Upper Blepharoplasty Recovery in London: Swelling, Stitches and Screen Time

TL;DR. Recovery from upper blepharoplasty usually follows a fairly predictable pattern of swelling, bruising and stitch removal over the first one to two weeks, with subtler settling over several months, and planning ahead for screens, work and rest tends to make that time far easier.

Upper eyelid surgery is a relatively short procedure, but the recovery is what most people actually live with, and it often shapes how they feel about the decision. This guide is deliberately practical. It walks through what typically happens in the days and weeks after an upper blepharoplasty and covers the questions we hear most often in clinic in Kensington: when the stitches come out, how much bruising to expect, when you can look at a laptop again and when it is reasonable to go back to work.

If you are still deciding whether surgery is the right route, our broader guide to eyelid surgery in London covers candidacy and technique, and our comparison of tear trough filler versus blepharoplasty may help if your main concern is under the eyes. You can read about the procedure itself on our upper blepharoplasty treatment page. Here, we focus on recovery.

Why recovery deserves its own plan

The skin of the upper eyelid is among the thinnest on the body. It tends to heal well, but it sits in the middle of your face, it moves every time you blink, and it is the first place people look when they talk to you. That combination means that even a straightforward recovery can feel more visible and more emotionally charged than recovery from surgery elsewhere.

Everyone heals differently. How you recover depends on factors including your age, skin quality, general health, blood pressure, whether you smoke, the medicines and supplements you take, and whether the upper eyelids are treated on their own or alongside other procedures. The timeline in this article is a general picture of what is common, not a prediction of what will happen to you. Your surgeon's written aftercare instructions always take priority over anything you read online, including here.

It is also worth being clear about who should pause before booking. Upper blepharoplasty may not be suitable, or may need to be delayed, if you have significant dry eye disease, active thyroid eye disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure or a bleeding disorder. Some people who feel their eyelids are heavy actually have a lowered brow, in which case removing eyelid skin alone may not address the concern. Others have ptosis, where the muscle that lifts the eyelid is weakened, which is a different problem from excess skin. A careful doctor-led assessment is there to separate these. Practically, if you cannot take a week or two away from work, social commitments or important events, it may be better to wait.

Before the day: setting yourself up for an easier recovery

Much of the comfort of the first week is decided before you arrive. Arrange for a responsible adult to take you home and, ideally, stay with you for the first evening. You should not drive yourself home, and you may not be able to drive for some days afterwards.

At home, it helps to have:

• Extra pillows or a wedge so you can sleep with your head raised for the first few nights.
• Clean gel packs or bags of frozen peas, plus soft clean cloths to wrap them in. Ice should never sit directly on the eyelids.
• Any lubricating drops or ointment your surgeon recommends, bought in advance.
• Sunglasses for glare, wind and a little privacy outdoors.
• Button-up or zip-up tops so you are not pulling clothing over your face.
• Audiobooks, podcasts or music downloaded in advance, because screens and reading may be uncomfortable at first.

Tell us about every medicine and supplement you take, including over-the-counter products. Blood thinners, some anti-inflammatory painkillers and supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo and garlic can affect bleeding and bruising. Please do not stop any prescribed medicine on your own; some need to be managed with input from the doctor who prescribed them. If you smoke or vape nicotine, stopping well before and after surgery supports wound healing, and we will talk this through honestly with you.

Consent at KCC is a conversation, not just a form. You will have time to ask questions, take information home and reflect before committing. We are introducing HonestFace, our own iPad app for digital consultation forms, consent signing and secure patient records, so in future some of this paperwork may be completed digitally, but the discussion with your doctor remains the important part.

The first 48 hours: cold compresses, rest and what is normal

Upper blepharoplasty is often carried out under local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation, and your surgeon will explain which approach is planned for you. As the anaesthetic wears off, most people describe tightness, aching or stinging rather than sharp pain. Simple pain relief, as advised, is usually enough. If it is not, tell us rather than tolerating it quietly.

Swelling usually builds over the first day or two and often peaks around the second or third day. This catches people out: you may look better on the evening of surgery than you do two days later, and that is normal. Gentle cold compresses, used on and off as instructed during the first 48 hours, can help with comfort and swelling. Keep your head elevated, including when sleeping, and avoid bending, lifting or straining, all of which push more blood towards the face.

Other things that are common in the first couple of days include:

• Watery eyes or, paradoxically, eyes that feel dry and gritty.
• Blurred vision, often from protective ointment rather than a problem with the eye itself.
• A little oozing or blood-tinged moisture along the wound.
• Difficulty closing the eyes completely for a short time, especially when asleep.
• Sensitivity to light and wind.

Do not rub your eyes, however itchy they feel. Pat, do not wipe.

Some symptoms should never be waited out. Contact the clinic immediately, or go to your nearest A&E if you cannot reach us, if you notice severe or rapidly worsening pain, a sudden change in or loss of vision, one eye becoming very swollen, tense or pushed forward, or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure. These can signal a collection of blood around the eye, which is uncommon but needs urgent assessment. You will be given contact details before you leave, and we would always rather you called about something that turns out to be minor.

Days 3 to 7: bruising, stitches and the removal appointment

From around the third day, swelling generally starts to ease. Bruising, however, tends to move. It commonly tracks downwards with gravity into the lower eyelids or upper cheeks, changing from purple to green and yellow as it fades. Some people bruise very little, others more noticeably, and it does not necessarily say anything about how well the surgery went.

The incision usually sits within or close to the natural crease of the upper eyelid and may extend slightly beyond the outer corner. In the first week it will look like a fine line with stitches along it, possibly pink, slightly raised or crusted. Keep the area clean exactly as your surgeon advises, usually by gently removing crusts and applying any prescribed ointment. Avoid getting shower water, shampoo or soap directly on the eyelids; many patients find it easiest to wash their hair leaning backwards.

Depending on the technique, stitches are either removed or dissolve. Where removable stitches are used, they are commonly taken out at around five to seven days, though your surgeon will set the timing. The appointment at our clinic in Kensington is usually brief, and most people describe a tugging or tickling sensation rather than pain. The wound line may look a little more obvious for a day or two afterwards.

It is also very common for the two sides to look different at this stage. One eyelid may swell more, sit higher or feel tighter. Early asymmetry is usually down to uneven swelling and is not something to judge in the first weeks. If you are worried, raise it at your review rather than examining every angle in the mirror.

Screen time, reading and dry eyes

This is one of the questions we are asked most, and for good reason. Many of our patients in London work at screens for most of the day, and the idea of a week away from a laptop can feel more daunting than the surgery itself.

There is no single rule for everyone, but it helps to understand why screens can be uncomfortable. When you concentrate on a screen, you blink less often and less completely. After eyelid surgery, the lids may temporarily not close as fully as usual, and the surface of the eye can dry out more quickly. Add swelling, ointment and light sensitivity, and long sessions can leave your eyes gritty, tired and watery.

For the first day or two, most people are better off resting with their eyes closed and relying on audio. After that, short, gentle screen use is generally reasonable if it feels comfortable. Practical steps that help include:

• Keeping sessions short and taking regular breaks to close your eyes.
• Using the 20-20-20 habit: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for around 20 seconds.
• Making a conscious effort to blink fully.
• Lowering screen brightness and enlarging text so you are not squinting.
• Avoiding fans, air conditioning or heaters blowing at your face.
• Using lubricating drops as recommended by your surgeon.

If your work is desk-based and can be done from home, some people feel able to manage light work within roughly a week, while others prefer longer. Bear in mind that video calls will show bruising. Glasses can usually be worn if the frames do not press on the wounds, but contact lenses should wait, as covered below.

Dryness is usually temporary, but if your eyes feel increasingly painful, red or blurry despite following advice, or a history of dry eye seems to be worsening, please let us know early.

Weeks 2 to 6: work, make-up, contact lenses and exercise

By the second week, many people feel much more like themselves. Visible bruising has often faded or can be covered on the cheeks, although the eyelids may still look slightly swollen and the scar will still be pink. Everyday life returns, but in stages.

Work. People in desk-based roles often return after around a week to ten days, while those in customer-facing roles may prefer two weeks. Jobs involving heavy lifting, dust, chemicals or physical exertion usually need longer, and your surgeon will advise.

Make-up. Nothing should go on the eyelids or near the incision until the wound has healed and your surgeon agrees, often around two weeks. When you restart, use fresh products and clean brushes, because old mascara and eyeshadow can harbour bacteria.

Contact lenses. Inserting and removing lenses involves pulling on the eyelids, and the eye surface may still be drier than normal. Most people are advised to wait around two weeks, or until their surgeon is satisfied and the eyes feel comfortable. Keep an up-to-date pair of glasses ready.

Exercise. Gentle walking is encouraged from early on. Anything that raises your heart rate significantly or involves heavy lifting, straining or inverted positions, such as running, weight training or certain yoga poses, is usually avoided for around three to four weeks. Swimming is typically delayed until the wounds have fully healed, to reduce the risk of infection.

Other treatments. Lash extensions, lash lifts, brow tinting and any injectable or laser treatment near the eyes should wait until your surgeon is happy.

Sun and alcohol. Alcohol can increase swelling, so keeping it to a minimum in the early weeks is sensible. Sunglasses and a hat help protect a healing scar, even on bright London days that do not feel particularly sunny.

The longer view: scars, settling and when to call us

Most obvious swelling has typically settled by around four to six weeks, but subtle swelling can linger, particularly in the morning or after a salty meal, a late night or a long flight. The eyelids continue to refine gradually over several months.

The scar goes through its own process. Early on it is often pink and may feel firm or slightly lumpy. Over roughly six to twelve months, scars generally soften and fade, although this varies between individuals and no one can promise an invisible scar. Your surgeon may suggest gentle scar massage or a silicone product once the wound has healed. Protecting the scar from the sun matters, as ultraviolet light can darken a healing scar.

Being honest about risk is part of informed consent. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, persistent dry or irritated eyes, difficulty closing the eyes fully, a more visible scar than hoped, small white cysts called milia along the incision, removal of too much or too little skin, changes in sensation and, rarely, effects on vision. Some people need a minor revision procedure. Your surgeon will explain how these risks apply to you personally.

Follow-up appointments are part of recovery, not an optional extra. Between them, call us if you notice increasing redness, warmth, discharge or pain around the wound, a fever, a wound that opens, eyes that stay very dry or uncomfortable, or anything that simply does not feel right.

Upper blepharoplasty addresses excess upper eyelid skin and sometimes fat. It does not change skin texture, a lowered brow, under-eye hollows or pigmentation. Some people later explore options such as skin resurfacing or dermal fillers for those separate concerns, but only once healing is complete and after a separate consultation.

Booking your consultation

If you are considering upper eyelid surgery, the most useful first step is an unhurried, doctor-led consultation at our clinic in Kensington, London. We will take a full medical history, including eye health, dry eye, thyroid conditions and medicines. We will examine your eyelids and brow position, talk about what is bothering you and explain whether upper blepharoplasty is likely to help, or whether a different approach, or no treatment, might suit you better. Sometimes the honest answer is to wait or not to proceed, and we will say so.

KCC was founded by our Medical Director, Dr Hassan Soueid, a GMC-registered doctor. Procedures are performed by Dr Hassan Soueid or one of our qualified surgeons, and you will know who is responsible for your care before you commit. The clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission.

It helps to bring a list of your medicines and supplements, your glasses or recent optician details, and a realistic idea of the time you can take away from work. We will build your recovery plan around your life, including screen-heavy work. There is no pressure to decide on the day.

When you are ready, you can book a consultation online or contact our team in Kensington to arrange a time that suits you.