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Instructions for Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery involves any procedure of the upper and/or lower eyelid. An eyelid procedure can be performed as an office/ambulatory procedure when the following simple instructions are followed.
Prior to your Surgical Procedure
- Please discontinue all aspirin containing medicines 2 weeks prior to your surgery. These medicines include: Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, Bufferin (for a complete list please contact our office).
- Please see your eye doctor if you have dry eye or any eye disorder, or if you have not had an eye check-up in the past year.
- Begin taking the medicine prescribed for your procedure that needs to be taken prior to surgery. An example of this is the Vitamin K (Mephyton), Vitamin C and Bactroban ointment (Mupipricin ointment).
- Please avoid drinking alcohol and wine 48 hours prior to surgery.
- Please avoid drinking herbal teas and herbal supplements 1 week prior to surgery (St John’s Wort, Eccinechea).
- Please avoid caffeine drinks 48 hours prior to surgery (Coffee, Energy Drinks).
- Please have nothing to eat or drink after 12 midnight, the night before your surgery.
- Please wear comfortable clothes the day of your surgery. We recommend wearing a shirt that buttons up or zippers up the front.
- Please wear cotton under-ware the day of your surgery. This may sound like an unusual request, but nylon and synthetic fabrics should be avoided in the Operating Room.
- Please arrive on time, this helps us avoid delays.
- Please arrange for an escort to take you home after your surgery. No one is allowed to travel home by themselves.
- Please arrange for a car ride home, this will aide in your comfort.
- Please avoid wearing a lot of jewelry the day of surgery and leave your valuables at home.
- Please don’t wear contact lenses the day of surgery or for two weeks after surgery.
My office staff will call you before surgery to inform you about the time to arrive at the office.
Any other questions should be referred to my nurses. They are happy to discuss and explain anything with you.
We want your experience to be a pleasant and healthy one.
After your Eyelid Surgery
ACTIVITY AFTER SURGERY
- After your surgical procedure, when you arrive home, we encourage you to relax with your head elevated on several pillows, at a 30-40 degree angle. For the next two weeks, you should be sleeping on your back with your head elevated.
- Ice compresses should be applied gently over your eyes. This prevents excessive swelling, and aides in your comfort. You should continue this for at least 48 hours.
- You may have steri-strips on your upper eye lids. Please keep them dry. They may have become blood stained shortly after surgery, this often happens and it is normal.
- You may shower the day after your surgery. This can be accomplished by avoiding the direct spray of water on your face. Baby shampoo is preferred because it is gentle on your eyes.
- You can clean around your eyes and with warm water soaked Q-tips. You may wake up in the morning with crusts on your eye lashes. This is normal, but you need to gently clean your eye lashes with warm water and Q-tips as well.
- Avoid straining or any activity that causes a feeling of pressure in the face and eyes. Avoid bending for two weeks.
- Check with your doctor before resuming strenuous physical activity. You should not be driving if you are still taking pain medicine.
- Eyeglasses can be worn after your surgery if you need them. Sun glasses are always a good idea after your surgery to conceal your wounds. Contact lenses can be inserted after a two week period, only if your eyes don’t feel dry.
- Avoid sun exposure as much as possible.
DIET
- Begin with bland foods (clear liquids, broths, etc.) and advance as tolerated.
- Resume a well-balanced diet including protein and high fiber foods.
- Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, for these will dramatically slow the healing process.
- Increase fluids such as water and fruit juices (Cranberry & Apple Juice are good choices).
MEDICATIONS
Take medications as directed by your prescription (on medication bottle).
If pain is mild, you may take extra strength Tylenol instead per manufacturer’s directions. Do not take any products containing ibuprofen (including Advil, Midol, etc.) in place of pain medicine.
Occasionally, you may encounter a sore throat due to anesthesia. Lozenges, such as Cepacol can help to relieve this temporary discomfort.
PLEASE REFER TO YOUR MEDICATION SCHEDULE SHEET FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHEN TO TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS. THIS WAS PROVIDED IN YOUR PACKET.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR SURGERY
Some bruising and swelling is normal but icing well we help to minimize these affects. You will continue to improve up to 6 weeks after your surgery
The lips may become dry from breathing through the mouth; you may use Vaseline or Chap Stick to lubricate them.
Occasionally a patient will run a low fever (about 100 degrees). Please notify us if it goes higher than 101 degrees.
Nausea or vomiting can occur after your surgery for the first 24 hours following surgery. Please notify us if you are experiencing severe nausea and vomiting and are unable to keep liquids down.
Resuming social activities and returning to work depend upon the level of physical activity and public contact you require, as well as the swelling and bruising you may develop. The average patient goes back to work or social activities in a few days. However, this varies and is individual.
We recommend an over the counter eye lubricant after your surgery. Natural Tears or Celuvisc are good examples. You can use these products several times a day, they’re very comforting.
You will be receiving a phone call from my office after your surgery. Please share all concerns and questions with us. Our phone number is 212-452-3362. We want your experience to be a pleasant and healthy one.
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