What Not to Do After Eyelid Surgery: The Biggest Mistakes to Avoid?
By Stephen E. Metzinger, MD, MSPH, FACS, triple board-certified plastic surgeon, Aesthetic Surgical Associates, Metairie, LA. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer: After eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), do not rub your eyes, bend over, lift anything heavy, exercise hard, smoke, drink alcohol, sleep flat, or wear eye makeup or contact lenses until your surgeon clears you. Most of these limits last 1–2 weeks; makeup and contacts usually wait about a month.
Key takeaways
- Bruising and swelling peak around 48 hours after surgery, so the first two days need the strictest rest, head elevated on several pillows.
- Stitches come out at day 4–7. Most patients return to desk work within 7 days.
- Most swelling and discoloration clears within 2 weeks; eye makeup and contacts wait about one month.
- Smoking is off-limits for at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery.
- Final results show at about 2 months; scars keep fading for up to 6 months.
Eyelid surgery recovery timeline at a glance
| Time after surgery | What is normal | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0–2 | Tight, dry or scratchy eyes from ointment; mild pain; bruising and swelling peak at ~48 hours | Lying flat, bending, rubbing, screens for long stretches, alcohol, smoking |
| Day 4–7 | Stitches removed; eyes open fully again; vision back to normal | Exercise, heavy lifting, swimming, eye makeup |
| Week 2–4 | Most swelling and color gone; incision lines start to fade | Contact lenses and eye makeup until cleared (about 1 month); direct sun on incisions |
| Month 2–6 | Final shape visible at ~2 months; scars mature by ~6 months | Sun on scars without SPF |
Timeline from Dr. Metzinger’s blepharoplasty recovery protocol. Your own plan may differ; follow your post-op instructions.
Before & after: real Aesthetic Surgical Associates eyelid patients
See how upper and lower blepharoplasty heals in Dr. Metzinger’s own patients in our blepharoplasty before and after gallery (cases 1 and 2 show the result after swelling has resolved).
Dr. Metzinger’s own patients. Individual results vary.
1. Don't rub, press or touch your eyes
Rubbing your eyes in the first two weeks can open the incision, increase bruising and introduce bacteria. Itching is a normal sign of healing. Use the eye drops or ointment you were given and cold compresses instead, and wash your hands before touching anywhere near the lids.
2. Don't sleep flat or on your side
Sleep on your back with your head raised on two or three pillows (or in a recliner) for the first week. Elevation drains fluid away from the eyes, which is why swelling falls faster in patients who keep their head up. Side sleeping presses the healing lids into the pillow.
3. Don't bend over or lift anything heavy
Bending, straining and lifting more than about 10 pounds raise pressure in the face and can trigger bleeding or more swelling. Squat with a straight back to pick things up, and have someone else carry groceries, laundry and children for the first 1–2 weeks.
4. Don't exercise until you are cleared
Walking is encouraged from day one; running, weights, yoga inversions and hot classes are not. Most patients resume light exercise after about 2 weeks and full workouts once Dr. Metzinger clears them, usually by week 3–4.
5. Don't skip your eye drops or cold compresses
Dry eye is the most common short-term complaint after blepharoplasty. Lubricating drops and ointment protect the surface of the eye while the lids settle. Cold compresses in the first 48 hours keep swelling down.
6. Can you watch TV or use your phone after eyelid surgery?
Yes, in short sessions. Long stretches of screen time reduce blinking, which dries the eyes and makes them feel gritty. For the first few days, rest your eyes every 20–30 minutes and use your drops. Reading can feel tiring for the same reason.
7. Don't wear makeup or contact lenses too soon
Eye makeup and contact lenses usually wait about one month. Makeup can carry bacteria into fresh incisions, and inserting contacts pulls on the healing lid. Wear glasses until you are cleared.
8. Don't go into the sun or heat without protection
UV exposure can darken new scars permanently, and heat (saunas, hot tubs, hot showers on the face) increases swelling. Wear dark wraparound sunglasses outdoors and use SPF on the incisions once they are fully closed.
9. Don't smoke or drink alcohol
Smoking narrows blood vessels and slows healing, so Dr. Metzinger asks patients to stop for at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. Alcohol thins the blood and adds to swelling and bruising; avoid it while you are taking pain medication and for the first week.
10. Don't miss your follow-up visits
Your stitches come out at day 4–7, and that visit is also when we check lid position and dryness. Call the office the same day if you notice anything in the “when to call” list below.
What happens if you don't follow the instructions?
Most problems after blepharoplasty are minor and temporary, but poor aftercare raises the risk of prolonged swelling, a bleed under the skin (hematoma), infection, widened or darker scars and dry eye that lasts longer. These are also the most common complications listed by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
When to call your surgeon right away
- Sudden, severe pain or swelling in one eye
- Any change or loss of vision
- Bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
- Fever, increasing redness, warmth or discharge from an incision
- Shortness of breath or chest pain (call 911)
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to recover from upper eyelid surgery?
Keep your head elevated, use cold compresses for the first 48 hours, use your eye drops, walk gently every day and avoid smoking, alcohol and bending. Most patients look presentable at about 2 weeks.
How long do I have to sleep sitting up after blepharoplasty?
Sleep with your head raised on several pillows for about the first week, until most swelling has gone down.
When can I drive after eyelid surgery?
Not on the day of surgery, and only once you are off prescription pain medication and can see clearly without blurring from ointment, usually after several days.
When can I wear makeup and contacts after eyelid surgery?
Usually after about one month, once Dr. Metzinger confirms the incisions have healed.
What is the most common complication of blepharoplasty?
Temporary dry or irritated eyes. Bleeding, infection and changes in eyelid position are less common and are why follow-up visits matter.
Book a consultation in Metairie
Considering eyelid surgery in Metairie or New Orleans? Learn more about blepharoplasty at Aesthetic Surgical Associates or book a consultation.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Eyelid surgery recovery
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, What is blepharoplasty?
About the Author
Dr. Stephen E. Metzinger
A Metairie, LA native, Dr. Metzinger is renowned for his exceptional expertise, precision, and dedication to the art and science of plastic surgery. His commitment to delivering transformative results while maintaining the highest standards of patient care has solidified his reputation as a trusted surgeon in the community and beyond.
