Before We Start: What Affects Recovery
Recovery timelines vary depending on whether you had upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both. Incisional (full-cut) techniques involve a slightly longer recovery than non-incisional (suture) methods due to the tissue disruption involved. Age, skin quality, and how carefully you follow post-op instructions also play a meaningful role.
The timeline below reflects an incisional upper and lower blepharoplasty — the most complete version of the procedure. If you only had upper lids or a non-incisional technique, your recovery will be somewhat faster.
Visit our eyelid surgery page for an overview of the procedure before diving into recovery details.
The Full Recovery Timeline
Immediately Post-Surgery
You will leave the clinic with thin dressings or tape over the incision lines. Your eyes will be swollen, puffy, and may feel tight — this is completely normal and expected. Vision may be mildly blurry from ointment applied during surgery; this clears within hours.
Spend the first 48 hours resting with your head elevated above heart level. Apply cold compresses (not directly on the eye) in 15-minute intervals to help reduce swelling and bruising. Most patients experience mild discomfort rather than significant pain — manage with the prescribed medication.
Avoid: bending over, strenuous activity, alcohol, smoking, aspirin, and contact lenses. Sleep on your back with an extra pillow.
Bruising Peaks, Then Begins to Fade
Bruising typically peaks around day 3 before beginning to fade. The area around the eyes may appear more colourful than on day one — shades of purple, green, and yellow are all normal as the bruise progresses through its healing stages.
Swelling is still significant but you should be able to open your eyes fully and see normally. Reading and watching screens is fine in short intervals; prolonged screen use can cause eye fatigue and mild dryness, so take breaks.
Some patients notice their eyes feel gritty or dry. This is normal and resolves within 2–4 weeks as sensation returns. Use the prescribed lubricating eye drops as directed.
Suture Removal
Most surgeons remove sutures between days 5 and 7. This is a quick, painless process — the fine stitches dissolve or are carefully cut and removed. Once sutures are out, the incision line looks cleaner immediately and healing accelerates noticeably.
At this stage, many patients still have visible bruising and swelling but feel significantly more comfortable. You may be able to apply a small amount of concealer over (not on) the incision area, though most surgeons advise waiting until day 10 for any makeup near the eye.
Presentable in Public
By the end of week two, most patients are comfortable being seen in public — especially with sunglasses. The majority of bruising has faded to a faint yellow-green that can be covered with makeup. Swelling continues to reduce noticeably each day.
Light work (desk-based, from home) is typically possible from day 7–10. Avoid any activity that raises your heart rate significantly for the full two weeks. Sun exposure should be minimised and SPF worn consistently over the healing incision line.
For clients who had surgery in Shanghai with Vday, this is typically when the return flight home is scheduled — allowing sufficient healing before travel without extending the trip unnecessarily.
Continued Refinement
Residual swelling (particularly in the morning) can persist for up to 6 weeks. You may notice the crease or lower lid area looks slightly different at different times of day — this is fluid shifting and resolves as the tissues fully settle.
The incision line, which may appear pink or slightly raised initially, continues to fade and flatten through this period. By month 3, the scar is typically very faint and sits neatly within the natural crease, invisible when the eye is open.
Final Results
Full, settled results are visible at 3–6 months. All residual swelling has resolved, the crease has settled into its final position, and the incision line has matured to a very fine, skin-toned scar.
This is when the true aesthetic outcome becomes apparent. If you are happy with your results at this stage, the outcome is permanent for the lower lids. Upper lid results typically last 7–10 years before the effects of ageing may warrant a minor touch-up.
Planning a trip to Shanghai for eyelid surgery? Vday handles your entire journey — from clinic booking and travel to post-op follow-up once you're back home.
Tips for Faster Recovery
- Sleep elevated — keep your head above heart level for the first week to reduce fluid pooling around the eyes.
- Cold compresses — apply in the first 48 hours only; after that, warmth can help bruising resolve faster.
- Avoid sodium — salty food causes fluid retention, which worsens swelling.
- No alcohol — alcohol dilates blood vessels and significantly increases bruising and swelling.
- Protect from sun — UV exposure darkens healing scars permanently. Wear SPF 50 and sunglasses outdoors.
- No contact lenses — wait at least 2–3 weeks before reinserting contacts.
- Gentle eye movements — avoid vigorous rubbing or pulling on the eye area for the first month.
When to Contact Your Surgeon
Most discomfort in the first week is normal. However, contact your surgeon or Vday's concierge team if you experience: sudden sharp pain in or behind the eye, significant vision changes, unusual discharge from the incision, or bleeding that does not subside with gentle pressure.
Vday clients are supported remotely via WhatsApp throughout recovery, with access to the operating surgeon's team for any post-op questions. You are never navigating recovery alone.
For context on what the procedure itself involves before recovery begins, read our guide on incisional vs non-incisional double eyelid surgery.