Meronk Eyelid Plastic Surgery






Insider's Guide to
Blepharoplasty




Chapter 31
Do's and Don'ts Before Surgery
 


Section Four

Note: All sample instructions in this Section (and the entire Insider's Guide, for that matter) are provided only to acquaint you with the general nature of preparation and care commonly required before, during, and after routine cosmetic eyelid surgery.

Such samples are not intended to replace, supplement, clarify, or contradict your own surgeon's protocol. Contact your own doctor for answers to all of your questions and always follow only your own doctor's instructions and advice.



Chapter 31

Do's and Don'ts Before Surgery

SAMPLE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SURGERY

• Your surgeon will arrange for some or all of the following well in advance of your surgery date:

• Health history and questionnaire

• General physical examination and/or medical clearance from your regular doctors

• Any special laboratory testing and/or electrocardiogram

• Do not take aspirin, baby aspirin, coated aspirin, aspirin-containing medications (for example, some cold remedies), aspirin-like medications (including many prescription arthritis medications), or ibuprofen and related medications (Motrin, Advil, Alleve, etc.) during the three weeks before surgery. Even one tablet can interfere with blood clotting. Tylenol (or any brand of acetaminophen) may be used at any time

• If you use prescription "blood thinners" such as Coumadin or Plavix, be sure to discuss this with your surgeon well in advance of your surgery. You will need to follow special customized instructions.

• If you use a separate Vitamin E supplement, stop two weeks before surgery. The small amount of Vitamin E contained in a normal daily multivitamin is not of concern.

• Other common over-the-counter supplements are known to prolong bleeding to a much lesser extent than the above medications, including gingko biloba, ginseng, glucosamine/chrondroiton sulfate, and any number of herbs. For this reason, try to limit your ingestion of herbal teas or any other over-the-counter supplements not specifically recommended by your general physician.

• Unless you are advised otherwise, continue using all of your regular medications in their normal dosages. If you are diabetic, you may need to adjust your dose of diabetic medicine on the day of surgery. Be sure to talk to your surgeon about this and any other special medications.

• Try to stop (or at least decrease) smoking and alcohol intake in the two weeks prior to surgery.

• You should have the following supplies ready for use upon your arrival home:

• ice cubes (one or two trays)
• several clean washcloths
• a small clean bowl to hold water
• several gallon-size Ziploc bags (to use for ice packs), or
• a package of frozen baby peas

• You should purchase the following supplies before surgery:

• a small supply of sterile gauze pads
• a small bottle of Extra-Strength Tylenol (or the equivalent brand of acetaminophen)
• a small bottle of artificial tears (optional)

• Arrange for someone to drive you to your surgery and pick you up afterwards. You may not drive yourself home.

• If at all possible, someone should stay with you at home on the afternoon and evening of surgery. If you must be home alone, be sure to have several meals prepared and waiting in the refrigerator and the phone number of someone you can call for assistance.

• If your surgery is at the hospital or a surgicenter, do not take in any food, fluids, or medicines after midnight unless instructed otherwise. If your surgery will be done at an office operating room, ask about such policies.

  

Upper Eyelid Surgery
Cosmetic blepharoplasty
for the upper eyelids
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Cosmetic blepharoplasty
for the lower eyelids
eyelid surgery summaries
Eyelid QuickNotes
Compare and contrast
procedure pros and cons
Eyelid Fat Grafting
Solutions for upper and
lower eyelid hollowness
The Case Studies
Audiovisual presentations
narrated by Dr. Meronk
Asian Eyelid Surgery Resource
Double eyelid surgery
Healing and Recovery
After upper and lower
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blepharoplasty guide - eyelid surgery resource
Blepharoplasty Photos
Photos of patients before
and after eyelid surgery
Blepharoplasty
Introduction to cosmetic
eye surgery with FAQs
Atlas of Eyelid Anatomy
Pictures and diagrams of
lid and facial anatomy
Eyelid Owner's Manual
Articles on eyelid care
and maintenance
Operations Step-by-Step
Cosmetic blepharoplasty
shown start to finish
blepharoplasty news - eyelid surgery reference
Revisional Blepharoplasty
Unsatisfactory results after cosmetic eye surgery
Online iConsultation
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