Do I Need Someone to Stay with Me After Eyelid Surgery? I'm 70 and Live Alone.

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.

Due to the sedation and medication administered to surgery patients, I require all my patients to have a responsible adult with them for at least 24 hours following surgery. Patients find it extremely useful (if not necessary) to have someone else assist them with daily activities such as giving medications and providing transportation to follow-up appointment as they are recovering. If finding someone to take care of you is difficult, ask your surgeon about the availability of after care facilities or in-home care.

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

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.

Plan on having someone stay with you and assist you during the first 24 hours after surgery. We make this recommendation to ALL of our patients regardless of age. It can be very challenging to care for your incisions, deal with swelling and handle the lingering effects of sedation and other medications. Plus, having the needed emotional support during the first days or even week after surgery is very helpful.
Thank you for your question.Stephen Weber MD, FACS

In arranging surgery for a patient, aftercare is a critical component to the overall surgical plan.  This is as much true for a 30 year old as it is for an 80 year old.  You might be a very capable individual.  However, for the first night after eyelid surgery, swelling, ointment needed to lubricate the eye surface, and the slow clearance of any drugs administered at the time of surgery can all contribute to a degree of impairment right after surgery.  Having a sitter or a night nurse, even a competent friend or family member with you for the first day or two will prevent small things from turning into a bigger problem.  Ben Franklin said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  That applies to your situation.

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.

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. 

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.