Preparing Before Surgery
When it comes to eye surgery (“눈성형”) , the preparation phase is just as important as the procedure itself. Patients should review all medications and supplements with their surgeon. Certain drugs and natural remedies, like blood thinners, ginseng, or omega-3, increase bleeding risk. They must also eliminate alcohol and smoking at least one week before surgery. This step improves circulation and speeds recovery.
Patients should avoid contact lenses and lash extensions as well. Both can harbor bacteria and compromise surgical safety. A simple hygiene routine in the days before surgery helps maintain a sterile environment. Gentle cleansing of the eyelid area works best. Finally, patients need to arrange transportation, prepare sterile gauze, keep cold packs ready, and plan for two light recovery days.
Day of Surgery Essentials
On the day of surgery, patients need to keep everything simple and comfortable. They arrive with a clean face, free of makeup, sunscreen, and moisturizer, to protect sterility. They choose clothing such as zip-front tops or loose button-down shirts so they do not disturb the surgical area when dressing. They eat a light meal a few hours before surgery, unless the surgeon gives different instructions, because this stabilizes blood sugar and prevents nausea. During the final pre-op discussion, they confirm the surgical method incisional or non-incisional—as well as the anesthesia type and expected recovery time. By removing doubts and following clear instructions, patients create the best conditions for a safe and less stressful procedure.
The First Three Days After Surgery
The first seventy-two hours after surgery play a decisive role in recovery. Patients apply cold compresses wrapped in clean gauze for ten to fifteen minutes every hour while awake, which helps reduce swelling and bruising without causing frostbite. They sleep with their head elevated at about thirty degrees to control fluid buildup. They take prescribed antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and pain relievers exactly as directed, keeping a strict schedule to avoid infection or discomfort. They keep their activities light, limiting themselves to gentle indoor walking while avoiding heavy lifting, bending, or running. They also protect their eyes from strain by following the “twenty-twenty-twenty rule,” which means looking at something twenty feet away for twenty seconds every twenty minutes of screen use. By maintaining these routines, patients actively support healing during the most delicate phase of recovery.
The First Week: Transition and Healing
By the third day, most patients transition from cold to warm compresses, which improves blood circulation and accelerates healing. This phase usually lasts until the sutures are removed, commonly around day five to seven, depending on the type of procedure performed. During this time, it is important to keep the incision area meticulously clean while also avoiding heavy cosmetics, which can cause irritation or introduce bacteria.
For those experiencing dry eye symptoms, preservative-free artificial tears provide safe relief. Patients may notice asymmetry or uneven swelling during this week, but such changes are usually temporary as tissues continue to settle. A calm, patient mindset, along with strict adherence to hygiene instructions, ensures the best possible healing environment.
Returning to Daily Routine
From the second week onward, most patients can gradually resume light exercise such as walking or gentle stretching, but strenuous workouts should wait until the third or fourth week. Contact lenses may be worn again, although only with surgeon approval and initially for short periods to monitor comfort. Sun protection becomes especially important, as UV exposure can darken scars or prolong redness.
Patients are advised to wear sunglasses outdoors and to use mineral sunscreen around, but not directly on, the healing line. By the fourth week, the majority of swelling has resolved, but it can still take two to three months for the eyelids to fully refine. Realistic expectations during this stage are essential, since true symmetry and crease softness only emerge after tissues mature.
Long-Term Results and Scar Care
In the months after surgery, patients actively shape their results through scar management and lifestyle choices. Many surgeons advise gentle scar massage once the wound fully closes, while others first track healing before adding pressure. Patients apply silicone gels and sheets under medical guidance to minimize scar visibility. They avoid harsh skincare ingredients such as acids or strong retinoids until they achieve complete recovery. Patients also remind themselves that results develop gradually, since eyelids usually refine over eight to twelve weeks and sometimes even longer for thicker skin. By following a healthy routine, staying patient, and maintaining open communication with the clinic, patients secure long-term satisfaction with their outcome.
Education Guide for Clinics
Clinics improve both safety and trust when they follow a standardized education system. Staff members train with one-page operating procedures. These cover preoperative triage, discharge steps, and follow-up call scripts. Clinics also give patients printed materials, such as fridge-ready cards and small care bags with saline and gauze. These tools make sure patients remember instructions after they leave.
Technology strengthens compliance as well. Clinics send SMS reminders at key points, such as twenty-four or seventy-two hours after surgery. Teams also hold monthly review sessions to analyze real cases and refine their process. They discuss complications, agree on solutions, and update their methods. By combining written guides, digital reminders, and regular training, clinics deliver safe and consistent care at every stage.