Preparing for Eyelid Surgery

Before Your Operation

Preparing for Eyelid Surgery

Pre-Op: Preparing for your eyelid surgery

Testing your tear production - Before you have surgery, your surgeon's office will perform tests of your vision and your ability to produce tears. This is done to make sure that you don't have dry eye syndrome. Because your vision will be tested, you will need to bring your corrective lenses (eyeglasses or contacts, depending upon which you use) to the examination. If you have had an eye exam within a year or so of your surgery, it is a good idea to give a copy of the eye exam records to your plastic surgeon's office. Those records, along with the exam at your plastic surgeon's office, will help to establish a baseline for your vision.

Since this assessment is usually done close to your surgery date, it is often your last chance to discuss your expectations with your plastic surgeon. If you have any last minute questions or concerns, be sure to discuss them now.

You should also be given some detailed instructions on what you need to do to prepare for your eyelid surgery, including what kinds of medications you should take or avoid, foods and beverages to take or avoid and any other pre-op preparation you need to undertake. These directions are usually given to the patient in writing. If yours are given verbally, write them down so you don't miss anything.

If you are a smoker, you will probably be told to quit smoking several weeks before surgery. Cigarette smoking slows the healing process.

Unless transportation is arranged by your plastic surgeon's office, you will probably have to arrange for a ride home after your eyelid surgery. It is a good idea to make arrangements for someone to stay with you for a while after your surgery until such time as you can get around on your own. If you don't have a friend or relative who can help you, ask your surgeon's office for information on post-surgery nursing services, which are usually available for a nominal fee.

Eyelid Surgery - Quick Topic Navigation

More information on eyelid surgery can be found on the links below.

Before Your Operation