Lower Lid Blepharoplasty : After The Surgery

Bruising and swelling of your eyelids will be noticeable immediately, and will get worse over the next 2-3 days before improving. I recommend applying cold compresses to limit swelling for the first 3 days, head elevation and Arnica montana tablets. Bruising may be extensive (even down to your chin). Swelling may last for 6 weeks. However, both bruising and swelling always resolve.

Resume all medications on the day of surgery, except warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel and other medicines which may increase the risk of post-operative bleeding. I will discuss this with you on the day of surgery.

The eyelids are likely to be uncomfortable for a few days. Most patients take mild painkillers (eg paracetamol) for 24 hours only.

You will be given antibiotic ointment to put on the skin wound, and sometimes into the eye itself for 7 days.

You should bathe your eyes daily with cooled boiled water. Avoid getting water directly into the wounds when showering or bathing to reduce the risk of infection.

Your vision may be blurred for a few days because of watering of the eyes. You should not resume driving until your vision has returned to normal (i.e not reduced by lid swelling or eye ointment).

Dry, gritty eyes may occur for a few weeks. This can be helped by lubricant eye drops or ointment.

I will see you 5-7 days later to remove the stitches, and typically again 2 months after the surgery for a final check.

You must contact me immediately if you become aware of:

• Increased pain
• Worsening vision
• Double vision
• Increased redness of the eyeball