| On the Afternoon and Evening of Surgery
• You should rest as much as possible, preferably in bed or in a recliner. A bandage over the eyes is not necessary. In the evening, you may take a bath if someone is there to help you. Avoid straining or bending over. Watching television is acceptable.
• To prevent swelling, apply clean cold compresses to the eyelids as much as possible until you go to sleep. Gauze pads or a clean towel may be soaked in a basin of ice cubes and applied directly. Alternatively, a large Ziploc bag may be partially filled with ice cubes or a bag of frozen peas may be placed over a moist gauze or towel. Commercially-available gel-filled vinyl masks may also be used.
• Pain after surgery is usually mild and able to be controlled with Tylenol. Avoid using aspirin or ibuprofen for two days. Severe pain should be reported immediately.
• If your stomach is not upset, you may resume your normal diet immediately. If you do feel some nausea, limit your first meal to liquids such as soup or juice.
• It is normal for the eyelids to become red, swollen, and bruised . . . |
