Oculoplastic Surgery Before & After Care

These instructions are for eyelid, cheek and brow procedures performed individually or in combination.

This leaflet provides information about the dos and don’ts before surgery, care after surgery and what to expect after you've had the operation. If you have any additional questions, please ask your physician.

WHAT ARE THE PREPARATIONS FOR SURGERY?

• Do not take Ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets* for two weeks before your procedure. These medications thin the blood, interfere with normal blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. Instead, use medications containing paracetamol. If you are taking any other medication to improve your circulation or thin the blood * (for example: Aspirin, Warfarin, Clopidogrel or Plavix), please inform your surgeon.
• Discontinue smoking for 2 weeks before and after surgery. Smoking constricts small blood vessels and can delay the healing process.
• Drink plenty of water to help flush toxins from your body.
• Stop taking all Herbal remedies 2 weeks prior to surgery.
• Continue any other prescription medication as before.
• Arrange for someone to take you home and to assist you for 24 hours after surgery.
• One week before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery, avoid facial treatments, steaming masks, and other skin irritants.
• One week before surgery and up to 6 months after surgery, avoid direct sunlight on the operated area as this can cause discoloration of the scar.
• Avoid Botox and Filler treatments 3 months before and 6 weeks after surgery.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?

Most patients go home the same day. Very occasionally the eyes are bandaged overnight. A small amount of bleeding may occur for the first 48 hours. Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days. Follow a balanced diet. Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet and be sure to increase fluid intake.

WOUND CARE

Instil drops and apply ointment as advised. Clean the incision area daily with a clean soft cloth and warm water. Apply ointment to the incision area after the cleaning.
Do not rub eyes. Keep head-dress clean and as far away from the wound as possible.

SWELLING AND BRUISING

Your eyelids will be swollen and bruised, the tear film may be bloody and the eyes might be more red than usual. Keep your head elevated for 2 or 3 days following surgery and apply cold compresses or small ice packs to help reduce swelling. Wrap these in a thin, clean flannel or cloth, so as not to harm your skin. You can also use refrigerated gel masks from pharmacy. Apply this for 20 minutes per hour for the first 3 days (waking hours). Maximum swelling and bruising tend to occur in the first 2-3 days and resolves over 10 days – 3 weeks, although this varies from person to person depending on the specific procedure.

DISCOMFORT

Your eyes might feel tight, sore and gritty for a few days. You may experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to bright lights, or temporary changes in your sight such as blurred vision.

PAIN

You may experience a dull ache for a few hours after surgery. This should settle with simple analgesics like paracetamol. You are unlikely to experience severe pain after this type of surgery. Please call the clinic or go to ED if this happens.

SHOWERING

You may shower 2 days following surgery.

SALAH

You should offer salah sitting on a chair and avoid bending from the hip (rukuh & sajdah) for one week.

SLEEPING

Sleep with your head on 2 pillows at least 1 week.

WORK

You may feel well enough to return to work after a few days depending on the individual procedure.

ACTIVITY & SPORTS

Light physical activity such as walking is encouraged from day one as it aids in recovery and prevents blood clots. Keeping in mind that everyone heals at a different rate, you may start golf after about 10 days, gym after 2 weeks, tennis and swimming after 3 weeks.

CONTACT LENSES

Contact lenses may be worn earliest 3 weeks after surgery (or when comfortable).

REMOVAL OF STITCHES

The stitches will be removed 7 to 10 days after surgery.

MAKE-UP

You may begin wearing make-up after removal of stitches (usually 7 days after surgery).

DRIVING

Do not drive whilst on strong pain medication (narcotic) or while applying ointment into the eye. Most patients can start driving 3 to 5 days after surgery but you are the best judge of when it is safe for you to do this.

SMOKING AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications. Dietary supplements such as vitamins, garlic, ginseng can be re-started one day after surgery.

APPERANCE

Healing is a gradual process and your scars may remain slightly pink for 6 months or more. Tiny whiteheads may appear after stitches are taken out; these can easily be removed by surgeon. Facial makeup can cover up bruising after the sutures are removed.

RECOVERY

Although you should be up and about following the procedure, plan on taking it easy for the first week after surgery. You should be able to read and watch television from the day after surgery, though your vision may be blurred due to the ointment. Most visible signs of the surgery should fade within three weeks (depends on procedure). You may be sensitive to sunlight and wind for several weeks. Remember to wear sunglasses and sun block made for eyelids when you go out. Avoid direct sunlight and make sure to put on sunscreen for six months.