Eyelid surgery refreshes the eyes and improves your overall facial aesthetic. It is designed to improve the area around the eyes. Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin, fat, and muscle that lead to sagging upper eyelids. Lower eyelid surgery removes excess skin and either removes or repositions excess fat. Both surgeries leave your eyes smoother and more youthful-looking than before. One of the most important steps in the process is the recovery period. It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions after eyelid surgery. Many people wonder, when can you exercise after blepharoplasty? Below is helpful information on how to navigate the recovery process.
When Can You Exercise After Blepharoplasty?
Every healing timeline looks different, so it is important to stay patient. Your oculofacial plastic surgeon will help guide you through the process. This includes giving you a timeline and aftercare instructions. It is important to follow those exactly for the best results. It is also necessary to attend your follow-up visits. Your surgeon can assess your recovery and modify your timeline if necessary. The following timeline is accurate for the average patient. However, defer to your surgeon regarding movement after blepharoplasty.
The First Week After Surgery
During the first week, rest remains the top priority. Light walking around your home after the first few days can be helpful. This supports healthy circulation, which promotes optimal healing. Avoid any movement beyond light walking. This includes strenuous exercise. This also includes bending over, lifting objects, or any other activity that could raise your blood pressure. Keep your head elevated at all times, even when you sleep. This reduces swelling and bruising, which can make the process more comfortable.
Weeks Two and Three After Surgery
By the second and third weeks after surgery, you can implement more movement. Light walks outside and gentle stretching are helpful at this stage. Avoid any stretches that involve bending, twisting, or holding your breath. You should still avoid bending over during this stage. Anything that could raise your blood pressure or put pressure on your incisions is not advised. It is best to take things slow and allow full healing. This avoids unnecessary post-surgical risks. It also ensures you stay on your scheduled recovery timeline.
Four Weeks After Surgery
Most patients can exercise by the one-month mark after surgery. This includes moderate cardio exercise. Do not go back into your exercise routine quickly. Jumping back in as you did before can impact your results and healing. Gradually and gently increase your exercise routine. It is still important to be patient with your body as you get back into your full routine.
Six Weeks After Surgery
By the six-week mark after surgery, you should be able to resume full-intensity workouts. This includes weightlifting and running. Before doing this, be sure to get your surgeon’s clearance on your full workout plan. They can evaluate any residual swelling, incision healing, and your comfort. This is really important to ensure your long-term results after blepharoplasty.
Why You Cannot Exercise Right After Surgery
Many people want to get back to their routine right away. People get especially impatient around the two-week mark. You may feel great and want to get back into the swing of things. However, it is important to take it slow and be very patient. There are several important reasons why you need to avoid exercise.
Increased Swelling and Bruising
Strenuous activity raises your heart rate and blood pressure. This added pressure can worsen swelling around the eyes. This can also extend bruising beyond the one- to two-week window. Moving slowly and avoiding strenuous activity is necessary to ensure you stay on track with your treatment timeline.
Delayed Healing
Excessive movement and strain can pull at your healing incisions. This can slow down the closure process, which can increase your risk of visible scarring. Taking things slowly is necessary to ensure your long-term results.
Risk of Bleeding Under the Eyelids
Heavy lifting or intense cardio can cause blood vessels near your incisions to reopen. This increases the risk of bleeding beneath the skin. This is problematic as the skin under the eyes is delicate and susceptible to damage. If this occurs, the complication requires an additional visit to your surgeon.
Leading Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon
Taking care of yourself after eyelid surgery ensures optimal results. If you are interested in refreshing the look of your eyes, contact the team at Chicago Oculofacial Consultants today to schedule your consultation!
