Post-Operative Instructions
1. Sleep with your head elevated (two to three pillows) or in a recliner.
2. Place icy cool compresses on the incision (unless bandaged) every hour while awake for 10 minutes. Ice for at least two days and then switch to warm wash cloths. Ice is used initially to stop swelling that occurs after any procedure and helps with pain. Warm heat is used after several days to dilate blood vessels in the surgical area to quicken wound healing. Warm compresses should not be too moist or be used more than four times a day as this may dry out the skin.
3. Resume all your current medications the same day unless specifically advised not to. Coumadin, Plavix, Asprin, and any other specific blood thinner will usually be held for serveral days after surgery. NOTE THAT ALL BLOOD THINNERS SHOULD ONLY BE STOPPED AFTER DISCUSSION WITH YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER.
4. You may be prescribed oral antibiotics by Dr. Ahmad, if your procedure is being done in the office start the antibiotic the day of the procedure. If you are having surgery in the surgery center or hopsital, IV antibiotics will be given to you prior to your procedure and any additional oral antibiotics will start the day after. Any antibiotic can cause a rash or diarrhea, please call Dr. Ahmad if these side effects occur.
5. If prescribed an oral steroid start the following day. Steroids are usually best taken in the morning with food. If you are a diabetic check your blood sugar twice a day. If any side-effects occur like agitation or difficulty sleeping stop the medication and call Dr. Ahmad’s office.
6. Apply any ointments as directed. Remember the ointment on the eyelids will blur the vision. Only a small amount is needed.
7. Apply any eye dros as directed If the eyelids are swollen do not pry open the lids. Simply drop the medication into the corner of the eyelid closest to the nose.
8. Prescribed pain medicatopns should be used as needed. If you are having minimal pain it is okay to take extra strength Tylenol. If you are taking the prescribed pain medicaton remember that constipation may occur. If this does occur any over the counter stool softener or other natural laxative can help.
9. It is normal to have some oozing from the wound. If there is continuous bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure, page or call Dr. Ahmad.
10. The area of surgery should become more swollen the following day. It is common to have bleeding into the lower face even if only eyelid surgery was performed.
11. You can walk and perform light tasks the following day. Do not exercise strenuously until suture removal. More extensive procedures like orbital fracture repair or decompressions may require a longer period of time until strenous activities can resume. Dr. Ahmad will give you an estimate of time off from these activities.
12. Refrain from smoking and keep out of the sun. Both of these activities will increase the risk for a poor outcome. Smoking in particular should be stopped two weeks prior to surgery or limited in amount. Dr. Ahmad understands that smoking cessation can be difficult during stressful periods like surgery but decreased smoking can give you the best chance for a good outcome.
13. Contact lenses are ususally stopped for several weeks after eyelid surgery. Dr. Ahmad understands how important contact lens wear is for patients and will try to get you back into your lenses as soon as possible. This may be longer if patients are having complicated eyelid reconstruction.
Call or Page Dr. Ahmad If:
A. Your vision is blurry (remember the ointment will blur the vision)
B. Eye Pain
C. Continued bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
D. Increasing pain the following day after surgery
E. Increase redness and swelling after the third day after surgery. Remember the facial skin is very delicate. Expect to be swollen. Bruising may travel down the face.