| After the blepharoplasty operation |

During your post-operative visit, usually five to seven days after surgery, the sutures will be removed under magnification with special delicate instruments to minimize discomfort. Sleep with your head elevated thirty to forty degrees for one week. This minimizes the swelling.

Avoid:

• bending over or lifting heavy objects for one week
• straining at stool. If you feel constipated, use your usual laxative.
• hitting or bumping your face
• excessive sunning during the first thirty days
• reading or watching television for prolonged periods during the first two weeks after surgery. This will minimize eye strain and headaches.

Do not:

• tweeze the eyebrows for two weeks
• use a high heat hair dryer
• apply hair colouring sooner than three weeks after the operation
• participate in any athletic activities for at least one month after surgery
• use contact lenses earlier than ten days after surgery
• apply eye shadow and false eyelashes until ten days after surgery.

You may:

• have your hair washed two days after all the sutures are removed
• take a shower or bath (not too hot and not too long) the day after surgery without getting your eyes wet
• gently cleanse your face with cotton tipped applicators
• wear eyeglasses or sunglasses the day following surgery

What are the risks?

• Bleeding and infection are relatively infrequent and constitute a possible complication of almost every operative procedure.
• The operation is not carried out on the eyeball and therefore visual impairment is a very remote possibility. The application of ointment, usually used during the first seven days, frequently causes slight temporary blurring of vision. There may be a temporary downward or forward displacement of the lower lid. This is a result of swelling or poor muscle tone. It improves by gentle massage or exercise when the swelling is dispersed and the muscle tone returns to normal. In rare instances insertion of contact lenses may become more difficult due to a tightened eyelid muscle. This improves with time.
• Poor scarring is uncommon and even then can be easily covered by light make-up.
• There are other numerous remote possible complications which are statistically insignificant.
• I will be pleased to answer any specific questions you may have during your consultation visit.