What Are the Possible Side Effects of Eyelid Surgery? By Dr. Suzanne Yee on July 15, 2016

Close-up of a patient’s eye just prior to upper eyelid surgery Eyelid surgery is one of the most popular and transformative forms of facial plastic surgery available at the cosmetic and laser surgery center of Dr. Suzanne Yee. It also happens to be one of the safest and least invasive. Whether it is performed to rejuvenate the lower eyelids, the upper eyelids, or both, eyelid surgery - clinically known as blepharoplasty - is capable of producing dramatic effects while leaving few to none of the tell-tale signs that a patient has undergone plastic surgery.

Serious complications arising from eyelid surgery are extremely rare. However, no surgery is without its risks and side effects, and eyelid surgery is not an exception. Dr. Yee carefully details eyelid surgery side effects to patients during consultations at her Little Rock, AR plastic surgery practice so that they know precisely what to expect before committing to the procedure. While the majority of these side effects are minor and temporary, she wants her patients to be able to make the most educated and confident decisions possible regarding their plastic surgery treatment. She further puts them at ease by meticulously screening them before approving them for the procedure, ensuring that they are suitable candidates for eyelid surgery during the consultation phase and therefore unlikely to suffer any of the more serious possible complications.

Are you a good candidate for eyelid surgery? To find out, please schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Yee by contacting our plastic surgery practice today.

What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Eyelid Surgery?

Side effects are an inevitable part of undergoing any surgical procedure. Complications, on the other hand, can and should be rare when you entrust your procedure to a skilled, experienced surgeon such as Dr. Yee. This is not to say that you will experience all possible side effects or that you will be immune to all possible complications. That, unfortunately, is not how surgery works. However, by following the post-operative instructions that Dr. Yee provides to you diligently, you can help to ensure that any side effects that you do experience will be mild and temporary, and that your risk of complications will remain extremely low.

The most common side effects of eyelid surgery include:

Swelling: Swelling at the incision sites will almost certainly occur after your surgery; however, you can help to keep it to a minimum by gently applying cold compresses or iced pads to your eyes. You should also keep your head elevated at all times, including when you are asleep.
Blurred vision: This will be related to your swelling. As your swelling subsides, your vision will return to normal.
Discomfort: You shouldn’t experience severe pain after your eyelid surgery. Whatever discomfort you do experience should be managed reasonably well by the pain medication Dr. Yee will prescribe to you for use during your recovery period.
Difficulty closing your eyes: This will resolve itself as your eye area heals. In the meanwhile, it could interfere with your sleeping, unfortunately.