Mild discomfort and tenderness is to be expected after any surgery. In most cases, Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be used to relieve this pain. Ice packs or cold compresses are also very helpful for relieving discomfort. After the first 48 hours, you can also take NSAIDS for pain relief such as Motrin, Ibuprofen, Alleve, Advil, etc. Dr. Garcia will provide you with a prescription if a higher level of pain is anticipated.
For the first 5 days, we will ask you to keep your incisions dry. This means you can take a bath or a neck-down shower at any time. Starting on the day after surgery, if you are going to take a shower, we will ask you to hold a dry washcloth over your face and keep your back to the shower stream at all times. A little dampness won’t hurt anything, but we do not want the sutures getting saturated during the first 5 days.
If you have any kind of a dressing over your eye after surgery, we will ask you to keep this completely dry and only take baths. Any moisture at all will cause the dressing to loosen.
For the first 24 hours after surgery, you will not be able to drive and should not make any important decisions due to the effects of anesthesia. In general, you will be asked to avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting (over 10 pounds), working in dirty environments and bending over for the first week after surgery. It is normal for your vision to be a little blurry for the first week, due to swelling and the use of ointment around your eyes. You should be able to care for yourself, and do most activities of daily living (watching TV, reading, computer work).
This really depends on what surgery you are having done. In general, following eyelid surgery, most people can go back to work 7-10 days after surgery. Dr. Garcia will let you know what is best for you depending on what surgery you are having done and what your job description entails. Patients that work in a clean, office setting may be able to go back to work sooner than a manual laborer who works outside and does a lot of lifting on the job.
Yes, it is normal for wounds to ooze during the first 24 hours after surgery, longer if you were on blood thinners. Applying ice packs alternating with direct pressure to the incisions will help to stop the bleeding. Do not resume any blood thinners until your incisions have been dry for at least 24 hours, which usually means you won’t restart them until 48 hours following surgery.
You may be asked to get a medical clearance from your primary care doctor or cardiologist if you have any serious medical conditions or take blood thinners. Dr. Garcia will ask you questions about your general health and determine if this is needed.
Yes! Surgery around the eyes can be dangerous if patients are on blood thinners. Aspirin needs to be stopped a minimum of 7 days before the surgery (this includes baby Aspirin, 81mg!). Any prescription blood thinner (Coudamin, Plavix, Eliquis, Xarelto, etc.) will also need to be stopped with the permission of your primary doctor. Dr. Garcia will let you know how many days before surgery to stop these medicines. Even some over the counter pain medicines (NSAIDS – Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Alleve, etc.) need to be stopped 7 days before surgery. Some supplements need to be stopped for 7 days as well, including Vitamin E, Garlic and Omega 3/fish oils.
Yes! You can NOT eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours prior to your surgery start time. This includes chewing gum and drinking water. Taking your normal morning medicine (excluding any blood thinners) with a small sip of water is OK.
Yes! You must have someone 18 years or older accompany you to surgery, stay in the building until surgery is over, and then drive you home. It is best to have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery until all effects of anesthesia have worn off.
Please shower, wash your hair and brush your teeth before coming to your surgery appointment. You may be asked to refrain from showering or getting your head wet for the first few days after surgery.
No, any pre-medication (for anxiety or nausea) that is needed will be administered once you arrive at the surgery center.
Desert Eyesthetics offers these payment options:
All products and services must be paid upon receipt.
We participate with Care Credit.
We are pleased to accept CareCredit, a medical credit card that can be used for health expenses. With CareCredit, you can pay for treatments and procedures for you and your family right away and then make convenient monthly payments. For more information, please ask our staff or visit the website at www.CareCredit.com.
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We are pleased to accept CareCredit, a medical credit card that can be used for health expenses. With CareCredit, you can pay for treatments and procedures for you and your family right away and then make convenient monthly payments. For more information, please ask our staff or visit the website at www.CareCredit.com.