EN ▾
Most people feel ready to return to everyday routines and work about 10 to 14 days after eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): stitches usually come out within the first week, contact lenses and eye make-up typically wait around two weeks, and strenuous exercise waits two weeks or longer. Full recovery, including scar softening, usually takes a few months, and the exact timing varies with the technique, whether upper lids, lower lids or both were treated, and how your own skin heals.
This guide walks through eyelid surgery recovery week by week, focusing on the practical milestones patients ask about most: cold compresses, stitch removal, screens and reading, contact lenses, glasses, make-up, exercise, sun and scar care. It draws on published patient guidance from the NHS and other medical sources, and on the information on our procedure page. Your surgeon's written instructions always take priority over any general timeline.
Eyelid surgery recovery at a glance
The table summarises the usual pattern. Where sources give different ranges, we show the range rather than a single number.
| Period | Typical milestones | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0–2 | Same-day discharge in most cases, cold compresses, head raised, ointment and drops | Rest at the hotel; short walks are encouraged; screens kept brief |
| Days 3–7 | Swelling and bruising start to ease; removable stitches are usually taken out around days 5 to 7 | Daily checks in Istanbul; eyes may feel dry, gritty or watery |
| Week 2 | Most people feel ready for routine life and many return to desk work around days 10 to 14 | Glasses rather than contact lenses; eye make-up usually still on hold |
| Weeks 3–4 | Contact lenses and eye make-up are usually resumed; light exercise returns | More vigorous training is typically reintroduced gradually |
| Weeks 6–12 | Residual puffiness settles; scars are pink and may feel tight | Sun protection on the scars and sunglasses outdoors |
| Months 3–12 | Scars mature and fade; the eye area keeps refining | Final assessment of the result, usually by photo or video follow-up |
Swelling and bruising have their own timeline, which we cover in detail in how long swelling and bruising last after eyelid surgery. Below, we concentrate on what you can and cannot do in each phase.
Week 1: cold compresses, ointment and stitch removal
Blepharoplasty is usually a day-case procedure, so most patients go back to their hotel the same day. Our procedure page notes that when eyelid surgery is combined with a facelift, discharge is typically the next day. Patient guidance also recommends that someone accompanies you on the day of surgery and, ideally, stays with you for the first night or two.
Cold compresses and head position
Cold compresses are the main tool in the first days. Our procedure page advises applying them in roughly 20-minute intervals during the first 48 hours. A wrapped cold pack works well; never put ice directly on the eyelid skin. Keep your head raised on two or three pillows when resting and sleeping for the first several days, and avoid sleeping face down.
Ointment, drops and eye comfort
You will usually be given a lubricating or antibiotic ointment and artificial tears. Wash your hands before using them and do not let the tip of the tube or dropper touch your lashes. Dry, gritty, watery or light-sensitive eyes are common in the first weeks, and the NHS notes that eyelids may feel puffy, numb and hard to close at first. Do not rub or press on your eyes.
Screens and reading
Your eyes tire quickly in the first few days, and mildly blurred vision is common, partly because of the ointment. Limit reading, phone, computer and TV time for the first few days and build up gradually, taking regular breaks and using your drops. There is no strict ban; the aim is to avoid strain and dryness.
Stitches
Upper eyelid stitches are usually removed around days 5 to 7. If the lower lids were treated from the inside (the transconjunctival approach), dissolvable stitches are used and there is nothing to remove. In published guidance the range for removable stitches is roughly five to ten days, so your surgeon confirms the exact day at your check-up.
Showering and hair
You can usually shower from the day after surgery, keeping water, soap and shampoo out of your eyes, especially in the first week. Patient guidance suggests waiting around ten days before colouring your hair.
Week 2: glasses, work and social downtime
By the second week, most people feel well enough to return to their usual routine. The NHS notes that most people take about two weeks off work, depending on the job; desk-based work can often restart sooner than physically demanding work. Remaining bruising can usually be hidden with tinted glasses.
Glasses and contact lenses
Ordinary prescription glasses and sunglasses can be worn from the start, as long as the frames do not press on the incisions. Contact lenses are a different matter: inserting and removing them pulls on the eyelids and can irritate an already dry eye. Our procedure page advises waiting about two weeks, which matches other patient guidance; some surgeons ask you to wait longer, especially after lower lid surgery or if your eyes are still dry.
Eye make-up and creams
Eye make-up such as mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow is generally avoided until the incisions have healed. Our procedure page allows eye make-up one week after the stitches come out, and other guidance mentions about two weeks after surgery, so in practice this usually lands around the end of the second week. Start with new products to reduce the risk of infection, and remove make-up gently without pulling the lids. Foundation on the rest of the face is usually fine earlier, as long as it stays away from the incisions.
Bending, lifting and household tasks
Avoid bending over, heavy lifting and strenuous activity for about two weeks, because raised blood pressure can increase swelling and bleeding risk. Patient guidance also recommends avoiding swimming, hot tubs, gardening and dusting for one to two weeks to keep irritants and bacteria away from the incisions.
Weeks 3 to 6: exercise, flights and everyday life
Exercise
Walking is encouraged from the first day. Light exercise usually returns after about two weeks, once your surgeon has seen you. Our procedure page recommends waiting three to four weeks before brisk sport, weight training and swimming, while some published guidance allows earlier return after two weeks. Contact sports and anything with a risk of a blow to the face should wait until your surgeon clears you. If an activity causes throbbing or increased swelling around the eyes, scale back for a few days.
Flying home
Our procedure page notes that you can fly once the stitches have been removed, which is why a stay of about five to seven days in Istanbul is suggested for eyelid surgery alone; this changes if a brow lift or facelift is added. Cabin air is dry, so use your artificial tears during the flight and keep sunglasses to hand. Our guide to how many days to stay in Turkey for facelift and eyelid surgery explains how to plan the trip.
Driving
The NHS says you should not drive for a number of days after surgery. In practice, you need clear vision, eyes that are not watering heavily and no sedating pain medication. Ask your surgeon before you drive.
Months 2 to 12: sun protection and scar maturation
Eyelid scars heal well in most people because the skin is thin, but they go through phases. In the first weeks the incision lines look pink; for the following few months they may feel slightly firm or tight. The NHS notes that scars should eventually fade until they are almost invisible. Upper lid scars sit in the natural crease, and inside-the-lid lower lid incisions leave no visible scar at all.
Sun exposure can darken healing scars. Our procedure page recommends sunglasses and a high-factor sunscreen for six to eight weeks, and some guidance suggests wearing sunglasses on bright days for up to a year. Keep sunscreen away from the lash line and use a product your surgeon approves.
Patient guidance describes full recovery as taking a few months, with the eye area continuing to improve for one to three months and subtle refinements possible after that. This is why the final result is assessed at follow-up rather than in the first weeks. Our upper vs lower blepharoplasty guide explains how the procedure choice affects which incisions you will have.
What can slow recovery
A few factors are known to make healing slower or bruising heavier:
- Smoking and nicotine: reduce blood flow to the thin eyelid skin. See our article on smoking, alcohol and blood thinners before plastic surgery.
- Blood-thinning medication and supplements: stop them only as agreed with your doctor, never on your own.
- Combined procedures: adding a brow lift or facelift extends recovery. Our brow lift guide explains when the two are planned together.
- Dry eye and other eye conditions: existing dry eye, thyroid eye disease or glaucoma affect planning and aftercare and are assessed before surgery.
Risks and warning signs
Like any operation, blepharoplasty carries risks. Published sources list bleeding, infection, dry eyes, temporary blurred or double vision, asymmetry, noticeable scarring, changes in eyelid sensation and difficulty closing the eyes. Less commonly, the lower lid can turn outwards (ectropion), and rare serious complications include bleeding behind the eye and vision loss. Some people need a further operation to achieve the intended result.
Contact your surgical team immediately if you notice:
- Severe or worsening pain, especially pain that does not respond to the medication you were given
- Sudden swelling of one eye, bleeding or a tense, bulging eye
- Any change in vision
- Pus, discharge, spreading redness, warmth or fever
- An incision that opens or a stitch that comes loose
- Calf pain or swelling, chest pain or shortness of breath
How the recovery fits a stay in Istanbul
Op. Dr. Göktuğ Esmer offers face-to-face or online consultation and tailored surgical planning before you travel. Surgery takes place in a fully equipped hospital with anaesthesia and intensive care backup, and during your stay in Istanbul you have daily checks until the stitches are removed. After you return home, follow-up continues by WhatsApp and video calls, and a coordinator is reachable 24/7. More on the logistics is on our international patients page.
If you are considering eyelid surgery and want to know how this timeline would apply to you, send your photos and medical history via WhatsApp for an assessment, or reach us through our contact page.
Sources
The general information in this article is supported by the organisations and publications below.
- Eyelid surgery (NHS)
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery): Details & Recovery (Cleveland Clinic)
- Eyelid Surgery: What to Expect at Home (Kaiser Permanente)
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I go back to work after eyelid surgery?
Most people feel ready to return to work about 10 to 14 days after surgery. Desk-based work can often restart sooner than physically demanding work; your surgeon confirms the timing for you.
When are eyelid stitches removed?
Upper eyelid stitches are usually removed around days 5 to 7. If the lower lids were treated from the inside, dissolvable stitches are used and there is nothing to remove.
When can I wear contact lenses after blepharoplasty?
Usually after about two weeks. Your surgeon may ask you to wait longer if your eyes are still dry or after lower lid surgery; glasses can be worn in the meantime.
When can I wear eye make-up again?
Once the incisions have healed, which in practice is usually around the end of the second week. Use new products and remove make-up gently without pulling the lids.
Can I look at my phone or computer after eyelid surgery?
Yes, but keep screen time short for the first few days. Your eyes tire and dry out easily, so take frequent breaks, use artificial tears and build up gradually.
When can I exercise after eyelid surgery?
Walking is encouraged from day one. Light exercise usually returns around two weeks, while brisk sport, weights and swimming typically wait three to four weeks, subject to your surgeon's approval.