Cosmetic Bilateral Lower Blepharoplasty FAQs

• What is bilateral lower blepharoplasty?

  Click to read about lower blepharoplasty and see photos.

• Where is the surgery performed?

  The surgery is performed at Blue Ridge Surgery Center. Review additional information about the facility. 

• What are the planning considerations?

  An adult will have to drive you to surgery, stay there, take you home, and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.

  You and your guest will be at the surgery center for approximately 4 hours.

  You cannot drive for 24 hours after anesthesia and you should not drive if your vision is blurry (more below).

  Avoid surgery within 3 months of any major events (weddings etc.).

  Vision may be slightly blurry after surgery. Blurry vision will steadily improve.

  Expect bruising and swelling after surgery. Though the bruising and swelling will not be fully resolved after 14 days, many patients are socially presentable after 14 days.

  Make up can be used on day 11.

• What are the restrictions after surgery?

  Avoid strenuous activity until day 11 after surgery.

  On day 11, you may resume exercise at 50% effort and slowly increase effort thereafter.

  Avoid bending and lifting until day 11.

  Do not rub, pull, or press on the eyelids.

  Do not go swimming until day 11 after surgery.

  Incisions may get wet and you may shower but avoid direct pressure from the shower head.

  Do not drink alcohol until day 11 after surgery as alcohol can thin your blood and increase the bleeding risk.

  Do not wear make up until day 11 after surgery.

  Do not wear contact lenses until day 15 after surgery.

• What medications will I need after surgery?

  At the pre op appointment, we will send in the prescriptions for you.

  We will prescribe antibiotic eye drops to use three times a day for ten days.

  You should also have the following over the counter medications available for use post operatively:

  artificial tears to use as needed for dryness/irritation

  Tylenol for post operative pain

• What else should I have ready to use after surgery?

  You will need to use ice packs after surgery.

  They should be light weight so as not to put too much pressure on the surgical area.

  Frozen ketchup packets in a clean ziplock bag work well.

  You can also purchase reusable freezable gel packs if desired.

• When are the post op appointments?

  We will schedule the first post op appointment typically 7-14 days after surgery.

  The first post op visit can be scheduled by telemedicine video call if desired.

  There is one more post op appointment approximately 3 months after surgery. After that time, patients follow up as needed.

• What else do I need to do to prepare for surgery?

  After the initial consult, we see patients again prior to surgery (usually around 1-2 weeks) for a pre op visit.

  Before the pre op visit, you should review the following information again:

  Review all of the information on this page in detail.

  Review the pre op instructions.

  Review the post op instructions.

  Review the bilateral lower blepharoplasty consent form (you will sign this in the office at the pre op visit).

  You should also come to the pre op visit prepared with questions or send us any pressing questions in advance.

• What is the cost?

  The self pay quote for bilateral lower blepharoplasty at Blue Ridge Surgery Center is $5,300. This includes the pre op visit, the surgeon's fees, anesthesia fees, and facility fees, and post op care.

  The amount above will be paid in two transactions:

  $4,050 will be due to the office at the pre op visit for the surgeon's fee and anesthesia fees.

  $1,250 will be due to Blue Ridge Surgery Center for the facility fee. We recommend calling Blue Ridge Surgery Center at 919-781-4311 at least a few days prior to the day of surgery to complete payment so we can help address any questions that could come up.

• What time will my surgery be?

  Surgery times are finalized by the surgery center the day prior to surgery.

  You will be contacted by Blue Ridge Surgery Center with your arrival time.

  If you do not hear from them the day prior to surgery, between 2 pm and 4 pm the day prior to surgery, Call 919-781-4311 and press option 1 to get your arrival time.

• What happens next?

  If you are an existing patient who has been seen in our office recently, were sent this information to review, and are interested in proceeding with surgery, text us and let us know:

  Dates you CANNOT do with regard to the pre op visit, surgery date, and first post op visit.

  We will then text you proposed dates based upon our availability (Dr. Mettu operates on Wednesdays and Fridays).

  If you have not been seen in our office and would like to be evaluated, you can schedule online.

  If you are scheduled for surgery and are reviewing this information before your pre op appointment, see you soon!