GEORGE K. ESCARAVAGE, MD, FACS
Postoperative Instructions after Eyelid/Brow/Facial Surgery
MEDICATIONS:
 Apply the prescribed antibiotic ointment to stitches 4 times/day.
 Apply 1 drop of artificial tears to the operative eye 4 times/day and as needed for dryness or burning (provided
in your postoperative kit).
 Resume your regular medications as scheduled, unless otherwise specified by your other providers. For blood
thinning medications, see ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS on the next page.
FOR PAIN:
 Tramadol or Hydrocodone/APAP. 1-2 pills by mouth every 6 hours as needed for severe pain.
 If the pain is not severe, you can use Tylenol instead. Do not use more than 4000 milligrams of Tylenol in any
24 hour period (it is listed on pain pill prescriptions as APAP). Do NOT use ibuprofen-type medications (such
as Advil or Aleve) for 48 hours after surgery.
RECOVERY AND ACTIVITY: Use the provided gel packs for cold and heat; keep all water away from stitches
 Apply cold compresses to the operative site 20 minutes on/20 minutes off for 48 hours. This is IMPORTANT
to LIMIT SWELLING. You do not need to apply cold compresses while sleeping.
 After 48 hours, use warm compresses for 10 minutes 6 times/day until your follow-up appointment.
 No lifting, straining or bending for 5-7 days. Very light physical activity is recommended for 7 days after
surgery. This physical rest is CRITICAL to a safe and faster recovery which will allow you to return to your
normal activities more quickly.
DIET:
 Eat 1-2 servings of pineapple (fresh or canned) daily for 7 days after surgery to help speed recovery. Do NOT
eat if you are diabetic, you have problems with your blood sugar, you dislike pineapple, or it causes
gastrointestinal distress or any other issues. Bromelain, in pineapple, helps limit and resolve bruising.
 Resume your normal diet.
EMERGENCIES:
Please call Oculoplastic Consultants of the Carolinas (910-444-0707) immediately if any concerns arise
associated with surgery (24 hours per day/7 days per week). After hours and on weekends, please choose
OPTION 6 for the on-call physician. All other extensions will not be checked until the following business day.
over 
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
 Do not rub the surgical site or eyelids or attempt to "clean" them. Only if absolutely necessary, you may blot
around the surgical site gently with a clean cloth with distilled water. Any tension could break the stitches. Do
not allow stiches to get wet.
 Try to sleep with a room temperature gel mask over your eyes to protect the stitches and limit swelling.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS:
WHEN YOU GET HOME AFTER YOUR SURGERY:
 It is normal to be somewhat drowsy, especially if you had sedation.
 Try to eat light, soft meals for the first day following your surgery.
 Try to sleep with your head elevated on 1-2 pillows for 3-4 days after surgery.
 Any compression dressings applied will feel tight. Leave the dressing in place as directed.
CARE OF THE SURGICAL SITE:
 A slight amount of oozing from incisions is normal for the first 1-2 days after surgery; this is most likely to
occur after removing cold compresses.
 Do NOT rub the operative site as it will likely break any stitches.
 You may bathe starting the day after surgery. Any dressings must be kept dry. You may gently blot and wash
your face and hair gently, but do NOT rub the surgical site vigorously. Do not allow stitches to get wet.
 Swelling and bruising are normal after surgery. The second and third days after surgery may show the most
swelling and discoloration. Swelling and bruising may persist for up to several weeks in some cases. If you had
surgery on both sides of the face or on both eyes, it is not uncommon for one side to show more swelling.
IN THE DAYS/WEEKS AFTER SURGERY:
 Your follow-up appointment will be confirmed before you leave the recovery room/office.
 You should NOT drive if under the effects of sedation, taking pain medications or if your vision is blurred for
any reason.
 You may begin to wear contact lenses after 7 days unless there is excessive swelling or if they do not fit well.
 Do NOT apply any makeup around the skin incisions until all sutures are removed or dissolved.
 Do NOT pluck or wax eyebrows for 4 weeks after any brow lift surgery.
 Swelling, bruising, red and bumpy skin incision lines, numbness, tingling, hardness, crusting, itching, and
tearing can be expected and will go away with healing after several weeks; rarely with some surgeries, they may
persist for months.
CONTACT US EMERGENTLY IF THE FOLLOWING OCCUR (910-444-0707):
 Continuous bleeding from a surgical site
 Any dressing becomes soaked with blood
 Significant decrease in vision
 Fever above 101.5 degrees
 Swelling that continues to increase
 Pain that continues to increase
 Discharge that continues to increase
 Itching and redness that increases the more you use any prescribed ointment as this could be an allergy