What happens on the day of the Eyelid Surgery procedure?
You must arrive on time to be fully admitted by the medical team. Smoking and illicit drug use must be avoided before the procedure. Smoking increases the risk of some serious complications during and after surgery. Ideally, you should stop smoking at least 8-weeks prior to a procedure, cutting down does not reduce the risk of complications, however, the greatest health benefit is gained by quitting smoking for good. More information about the possible complications, as well as information about how to quit, is available here.
Blood pressure must be under good control, and all other medical conditions must be stable. Blood thinners must be avoided if possible. You must fast on the day of the procedure. You are able to eat dinner as usual the night before, then you must stop drinking fluids at midnight. On the morning of the procedure you can take a small sip of water to take your pre-surgery medication.
The surgery is performed under light sedation (rather than general anaesthesia) with local anaesthesia to make the area numb. This procedure is usually completed within 1-2 hours. Many patients will have the upper and lower eyelid surgery at the same time, and potentially other procedures such as fat transfer and forehead thread lift. Expect to be drowsy after the procedure, this is a side effect of the sedation, but not in pain.
You must be collected by a competent supervising adult and observed the first night. Any severe pain or swelling must be immediately reported to us. The following day you will be reviewed by our team and all of the aftercare instructions must be followed.
What happens after the Eyelid Surgery procedure?
You will need to rest for at least 5-days and avoid any strenuous activity. Smoking must be avoided. The sutures are removed on Day 5, and many patients can return to work by approximately Day 8. This may be longer, depending on bruising and swelling.
Exercise should be avoided for 2-weeks, followed by a gradual cautious return. The scars from the upper eyelid should fade over 1-3 months, although (infrequently) laser resurfacing may be needed to improve these. This scar is purposely placed in the natural skin lines and crease of the eyelid so it can not be seen. Soon after the surgery, you are able to hide the sutures and scars by wearing sunglasses.
Often, the lower eyelid will require no suturing whatsoever. Bruising in this area can last longer and be more severe in some cases. Thread lift to the forehead will require small sutures, and these are usually removed between 5-7 days. Fat transfer to the cheeks to decrease the tear troughs can cause some swelling and bruising, but this usually settles within 1-week.
