I recently had double eyelid surgery in Korea, so I thought I’d share my experience and answer this question based on what I went through.
To give some context, I was a bit nervous about the procedure because, like many people, I wanted to know how long I’d have to “recover” before I could get back to my normal routine. Double eyelid surgery is a common cosmetic procedure in Korea, and it’s well-known for having relatively short downtime compared to other surgeries, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a recovery period to consider.
Day 1-2: Immediate Aftercare
Right after the surgery, you’ll feel a bit groggy due to the anesthesia. The first couple of days, I was told to rest and avoid moving my eyes too much, which meant no excessive screen time (though I did catch myself binge-watching a show because I was stuck at home anyway). There will be swelling and some bruising, which is totally normal. I had a bit of a “duck face” because of the swelling, but it wasn’t unbearable.
The medical team recommended applying cold compresses to reduce the swelling and taking the prescribed medications as directed. I was advised to keep my head elevated, so I slept sitting up for the first two nights.
Day 3-5: Swelling and Bruising Starts to Fade
By the third day, I noticed the swelling starting to subside a little. It was still noticeable, but not as intense. The bruising around my eyes was still visible, but much less than in the first two days. I was able to go out in public with sunglasses to hide the bruising, though I did avoid any heavy social interactions just in case.
You’ll need to be extra careful about avoiding water around your eyes and not putting on makeup until your doctor gives the green light (usually after a week).
Week 1: Gradual Improvement
After a week, the swelling was about 60-70% better, and I felt more comfortable going back to work and socializing. By this time, the incisions were healing well, though I could still see a tiny bit of scarring (mostly near the crease). My surgeon had advised that the stitches would dissolve naturally, which they did over the course of the next few weeks. Most of the bruising had disappeared, but I still needed to be gentle with my eyes.
I felt like I could look pretty “normal” again, but I still avoided strenuous exercise and sweating. The healing process was slow but steady.
Weeks 2-4: Almost Back to Normal
By the second week, I had pretty much returned to my normal life—going out, seeing friends, and working full-time. The swelling was nearly gone, and the eye shape was already taking form. I did have a few moments of “why do I look so different?” but it’s natural when your eyes are healing, and the final results were really starting to show. Any residual swelling was minor at this point.
Month 1-3: Final Touches
Around the 1-3 month mark, the last bit of swelling disappeared, and I finally saw my new double eyelid shape fully settled. My incisions were barely visible, and the eyes looked so natural. That’s when I felt like the procedure was really complete, and my results looked just how I had hoped for.
TL;DR:
- You can expect a few days of noticeable swelling and bruising.
- Most people can return to work or social activities in about 7-10 days, but you may still have some minor swelling and bruising.
- Full recovery takes about 1-3 months, with the final shape of your eyes appearing after a few months.
If you’re considering double eyelid surgery in Korea, I highly recommend TJ Plastic Surgery and Dr. Tack-Jin Chang. The clinic was professional, and Dr. Chang’s approach to the procedure was meticulous. He explained everything in detail, which made me feel comfortable about the entire process. The staff at TJ Plastic Surgery were always available to answer any concerns I had during my recovery.
If you’d like more details or are considering this procedure yourself, you can check out Dr. Tack-Jin Chang’s profile here or the clinic’s website for more information on what they offer.