Surgery Information

Pre-Post Operative Instruction Resources
	Oculoplastics Post-op Instructions
	Eyelid Surgery Pre-Post Op Instructions
	Stabismus Pre-Post Op Instructions
	Orbital Surgery Pre-Post Op Instructions
	Post-operative Instructions for Dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR)
	Medications That Contain Aspirin
	Post-Operative Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
	Active FX Aftercare Instructions
	Post-treatment check-list Restylane
	What to expect? Radiesse Injection

General Oculoplastics Post-operative Instructions

Oculoplastic procedures refer to a large variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts, and the face. These procedures include repair of droopy eyelids, repair of tear duct obstructions, orbital fracture repairs, removal of tumors in and around the eyes, and facial rejuvenation procedures including laser skin resurfacing, eye lifts, brow lifts, and even facelifts.  Please see the following general post-operative instructions: 

• No bending, heavy lifting, exercise or aerobic activity for two weeks.
• During the first 24 hours use an ice bag, mask, or bag of frozen peas/corn for at least 20 minutes during each hour while you are awake. Then apply at bedtime for 2 weeks. Cold compresses cause the blood vessels to constrict and help decrease post-operative swelling.
• Use Tylenol 325 mg to 500 mg, every 4 hours as needed for pain.
• Do NOT take aspirin or aspirin containing products because this increases the risk of bleeding and can prolong bruising.
• Apply erythromycin ointment to the wound twice daily until instructed to stop.
• Sutures (stitches) are typically removed 5 to 7 days after surgery.

Eyelid Surgery Pre-operative Instructions

• Do not take any aspirin, aspirin containing medicines or anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks prior to surgery (including Motrin, Naprosyn and Celebrex). These drugs cause bleeding that may result in blindness. Only Tylenol is okay.
• Do not use Vitamin E or C supplements or any other herbal remedies for two weeks prior to surgery.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening before surgery.
• Do not wear eye make-up on the morning of surgery.
• During the first 24 hours following surgery you will need to apply ice to your eyelids at least 20 minutes/hour while awake. Purchase two 16-ounce bags of frozen peas or corn to use rather than ice cubes.
• You will be bruised and swollen for at least 10 days post-operatively, so plan your social and professional schedule accordingly.

Eyelid Surgery Post-Operative Instructions

• For two weeks after surgery: do not lift any item over 5 pounds, bend or stoop. Limit exercise to walking. Weight lifting, running or other aerobic activities may result in bleeding. Avoid sexual relations.
• Continue to avoid aspirin and aspirin containing products for one week after surgery. Use Tylenol for pain control. Tylenol, in combination with ice, should relieve your discomfort.
• Apply ice to your eyelids for at least 20 minutes of every waking hour during the first 24 hours post-operatively.
• You will be bruised and swollen for at least 5 days post-operatively. Using ice and avoiding activity will minimize bruising and swelling.
• Apply antibiotic ointment (erythromycin) to the sutures on your eyelids twice a day for 7 days post-operatively.
• The sutures will be removed at one week.
• Use ointment once a day for three days after the sutures are removed.

WARNING SIGNS (Call immediately (650) 559-9150)

• Increasing redness, pain or swelling
• Bleeding or severe pain
• Change in your vision

Strabismus (eye muscle) Surgery Pre-operative Instructions

Do not take any aspirin, aspirin containing medicines, or anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks prior to surgery (including Motrin and Naprosyn). These drugs cause bleeding that may result in blindness. Only Tylenol is okay.

• Do not use Vitamin E or C supplements or any other herbal remedies for two weeks prior to surgery. Please see the complete list of medicines that contain aspirin.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day before surgery.
• Do not wear eye make-up on the morning of surgery.
• Purchase two 16-ounce bags of frozen peas or corn to use rather than ice cube (During the first 24 hours following surgery you will need to apply ice to your eyelids at least 20 minutes each hour while awake).

Strabismus Surgery Post-operative Instructions

• During the first 24 hours following surgery apply ice to your eyelids at least 20 minutes each hour while awake.
• You may eat or drink just the way you did before your operation.
• You may also resume taking your usual dose of medication prescribed to you by your family doctor before the operation EXCEPT ASPIRIN. You may resume your aspirin 3 DAYS AFTER surgery.
• It is not uncommon to see double after surgery, do not patch your eyes. Try to use the eyes together and make the image single whenever possible.
• Additional eye muscle surgery or prisms in your glasses may be required if the initial surgery does not relieve your double vision.

FOR THE FASTEST POSSIBLE HEALING:

• RELAX: do not bend, stoop, lift, or exert yourself for seven days after surgery. Do not swim for two weeks following surgery. Do not do any aerobic activity, e.g. running for two weeks following surgery. No sexual activity for two weeks.
• Do not take aspirin or aspirin-like products (Motrin, Advil, Alka selzer, Excedrin) for three days following surgery.
• Use Tobradex eye drops twice a day for seven days and then once a day for seven days and then stop the drops.
• Your sutures will dissolve during the first two post-operative months. They do NOT need to be removed.
  A minimal ache is common, especially when moving the eyes. Use Tylenol as directed and ice for relief. Moderate-to-severe pain is not common and you should call the office immediately.

WARNING SIGNS

• Increasing redness, pain or swelling
  
• Bleeding
  
• Moderate to severe pain
  
• Change in your vision

IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE WARNING SIGNS OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY (650) 559-9150. If severe, proceed to Stanford University emergency room.

Orbital Surgery Pre-operative Instructions

• Do not take any aspirin, aspirin containing medicines or anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks prior to surgery (including Motrin and Naprosyn). Only Tylenol is okay.
• Do not use Vitamin E or C supplements or any other herbal remedies for two weeks prior to surgery. Please see the complete list of medicines that contain aspirin.
• If you fail to stop medicine that thin your blood or do not follow post-operative instructions to limit your activities, bleeding can occur that can result in blindness. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day before surgery.
• Do not wear eye make-up on the morning of surgery.
• Bruising and swelling will be present for at least one week following surgery, so plan your social and professional schedule accordingly.
• Purchase two 16-ounce bags of frozen peas or corn to use rather than ice cubes. (During the first 24 hours following surgery you will need to apply ice to your eyelids at least 20 minutes/hour while awake).

Orbital Surgery Post-operative Instructions

• You may eat or drink just the way you did before your operation.
• You may also resume taking your usual dose of medication prescribed to you before the operation by your family doctor EXCEPT ASPIRIN. You may resume your aspirin 10 DAYS AFTER surgery.
• If you had a fracture repaired: Try not to sneeze or blow your nose. This can force air from the sinuses under the skin and result in dramatic swelling and prolonged healing.
• Apply erythromycin ointment twice a day in a thin layer over the sutures until your sutures are removed.
• Your eyelid sutures will be removed one week after surgery.
• Use the ointment only once a day for three days after the sutures are removed.

FOR THE FASTEST POSSIBLE HEALING:

• Use a 16 oz. bag of peas or corn to ice your incisions as much as you can tolerate while awake for the first 24 hours.
• RELAX: do not bend, stoop, lift, or exert yourself for seven days after surgery. Do not swim for two weeks following surgery. Do not do any aerobic activity, e.g. running for two weeks following surgery. No sexual relation for two weeks.
• Do not take aspirin or aspirin-like products (Motrin, Advil, Alka selzer, Excedrin) for ten days following surgery.
• Do not apply makeup or lotion to the incision. Use only the erythromycin ointment. Apply this ointment in a thin layer over the sutures twice a day for seven days.
• Bruising and swelling of the area operated on is normal. However, increasing redness, swelling, bruising or bleeding is NOT normal.
• A minimal ache is common and should be relieved with Tylenol and ice. Moderate-to-severe pain is NOT common and you should call the office immediately.

WARNING SIGNS:

• Increasing redness, pain or swelling
• Bleeding
• Moderate to severe pain
• Change in your vision

IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE WARNING SIGNS OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY (650) 559-9150.

Post-operative Instructions for Dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR)

• You should avoid hot or spicy foods or beverages for two weeks. These will cause the vessels in your nose to dilate and may prompt bleeding.
• Do not blow your nose for two weeks to avoid causing new bleeding.
• You may resume taking your usual dose of medication prescribed to you by your family doctor before the operation EXCEPT ASPIRIN. You may resume your aspirin 10 DAYS AFTER surgery.
• Apply erythromycin ointment in a thin layer over the sutures twice a day for seven days.
• Your skin sutures will be removed one week after surgery.
• Use erythromycin ointment once a day for three days after the sutures are removed.

FOR THE FASTEST POSSIBLE HEALING:

• Use a bag of peas or corn to ice your incisions as much as you can tolerate while awake for the first 24 hours. You may use the ice pack the hospital gave you if you find this more comfortable.
• RELAX: do not bend, stoop, lift, or exert yourself for seven days after surgery. Do not swim for two weeks following surgery. Do not do any aerobic activity, e.g. running for two weeks following surgery.
• Do not take aspirin or aspirin-like products (Motrin, Advil, Alka selzer, Excedrin) for ten days following surgery.
• Do not apply makeup or lotion to the incision. Use only the erythromycin ointment.
• Bruising and swelling of the area operated on is normal. Increasing redness swelling, bruising or bleeding is NOT normal.
• A minimal ache is common and should be relieved with Tylenol and ice. Moderate-to-severe pain is NOT common and you should call the office immediately.

WARNING SIGNS:

• Increasing redness, pain or swelling
• Prolonged bleeding from the incision or from your nose
• Moderate to severe pain
• Change in your vision

IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE WARNING SIGNS OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY (650) 559-9150.

Active FX Aftercare Instructions

• Continue Valtrex for 14 days
• Apply aquaphor after cleansing skin on the morning and evening
• Do not rub skin, splash with sterile water twice daily
• You will experience redness and tenderness like a mild to moderate sunburn for the first 3-5 days
• Flaking will begin at day 5-7; do not rub
• Schedule Silkpeel or exfoliating facial at day 10-14

Please call us if you have any questions (650) 559-9150.

What to expect? Radiesse Injection

• RADIESSE is a dermal filler that is injected into the skin to soften creases or folds, support areas of volume loss or contour specific facial areas
  
• Local numbing medication may be used to maximize your comfort during the procedure. Most patients report a mild discomfort typically associated with needle injections
  
• You may experience a mild to moderate amount of stinging or aching sensation post injection
  
• To ensure even correction the physician will massage the area treated, which may cause a temporary, minimal to moderate amount of redness to your skin
  
• Bruising at the site of injection is a commonly reported side effect. To minimize bruising, inform your provider if you use blood thinners such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or herbal preparations prior to your procedure
  
• Temporary minimal to moderate swelling can be expected, which should dissipate following injection. Some patients report dramatic reduction in swelling hours after their treatment
  
• It is normal to experience some tenderness at the treatment site for a few days

Please call us if you have any questions 650-559-9150

Post-treatment Checklist for Restylane

• After your treatment, you might have some redness and swelling. This will normally last less than seven days. Cold compress may be used immediately after treatment to reduce swelling. If the inconvenient continues beyond seven days or other reaction or side effects occur, please contact your physician.
• Avoid touching the treated area within six hours following treatment. After that, the area can be gently washed.
• Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until any redness or swelling disappear.
• If you have previously suffered from facial cold soars, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to a recurrence. Speak to your physician about medications that may minimize a recurrence.
• Avoid exercise and alcohol for six hours after treatment.

*Please call us if you have any questions 650-559-9150

Post-Operative Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment Instructions

1. Immediately post treatment apply ice packs at intervals of 15 minutes every hour, Aloe Vera gel, or a mild over the counter Hydrocortisone cream on unopened skin to help minimize redness and swelling, and provide comfort.
2. A mild to moderate sunburn-like sensation is anticipated. This usually resolves within 2-24 hours after treatment but may persist up to 72 hours.
3. Bathe or shower as usual. Treated areas may be temperature sensitive. Cool showers or baths may offer relief.
4. Avoid aggressive scrubbing and use of exfoliants, scrub brushes, and loofa sponges until treatment area has returned to its pretreatment condition. No saunas for 3 days.
5. Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanning creams to treated areas. Apply a sun block with SPF 30 or greater daily to sun-exposed, unopened skin between treatments and for 2-4 weeks after treatment.
6. Until redness has completely resolved (usually 2-3 days), avoid all of the following:

• Applying cosmetics on or near treated areas
• Swimming, especially in pools with chemicals/chlorine
• Hot tubs and Jacuzzis
• Activities that cause excessive perspiration

1. If the treated area blisters use a topical antibiotic ointment and cover with a sterile dressing twice a day.
2. Do not pick or attempt to remove scabs or crusts that form following your treatment as this may incur infection and may lead to scarring. Apply a thin film of antibiotic ointment twice a day to treated areas. The scaling or crusting will fall off naturally in one to three weeks.
3. Use a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Motrin, Aspirin, etc. to help reduce discomfort and swelling.

Pigmented Lesions may initially look raised and-or darker with a reddened perimeter. The lesion will gradually darken over the next 24-48 hours turning brown or even black. The lesion will progress to scabs/crusting and will start flaking off in 7-14 days, do not pick, scratch, or remove them.

Download IPL consent form

Medications That Contain Aspirin

ALKA-SELTZER TABLETS ALKA-SELTZER PLUS COLD MEDICINE ANACIN CAPSULES AND TABLETS APC TABLETS APC WITH CODEINE ANACIN MAXIMUM STRENGTH ARTHRITIS PAIN FORMULA BY ANACIN ARTHRITIS STRENGTH BUFFERIN ASCODEEN-30 ASCRIPTIN ASPRIN ASPERGUM ASPRIN SUPPOSITORIES BAYER ASPIRIN BAYER CHILDREN’S CHEWABLE ASPRIN BAYER CHILDREN’S COLD TABLETS BAYER TIMED RELEASE ASPRIN BC POWDERS BUFF-A-COMP TABLETS BUFFADYNE BUFFERIN BUTALBITAL CAMA INLAY TABLETS CETASED, IMPROVED CHERACOL CAPSULES CONGESPIRIN COPE CORICIDIN DECONGESTANT TABLETS CORICIDIN FOR CHILDREN CORICIDIN MEDILETS TABLETS FOR CHILDREN CORICIDIN TABLETS DARVON WITH ASA DARVON-N WITH ASA DRISTAN DECONGESTANT DURAGESIC

ECOTRIN TABLETS EMPRAZIL EMPIRIN EMPIRIN WITH CODEINE EMPRAZIL TABLETS FLORINAL FLORINAL WITH CODEINE 4-WAY COLD TABLETS GEMNISYN GOODY’S HEADACHE POWDERS INDOCIN MEASURIN MIDOL MOMENTUM MUSCULAR BACKACHE FORMULA MONACET WITH CODEINE NORGESIC NORGESIC FORTE NORWICH ASPIRIN PABIRIN BUFFERED TABLETS PANALGESIC PERCODAN PERCODAN DEMI TABLETS PERSISTIN QUIET WORLD ANALGESIC SLEEPING AID ROBAXISAL SK-65 COMPOUND ST. JOSEPH ASPIRIN FOR CHILDREN SINE-AID SINE-OFF SINUS MEDICINE-ASPIRIN FORMULA STENDIN STERO-DARVON WITH ASA SYNALGOS CAPSULES SYNALGOS-DC CAPSULESS TOLECTIN TRIAMINICIN TABLETS VANQUISH VERIN VIRO-MED TABLETS