| Patients
must refrain from ingesting medications or substances which could potentially
cause surgical complications. A list of medications should be reviewed and discontinued
at least two weeks prior to the procedure. Report any and all infections which
arise prior to operation, however minor they might seem. This is imperative to
avoid infections during surgery. Antibiotics are prescribed
prior to surgery to reduce the risk of surgical wound infection. You will also
receive prescription for antibiotics and pain medication for after the surgery
is completed. Preoperative
photos will be taken to show your progress. You
will be asked to sign a surgical consent which enumerates the risks of the procedure
in detail. These risks will be explained herein and also at the consultation. You
will need to arrange a for an escort to drive you to and from your procedure.
Patients cannot operate motor vehicles after surgery. You will need arrange the
assistance of someone for at least 24 hours after surgery. |
Patients are under a local anesthetic with intravenous sedation. You will
not feel the injections of local anesthetic, and you will be very drowsy throughout
the procedure. Continuous monitoring of your vital signs is carried out throughout
the operation. Excess skin, muscle, and fat are removed. The skin is then
closed with very fine sutures. If you do not require removal of any skin from
the lower eyelids, the Doctor will remove the bulging fat pads through a small
incision inside the lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. This is usually the
case in patients with younger, more elastic skin, and may be combined with a chemical
or laser skin resurfacing procedure. Occasionally, the lower eyelid is very lax,
and removal of any amount of skin could result in a pulling down of the lid, or
ectropion. In this circumstance, the doctor may elect to perform what is called
a lateral canthoplasty. In this procedure, the actual lid structure is tightened
up to the bone of the eye socket near the outer corner. This may result in a change
in the shape of your eyelid which can be permanent, and will lengthen your recovery.
There is an additional fee for this procedure as well. Following your procedure,
you will be monitored briefly in the recovery room, and you will then be released. |
You will have lubricating ointment placed in your eyes, which may blur your
vision temporarily. You will need to apply light weight ice cold compresses to
your eyes for the first three days. You should avoid using your eyes and try to
get as much rest as possible during the first week after surgery Keep yourself
propped up during sleep or sleep in a reclining chair. Blood pressure needs to
be kept under control. Avoid blinking your eyes, reading, watching television,
or using a computer for the first week. Take this opportunity to catch up on your
sleep and avoid any interruptions which may cause you stress. Swelling
and bruising usually lasts for ten to fourteen days, but makeup can be applied
as a camouflage after the first week. Always use sunglasses, as you may be very
sensitive to light for a while. Avoid contact lenses for a week or so. The eyes
may fatigue easily for several weeks after surgery, due to any residual swelling
in the tissues.
You should avoid strenuous activities such as bending, lifting,
and sports for about six weeks. Healing is a gradual process and it usually takes
six weeks to three months. Most people return to work in a week being able to
maintain confidentiality by using concealing makeup. |
