Shopping List

See our list of must-purchase items and products, plus recommendations for purchase here.

The following items are also available for in office purchase:

• Skinuva Scar Cream
  • Start applying the cream 2 weeks after your surgery directly over your scars. Use twice a day for 6-8 weeks.
• Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment
  • Start 4 weeks prior to procedure to enhance results.
• Alastin INhance Post-Injection Serum
  • Apply to skin around (not directly on) the incisions for the first two weeks post op to promote faster healing of bruising and swelling.
• Arnica Montana Tablets
  • Sublingual tablets – take as directed on the package.
• Bromelain with Quercetin tablets
  • All-natural high potency supplement that aids in post-surgical recovery and alleviates inflammatory response to help reduce pain and swelling.
  • Bromelain: enzyme extracted from pineapple stem that helps ease inflammation, swelling, discomfort, and wound healing time.
  • Quercetin: fights harmful free radicals and supports immunity.
• Pick up your prescribed & Over-the-Counter Medications ahead of time
  • Prescribed medications will be sent directly to your pharmacy. The pharmacy will contact you once they are ready for pick up. Please fill your prescriptions prior to surgery and have them ready at home.
  • DO NOT take anything before surgery except the Arnica Montana Tablets and/or Bromelain Tablets.
  • Make sure to bring your prescribed medications (Valium tablets, Antibiotics, and Pain medication) with you to the office on the day of your procedure. You will be further instructed on when to take them.
  • OTC Medications:
    • Extra Strength Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
      • Alternative to prescribed narcotic pain medication if pain is not severe. Do NOT take NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Aleve, etc.).
      • Do not exceed 3500 mg (3.5 g) of Tylenol in any 24 hour period.
    • Stool Softener
      • Brands: Colace, Miralax, etc.
      • Helps to relieve post-surgical constipation related to the narcotic pain medication.
      • Can take one pill morning after procedure and continue each morning until bowel movements are regular.

2 Weeks Before & After Surgery Substances/Medications to STOP 🛑

• NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, ect.)
• Green tea, turmeric
• Alcohol, nicotine
• Supplements / vitamins that contain Vitamin E
• All herbal supplements
• Please refer to the list of medications and supplements to avoid before surgery.

Day Of Surgery

• Shower the night before or morning of your surgery with the antibacterial soap to help reduce risk of infection. Use the antibacterial soap on all treated areas.
• Eat a light meal before the procedure.
• Bring the medications prescribed to the office. You will be instructed when to take these once you are in the office.
• Set up a home recovery area: pillows, blankets, books, televisions.
• Keep your valuables at home. You may bring your glasses and a pair of sunglasses for the car ride home.
• Do not wear contact lenses.
• Dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Shirts that can be buttoned or zipped-up are preferred.
• Do not wear any makeup, jewelry, creams/lotions, hair products, sunscreen, and remove all piercings.
• We typically want you to arrive at our office 1 hour prior to your procedure time. We will confirm this with you prior to your procedure.
• Have your support person available to take you home and help you at home for the first 24-48 hours.

After Surgery Instructions

• Sleep with your head elevated on several pillows formed into a wedge and lay on your back for the first 3-5 days. This will help decrease post-surgical swelling and soreness.
• Activity
  • For the first 48 hours, rest quietly, you may get up to use the bathroom or to take a light walk around the house. Exercise caution in your home and be careful with tasks such as climbing stairs when you are taking pain medication.
  • When bending, bend at the knees only, keeping your head elevated.
  • No lifting of objects greater than 5 lbs.
  • It will be at least 2 weeks before you can begin light exercises such as long walking or using a stationary bike.
  • Jogging is permitted 3 weeks after your procedure.
  • Heavy or very strenuous activities are not permitted for 6 weeks post-op. After 6 weeks, you may resume normal exercise as tolerated but expect to go back as gradually as if you’ve had an injury. You should exert yourself at about 50% of your normal level for up to 6-8 weeks.
  • Most patients can drive after one week. Be aware that pain medications cause drowsiness and should not be used before driving.
  • Limit strain on the eyes, the less TV, computers, phones, and other screen devices the less strain on your eyes and better your healing and recovery.
• Bathing
  • On the first day after your operation, you may gently wash your face by patting it gently with a face cloth.
  • You may shower and wash your hair 3 days after the procedure, doing your best to not saturate your dressings. You can use regular shampoo or soap. Make sure to not use direct water pressure on your eyes.
  • Do not submerge your face in water. No hot tubs/baths/swimming pools or standing water until your incisions have healed and approved by your surgeon. This is usually around 6 weeks post-op.
• Nutrition
  • It is important to drink liquids frequently after your procedure. Do not take your pain medication on an empty stomach as you may experience nausea and/or vomiting.
  • Avoid alcohol for 2 weeks and while you are still having to take pain medication.
  • There are no food restrictions after the procedure.
• What to expect
  • You may have blurred vision because of the ointment in your eyes after your procedure. Vision usually clears within a few days. Although blurry vision is normal, vision loss is not. Please report vision loss ASAP.
  • You will have bruising and swelling around your eyes and face that will take 1-2 weeks to subside. The bruising and swelling may gradually get worse on days 2-3 after surgery before it starts to improve again.
  • Your incisions may be red, raised, and feel hard for several months, but most incisions are inconspicuous after 2-3 weeks.
  • Parts of the eyelids may feel numb or lumpy after the procedure, this is temporary and to be expected. It may take months to feel normal again.
  • It is normal to feel some pain and itching as your incision heals, this is normal and will resolve within a few weeks.
• Incision care
  • Keep ice compresses on your eyelids for the first 48 hours for no more than 20 minute increments. Make sure the ice is not in direct contact with the skin as frostbite can occur.
  • Use Lubricant eye drops in the eyes during the first 3-4 weeks and as needed for comfort. Be gentle when applying the drops. Eye ointment is helpful at night if eyelids do not fully close in the first month, or if there is persistent dryness.
  • No eye makeup for 10 days post procedure.
  • Do not wear fake eyelashes or contact lenses for at least 3 weeks post procedure.
  • Avoid and minimize sun exposure. Even a mild sunburn can worsen swelling and irritate an incision that is healing.
  • After 2 weeks post-op you may start using your scar gel (Skinuva) to improve healing.
• Travel/Return to work
  • You cannot travel via airplane for at least 1 week after the procedure. All airplane travel within 4 weeks of the procedure must be approved by Dr. Maia. *If you still have lifting restrictions, please enlist the help from others to assist in lifting/carrying your luggage*
  • In general, you will need at least 1-2 weeks off from work. You will feel fine before 2 weeks, but bruising often lasts for 14 days; occasionally longer.
• Medications
  • Use the pain medication as prescribed when you are feeling uncomfortable.
  • DO NOT use aspirin or ibuprofen-containing products for 2-3 weeks to reduce the risk of bleeding.
  • Make sure to start your antibiotic the night of your surgery and take all tablets as prescribed until finished.
• When to call the office or go to the hospital
  • Signs of infection
    • Spreading redness, worsening swelling, increased drainage or drainage of pus, worsening pain not relieved by pain medication, warmth at the incision site and temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Vision LOSS (not blurry vision).
  • Excessive bleeding
    • If dressings are saturated with bright red blood and you are having to make very frequent dressing changes.
  • Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain. Lightheadedness that does not quickly resolve. Severe vomiting, pain, or asymmetric pain/swelling in legs/calves.

NOTE: Pain medication may be filled up to two weeks post op at the doctor’s discretion. Please submit prescription refill requests before 12 p.m. Friday.

Follow-up Appointments

• You will have several follow-up appointments after your blepharoplasty procedure.
• Your first follow-up is typically within 1 week. At this time, you will have your sutures removed.
• Subsequent appointments will be suggested by Dr. Maia.
• After all stitches have been removed, the scars will appear a deep pink color. With time, the pink will fade and become white, the firmness of the scar will soften, and they will become less noticeable. Each individual varies with respect to healing, but it takes approximately a year for these changes to occur and the scars to look their best. Expect to see final result at one year as the healing process takes time.

Someone from Maia Plastic Surgery will call you to inquire about your condition and answer any questions you may have.