You'll probably remain in the recovery room and monitored for at least two hours after surgery. Then you'll need to remain as quiet and still as possible for the next 24 hours. Avoiding physical activity helps lower the small risk of bleeding. Symptoms of bleeding would include intense pain and blurred or lost vision.
Your eyelids will be swollen after surgery, so you should not drive for about five days, or at least until your stitches come out. In rare instances, the eyes swell shut temporarily, but this is no cause for alarm.
To reduce postoperative swelling, keep your head elevated for several days after surgery. This means sleeping in an easy chair, if possible; sleeping in bed with a booster behind you, or laying your head on two pillows. Under no circumstances should you lie face down during the first two to three weeks after surgery.
After seven days, you can wear brush-on makeup. Don't use eyeliner for at least two weeks. It generally takes 10 to 14 days for the bruises around your eyes to fade.
Scars will remain red up to six weeks before they fade enough to be difficult to see. If you are African-American, your scars may become darker than surrounding skin. Scars are easily hidden under makeup.
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