If you are considering undergoing an eyelid lift, there are some things you need to do to prepare. This is an invasive surgical procedure that needs to be approached with care. The same goes for the recovery process. Here are seven preparation tips to ensure your procedure goes smoothly.
Certain medications can cause issues during the eyelid lift procedure. The surgeon will likely ask patients to stop taking blood-thinning medications or supplements such as aspirin, Warfarin, ibuprofen, Advil, etc. The same goes for medication known to cause drowsiness or raise blood pressure, such as Theraflu or other cold and flu medications. If the patient is taking herbal supplements, share them with the surgeon to see if they are approved, as many cause excess bleeding during surgery. No matter the type of medication taken, the surgeon will recommend how long before the eyelid lift to stop taking them and when they can resume afterward.
Tobacco and alcohol are known to increase bleeding and the risk of infection. Therefore, consumption of both substances must come to a halt weeks before the eyelid lift. The surgeon may perform tests to ensure the patient follows these instructions.
Patients are not permitted to eat or drink anything the night before their surgery– starting at midnight. However, if the surgeon recommends an earlier time, follow it. If the patient eats or drinks anything in this timeframe, including breakfast, water, coffee, or small snacks, their eyelid lift will be canceled.
There will be a week or so that patients will need to rest their eyes following surgery. While they heal, there will be gauze over the eyes. Therefore, we strongly encourage patients to make appropriate arrangements for work, school, and their children and pets (if any).
Speaking of making accommodations, patients will need to arrange a ride home due to the nature of the eyelid lift and the use of anesthesia. We strongly discourage using a ride-share service. Patients will need help while recovering for a few days or at least until it is safe to remove the gauze completely.
Preparing the recovery space in advance is extremely important. Patients will need to have a place to lie down with their heads elevated in a dimly lit room. If the surgeon prescribes pain medication, be sure it is in an accessible position, close to the bed or chair. The same goes for any source of entertainment, such as a laptop, Alexa, TV, etc. However, if one chooses to use any electronics, be sure the blue light is turned off or completely dimmed. The eyes need to be able to rest for a few days after surgery.
Considering the patient will not be able to see, we recommend preparing meals in advance. Patients can also purchase frozen or ready-made meals that they only need to warm up in a microwave. These pre-made meals can take the stress out of cooking or trying to see a phone to order food for the next week.
If you are considering or have scheduled an eyelid lift procedure, contact our office to ensure you are prepared. Our team is happy to assist you in any way we can.
Request an appointment here: https://www.paulcdillonmd.com or call Paul C. Dillon, MD Inc at (847) 429-3185 for an appointment in our Schaumburg office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Eyelid Lift in Schaumburg, IL.
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