Post-Operative Instructions - Eyelid Plastic Surgery
Apply ice or a cold pack (most patients prefer a bag of frozen peas) to the area of surgery for the first two days after surgery. This is essential for reducing the amount of swelling and bruising. We recommend icing at a schedule of 10 mins on and 10 mins off for two full days after surgery. Ice should feel cool but comfortable. If it feels uncomfortable, it’s probably too cold – use a washcloth or paper towels between the ice and your face so its less cold.
For the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery sleep with your head elevated (on at least 2 pillows) or upright in a chair. This will help decrease the swelling. The more upright the better. Your bruising and swelling will peak (look its worst) within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery and get better slowly after that time.
Starting three days after surgery, you may apply a warm compress for five minutes at a time as many times a day as need for comfort. If you have dissolvable sutures, its important to perform the compresses at least 3-5//day to help the sutures dissolve. It is normal to have mild bleeding and drainage from the incisions for the first couple of days.
If you have external sutures, apply the prescribed antibiotic ointment to the incisions four times per day for 1 week (you may experience blurriness if the ointment gets into the eyes-this is ok). This provides comfort to the incision while it heals. If you develop itching and increasing redness, please discontinue the ointment as this may be a sign of an allergic reaction.
If you have had anesthesia or sedation, do not drive, operate power tools or drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after surgery. If you were given a prescription for antibiotics, take them as directed until all the pills are gone. If you develop a rash, itching, hives, difficulty breathing, and/or feel that you may be having a reaction to the pills for any other reason, do not take any more and contact Dr. Kapadia immediately. You should not be alone for the first 24 hours after having anesthesia.
You may shower and wash your hair the day after surgery. The sutures may get wet but avoid direct impact of water to the surgical site. When drying the eye area, blot dry rather than rubbing.
Do not exert yourself for the first 5 days following surgery. This includes bending over, lifting heavy objects, exercising, working out and other activities requiring exertion. You may read, watch television, work on the computer, run errands, and perform other routine activities that do not require exertion. It is normal for one eye to heal more quickly than the other. It is also normal for the incisions to look pink, lumpy and bumpy. You can start exercising 7 days after surgery. Start slow and stop if you feel pressure around your eyes.
If you have pain, take Tylenol. If this does not relieve the pain, call Dr. Kapadia. Do not take aspirin, motrin, ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain killers (besides Tylenol) for 3 days after surgery as these medicines can cause additional bruising and swelling. If you are blood thinners such as aspirin or coumadin for medical reasons, you may resume them the day after surgery. If there are any questions, please contact Dr. Kapadia.
You may resume all aspirin products, Vitamin E and multivitamins three days after surgery. You may wear contact lenses as soon as you feel comfortable inserting them. Do not wear dark makeup (e.g. mascara or eyeliner) for 14 days after surgery. This may pigment the incision. You may wear cover-up makeup the following day, if needed.
If you have severe pain, if your wound site becomes increasingly red and painful, begins heavily bleeding or develops a greenish discharge, or if you develop fever or any other concern about your condition, call Dr. Kapadia immediately. He may be reached 24 hours per day Daytime: 978-393-5437, Outside of business hours, call 617-636-5114 and ask to have Dr. Kapadia’s on call doctor paged. There is an on-call doctor 24/7. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL IF YOU ARE HAVING A PROBLEM!!! If you have a non-urgent issue or question, feel free to email Dr. Kapadia directly at [email protected].