02 November 2026 | 4 minute read
When planning eyelid surgery, one thing that may weigh on your mind is recovery. While you can do your own research, it’s important to get an informed answer from an experienced plastic surgeon. In this blog, we interview Ms Nora Nugent about blepharoplasty recovery to help patients stay informed and prepared for their eyelid surgery recovery process.
Q&A About Eyelid Surgery Recovery With Ms Nugent
1. What do you tell patients to do in the week before surgery to make blepharoplasty recovery easier?
No smoking at least one week before, eat well (no fad diets), avoid under-eye filler once they start considering eyelid surgery, and re-read the procedure and recovery information that they have been given. We can also provide nutritional supplements designed to support healing, which they take three weeks before and after surgery.
2. What is something about recovery that tends to surprise your patients, even after you’ve explained it?
Many patients don’t expect dry or gritty eyes, which occur especially after lower eyelid surgery. Even though it will resolve, it is the main reason that we put all patients on a regimen of nightly eye ointment and daily eye drops after surgery.
3. Which aftercare instructions matter most to you, and why?
Keeping their head elevated helps reduce swelling and discomfort. Regular use of eye drops and avoiding contact lenses are also important instructions for optimal recovery.
4. What are the most common recovery mistakes you see, and how can patients avoid them?
Mistakes we often see include trying to return to exercise in the first couple of weeks, too much screen time, not using eye drops consistently, not allowing enough time for swelling to resolve, and not allowing enough time for eyelid shape to return to normal, especially after lower eyelid surgery when a canthopexy (internal support suture) has been placed.
5. Which changes during healing are normal, and which should a patient call your clinic about?
Swelling, bruising, mild to moderate dry or watery eyes, and small appearance differences from side to side are all normal parts of the healing process. Contact us if you experience severe dry eyes, vision changes, redness, developing or severe pain, or if one eye looks dramatically different from the other.
6. How do you plan the incisions so the scars are hard to see?
For upper eyelid surgery, we put the incision in the natural crease–about 7 to 10 mm above the lash line. This heals very well and is very discreet very early on. For lower blepharoplasty, we place incisions inside the eyelid if no skin removal is needed, so there is no external scar. If excess skin removal is needed, incisions are placed underneath the lash line, where they are well hidden.
7. What do you check at each follow-up appointment, and what are you looking for?
We examine vision, eye closure, eye comfort, inflammation, scar healing, eyelid position, shape, swelling, and bruising. We look for signs of good healing, aesthetics, and any complications, like chemosis (blister-like swelling in the eye), so we can intervene if needed.
8. How does recovery change when eyelid surgery is combined with other procedures, such as a brow lift or facelift?
The overall recovery can be a bit longer, but all areas are healing simultaneously with similar postoperative instructions. The first couple of weeks need careful planning. With larger facial rejuvenation surgeries, most patients can expect discomfort and tightness across the face and neck, and may also want to avoid social settings for longer.
9. For patients who travel to Tunbridge Wells or Harley Street, how do you recommend they plan their recovery?
We recommend following all pre- and postoperative instructions. Plan how you will get to and from your appointments; someone will need to drive you to the first couple of follow-up visits. Also, consider booking lymphatic treatments with our therapist to help minimise swelling and aid comfort in the early recovery.
Schedule Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation Today
If you’re ready to explore your eyelid surgery options, schedule a consultation with Ms Nugent in Tunbridge Wells and Harley Street, London. You can get answers to any questions you may have, as well as details about your personalised treatment options.
To get started, call 44 (0) 1892 619248 or fill out our online contact form.