Information in this guide will help you a lot with your eyelid surgery recovery in Korea.
Eyelid surgery recovery can be as delicate as the actual surgery itself. It takes time and there are things to watch out for.
To help you with your recovery, this guide will give you an overview of eyelid surgery recovery in Korea. We will go over things like:
- What is eyelid surgery recovery like
- What to avoid during eyelid surgery recovery
- Is eyelid surgery recovery different in Korea
- How to speed up eyelid surgery recovery
Whether you are just browsing or have already decided on eyelid surgery and want to know more about the recovery, this guide should have all the essentials.
Like eyelid surgery is delicate, you have to be very careful during recovery from eyelid surgery. A successful recovery should be your top priority after eyelid surgery.
It takes time for your body to fully heal after eyelid surgery, so be patient. During this time, there are steps you can take to ensure a safe recovery and speed things up.
Every patient will experience eyelid surgery recovery differently. However, there are some things that almost every patient will experience.
Generally speaking, recovery after eyelid surgery is relatively short but can take up to 3-4 months for results to settle.
Here is a short timeline of eyelid surgery recovery:
What Symptoms To Expect After Surgery
The most common symptoms people experience are bruising, swelling, and discomfort. Pain is not as common as you might think.
Most patients feel that discomfort suits recovery more than pain. However, it’s normal if you feel pain, so there’s no need to worry.
Most of these symptoms should fade away in 2-3 weeks but can linger for about a month. Don’t panic if the swelling persists for over 2 weeks.
Bruising usually takes the longest to go away. It typically changes color from purple and pink to blue and green to yellow as it heals. After 1 month, it should fully subside.
You can manage pain with pain meds while cold compresses can help with swelling and bruising. Don’t apply a cold compress directly on your incision site.
We will go more into detail about how to manage symptoms and have a safer and faster recovery later on.
Don'ts After Eyelid Surgery
Here are some of the most common don’ts after eyelid surgery:
- Avoid rubbing your eyes: This can irritate the healing tissues and potentially cause complications
- No heavy lifting or strenuous exercise: These activities can increase blood pressure and swelling
- Skip makeup: Using makeup too soon can irritate the surgical area and delay healing
- Avoid direct sun exposure: Sun can cause scarring or pigmentation changes; always wear sunglasses and a hat
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol: Both can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of complications
- Don’t wear contact lenses: Stick to glasses until your surgeon gives the all-clear
- Avoid swimming: Chlorine and bacteria in water can increase the risk of infection
Of course, as is the case with every type of post-op recovery, it all depends from case to case. Only your surgeon will be able to give you exact instructions.
Incisional Vs. Non-Incisional
Depending on which eyelid surgery methods your surgeon used, your recovery after the surgery might differ a bit.
If you had incisional eyelid surgery then recovery might take a bit longer compared to the non-incisional method. The swelling might be a bit more apparent and so can bruising.
However, both methods have their pros and cons, so don’t pick solely based on possible recovery. Results will also vary depending on which method was used.
We go a bit more into detail about the methods for eyelid surgery in our guide to double eyelid surgery in Korea.
Is Eyelid Surgery Recovery Different In Korea
Short answer, not really. However, Korean surgeons use techniques that aim to lower the overall recovery time and possible scarring.
They tend to use special suture techniques that minimize any scarring and help your incision site heal faster.
So you might recover a bit faster if you had eyelid surgery in Korea because of the special tecnhiques. However, this is not a guarantee as full recovery can still take a few months.
Nevertheless, the biggest difference in eyelid surgery recovery is that if you have it in Korea, well you have to stay in Korea for a few days.
We don’t recommend flying home straight from the surgery, so you will have to recover in Korea for a while.
This might be scary since you are in a foreign country after all. One thing that patients tend to do is bring a friend or partner with them. It can help you a lot.
You also have to take into account, that you will have to pay for accommodation, food, transport, etc. There will be no freebies.
On the plus side, Korean clinics spend a lot of money on great recovery plans. And since Korea is a popular destination for plastic surgery, their care is internationally friendly.
The best thing you can do to prepare for it is to plan ahead, ask the clinic about their recovery plans, book a place near the clinic, etc.
You might have to pay extra for additional treatments, but the essential post-op care is always included in the price.
What To Do In Korea During Eyelid Surgery Recovery
We recommend you stay in Korea for a minimum of 7 days after your eyelid surgery. This goes for all types including surgeries like ptosis correction, upper/lower blepharoplasty, etc.
The reason for this minimum is that 7 days is usually enough for you to have your stitches out and for your eyelids to heal well enough for you to travel.
The two most important things you can do during this time is to relax and to have follow-up appointments,
Relax
Relaxing is one of the most important things you can do during your recovery after eyelid surgery in Korea.
Now this doesn’t mean to lay in bed all the time. This means that you do things that are fun and not too exhausting. Koreans are used to people recovering after plastic surgery, so no need to worry about that.
One thing that we recommend the most is walking. It’s a great way for you to speed up recovery a bit.
Since Seoul is a big city, you probably won’t be able to walk everywhere but try do to it as much as possible.
A great walking route is the Cheonggyecheon Stream, which runs through Seoul, It’s 11km long and a perfect walk through the city after your surgery
Some other things you can do while recovering are shopping, sightseeing, window shopping, trying new foods, etc. You can find a few suggestions here.
Take it easy, go out for walks, don’t do anything too exhausting, and relax during your recovery.
Follow-Ups
We’ll be short here. Having follow-up appointments after your eyelid surgery is very important.
We suggest you have at least 1 follow-up. This is without the one you need to have for your stitches to get removed.
Follow-ups are the only way your surgeons can see the progress of your recovery and for you to ask questions after the surgery. Usually, they are included in the price but ask around first.
Of course, after you leave Korea, you can have follow-ups with your selected doctor. This is so they can check any worrying symptoms and see if everything is healing well.
Another thing you can do is have online appointments with your Korean surgeon. Most clinics offer them and are either free or cost a bit.
6 Tips For A Faster Eyelid Surgery Recovery In Korea
The biggest advice we can give regarding recovery after eyelid surgery is to be very patient and don’t rush anything. It takes time for your results to settle and your body to heal.
However, the good news is that you can do a few things to shave off a few days of your recovery. Here are our suggestions:
Get Cool And Use Cold Compresses
This doesn’t mean to always use ice packs, cold compresses, etc. It simply means to avoid being warm as much as possible.
This means no hot showers, no extreme sun exposure, no extended hot baths, no saunas, etc.
You can also relieve your swelling and bruising by using cold compresses. Wrap a towel around the ice and place it on your incision site. Never place it directly on your skin.
Allow Eyes To Rest
Take time off work, let someone else drive you around, avoid bright lights and extra sunny days, etc. Your eyes will thank you if you do all this.
Also, sleep a lot, since your body recovers extremely well when sleeping. If you go out, wear sunglasses and a cap if possible.
Sleep In A Certain Position
After eyelid surgery, it’s important to sleep on your back with your head elevated for at least 3-4 weeks. This helps reduce swelling and speeds up recovery.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as it can accidentally harm the healing incisions.
Keeping Clean And Eating Healthy
It’s important to keep the incision area clean and free of anything that could irritate it.
Eating a healthy diet can also help your body get the nutrients it needs to heal. Staying hydrated is also key, so drink plenty of fluids.
You will get instructions on how to keep your incisions clean and a list of foods to avoid and to eat more. Follow them as best as you can.
Wear Sunglasses And Sunscreen
For about 1-2 weeks your eyes will be very sensitive to light. It can cause pain, irritation, and redness. We recommend you wear large polarized glasses, that can protect your eyes from the sun.
Too much sun can interfere with your eyelid healing. It may cause scars to become thicker and darker.
To avoid this, apply sunblock once your incisions are healed and keep doing so for 1-3 months after your eyelid surgery. This will help your eyelids heal without issues.
Avoid Touching Your Eyes
Avoid any unnecessary contact with your eyes. It might be annoying for the first few days since the discomfort can cause an urge to scratch.
Do anything to avoid it, since it can cause issues that will only make your recovery process longer than it needs to be.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best thing you can do for your recovery after eyelid surgery is to be patient. Time heals everything, so don’t rush anything and wait for your results to settle in.
It can take a few months to fully heal after eyelid surgery. During this time, it’s important you follow your surgeon’s instructions and our tips for a better recovery.
Since you will be recovering in Korea for the first few days, remember to take it easy and if you can, have a friend or your partner come with you. It can make the process much more bearable.
We hope you found all the information you were looking for in this guide.
If you have any questions, feel free to send us a message at info@seoul.clinic. We have tons of experience with recovering after plastic surgery in Korea and will get you an answer in 48 hours!
FAQ
How long does it take to recover from eyelid surgery in Korea?
The beginning stages of healing can take around 7-10 days. This is also how much time we recommend you spend in Korea after eyelid surgery.
However, it can take 2-3 months to fully recover and for your results to settle in, so be patient.
How long should you rest for after eyelid surgery?
You should rest at least for a few days after eyelid surgery. Most people return to usual activities after 10-14 days.
However, this depends from case to case, since not everyone will feel comfortable enough after a certain time. We do, however, recommend going out for walks as much as possible.
Is it okay to cry after eyelid surgery?
We suggest you avoid crying during the first few weeks after eyelid surgery. Tears can disrupt the healing process and prolong recovery.
Other things that increase blood flow to your eyes are also not a good choice, such as heavy lifting, running, sports, bending over excessively, etc.
How long to stay in Korea after plastic surgery?
Usually, we recommend you stay in Korea for at least 7-10 days after plastic surgery. This is for follow-up appointments, stitches removal, post-op care, etc.
However, this depends from surgery to surgery.
More complex surgeries like a tummy tuck or double jaw surgery, require a longer stay compared to simple procedures like thread lift, fillers, etc.