Toronto, ON

How To Prepare The Day Before Eyelid Surgery

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416-256-5614

By Jerome Edelstein, MD

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a highly effective and very common plastic surgery procedure which aims to reduce the amount of excess skin around the eyes. This can have dramatically beneficial results for most patients, such as the reduction of bags, dark circles, or puffiness underneath the eyes. However, for many patients the benefits exceed cosmetic appeal, and indeed blepharoplasty is for them a medical necessity. In these cases, it’s usually because the upper eyelid has begun to droop or sag into the field of vision. Blepharoplasty is a way to correct this problem and restore proper eyesight, though most patients who have this kind of eyelid surgery—known as functional blepharoplasty—will also enjoy cosmetic enhancements as well.

During your consultations with your plastic surgeon, you’ll have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like, learn more about the procedure, how it works, and exactly what the surgeon will be doing. You’ll also be given a set of instructions for both how to prepare for the surgery and what to do afterwards during the recovery period. Since everyone’s anatomy and goals are different, these instructions will change slightly from one patient to another, so it’s very important that you follow the precise instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon—that’s because they’ve been exclusively tailored to your unique needs. However, there are a few general guidelines which most patients will be expected to follow—let’s take a look.

Preparing for Blepharoplasty

Well in advance of your blepharoplasty procedure, your plastic surgeon will have provided you with a set of instructions tailored to your specific needs. In most cases however, patients will be instructed to do a few basic things. The most notable is probably to quit smoking—if you’re a smoker, it will interfere with your ability to heal properly after the procedure. Healing will take longer than it would if you abstain from smoking, and it may lead to complications. You will also be told to stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines, which tend to thin the blood and will potentially complicate the healing process or the procedure itself. Finally, you’ll be told to find a friend or family member to assist you after the operation—it may be difficult to see after an eyelid surgery for a few days, so you won’t be driving yourself home.

What to do After Eyelid Surgery

After blepharoplasty, you’ll be pleased to learn that the recovery process is actually quite minimal in comparison to many other surgeries. In most cases, “bed rest” isn’t strictly necessary, however you should expect to have to take it easy and avoid at least some of your normal activities for a minimum of two weeks or however long your doctor tells you. In most cases bruising and swelling will be present for a few days after the surgery, which can make it difficult to see—plan ahead for this because you won’t be able to drive and you may have difficulty reading, texting on a smartphone, and so on. In some cases, a doctor may provide you with an ointment to keep the incisions near the eyelid properly lubricated, which will assist in the healing process and reduce discomfort. Finally, you’ll be told to avoid putting pressure on your face—even leaning down can do this, and you certainly won’t want to be moving or lifting anything heavy.

Blepharoplasty in Toronto

If you live in Toronto or will be in the area, feel welcomed and encouraged to learn more about blepharoplasty by contacting Edelstein Cosmetic to schedule a consultation. Dial (416) 256-5614 today.

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