You will need someone to drive you the day of your surgery and to your appointment the day after your surgery. In most cases patients are able to drive a few days after their surgery.
Three days before surgery
Eyelid scrubs: hold a warm compress to your eyelids for 5 min, followed by gently scrubbing your eyelashes with baby shampoo.
Day before surgery
Same day surgery should give you a call before to confirm.
Do not eat or drink after midnight.
Morning of surgery
Take your normal medications with a small sip of water unless otherwise indicated by your physician. Show up to Same Day Surgery on time. You will see me before surgery in the holding area.
Keep your head elevated and sleep with a pillow or two for the first 24 hours after surgery. Do not lay face down or on the operative side for 3 days. If you are wearing a patch over your eye, do not remove it. If you are only wearing the clear plastic shield remove it only to administer eye drops. Do not rub your eye.
Remember to wear eye protection at all times for the next week. During the day you can wear your old glasses, sunglasses, or the clear plastic shield. At night when you sleep, tape the clear plastic shield over your eye to prevent accidental eye rubbing.
Take it easy after your surgery. During the first 24 hours after surgery rest is best. Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting (10lbs), and bending over at the waist for one week. Leisurely walks are fine. Reading and watching TV are also OK.
Avoid dirty or dusty environments for two weeks. When showering, do not let water spray directly on your face for two weeks. Do not swim or submerge your head for one month.
Continue your normal medications after surgery including aspirin, Coumadin, Motrin, and diabetic medications unless instructed otherwise.
During the first post-operative month, some patients find over-the-counter reading glasses (+2.50 to +3.00) helpful. You may wish to purchase these to help with reading before your final prescription is stable. Some patients benefit from removing the lens from the old glasses over the operated eye. A new prescription will usually be given around 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
Your follow up appointments will be one day, one week, and one month after your surgery. You will need to have someone drive you to the first post-operative appointment. If you are comfortable with your vision, you may drive to the next appointment.