Your comfort and safety during recovery are our highest priority. This guide has been prepared to help you navigate each stage of your healing journey with clarity and confidence. Please read it carefully and keep it close throughout your recovery — our team is always available should any questions arise.
Preparing for Your Procedure
One Week Before
- Refrain from alcohol for at least 3 days before and after surgery.
- Confirm all required laboratory work and blood tests have been completed and sent to our office. Fax: 855-506-2309.
- Fill any prescribed medications so they are ready at home before your procedure date.
- Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Vitamin E, and any blood-thinning supplements unless otherwise directed. Tylenol is acceptable.
- Refrain from all nicotine and tobacco products. Nicotine impairs circulation and healing and increases anesthesia risk.
The Evening Before
- Our team will contact you to confirm your arrival time.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight — this includes water, breath mints, and gum. Failure to fast may result in cancellation of your procedure, as a fasting state is required for safe sedation.
- The only exception is prescribed medication; take it with the smallest sip of water the morning of surgery as instructed.
Morning of Surgery
- Shower and shampoo thoroughly before arriving.
- Do not apply makeup, hair products, gels, or nail polish. Acrylic nails may remain.
- Dress in loose, comfortable clothing and flat, easy-to-slip-on footwear.
- Leave all jewelry, body piercings, and valuables at home.
- If you are currently menstruating, please wear a pad rather than a tampon.
- Please make sure you have a responsible adult picking you up when surgery if completed.
The First 48 Hours
Rest & Head Evaluation
- Keep your head elevated on 2–3 pillows at all times, including during sleep, for the first week. Elevation significantly reduces swelling around the eyes.
- Avoid sleeping on your side or face-down during the initial recovery period.
- Rest as much as possible. Overexertion can increase swelling and risk of bleeding.
Cold Compresses
- Apply light, cool compresses (damp gauze pads chilled in ice water work well — do not place ice directly on the skin) over closed eyes for the first 48 hours.
- Apply for 15–20 minutes per hour while awake. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce swelling and bruising in the early days.
Activity & Restrictions
Movement & Rest
- Limit your activity sharply over the first week following surgery.
- You are encouraged to walk around the house on the day of surgery and thereafter. This helps to prevent blood clots from developing in the legs. Move and pump your legs frequently while lying down.
- When you rest or sleep, keep your head elevated on 2–3 pillows and avoid turning on your side. If you overexert yourself, bleeding or prolonged swelling may result.
- Keep your emotions under control. It is not unusual to feel a bit depressed for a few days after surgery. This quickly passes as you begin to look and feel better. Anger, crying, or other emotional outbursts will only add to the swelling or increase the likelihood of bleeding.
- Avoid bending, lifting, pulling, pushing, straining, and aerobic activities for 3 weeks.
- You may begin to return to regular exercise 3 weeks after surgery. Ease into this, gradually increasing your exercise level back to normal by 5–6 weeks from surgery.
- Take deep breaths often when you get home for the first 24 hours after surgery. This helps to expand the base of your lungs.
Incision Care & Healing
Eating & Drinking
- Soft foods may be easier to eat in the early days following surgery.
- Take a small amount of food 20 minutes before taking post-operative medications — especially pain medications and/or antibiotics — to prevent nausea.
- If symptoms of nausea persist, call our office.
Pain, Swelling & Bruising
- Significant pain after eyelid or brow surgery is unusual. Tightness, numbness, and a feeling of heaviness around the eyes are more common in the early days.
- Swelling and bruising are normal. They typically peak at 48–72 hours and gradually subside over the following 10–14 days.
- If you notice significant swelling or pain on only one side, contact our office promptly.
- Your final results will occur between 6–12 months.
Wound Care
- Apply ophthalmic ointment as prescribed to keep the incision area lubricated.
- Sutures or staples will be removed through the first post-operative week as directed.
Healing Timeline & Sun Protection
- Final results develop gradually over 6–12 months as residual swelling fully resolves.
- Avoid direct sun exposure to all incision areas for at least 1 year. UV exposure can cause lasting pigmentation changes on healing scars.
- Apply unscented zinc oxide SPF 30+ consistently to incision areas once they are fully healed.
Contact Our Office Immediately If You Experience Any of the Following:
- Fever above 101°F
- Pain that is not adequately relieved by prescribed medication
- Increased redness, warmth, or swelling around the incision site
- Bleeding that saturates your dressings
- Foul-smelling or unusual discharge
- Persistent nausea, vomiting, or any other symptom that concerns you
When in doubt, please call. We would always rather hear from you.
