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• Topics of Interest
  • Bruising Following Surgery
  • Post Operative Care
  • Blepharoplasty Article From “En Espera”
  • Trichiasis Article From “En Espera”
  • Common Eyelid Lesions
• Selected Publications
• Other Information

1. The Day of Surgery

On the day of the surgery, please come accompanied, you will not be able to drive that day. Bruising and swelling is expected!!

Occasional diluted blood residue might be common. Expect blurry vision due to the ointment that is placed on the eye after surgery. There might be dry eye sensation due to slower blinking of your eyelids, product from the anesthesia and swelling of your eyelids.

To decrease the swelling of the eyelids and speed up the recovery process, ice is crucial in the first 48 hours after surgery. There are several ways to apply the ice over the eyelids. One easy way is to fill up a couple of plastic “Zip-lock” bags with ice and then wrap these bags with a damp cloth. The easiest way that I have found from my patient’s experience is to have bags of frozen peas (which can be found in the supermarkets) wrapped with damp rag. These have to be placed over the eyes for 15 minutes out of every hour. This process is repeated hourly over the time period while awake.

Ointment is to be applied over the incision twice a day. Artificial tears are recommended every four hours; however, feel free to use them every time you have symptoms of dryness.

2. The day after surgery
Usually, I like to have a follow-up consultation on the day after surgery. This can be scheduled after the surgery. After the follow-up appointment, ice is to be continued 15 minutes out of every hour until 48 hours of this process has been completed.

Ointment and eye drops are to be continued as indicated.

3. Day Three to Seven
Ice is to be stopped at this stage after surgery. To help speed up the vanishing of the bruises, warm compresses for 15 minutes, every eight hours (three times a day) is recommended. One way that has been helpful for my patients is to heat up a potato and wrap this with a damped rag. Make sure to test the level of heat of the compress by testing it over the back of your hand before applying over your eyelids to prevent any thermal burns. This process is to be repeated until the bruises turn yellow. If stitches were placed for your surgery, on day seven, these will be removed.

4. Week one to Week Six
Usually, at this stage of you healing process, you should be able to see important results. You should be able to see about 60-70% of your final result. Have in mind that the average time for a complete healing process is about 12 months. Remember that as each day progresses, your will look better!!

Can and Cannot’s After Surgery

• You Can:
  • Read
  • Watch TV
  • Normal Activities (such as driving and walking short distances)
  • Wear your glasses

• You Cannot:
  • Lift heavy things
  • Bend over to pick up things
  • Work out for one week
  • Expose to the sun rays for the first month (must wear sun block and sun glasses)
  • Wear Make up for a week
  • Drive for the first day after surgery