Blepharoplasty Day 1: What to Expect

General information about typical recovery, not medical advice. Every eye and every surgery is different, and your surgeon's instructions override anything on this page. Read our full disclaimer.

Day 1 is usually the ugliest-feeling day even though it is not always the most swollen. The lids feel tight and heavy, the skin around the eyes is pink to dusky red, and any bruise that is going to show is just starting to darken. Vision is often smeary. That is mostly the antibiotic ointment sitting on the surface of the eye, which StatPearls flags as an expected cause of blurry vision after eyelid surgery.

Pain is usually mild. ASOPRS notes that discomfort after eyelid surgery is generally mild and is managed with non-aspirin pain relievers. Sharp, deep, worsening pain behind the eye is different and is covered in the warning signs below.

The main job today is cold and elevation. StatPearls guidance after upper blepharoplasty is to ice the eyelids on and off for the first 24 hours and to sleep with the head up for two nights. For lower lid surgery done from the inside, StatPearls advises icing on and off for the first 24 to 48 hours and sleeping on 2 to 3 pillows for the first 2 to 3 nights.

Usually normal at this stage

tight, heavy eyelids
blurry or smeary vision from ointment
pink to dusky red bruising starting to show
watery or dry, gritty eyes
mild ache rather than sharp pain
trouble closing the eye all the way because of swelling

Still off-limits

ice on and off as your surgeon directs
sleep with your head elevated
no lifting, bending, or straining
no eye makeup
no rubbing or pulling on the lids
avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood thinners unless your surgeon approved them

Call your surgeon now if you notice any of these

Sudden severe pain in or behind the eye, especially with swelling that keeps getting worse. AAO states that severe pain, decreased vision, and progressive swelling may represent retrobulbar hemorrhage and should be brought to immediate medical attention. Go to an emergency room now.
The eye pushing forward or bulging, or lids so tight and swollen you cannot open them. Proptosis is a documented sign of retrobulbar hemorrhage, which EyeWiki describes as a rapidly progressive, sight-threatening emergency.
Any decrease or loss of vision, or vision getting worse over hours instead of better. Loss of vision is listed by AAO among the possible complications of eyelid surgery, and EyeWiki notes intervention for retrobulbar hemorrhage needs to happen within about 2 hours of onset.
Nausea and vomiting together with eye pain and pressure. StatPearls lists pain, proptosis, nausea, vomiting, and reduced vision as the presentation of retrobulbar hemorrhage, which it calls a surgical emergency.
New double vision. Double vision is listed among the complications of lower eyelid and transconjunctival blepharoplasty by StatPearls. Call your surgeon the same day.
Signs of infection: spreading redness, warmth, increasing swelling after the first few days, yellow or green discharge, or fever. Infection is listed by AAO among the possible complications of eyelid surgery.
Bleeding from an incision that does not stop with gentle steady pressure, or a firm lump under the skin that is growing quickly.
Not being able to close the eye fully once the early swelling has gone down, or an eye that feels raw, painful, and very light sensitive. Early incomplete closure is common and usually resolves within days per StatPearls, so closure that is not improving needs to be checked.
Any wound that opens or separates, or a suture that has come loose and is scratching the eye.

These warning signs after blepharoplasty can point to problems that need same-day care. Do not wait for your next scheduled visit. If you cannot reach your surgeon's office, use their on-call line, or go to an emergency room.

Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology; American Academy of Ophthalmology (EyeWiki); StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf

Sources

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Eye and Brow Lift American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Accessed 2026-08-25.
How To Use Cosmetics Safely Around Your Eyes American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.

Blepharoplasty Day 1: What to Expect

Usually normal at this stage

Still off-limits

More on blepharoplasty recovery

Sources