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For Denver patients preparing for blepharoplasty surgery it is important to understand that eyelid surgery is a serious undertaking. Here are several things that are critical in preparing for your blepharoplasty with Dr Thiagarajah.  

 

Aligned Goals with your Surgeon

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First off, it is most important to understand the specific  goals and expectations of your particular eyelid surgery. Understanding the surgery and what to expect in recovery is critical in order to ease the process after surgery. This involves understanding what the blepharoplasty surgery will and will not improve. 

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Medical Clearance

 

Second, medical clearance from your primary care physician is also important. There may be medical conditions or a change in your current medical condition that may delay or prevent eyelid surgery. The anesthesia for blepharoplasty is usually light, but it is anesthesia nonetheless. As a result, medical clearance to screen for medical conditions that may make tolerating the anesthesia difficult or unsafe is essential.  At the end of the day, for our patients in Denver,Colorado  their health and well being is the most important thing we care about. Blepharoplasty and eyelid surgery patients will be given at our Denver office forms to take to their primary care doctor informing the type of surgery, anesthesia and needed testing. If your doctor has any questions feel free to have them call Dr Thiagarajah or his staff for clarification.

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Stop Blood Thinners

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In Denver, as with many other locations, it's crucial to manage blood-thinning medications carefully before undergoing blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to minimize the risk of excessive bleeding during and after the procedure.

 

 Why Stop Blood Thinners Before Blepharoplasty?

 

Blood thinners—such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and direct oral anticoagulants like apixaban (Eliquis) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto)—interfere with the blood's ability to clot. This can lead to increased bleeding, bruising, and complications during surgery. Therefore, discontinuing these medications before surgery is generally recommended.(chicagoeyelids.com)

 

Recommended Timing for Discontinuation

 

The specific timing for stopping blood thinners can vary based on the type of medication and individual patient factors. It's essential to consult with your prescribing physician to determine the appropriate duration. General guidelines include:

• Aspirin: Discontinue at least 7 days before surgery. 

• NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen): Discontinue at least 7 days before surgery.

• Warfarin (Coumadin): Typically stopped 5 days before surgery; however, bridging therapy with heparin may be necessary for certain patients. (AAO)

• Clopidogrel (Plavix): Discontinue at least 5 days before surgery. 

• Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs like Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa): Discontinue at least 24–48 hours before surgery, depending on renal function and specific medication. 

 

Special Considerations

• Consultation with Healthcare Providers: Always consult with your primary care physician or cardiologist before stopping any blood-thinning medications. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific health needs.(denvereyelid.com)

• Supplements and Over-the-Counter Medications: Certain supplements and over-the-counter medications can also affect bleeding risk. It's advisable to stop taking supplements like vitamin E, fish oil, ginseng, and ginkgo biloba at least 7 days before surgery. 

• Monitoring: Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests, such as INR (International Normalized Ratio), to assess your blood's clotting ability before surgery

 

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Time Off

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Third, coordinating time off is essential for eyelid surgery.  After blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery, patients will often have bruising and swelling. It may be difficult to see for a couple days.  On the day of surgery, you will need someone to come with you to surgery and to take you home. You will not be able to drive home so you will need that person to drive you. Also, it may be helpful to have some help during the recovery period.  Most patients who undergo a blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids can go back to work in 1 week. For lower eyelid blepharoplasty patients, usually about 10 days are needed. This is true for most blepharoplasty patients.  Remember, that the recovery expectations are generalized. We have found in our practice in Denver there are patients who need a shorter period of time to recover and others who need a longer period of time. This is dependant on the individual constitution of the patient, their age and other factors. It is best not to schedule big social events until the allotted healing period after blepharoplasty.

 

Medications and Home Set up

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Fourth, before the procedure it is best to have the medications needed after surgery already ordered and at your house. This way the blepharoplasty patient or their family does not have to go to the pharmacy to pick up medications after surgery. This includes the bag of peas or whatever is being used to ice the eyelids after surgery.  It is nice to have every you need for blepharoplasty recovery set up so when you come home after surgery, it is one less thing to worry about during recovery.

 

Followup Set

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Fifth, make your followup appointment before the surgery date. This way, it is set up. Our office routinely sets up these appointments ahead of time for our eyelid and blepharoplasty surgery patients.

 

These are the basic things that one should do before undergoing blepharoplasty surgery, For our patients in Denver who come for blepharoplasty consultation or patients who are scheduling blepharoplasty surgery, I usually direct them to this site to reinforce and learn more about blepharoplasty surgery so they can understand the details before they undergo the procedure. Hopefully this makes the process much smoother.