unpleasant smell when the blood vessels were cauterized—a normal part of the process. I chatted with the practitioner, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. The entire procedure went smoothly and was finished in about 45 minutes.

Afterward, I was advised to cool the area for 15 minutes every hour, so I used cooling goggles, which were more convenient than cold packs. The wounds bled a little at times but nothing serious. Although the final result is still to come, I already notice a difference: I no longer have to lift my eyes to see better. They removed about 1.5 cm of skin, which is quite a lot.

I am still very glad I went through with the surgery. Now, I can relax my eyelids without affecting my vision, as I previously struggled to see past my overhanging eyelids and lashes. I think this will also reduce my headaches, which feels like such a relief.

There was some bleeding, leaving one eye slightly red and the other a bit swollen, but overall, I am pleased with how it looks—and I am thankfully pain-free. I find regular cooling essential, so I am still doing it every hour for fifteen minutes, using gauze between my eyes and the cooling goggles for comfort.

Sleeping was the hardest part of the first night; it is recommended to sleep with your head elevated and on your back, which took some getting used to. A sleeping pill finally helped me fall asleep.

The best part is that I am not experiencing pain, which I was initially worried about. Of course, I can feel that something happened around my eyes, but that is it. I think resting is essential to this, so I have been taking it very easy. Even though it is a relatively minor procedure, I would not underestimate the need for downtime in the days afterward.

On day 8, I had my stitches removed, which typically happens between 7 and 9 days post-surgery. I was honestly more nervous about the stitch removal than the surgery itself, but it was over very quickly.

Once the stitches were out, I noticed my eyes were still a bit swollen, and one eye had not completely healed yet—probably because I had not been as consistent with cooling and rest as I should have been. I highly recommend taking aftercare seriously, as it is essential for achieving the best possible results.

Overall, I am thrilled with the outcome; the difference is instantly noticeable. However, I found the aftercare more challenging than expected. Resting and cooling consistently, not just in the first few days but as long as possible, really pays off. For anyone considering eyelid surgery, I say go for it—it makes a world of difference.

I am extremely happy with the result. I no longer see droopy eyelids or eyelashes when I open my eyes. I can also relax my eyelids instead of having to raise them to see clearly. I have also received many compliments about my blue eyes!