Dr. Forest S. Roth advises patients to expect the most pronounced swelling and bruising in the first 5–7 days post-blepharoplasty. Cold compresses during the first 48 hours and keeping the head elevated reduce swelling. Most patients are comfortable in public — with sunglasses or light makeup over healed incisions — within 10–14 days. Reading, screens, and close work should be limited in the first few days as the eyes fatigue more easily during initial healing.

Upper blepharoplasty incisions are placed within the natural eyelid crease, making them invisible when the eye is open and practically undetectable when healed. Lower blepharoplasty incisions are placed just below the lower lash line — where they blend with the natural skin texture — or, for patients with fat but minimal skin excess, entirely inside the lower eyelid (transconjunctival) with no external incision. Dr. Roth selects the approach best suited to each patient's anatomy.

Most patients treated by Dr. Forest S. Roth, MD, FACS can resume wearing makeup around 10–14 days post-operatively, once incisions are sufficiently healed and any sutures have been removed. Applying makeup directly on incision lines should wait until the skin is fully closed. Dr. Roth's post-operative instructions include specific timing guidance individualized to each patient's healing progress.

Blepharoplasty results are long-lasting. Upper eyelid surgery typically maintains its improvement for 5–10 years or more before the natural aging process causes the eyelid skin to gradually descend again. Lower blepharoplasty results are similarly durable. Dr. Forest S. Roth advises patients that while the surgery does not stop aging, the improvement is significant and many patients never require a repeat procedure.

In some cases, upper blepharoplasty can measurably improve vision when excess upper eyelid skin has descended far enough to obstruct the superior visual field. When this functional impairment is documented, the upper eyelid portion of the surgery may qualify for insurance coverage as a medically necessary procedure. Dr. Forest S. Roth evaluates each patient for functional visual obstruction during the initial consultation and can provide the necessary documentation for insurance review when appropriate.

Upper and lower blepharoplasty address different eyelid concerns. Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin — and sometimes fat — from the upper eyelid, correcting hooding, heaviness, and in some patients functional vision obstruction. Dr. Forest S. Roth places the incision in the natural upper lid crease so it is invisible when the eye is open. Lower blepharoplasty removes or repositions fat causing under-eye bags and tightens lower eyelid skin. The incision is placed below the lower lash line or entirely inside the eyelid for patients with fat but minimal skin excess. Many patients elect to have both upper and lower blepharoplasty in a single session for comprehensive eye rejuvenation.