Your instructions will depend on whether you have upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, a brow lift or a combination. Follow the written plan provided by Dr. Yerukhim and your surgical team; it takes priority over this general overview.

Rest, head elevation and activity

Arrange transportation home and any assistance required after sedation or anesthesia. Sleep with your head elevated 30–45 degrees for the first 1–2 weeks.

For the first 2 weeks, avoid bending, lifting more than 10 pounds and straining. Resume strenuous exercise only after your surgical team clears you. Combined procedures may require additional restrictions.

Do not drive while your vision is blurred or while taking medication that causes drowsiness. Resume driving only when you can do so safely and your surgical team’s restrictions have been satisfied.

After upper or lower eyelid surgery

During the first 48–72 hours, gently apply cold compresses to closed eyelids for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off while awake. Use clean gauze or a cloth barrier, avoid pressure on the eyes and never apply ice directly to the skin.

Use preservative-free artificial tears every 1–2 hours while awake and lubricating ophthalmic ointment at bedtime, as directed. Your team will explain how long to continue this schedule and when to reduce it.

If you have external incisions, apply the prescribed antibiotic ointment to the incision lines 2–3 times daily, following your prescription instructions. Antibiotic incision ointment and lubricating eye ointment may be different products; use each only as directed. Follow your team’s instructions for cleaning, showering and handling any tapes or dressings. Avoid rubbing or pulling on your eyelids.

Limit reading, screens and activities that worsen eye discomfort during the first few days. Do not wear contact lenses for at least 2 weeks and until cleared by your surgeon. Avoid eye makeup for at least 2 weeks and until the incisions have healed sufficiently. Wear dark sunglasses outdoors.

Lower eyelid surgery performed through an incision inside the lid may not leave an external suture line. If your procedure includes skin resurfacing, eyelid-support surgery or temporary supporting sutures, follow the additional instructions provided. Do not begin eyelid massage or remove supporting tapes or sutures unless instructed.

After a brow lift

If a headwrap is placed, wear it as directed—typically continuously for the first 24–48 hours—and follow your team’s instructions for removal.

Keep incisions clean and dry for the first 48 hours. Apply prescribed incision ointment as directed. Gentle hair washing may usually begin after 48–72 hours when your team permits; avoid scrubbing incision sites. Your follow-up plan will specify when sutures or staples should be removed.

Do not apply ice or heat to the operated forehead or scalp unless specifically instructed. Eyelid cold-compress instructions should not automatically be applied to brow incisions.

Temporary forehead or scalp numbness, tingling, tightness and itching can occur. Report worsening forehead weakness, increasing pain or rapidly increasing swelling.

Medications and follow-up

Take medications according to your individual instructions. Do not stop or restart prescribed blood thinners or other medication on your own; coordinate changes with your surgical team and prescribing clinician.

Keep scheduled follow-up appointments so your team can assess incision healing, eyelid position, eye comfort and readiness to resume activities.

When to contact the practice

Contact Cleveland Aesthetics Center at 440-363-6368 for increasing redness or warmth, foul-smelling drainage, wound separation, a fever above 101°F, persistent nausea or vomiting, worsening asymmetry, or persistent dryness despite lubrication.

Contact your team promptly if you cannot close your eyes completely. Use the after-hours contact instructions provided with your discharge paperwork when the office is closed.

Eye ointment can temporarily blur vision. Do not assume that new, persistent or worsening visual changes are simply from ointment or swelling.

When to seek emergency care

Sudden severe eye pain or pressure, rapid swelling of one eye, new double vision, sudden or worsening vision changes, loss of vision, or a bulging eye require immediate emergency assessment. These can indicate bleeding behind the eye, a rare but vision-threatening complication.

Seek emergency care immediately and notify your surgeon. Do not wait for a routine appointment or a callback before seeking care.

Recovery depends on the procedures performed, your eye health and your individual healing. Upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery and brow lifting can have different recovery patterns. The stages below describe what you may experience; they are not automatic clearance to return to work, driving or exercise.

The first few days

Swelling, bruising, tightness and mild discomfort are common. Swelling may increase during the first several days before beginning to settle, and bruising may spread or darken before fading.

After eyelid surgery, your eyes may feel dry, watery or sensitive to light. Ointment can temporarily blur vision. Follow your lubrication instructions, but do not assume that new or worsening vision changes are part of normal healing.

After a brow lift, forehead tightness, a mild headache, and scalp numbness or tingling can occur. Swelling and bruising may extend into the eyelids and surrounding face.

The first week

Bruising and swelling usually remain visible, although discomfort may begin to improve. Your first follow-up is generally scheduled during this period to assess healing, incision care and, after eyelid surgery, eye comfort and closure.

Some eyelid sutures may be removed around days 5–7. Brow sutures or staples may remain longer, depending on the incision and healing. Internal or dissolving sutures may not require removal.

Some patients feel ready for light desk work during the first week; others need more time, particularly after lower eyelid surgery or combined procedures. Difficulty closing your eyes completely should be reported promptly rather than watched until the next appointment.

Weeks 2–3

Many patients notice substantial improvement in eyelid bruising and swelling around 10–14 days. Brow-lift bruising and swelling also commonly improve over the following weeks. Residual puffiness, dryness, tightness or uneven swelling may still be noticeable.

Contact lenses and eye makeup may be resumed only after the minimum restriction period and when healing and your surgeon’s guidance permit. Feeling ready to return to work or social activities does not mean the tissues are fully healed.

Weeks 4–6

Swelling and incision redness generally continue to settle. Lower eyelid surgery, fat repositioning, skin resurfacing and combined procedures may involve a longer period of visible healing.

Your team will guide a gradual return to strenuous exercise and unrestricted activity. Clearance depends on the procedure and examination findings, rather than reaching a particular week on the calendar.

The following months

Subtle swelling and scar changes can continue for months. Brow and scalp numbness or tingling may improve gradually over several months, and scars can continue to soften and fade for 6–12 months or longer.

Follow-up visits help assess eyelid position, closure, dryness, brow movement and symmetry. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated rather than assumed to be part of normal settling.

Symptoms that should not wait

Sudden severe eye pain or pressure, rapidly increasing swelling around one eye, new double vision or sudden or worsening vision changes require immediate emergency assessment at any stage of recovery. Do not wait for a scheduled follow-up or a callback before seeking care.

Do I need a brow lift, upper blepharoplasty or both?

That depends on what is causing the heaviness. A brow lift addresses a descended brow, while upper blepharoplasty removes excess eyelid skin. Some patients benefit from both. If the eyelid margin itself sits too low—a condition called ptosis—a separate repair may be needed. Your examination helps distinguish these causes and avoid removing eyelid skin to compensate for a low brow.

What is the difference between upper and lower blepharoplasty?

Upper blepharoplasty treats excess upper eyelid skin and selected areas of fullness. Lower blepharoplasty addresses under-eye bags and the transition between the eyelid and cheek. Each requires a separate assessment of skin, fat, eyelid position and eye health.

What is transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty?

It is an approach through an incision inside the lower eyelid that provides access to the fat without an external skin incision for that portion of surgery. It does not remove excess outer skin. A separate skin pinch, resurfacing or an incision below the lashes may be considered when skin also needs treatment.

Can fat be repositioned instead of removed?

Yes, in selected patients. In the upper eyelid, suitable existing fat may be moved toward a hollow area. In the lower eyelid, fat may be repositioned to soften the transition between an under-eye bag and a hollow tear trough.

Fat repositioning is not appropriate for every eyelid. The location and amount of available fat, your eye anatomy and the desired correction determine whether preservation, conservative removal or redistribution makes sense.

Is fat transposition the same as fat grafting?

No. Fat transposition repositions nearby fat while retaining a tissue attachment. Fat grafting transfers fat harvested from another area. These techniques have different uses and risks; your consultation should clarify which, if either, is proposed.

Will lower eyelid surgery eliminate dark circles or festoons?

It may improve shadows caused by protruding fat next to a hollow tear trough. It does not reliably correct pigmentation, visible vessels, thin skin or every cause of under-eye darkness.

Festoons—folds or swelling over the upper cheek—are a separate concern and may remain after lower eyelid surgery. Identifying the cause of the concern helps set realistic expectations.

Can I have eyelid surgery if I have dry eyes?

Dry eyes do not automatically rule out surgery, but they can affect the treatment plan and recovery. Tell your surgeon about dryness, irritation, contact-lens intolerance, thyroid disease and previous eye surgery. Additional eye evaluation or treatment may be needed before proceeding.

After surgery, follow your lubrication instructions and report persistent discomfort or difficulty closing your eyes completely.

How much time should I take off work?

Some patients feel ready for light desk work during the first week, while others need longer. Many notice substantial improvement in eyelid bruising and swelling around 10–14 days. Brow lifting, lower eyelid surgery and combined procedures may require more time.

Your work demands, visual comfort and healing matter as much as your appearance. These timeframes are planning guides, not guaranteed return-to-work dates.

When can I drive again?

Arrange transportation home after surgery. Do not drive while your vision is blurred or while taking medication that causes drowsiness. Resume driving only when you can see clearly, operate the vehicle safely and meet your surgical team’s instructions.

When can I wear contact lenses and eye makeup?

Avoid contact lenses for at least 2 weeks and until your surgeon clears you. Avoid eye makeup for at least 2 weeks and until the incisions have healed sufficiently. Dryness, swelling or additional procedures may extend these restrictions.

When can I exercise?

Avoid bending, lifting more than 10 pounds and straining during the first 2 weeks. Return to strenuous exercise requires clearance from your surgical team. Brow lifting, lower eyelid surgery and combined procedures may have different restrictions, so feeling better does not automatically mean you are ready for unrestricted activity.

Will I have visible scars?

Upper eyelid incisions are usually placed in the natural crease. Lower eyelid incisions may be inside the lid or just below the lashes, depending on the approach. Brow-lift incision locations depend on the technique and your anatomy.

External scars generally soften and fade as they mature, but no incision can be guaranteed to become invisible. Your consultation should include the location and tradeoffs of the proposed incisions.

Can brow and eyelid surgery be combined with a facelift?

Sometimes. These procedures address different areas and may be combined when appropriate for your anatomy, health and goals. Combining procedures increases the scope of surgery and can change recovery. A staged approach may be preferable for some patients.

How long do the results last?

Results can be long-lasting, but surgery does not stop aging. Skin elasticity, brow position and facial volume continue to change. The duration of improvement varies with the procedure, anatomy and individual factors; no fixed number of years can be promised.

What symptoms require urgent attention?

Sudden severe eye pain or pressure, rapid swelling of one eye, new double vision, sudden or worsening vision changes, or a bulging eye require immediate emergency assessment. Seek emergency care and notify your surgeon; do not wait for an appointment or callback.

Contact your surgical team promptly for difficulty closing your eyes, worsening dryness despite lubrication, increasing redness, drainage, fever or wound separation.

How much does brow lift or blepharoplasty cost in Cleveland?

Cost depends on the procedures selected, anesthesia, facility and any additional treatment. An individualized written quote after consultation should explain the associated fees.

If excess upper eyelid skin affects vision, functional assessment and insurance requirements are separate considerations. Coverage is not automatic and should be verified before scheduling.

Brow position, excess skin and eyelid ptosis

Upper-eye heaviness can have more than one cause. A descended brow may push tissue toward the eyelid, excess eyelid skin may fold over the crease, and true eyelid ptosis may lower the lid margin itself. These findings can occur together, but they require different corrections.

The examination considers the brow and eyelids at rest, including whether you habitually raise your forehead to see more comfortably. Planning around the underlying cause helps avoid excessive eyelid skin removal and protects comfortable closure.

Dry eyes, thyroid disease and previous surgery

Dryness, irritation, contact-lens intolerance, thyroid eye disease and previous eye or facial surgery can affect both procedure selection and recovery. Tell your surgeon about prior LASIK, eyelid surgery, brow lifting and any difficulty closing your eyes.

An eye examination or additional specialist assessment may be needed before surgery. Existing eye-surface problems may require treatment first, and some patients benefit from a more conservative or staged approach.

Preserving volume in the upper eyelids

Upper eyelid fullness and upper eyelid hollowness need different treatment. Removing too much fat can deepen a hollow appearance, so fat removal should be selective.

For patients with suitable anatomy, a prominent inner fat pad may be repositioned toward a central upper-lid hollow while maintaining its tissue attachment. This is not a routine step for everyone: the amount of available fat and the location of the hollow determine whether it is useful.

Lower eyelid support and eye position

Lower eyelid surgery requires attention to how firmly the lid rests against the eye. Lid laxity, prominent eyes and the relationship between the eye and cheek can influence the risk of postoperative retraction or outward turning.

Some patients need additional support at the outer eyelid corner. The choice between an internal incision, an incision below the lashes and separate skin treatment depends on these findings as well as the amount of skin and fat being treated.

Fat transposition versus fat grafting

Fat transposition moves nearby fat while retaining a tissue attachment. Fat grafting transfers fat harvested from another area. Both can address selected contour concerns, but they have different indications, limitations and risks.

If volume restoration is part of your plan, your consultation should establish which method is proposed and why it suits your anatomy. Neither technique reliably corrects every hollow or every cause of under-eye darkness.

Dark circles, festoons and skin texture

Under-eye darkness may come from shadows, pigmentation, visible vessels, thin skin or a combination. Lower blepharoplasty may improve shadows caused by a bag beside a hollow tear trough, but other causes can remain.

Festoons—folds or swelling over the upper cheek—are distinct from lower eyelid bags and may require a separate assessment. Fine lines and skin texture may also need a different treatment. When resurfacing is combined with surgery, it adds its own aftercare requirements and recovery considerations.

Brow-lift incisions and the hairline

Brow-lift planning considers forehead height, hairline position, hair density, existing asymmetry and the area of the brow that needs correction. An approach suited to one patient may raise another patient’s hairline undesirably or place a scar where it is harder to conceal.

Your surgeon should explain the proposed incision, its effect on the hairline and the possibility of scalp numbness, hair changes near the incision or visible scarring.

Functional concerns and insurance

Excess upper eyelid skin or a low eyelid margin may interfere with vision, but appearance alone does not establish a functional indication. Examination findings, visual-field testing and photographs may be needed when evaluating functional symptoms or insurance eligibility.

Coverage requirements vary, and cosmetic portions of a combined procedure may remain separate expenses. Benefits and expected costs should be confirmed before surgery.

Combined procedures and individual recovery

Brow lift and upper or lower blepharoplasty may be performed together when several structures contribute to the concern. For broader facial changes, a deep plane facelift and neck lift addresses different areas.

Combining procedures can change the extent of surgery, swelling, eye-care needs and activity restrictions. A staged approach may be preferable depending on your health, eye findings and priorities. Follow the instructions for your complete surgical plan rather than applying one procedure’s recovery schedule to every treated area.

Health, medications and expectations

Discuss smoking or nicotine use, medical conditions, medications and supplements before surgery. Medication changes—including stopping or restarting blood thinners—require an individualized plan coordinated with the prescribing clinician.

Suitability depends on anatomy, eye health, general health and realistic goals rather than a single age cutoff. Existing asymmetry may remain, and healing may differ between sides. The aim is improvement that respects your natural eye shape and expression while preserving eyelid function.