Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Post-Operative Instructions

Instructions

Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
Get plenty of rest.
Follow balanced diet.
Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin unless approved by your surgeon.
Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 3 weeks as it causes fluid retention.
If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.
Sleep with your head elevated 45 degrees for several days to minimize swelling.

Start walking as soon as possible, this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
Avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting and rigorous sports.
Keep activities to a minimum for 3-5 days; avoid strenuous activities for 2-3 weeks.
Read or watch television after 2-3 days.
Return to work in 10-14 days

Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
Keep steri-strips on. If steri-strips come off, you can replace them if provided with additional strips.
Keep incisions clean with soap and water and inspect daily for signs of infection.
Use cold saline compresses for the first 24 hours for comfort and to reduce swelling and bruising.
Generally, your hair can be shampooed anytime after surgery.
Wait at least 2 weeks before wearing contact lenses.
You will have sensitivity to sunlight, wind and other irritants for several weeks, so wear sunglasses and a special sunblock made for eyelids.

Occasionally, the eyes are bandaged for the first night.
Maximum discomfort should occur in the first few days, improving each day thereafter.
Expect temporary swelling of the eyelids, tightness of lids, bruising, dryness, burning, and itching of eyes.
You may have gummy eyes for approximately 1 week.
Your physician may recommend Natural Tears (OTC eyedrops) or Lacrilube (OTC ophthalmic ointment) as part of your post op treatment.
For the first few weeks, you may experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and double or blurred vision.
You may have difficulty closing your eyes when you sleep.

Bruising and swelling of the eyelids may last 1-2 weeks.
Healing is a gradual process and your scars may remain slightly pink for 6 months or more.
Tiny whiteheads may appear after stitches are taken out; can be easily removed by surgeon.
Facial makeup can cover up bruising after the sutures are removed.

If you have increased swelling or bruising.
If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
If you have increased redness along the incision.
If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
If you have loss of feeling or motion.

(734) 998-6022, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734) 936-6267 and ask for the Plastic Surgeon on call.