Please read the following information carefully.
- Following surgery you will be provided with a prescription for Tobradex ointment and Tylenol #3.
- The Tobradex ointment should be applied twice daily to your incisions for one week. This promotes moist wound healing and contains a topical antibiotic, which lowers risk of infection.
- If your discomfort is mild, you may take Tylenol plain or extra-strength instead of Tylenol #3. You may wish to consider taking a tablet of Tylenol #3 before bedtime to reduce your discomfort overnight for the first few days as needed.
- Beginning on the day after surgery, you may begin to shower daily and gently wash your incisions with soap and water. Gently dab your incisions dry afterwards and perform a light application of Tobradex ointment.
- Cold compresses are recommended for the first 48 hours post-operatively. Prepare an ice cold face cloth by placing in a bowl with water and ice. First remove excess water from the face cloth before placing over eye region. Applying cold compresses (15 minutes on/15 minutes off) frequently while awake is recommended. This will decrease the degree of bruising and swelling post-operatively.
- Small sutures will be in place until your follow up visit in 6-7 days. Please avoid rubbing your eyes for at least 2 weeks post-operatively to reduce risk of wound healing complications.
- Please avoid any strenuous activity, heavy lifting over 5 pounds, bending over, or exercise for 4 weeks post-operatively to lower risk of bleeding, bruising, and swelling.
- It is important to refrain from driving while taking any narcotic pain medication.
- Please take any routine blood pressure medications as prescribed by your family physician.
- Sleeping on your back with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows is recommended for 3-4 weeks following surgery, which also reduces swelling.
- Make-up may be applied to your incisions 2 days following suture removal.
- Your follow-up appointment will be provided to you by the office before discharge home.
- If you have any concerns regarding the following, please call Dr. Power immediately:
- Redness around your incisions
- Increasing pain
- Change in vision
- Excessive bruising, firmness, or swelling of eyelids/eye region
- Leg swelling
- Shortness of breath
If you have any questions during your post-operative course, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Dr. Power’s after-hours contact information will be provided.
