PROCEDURE:
- Blepharoplasty is the removal of excess skin from the upper/lower eyelids or both.
- It also addresses abnormal fat pad herniation by removal or re-draping.
- This results in a more youthful and refreshed periorbital appearance.
- Performed as an in room or day hospital procedure.
PRE-OPERATIVE:
- Please stop any over-the-counter herbs, vitamins, or drugs 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery.
- Disprin, NSAIDS and blood thinners should be stopped 7 days prior to surgery unless specified or instructed differently by Dr F. Spruyt. This is done to prevent excessive bleeding.
- NO SMOKING is allowed within 4 weeks of your surgery up to and including 4 weeks after surgery.
- You should be fasted for 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery.
- Please be at the hospital 2 hours prior to your surgery to allow for admission and preparation.
- You will be counselled on the risks, complications, and healing process prior to your surgery. If you have any questions, please write them down and bring them with you so that they may be discussed prior to surgery.
PROCEDURE:
- The procedure takes approximately 60 minutes for upper/lower lids and 90 minutes for both.
- Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia in a day hospital, however local anaesthetic is infiltrated to limit bleeding and post-surgery discomfort.
- In rooms procedures are performed under sedation and local anaesthesia.
- Steri-strip plasters are applied once the procedure has been completed.
POST-OPERATIVE:
- Elevate your head for the first 48 hours by sleeping with 2 pillows under the head.
- Place an icepack over the dressings every 4 to 6 hours for the first 24 hours so as to reduce the swelling.
- Please take your medication as prescribed.
- Bruising and swelling after surgery are normal and can worsen over a 48 to 72 hour period.
- Please keep the dressings dry. After the first 48 hours, you may clean over the dressing with gentle pressure. Please use salt water when cleaning.
- Apply the prescribed eye ointment 3 times per day.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS:
- Hematoma (blood collection)
- Ectropion or lid malposition
- Infection
- Dry eye, swelling, sensitivity which should improve over several weeks.