live a lone and in my 70's and need upper eyelid surgery to improve vision.
Do I Need Someone to Stay with Me After Eyelid Surgery? I'm 70 and Live Alone.
Doctor Answers 18
Yes, any time a patient undergoes surgery for the eyes, or any procedure that requires anesthesia ( whether it be general anesthesia or "twilight" sedation anesthesia), they need to have a responsible adult with them to take them home after surgery and care for them overnight. You cannot drive home or even take a cab by yourself after anesthesia. Every one needs someone with them in the event of an unlikely emergency.
Yes. It is important to have someone with you the first night after a surgery. You cannot drive home after anesthesia for the upper blepharoplasty and in the event you need to get back to the office for any type of surgically related emergencies it is important to have a caretaker.
Web reference: http://www.seattlefacial.com/photogallery/blepharoplasty_photos17.html
All plastic surgery patients should have a responsible adult with them for at least 24 hours following surgery. If a patient does not have a caregiver sometimes plastic surgical offices can provide a private-duty type nurse or other caregiver for this critical and important time period.
You might also like...
All patients who undergo cosmetic surgery of any type should really have a responsible adult with them for at least 24 hours after surgery. An alternative is to see if a plastic surgery aftercare facility is avaiable or look for a plastic surgeon like myself who operates in the hospital setting and can just admit you overnight. Regardless of what arrangements you make you will be glad you made them. Best of luck! Dr Kerr
It would be best for you to have someone with you for the first few days. After surgery, your eyes may be swollen and ointment may be placed in the eyes, making it difficult to see. It would be safest to have a little help with your daily activities, to assist you with your medications and to provide the transportation needed to your post operative appointments.
I think that due to the number of medications that can be given during the surgical procedure, it is always best to have someone with you the day of surgery. If you are trying to get up and become dizzy, you might fall and hurt yourself.
I only allow patients to leave my office surgical facility with a chaperone either a family member, friend, or nurse, It is always a good idea to have someone with you the first night or two to at ten to your needs.
I would definitely suggest having someone stay with you for at least a couple of days after your blepharoplasty in case your eyelids swell and the paid medications may make you a little unstable on your feet.
Have patients been able to get away without any help the night of surgery? Yes. Is it a good idea? ABSOLUTELY NOT. You have no doubt heard the saying :
You have to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.
The worst case scenario is bleeding around the eyelids/eye with possible loss of vision. Is that scenario something you want to face alone? NO. Don't want to scare you, but this is an elective procedure and safety is paramount.
It sounds like you are asking because you do not have the option of having someone help you. Since the surgery is being done to improve vision the best solution is have the surgery in the hospital and stay they for less than 24 hours so the nurses can help you, show you how to put in the eyedrops and make sure you can care for yourself after leaving the hospital.
I hope you realize that this format of posting questions and receiving answers lacks the face to face direct communication required for you to make an informed decision regarding your surgery.
My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
You might also like...
Related Content
How Long Should Swelling and Numbness Last After a Facelift?
127 doctor answers
How to clean sutures/wounds after blepharoplasty?
6 doctor answers
Icing Eyelid to Help Heal After Eyelid Surgery?
3 doctor answers
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
212 doctor answers
Ask a Doctor
Get personalized answers from board-certified doctors. For free.
Eyelid Surgery Pictures
Photos from the community
Eyelid Surgery Pictures
Photos from the community
