Ptosis is when one or both upper eyelids droop lower than normal. You may look tired, sleepy or even angry, even when you feel fine.
In some cases, a drooping lid can block your vision and make daily tasks like reading or driving harder. Ptosis surgery can lift your eyelid to its proper position. Read more on this page: https://www.artisanplasticsurgery.sg/procedures/ptosis.
During ptosis surgery, a surgeon will tighten or shorten the muscle (levator) that raises your lid. The procedure takes one to two hours under local or general anaesthesia and you can always go home the same day.
Once your surgeon has lifted the lid, you will wear a light dressing or shield for a day or two. You may experience mild pain, bruising and swelling which are normal at first. Your surgeon will give you eye drops or ointment to ease any discomfort.
When Will My Eyes Look Normal After Ptosis Surgery?
After ptosis surgery Singapore, you will have some swelling and bruising around your eye. As already explained, these side effects are normal and part of the healing process. They help protect the area while new tissue forms.
From day 1 to day 3, your eyelid will be swollen and a bit tender. You may feel tightness when you blink or wink.
Bruising may spread from your eyelid to the under-eye area. To reduce swelling and ease the pain, use cold compresses for 10 minutes every hour while awake.
From day 4 to 7, the swelling should begin to fade. Bruising may turn yellow or green around the eye and you can now switch to warm compresses to help clear old blood.
Your eyelid may still feel stiff, and your vision could be slightly blurred. By the seventh day, most of the bruising moves away from your eyelid.
By week 2 to 3, swelling reduces further, and bruising often disappears. Your eyelid shape becomes clearer, though it may look uneven at times.
You may still have mild tightness when smiling or yawning but by the end of week three, you can usually go without makeup to cover any marks. At week 4 to 6, most swelling should be gone and your eyelid height and crease should look more natural.
Minor swelling may persist around the edges, but it is barely noticeable. You can return to normal social activities and wear contact lenses if you use them.
By six weeks, you will see a good approximation of your new eyelid position. Any remaining swelling and scarring continue to improve over the next three to six months.
How Long Does it Take to See Results from Ptosis Repair?
The aim of ptosis repair is to restore a natural eyelid height and improve vision. However, “results” can mean different things at different times. Here is what to expect:
- Immediate lift: Right after surgery, your eyelid sits higher on your eye and you will notice a visible change as soon as the anaesthetic wears off. That initial lift shows you the potential of your new eyelid position. Yet, immediate results are obscured by swelling and bruising.
- Initial appearance (1–2 weeks): By the end of week two, swelling and bruising have faded significantly and you can see the outline of your new eyelid crease. Your eyelid will look more open, and you may feel more confident. However, the lid may still feel tight or slightly numb.
- Refinement phase (4–6 weeks): At around four weeks, most swelling has settled and your eyelid height is usually close to the final position. Any small asymmetry starts to balance as tissues relax. Scars around the incision become less red and blend into your natural skin crease.
- Final result (3–6 months): Complete healing and scar maturation take up to six months. During this time, scar tissue softens and flattens and your eyelid muscles settle into their new position. At the end of this phase, you should see the full benefit of your ptosis surgery in Singapore. Your vision should be clear, and your eyelids look even and natural.
How Can I Speed up my Ptosis Recovery?
While recovery from ptosis surgery is usually quick and hardly complicated, you may want to speed up the process to get the results faster. A faster recovery lets you enjoy your new look sooner.
To speed up your ptosis surgery, the first thing you will want to do is to follow your surgeon’s instructions closely. Your doctor gives you eye drops, pain relief and care guidelines.
Please, stick to the schedule for drops and medications and not skip doses as this can lead to infection or prolonged swelling. For the pain and swelling, use cold then warm compresses as advised.
Cold packs in the first 48 hours reduce swelling by narrowing blood vessels. After 48 hours, warm compresses help clear leftover bruising by improving circulation.
Switch slowly from cold to warm based on your surgeon’s advice. As you recover, you will also want to keep your head elevated while resting.
This is important because lying flat can pool fluid around your eyelids and slow healing. Use extra pillows to keep your head higher than your heart for the first few days.
A slight incline reduces fluid buildup and eases pain. Better fluid drainage means faster reduction in swelling.
We’d also like to point out that exercise or heavy chores immediately after your ptosis surgery in Singapore can spike your blood pressure and worsen swelling. Hold off on gym workouts, yoga inversions and housework for at least two weeks after the procedure.
Your surgeon may clear you for gentle walks after a few days. Also to speed up your recovery, you will want to maintain a balanced diet avoid alcohol and hydrate well.
Alcohol can slow healing, increase swelling, and raise bleeding risk after ptosis surgery. It may also interfere with medications you are prescribed and make it harder to monitor recovery signs.
Protein, vitamins C and A support tissue repair and scar healing. Foods like fish, chicken, citrus fruits and leafy greens are ideal. Drink plenty of water to help flush away toxins.
Closing Thoughts
A well-done ptosis surgery in Singapore can restore a natural eyelid position and clear your vision. While you can see an immediate lift, the final result will be visible over weeks and months.
Diligently follow aftercare instructions to speed up your recovery. We offer expert ptosis surgery with personalised aftercare in Singapore.
Get in touch with us today to find out if ptosis repair is right for you and how much improvement you can expect. Details below;