If your operation has been planned as a day-case, you will be able to go home once you have made a full recovery from the anaesthesia. However, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home. You should try to arrange for someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Pain relief
You will probably experience some pain around your eyes immediately after the procedure.Â
We will provide you with a supply of all the medicines your consultant feels you need to take home with you after you've left hospital, up to 14 days. This may be at an additional cost to some patients.
Recovery time
Your consultant will advise you on how to make your recovery as quick as possible.
When you get home you’ll need to take things easy at first. Arrange at least a week off work. Most people go back to work after a week to ten days. You must not try to drive until you can see normally again.
You'll also find:
- your eyes will appear watery for a few weeks
- cleaning the eye area and eye drops recommended by your surgeon can help if the eyes feel sticky, dry and itchy - which can last for around ten days
- bruising around the eyes should disappear after around three weeks - elevating your head and using a cold compress can help.
End results
You should be able to see the final results of your surgery once swelling and bruising have disappeared after about three weeks.
How your loved ones can help
Once you’re ready to be discharged, you’ll need to arrange a taxi, friend or family member to take you home as you won’t be able to drive. We strongly recommend you discuss this with friends and relatives in advance. You should also ask them if they can run some light errands such as shopping as you won’t be feeling up for it.
Looking after you
The nurse will give you a contact telephone number for the hospital and a date for a follow-up appointment with your surgeon. The stitches are usually removed about five to ten days later at the out-patient clinic.
On rare occasions, complications can occur following eyelid surgery. If you experience any of these symptoms – increasing pain; bleeding that doesn’t stop within 10 to 15 minutes; blurred vision that lasts more than three or four days – don’t hesitate to call us
Your consultant will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.
But everybody is different. If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery and the appearance of your eyelids, you can return for a follow-up appointment with your consultant.