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Note: This is only a sample. Be certain to follow only the instructions from your doctor.
On the Day of Surgery
• You should rest as much as possible. In the evening, you may take a bath if someone is there to help you.
• Apply cold compresses as much as possible until you go to sleep. Gauze pads or a clean washcloth may be soaked in a tray of ice cubes and applied directly. Alternatively, a large plastic bag may be filled with ice cubes or a bag of frozen peas placed over a moist gauze or towel. Gel-filled masks may also be used.
• Pain after surgery is usually mild and controlled with Tylenol. Severe pain should be reported to the doctor.
• If your stomach is not upset, you may resume your regular diet.
• The eyelids will become red, swollen, and bruised. A slight amount of blood draining from the wound is typcial. Brisk bleeding unresponsive to pressure should be reported.
• If you were given an antibiotic, apply it to any stitches at bedtime and then twice a day thereafter.
Beginning the Next Day
• Swelling typically reaches its maximum on the morning following surgery. Bruising may increase for several days.
• Begin warm compresses for several minutes three times a day (Note: Some doctors recommend cold compresses for more than the firest day.).
• Mild activity may be resumed, although bending and straining should be avoided for at least three more days. Moderate exercise may be resumed in about five days. Avoid vigorous exercise (jogging) for at least ten days and swimming for three weeks.
• Reading may feel difficult but is not harmful.
• Clean the incisions with moistened Q-tips or gauze. If water alone is not sufficient, a mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide with water may be used. If bleeding is activated, apply pressure.
• While you may shower, avoid getting soap in the incisions.
Later
• It is not rare for some of the sutures to untie. If the incisions remain closed, this is not cause for worry.
• Sutures are usually removed four to six days following surgery.
• Once the sutures are removed, use the antibiotic that evening and then discontinue. Warm compresses should be used for several more days.
• The eyelids may not fully close during the first week. During the day, use of any artificial tear preparation may feel soothing. At night, an over-the-ciunter lubrication ointment may be placed on the eye.
• After several days, the application of a concealer to the cheek may help to camouflage bruising. Eyelid cosmetics may be resumed after ten days.
• Most patients look the worst on the second. Most swelling is gone by two weeks, although some will remain behind for several months.
• Contact lens wear may be worn after one week.
• The incision may turn red or bumpy in the weeks following surgery. The scar will continue to fade and soften for about six months or more.
• The incision will feel tender for a few months. Any tight feeling or numbness will disappear over several months.
• Do not evaluate the success of your surgery during early recovery. Imbalances are common due to swelling and variable rates of recovery. Full healing of any incision can take six to nine months or more.
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