Expect to wake up the day after surgery and question why you voluntarily did such a thing to yourself.

Swelling can be extreme. Once you are upright, gravity will drain some of it into your cheeks. Normal blinking also pumps away some of this initial inflammation.

The eyelids don't require much blood to become discolored. A few drops mixed in with tissue fluid can discolor the skin of the entire eyelid region.

The deep redness of the first days will give way to purple and finally yellow discoloration. The last area to clear is at the top of the cheek.

If a transconjunctival approach was used on the lower lids, the conjunctiva lining the white of the eye may lift up like a blister (chemosis).

If itching becomes a problem, switch back to cold compresses.

Numbness of the lashes is a temporary nuisance. Sensation will return at around one to two months.

While most bruising is gone in two weeks, about 15% of the swelling will persist longer. Your eyelids continue to "thin out" for four to six months.

All scars go through phases of healing. At first, they will look red and thickened. Small cysts may appear but almost always disappear without treatment. Once a scar is healed, it will appear as a white line.

You should expect day-to-day improvement at first, week-to-week improvement for about a month, then month-to-month improvement over the next six to twelve months.

While scientific evidence is absent, some patients swear by Vitamin E. You should wait at least ten days before applying it to prevent the oil from getting between the wound edges. Some people are allergic to Vitamin E, so you should "skin test" your arm before placing it on your lids.

Just as surface scarring takes time to soften, so do the "internal" scars. The lids may feel stiff and not drape freely. Time is generally curative.