Blepharoplasty Pre & Post Operative Instructions

Please Read First

This page provides a condensed overview of preparation and recovery guidelines for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). For complete instructions—including anesthesia details, timelines, and medication guidance—please download the full Pre-Operative and Post-Operative instruction documents below. These serve as your primary reference for a safe and successful recovery.

General Anesthesia Pre-Op & Post-Op Instructions Video

Key Pre-Operative Guidelines (Summary)

Fasting

General anesthesia: No food/drink for 8 hours before surgery.
Local with sedation: No food/drink for 3 hours before surgery.
Local only: No fasting required.

Transportation & Care

General anesthesia or sedation: A responsible adult must drive you home; rideshares are not permitted.
Local only: You may drive yourself home.

Medications: Stop aspirin, NSAIDs, blood-thinning supplements, and weight-loss meds as directed. Discuss prescription meds (blood pressure, diabetes, anticoagulants, etc.) with your surgeon.

Lifestyle: Reduce/stop nicotine for 4 weeks before/after; reduce alcohol for 2 weeks before/after.

Day of Surgery: Shower; avoid lotions/makeup; remove jewelry/piercings; inform staff if you have metal hair extensions; wear loose, front-opening clothing.

Suggested Supplies:

Artificial tears or preservative-free lubricating eye drops
Optional cooling gel eye mask / soft cold compress
Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses

Key Post-Operative Guidelines (Summary)

Pain & Nausea: Use Tylenol; narcotic and anti-nausea medications may be prescribed. Avoid NSAIDs unless directed.

Antibiotics: Complete the full course; antibiotic eye ointment is typically prescribed—finish the entire tube.

Cold Therapy: Cool compresses 10–15 min on / 30+ min off for the first 48–72 hours; do not apply pressure or ice directly to eyelids.

Activity: Gentle walking after a couple of days; avoid strenuous activity for 2–3 weeks; avoid contact sports 4–6 weeks or until cleared. Limit screen time to reduce eye strain.

Sleep & Positioning: Sleep on your back with head elevated (2–3 pillows) for 1–2 weeks.

Incision Care: Do not rub eyes; minimize sun exposure; use SPF 30+ and/or hat. Avoid makeup/creams on the surgical area for 2 weeks. Sutures are usually removed at 5–7 days; remaining sutures dissolve.

What to Expect: Swelling/bruising may peak at days 2–3; mild bleeding/crusting can occur; temporary numbness/lumpiness and brief blurred vision are common and improve with healing.

Follow-Up and Support

Urgent Concerns: Contact our office for increasing redness/warmth, drainage, fever >101°F, or pain not relieved by medication.

Emergencies: For difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Ongoing Communication:

Non-urgent: [email protected]
Urgent (9am-5pm): (808) 585-8855
After hours: Physician exchange (808) 524-2575

Appointments: Attend all scheduled follow-ups to ensure proper healing.

Download Complete Instructions

For detailed medication guidance, incision care, activity timelines, and recovery milestones, download the complete documents here:

Download Blepharoplasty Pre & Post-Operative Instructions (PDF)

Download Pre- and Post-Operative Instructions: Surgery with General Anesthesia (PDF)