Blepharoplasty

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Risks

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

Before You Go

• The Week Before Surgery:
• You'll probably need to stop taking aspirin and ibuprofen; the doctor will tell you when. If you're taking aspirin for your heart, don't stop without asking the doctor first. Also ask whether you can take any over-the-counter medicines.
• Your doctor will tell you whether you need to have blood drawn.
• The Night Before Surgery:
• Your physician may suggest you take a sleeping pill.
• Just before surgery, you should not eat or drink anything (even water). Your doctor will tell you when to begin fasting.

When You Arrive

• Check with your doctor before taking insulin, diabetes pills, blood pressure medicine, heart pills, or any other medication on the day of surgery.
• Do not wear contact lenses to the hospital. You may wear glasses.

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your arm.
• Blood Tests: You may need blood taken for tests. It can be drawn from a vein in your hand or from the bend in your elbow. Several samples may be needed.
• Chest X-ray: The doctor will check this picture of your lungs and heart to make sure you're ready for surgery.
• Heart Monitor: (Also called an electrocardiogram [e-LEK-tro-KAR-di-o-gram] or EKG). Typically, three to five sticky pads are placed on different parts of your body. Each pad has a wire that is hooked to a TV-type screen or to a small portable box (telemetry unit) that shows a tracing of each heartbeat.
• IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
• Pulse Oximeter: With a little clip connected to your ear, finger, or toe, this machine measures the oxygen in your blood.
• Anesthesia: You'll need a pain-killer during the operation. For this type of surgery, the following options are available:
• General Anesthesia: This alternative puts you completely to sleep throughout the operation. The anesthetic is given either as a liquid in your IV or as a gas through a face mask or endotracheal (END-o-TRA-kee-ull) tube placed in your mouth and throat.
• Local Anesthesia: This is simply a pain-killing injection at the site of the operation. You'll remain awake, and may feel some painless pressure or pushing.

After Surgery

After You Leave

• Rest quietly for 24 hours with your head raised up. Your doctor will tell you when it is all right to get out of bed. Call your doctor before getting up for the first time. If you ever feel weak or dizzy, sit or lie down right away. Then call your doctor.
• For the first 24 hours after the operation, rest quietly with you head raised. Use cold compresses to relieve pain and swelling during this period. Soak a clean wash cloth in a bowl of ice water, wring it out, place it gently over your eye, and leave it in place for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat as often as needed. When the compress becomes lukewarm, replace it with a fresh cold one.
• After the first 24 hours, use warm compresses. Soak a clean wash cloth in warm water, wring it out, place it gently over your eye, and leave it in place for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat as often as needed. The warmth reduces swelling and promotes faster healing.
• Sleep on your back for the first 48 hours after surgery. Lying on your side may cause that side of your face to swell, making the stitches in your eyelid overly tight. For the first 2 weeks after surgery, sleep with your head raised on 2 to 3 pillows.
• If your eyes feel dry, itchy, or burning, wet them with artificial tears (unmedicated eye drops). When using eye drops or ointment, do not touch your eye with the tip of the bottle or tube. This could scratch your eye or cause an infection. Wash your hands with soap or water before putting the medicine in your eye.
• You may use makeup after 2 weeks. Pat the makeup on to avoid stretching the skin. Remove it as gently as possible.
• To prevent sunburn and swelling, use sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat for at least 3 months after surgery
• Do not bend over or lift anything heavy until your doctor says you may. Lifting and bending can make the eyes swell.
• Always take your medicine exactly as directed. If it doesn't seem to help, let the doctor know, but keep taking it until told otherwise. If you've been prescribed antibiotics, be sure to use them up, even if you're feeling better. If a medicine makes you drowsy, avoid driving or using dangerous machinery.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You have more trouble seeing or reading.
• Your pain medication fails to give relief.
• Your stitches become swollen and red, or you see any pus. These are signs of infection.
• Your stitches come apart.
• You have itchy, swollen skin or a rash. This may signal an allergy to your medicine.
• You are running a high temperature.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• You have sudden trouble breathing or develop chest pain. You could have a blood clot in your lung or an allergy to one of your medications.