Download Post-Op Blepharoplasty Instructions

Aftercare: Eyelift/Blepharoplasty
Dressings:
There will not be a dressing over your eyes. However, there will be gauze pads applied with crushed ice
immediately following the surgery. You continue this use of ice when you get home and for the first few days following
surgery. This will help reduce the amount of swelling you have. A small amount of bleeding is normal to be seen from the
incisions for the first 24 hour period. After this it should reduce significantly. If it is more than this please call Dr.
Bekanich.
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Notify Dr. Bekanich immediately if eye pain suddenly worsens or if there are any changes of vision.
Activity:
For the first 24 hours it is best to rest and relax. Make sure your head is elevated at all times. Sleep in a recliner
or propped up on several pillows in bed. Never sleep on the side of your face. A pillow that gives some structural
support may help – like an airline neck pillow. Another type of pillow is the kind that is used when sitting in bed supported.
This pillow is large with a back component and has arm extensions. It is still good to keep your head elevated for the first
2 weeks and then adjust that as directed by Dr. Bekanich. Start gentle walking immediately around the house. Do not
cross your legs as this may increase your risk of blood clot formation. Increase your walking as you start to have more
energy. Many people feel better when on pain medications so be sure to keep in mind to limit any extensive activity as
outlined above. There should be no strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks. For the first post-operative week activity should be
kept to a minimum. Only activities that are necessary to take care of things for yourself and mild walking around the
house should be done. Avoid bending forward at the neck for the first week.
Bathing: You may shower two days AFTER surgery (48 hours after surgery). Make sure to use a mild shampoo. Do
not bathe, swim, hot tub, Lake Swim, or use a whirlpool until incisions are fully closed. Dr. Bekanich will determine when
you are cleared for these activities based on your physical exam. A shower assistant for the first shower is mandatory.
Sitting on a chair in the shower is also helpful
Medications: Complete your course of antibiotics. Follow the instructions on the bottle of your prescribed medications.
Begin a stool softener the night before surgery if you will be taking pain medication. Arnica may reduce bruising and you
should take a complete course. Take prescribed pain medication only as directed and consider Extra Strength Tylenol in
conjunction with narcotics (pain pills) and ultimately transition off the narcotics. Take medications with food to reduce
nausea. Resume pre-operative medications unless otherwise directed by your operating physician or personal physician.
Do not take pain medication if you are not having pain. Do not drink alcohol while taking any pain or anxiety medication. If
you are having pain that is NOT relieved by pain medications call Dr. Bekanich – 512-334-9945.
Incisions: Keep incisions clean and dry. You will have small sutures along the incision line. If any permanent sutures
are used they will be removed 5-7 days after surgery. These sutures may be kept in place with tape that runs along the
sides of your eyes or on your forehead. Do not remove these. Avoid sun exposure to the incision sites for 6 months to
prevent them from darkening.
Bruising: Bruising may happen and is normal when you combine your surgery with liposuction of the neck. Remember
that bruising travels down with gravity so it can be normal if bruising is seen in your décolletage region. This varies on the
extent of the surgery and may last up to 3 weeks. Arnica use may help reduce bruising. Taking pain medication that has
aspirin or ibuprofen in it may increase your bruising and risk of post-operative bleeding.
Austin Plastic Surgery Boutique
3445 Executive Center Drive, Suite 213; Austin, TX 78731
P: 512-334-9945 F: 512.870-9321
www.boutiqueplasticsurgery.com
Swelling: Initially, there will be quite a bit of swelling. This swelling increases where gravity acts most and around the thin
skin of the eye area. This is normal and will go away slowly over the next several days.
Massage: Lymphatic massage has also been shown to help people with fluid retention following surgery. Initiate this only
once cleared by Dr. Bekanich.
Discomfort: Pain varies following surgery. Every patient is different. The amount of post-operative pain varies from
patient to patient. Overall, most patients are feeling good after about a week. Your ability to sense if your skin is getting
too cold or hot is not normal and you may burn yourself. When using ice compresses make sure to only use them for 15
minutes at a time. Any areas that are numb will naturally resolve over the upcoming weeks.
Sensations to expect: Patients have reported burning sensations, tickling and tightness after surgery.
Diet: A light diet for the day after surgery is usually best. Slowly resume a balanced healthy diet. This is often difficult
following surgery as you are not feeling at your best and are limited in the amount of physical activity you can do. Gaining
weight after surgery will result in poor results. Limit the amount of salt and carbonation you take in as this will affect your
swelling. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid alcohol. Use a straw to help get the optimal amount of fluid intake.
Clothing: Wear clothing that is easy to get over your head. It is even better to wear things that button in front so that you
don’t strain yourself when putting clothes over your head. Many women wear sun glasses to disguise their incisions for
the first little while.
Smoking: It is well known that nicotine (in traditional cigarettes and vapor cigarettes/chew) impairs healing and increases
your risk of infection. Your scars and final outcome are negatively affected by smoking/nicotine as well. Smoking
significantly increases your risk of having complications particularly with facial surgery. Do not smoke or intake any
nicotine substances at all during your healing period.
Driving: Do not drive or operate any heavy machinery until you are not taking pain pills. Do not resume driving until it is
comfortable to move your head about without any restrictions from pain or swelling.
Post-operative Office Visits: Typically, you will have your first post-operative visit within the first 1-4 days. The second
7days after your surgery. The next visit will a week or so after that, then 3 weeks later, then as needed.
**Call immediately if you have: fever of 100.5 or greater, expanding swelling – particularly if it is unequal on each
side, redness, bleeding, warmth or increased drainage, leg pain and cramping, shortness of breath, fast heart
rate, lightheadedness, chest pain or breathing difficulties.
Austin Plastic Surgery Boutique
3445 Executive Center Drive, Suite 213; Austin, TX 78731
P: 512-334-9945 F: 512.870-9321
www.boutiqueplasticsurgery.com