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

live a lone and in my 70's and need upper eyelid surgery to improve vision.

Doctor Answers 18

Do I need help after my eyelid surgery?

May 22nd, 2014
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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.
Niki Christopoulos, MD, FACS

Caregiver required for first 24 hours after eyelid surgery

March 15th, 2012
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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

William Portuese, MD

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 125 reviews

Post-op aftercare

February 22nd, 2012
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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. 

Joseph O'Connell, MD

Joseph O'Connell, MD
Westport Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

Help after surgery

February 20th, 2012
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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

Mahlon Kerr, MD, FACS

Assistance after blepharoplasty surgery

February 17th, 2012
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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.

George John Alexander, MD, FACS

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

February 16th, 2012
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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.

Julio Garcia, MD

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 21 reviews

Post-op care after blepharoplasty

February 14th, 2012
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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.

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Home after eyelid surgery

February 14th, 2012
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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.

Jacob Freiman, MD, FACS

Jacob Freiman, MD, FACS
Miami Plastic Surgeon
4.5 out of 5 stars 251 reviews

Better safe than sorry.

February 14th, 2012
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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.

A.J. Amadi, MD

A.J. Amadi, MD
Seattle Oculoplastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 30 reviews

Care after surgery

February 14th, 2012
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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.

Aaron Stone, MD

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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.