Your written discharge plan comes first. These instructions must be tailored to your treatment and medical history. For combined procedures, ask the team for one coordinated plan; do not choose between conflicting instructions yourself.
What to expect.
Eyelid swelling, bruising, dryness, and temporary irritation are common. New loss of vision, worsening double vision, or severe eye pain is not routine recovery.
Your care plan.
- Use the preservative-free lubricating drops and eye ointment in your discharge plan. Do not substitute skin ointments inside the eye.
- For an isolated eyelid operation, the existing protocol uses clean cool compresses for 15 minutes followed by a 15-minute break during the first day. Do not press on the eyes or apply ice directly; confirm modifications if you also had a facelift or brow lift.
- Clean the external incision gently as demonstrated. Keep skin products out of the eyes and do not pull at the stitches.
- Avoid contact lenses and eye makeup until cleared. Ointment can temporarily blur vision; persistent or worsening visual change must be assessed.
Activity & recovery.
- Rest with your head gently elevated and avoid bending at the waist, straining, and heavy lifting until cleared. Take short walks rather than remaining in bed.
- Protect the treated area from pressure and sun. Resume exercise, makeup over incisions, and other facial treatments only when cleared.
Follow your team’s specific instructions for medicines, wound care, and safe movement. Do not drive while taking sedating medicines or until you can safely operate a vehicle and your surgeon clears you.
When to call.
Chest pain, trouble breathing, collapse, stroke symptoms, or sudden loss of vision need immediate emergency care. Do not wait for an office reply or use an online form.
Contact your care team promptly
- Sudden decreased vision, new double vision, severe eye pain, or a rapidly tense swollen eyelid requires emergency evaluation now. Call 911 for sudden vision loss; do not wait for an office reply.
- Call promptly for inability to close an eye, increasing redness, pus, or persistent irritation.
- Report fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, spreading redness, pus, worsening pain, persistent vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down. Call sooner if you feel seriously unwell, even without a fever.
- New one-sided calf pain or swelling needs urgent medical assessment. If you also have chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911.
Call 615.730.7500. After hours, follow the urgent-contact directions on your discharge paperwork. If you cannot reach the team and symptoms are urgent, seek immediate medical care.
Stay connected.
Keep your scheduled follow-up and ask the team when to send an update or return sooner. Confirm any dressing, stitch, or drain removal with the office. Return to exercise, work, travel, and skin-care products should follow your individual clearance plan.
Before leaving your appointment, make sure you know your next visit date, medication plan, and after-hours contact instructions.
Sources & References
External references open in a new tab. Your care guide will stay open here.
These references provide general information. Follow your care team’s procedure-specific instructions and personal discharge plan.