Blepharoplasty Surgery - Instructions Before and After Surgery

Be sure your caregiver reads these instructions at least a day before surgery!

General Information

1. You must not take aspirin or anti-inflammatories, or medicines containing them for 2 weeks prior to surgery. This is because these medicines may interfere with blood clotting and increase bleeding. If you need a mild pain medicine, please use Tylenol. Some of the medicines containing aspirin or anti-flammatories, (which you must avoid) are as follows: Anacin, Ascriptin, BC Headache, Powders, Goody's Headache Powders, Ibuprofen, Bufferin, Coricidin, Darvon, Fiorinal, Dristan, Emprin, Excedrin, Midol, Nuprin, Sine-Off, Sine-Aid, Percodan, Stendin, Triaminicin, Vanquish. Also, anti-inflammatory or anti-arthritis drugs such as Motrin, Advil, Indocin, Naprosyn, Ibruprofen, Aleeve, etc. If unsure, call your surgeon or your pharmacist.

2. Also, many herbal medications contain aspirin-like products, so we ask you to stop all herbal medications 2 weeks before surgery. Bleeding problems can occur with Willowbark, Fever Few, Gingko Biloba, St. John's Wart, Saw Palmetto, Vitamins A and E.

3. Do not sun bathe or use a tanning bed for 2 weeks prior to surgery, as this causes swelling of the face and poor healing.

4. If you develop a cold or become sick in the week before your scheduled surgery, please call your surgeon immediately.

5. Be sure to have your lab work completed as instructed before the surgery. Lab work and medication will be extra charge, as these services are provided outside of your surgeons office.

6. Please do not smoke 2 weeks prior to surgery, and for 1 month afterwards, or until healing is complete. Cigarette smoke, either yours or from others, severely decreases blood supply and can cause poor healing, or even death of some skin, especially behind the ear. Furthermore, coughing makes surgery difficult and increases bleeding.

The Night Before Surgery

1. Remove all facial make-up including lipstick.

2. Wash your face well, including eyelids, with a gentle soap after removing your make-up. Do not apply any facial creams or oils.

3. Shower and wash your hair the night before surgery

4. Set out comfortable clothes.

The Day Of Surgery

5. Do not eat or drink anything on the morning of your surgery.

6. Do not apply any facial creams or make-up

7. Wear comfortable clothes which do not have to go over your head

8. You may want to bring a pair of sunglasses to help disguise your sutures.

9. When you arrive at the office, be sure to give the nurse the name and phone number of the person who will be picking you up.

10. It is important that another adult stay with you for the first 48 hours. You should not plan on doing anything except eating and resting.

11. Drink only liquids the first day. You may resume a regular diet the following morning.

After Surgery

1. You will stay in the office for a few hours after you surgery and then can be picked up to go home.

2. After surgery you will be expected to wear an icepack on your eyes for the first 2 days. On the third day you will not wear anything and on the fourth day you will use warm packs on your eyes. This will minimize swelling and bruising.

3. Use eye drops and ointment as directed. Your vision may be slightly blurred from the ointment, but this is normal.

4. You are expected to do nothing but lie in bed and relax with your knees flexed and your head and shoulders elevated on 2 or more pillows. There must be someone to take care of the cooking, cleaning, children, etc.

5. You can expect:

Moderate swelling of the eyelids
Black and blue discoloration

Comments from the Site Owner

I had an eyelift along with a browlift at 34 with Dr. Roberts because my eye and eyebrow were both different on one side of my face. This was an easy surgery and I recommend it if your thinking about either. The browlift left me with a nasty headache the day of surgery, but the Lortab I was prescribed took care of it. Also, if you get an eye & brow lift together you won’t have scars on your eyes (and the surgeon won’t have to cut your eyelid) since the doctor can lift the lids from the inside (check with your surgeon to see if they offer this option). ~Rebecca (Site Founder)

Laser Rejuvenation

I had laser rejuvenation around my eyes and around my mouth. I was amazed how well the laser worked on my smile/laugh line. However, the fine lines under eyes didn’t take as well as they are starting to come back only 7 months after surgery. But, the laser did reduce the dark circles I had. The laser will leave you very red for a while. Plan to stay out of public for at least a week. After a week you should be able to apply special make-up (such as Jane Iredale) as regular make-up won’t stick to the slippery surface of lasered skin. Be sure to ask your surgeon what kind of make-up, and cleansers (my surgeon gave me Obagi), moisturizers, etc. you can wear and when.

You will also have to stay out of the sun. When you have no choice, you’ll need sunscreen and a hat for protection. My surgeon recommended using sunscreen for a year post-op. I was out once without sunscreen or a hat within the first month of surgery for about only 10 minutes and a small part of where I had the laser turned brown (but is easily covered with make-up). ~Rebecca (Site Founder and Laser Rejuvenation Patient)

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