REMOVAL OF SKIN IRREGULARITIES

This fact sheet gives you information on eyelid operations involving the removal of minor skin irregularities such as cysts or warts.  

Before the operation

10 days before the operation

Anticoagulants

You must stop taking anticoagulants 10 days before the operation.   However, before stopping, you should consult your doctor and check that he or she agrees that it is safe to do so.   If you are taking MARCOUMAR you will be offered a plan so that you can take an alternative drug as a replacement. Your doctor will be consulted about this to make sure that he or she agrees.   If anticoagulant treatment prescribed for a general illness cannot be stopped, it is possible that the eyelid surgery will not be able to go ahead.  

The day before the operation

• Make sure that you get a cooling mask (ice pack) from the chemist, or alternatively, make sure that you have some frozen peas at home.
• Make sure that you have some paracetamol (pain killers).

The day of the operation

You may eat as normal on the day of the operation.   Take all of your medication as usual   (except for the anticoagulants).

Do not wear any mascara, make-up, earrings or necklaces.   Do not wear your contact lenses.

Tell the doctor or nurse if you are allergic to any medicines, or if you have a pacemaker.  

The operation

The operation will last 45 minutes.  

If it has taken longer than expected to treat the patients before you, you will also have to allow for waiting time.

Anaesthetic eye drops will be used in both eyes to avoid any eye irritations.  

Your eyelids will be disinfected with Isobetadine and a sterile tissue will then be placed on top of this.   

During the operation you will not be able to touch your face. This is because it needs to be kept sterile.  

The doctor will then give you subcutaneous (i.e., under the skin) injections (lidocaine 2% with adrenalin 1: 100,000).   These injections are similar to the injections you have at the dentist.   The anaesthetic will start to work immediately and will last for about one hour.  

At the end of the operation, an antibiotic ointment will be applied to your eyelids. You will then get a cooling mask that you will have to leave on your eyes for half an hour.   When you go home, it is important that you use the cooling mask every hour for 10 minutes.    Alternatively, you can use a packet of frozen peas because they will mould to your face easily.   This cooling is very important as it helps to reduce the swelling, but will only be effective for the first 24 hours following the operation.   If it causes pain, you can take some paracetamol (as this does not contain any anticoagulant substances).

To ensure that the swelling is kept to a minimum, it is important that you use something cooling on your eyelids (e.g., a cooling mask or ice rolled in a glove).  

After the operation

The day after the operation

It is possible that you will experience bleeding during the first 12 hours.   Chill your eyelids using ice (three times). You will notice that the swelling gets worse up until the third day following the operation and that it will then start to get better.  

The first week after the operation

It is possible that your skin will be blue for about a week.   The swelling can last for up to three weeks.   Don't worry about any haematomas (blood clots under the skin), as they will gradually disappear.  

If you had any sutures, these will be removed 7 days after the operation.   You will have a check-up 4 days after the operation with the results of the examination.

The first three months following the operation

Stay out of the sun as it can cause nasty scars.   You can avoid this by using total sun block (factor 60) or by wearing a hat.   Sunglasses will not offer you sufficient protection.