Eyelid - Facial Rejuvenation Centre
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
First 48 hours
1. Place frozen peas, ice packs or ice water soaked pads on eyes, changing every hour for 20 minutes.
2. Keep head elevated.
3. Reduce activity to decrease chance of bleeding or wound opening, swelling and nausea. Absolutely no bending,
lifting or straining.
4. Take medications as prescribed.
5. Call the office immediately if you experience swelling accompanied by excessive bruising and pain, especially if it
occurs on one side.
Next Day After Surgery
1. You will be asked to come to our office the following day for your first postoperative appointment.
Wound Care
For 48 hours after surgery, keep ice water soaked pads on eyes, changing pads every hour for 20 minutes. Pads should be slightly
wet, do not wring out completely. It is the weight of the water as well as the temperature that helps minimize swelling. A small
bag of frozen peas or corn may also be used on top of the eye pads. Make sure the bag is not placed directly on the skin. Use a
washcloth or towel between the bag and your skin.
At bedtime clean any excess ointment off sutures with a Q-tip. Then apply the eye ointment (most commonly polysporin
ophthalmic) on the eyelid sutures and inside the lower eyelid. Until the sutures are removed, you will apply the eye ointment two
times a day (morning and evening) to the sutures. It is only necessary to apply the ointment inside the lower eyelid at bedtime.
Oitment inside the lower eyelid will make vision blurry, so best to do this immediately prior to retiring for the evening. Sutures
that have been kept lubricated are less painful to remove.
Medications
1. Most patients complain of discomfort more than pain. Use pain medication as directed/needed.
2. Do not drive or drink alcohol while taking pain medication.
3. Taking pain medication with food helps minimize nausea sometimes associated with pain medications.
4. Start your antibiotic the evening of surgery.
5. Take Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that helps promote healing, for two weeks following surgery.
6. Take Arnica, a natural herb that significantly decreases bruising for 3 days following surgery.
Bleeding
A small amount of bleeding on the dressing is normal. If you have persistent bleeding relax and reduce activity. If bleeding
persists call our office (904)810-5434, or call Dr. Leake on her cell phone which will be provided day of surgery.
Healing Care
1. Rest (both physical and mental) and adequate nutrition are important factors in healing, so eat well and take it easy
for a few weeks.
2. Numbness, tingling, swelling, itching, discoloration, bumpiness, hardness, crusting, tightness and redness around the
incisions are normal and should go away with full healing.
3. Avoid sun exposure as much as possible for three months, as it can cause swelling or an uneven change in
pigmentation. Wear a hat and sunblock (UVA and UVB block). Full healing takes two to three months.
Diet
Advance diet from liquids to soft foods (oatmeal, French toast, yogurt, soup, pasta, baked potato) to your regular diet as tolerated.
Activity
Rest for entire day of surgery. Sleep with head of the bed elevated or use two to three pillows for one week after surgery.
Absolutely no bending, lifting or straining. If you have little children, bend at the knees or sit on the floor and let them climb on to
your lap. No driving for one week following surgery. Two weeks off work is recommended.
The Facial Rejuvenation Centre
1750 Tree Blvd., Suite 10, St. Augustine, FL 32084 904.810.5434 www.frcentre.com
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