I have decided to go ahead so what happens next?

It is a good idea to take a coupe of weeks out to think things through. This ‘cooling off’ period will allow you to weigh up the benefits and the risks of the surgery. Re-examine your reasons for wanting this surgery and only go ahead when you are sure that it’s what you really want.

Make sure you have as much information that you need and that you fully understand what this surgery entails. It is one of the biggest decisions you are likely to be make to be absolutely certain it is for you. Do it for you and not for anyone else.

It can help to discuss this with your partner, family and friends. They will provide moral support as well as an objective opinion.

Talk to your GP as well. It is a good idea anyway to keep your doctor informed as to your plans for cosmetic surgery. If anything does go wrong then he/she will be aware of what you have had done and will help accordingly.

If you decide to ahead then visit your surgeon for a full length consultation. This will involve taking your medical history, performing a physical examination which includes your blood pressure and chest x-rays. Your heart and lungs may be examined by an anaesthetist to make sure you are safe to have an anaesthetic.

These tests may not be conducted if you are in good health and under 55.

He/she will decide whether you are a good candidate or not for surgery. If you are refused then there will be a very good reason for this. He/she may be able to recommend an alternative.

Your surgeon will also perform a series of eye tests and will check your ability to produce tears. It is a good idea to have an eye test before this consultation and then bring the results with you to give to your surgeon.

If you wear glasses then remember to bring these with you.

If you have any existing medical conditions, allergies or are taking any medication then please tell your surgeon. Be frank and honest with your medical history. You may be concerned that if you mention an underlying condition then this will exclude you from surgery but that is not always the case.

If you have had surgery before or have a medical condition then it can be dealt with. It may mean that you are at increased risk during surgery but surgery can still go ahead. If you don’t mention this then if something does go wrong your surgeon will be unaware of what might have caused it.

This also applies to any medication you are taking – whether prescribed or ‘over the counter’. These could cause an adverse reaction or affect your recovery and so it is not worth taking the risk. You will be advised to stop taking these in the time leading up to your surgery and not to resume them until your surgeon says so.

Even if you take something mild such as ginseng or evening primrose oil then believe it or not, these can affect the healing process. Ginseng, garlic, Vitamin E, evening primrose oil and other such nutritional supplements must be stopped before your surgery.

Your surgeon will be able to advise you on what you can and cannot take.

Once you are satisfied with everything you have been told then you are ready to sign a consent form or forms. These will explain what the procedure is, the risks and what you can expect. 

Read through this very carefully and if there is anything you don’t understand then ask. Do not sign it until you feel ready to do so and don’t feel pressurised.

You can change your mind at any time.

Note: if you change your mind after you have signed an agreement then check to see that you are not liable for a financial penalty if you do so.

Your surgeon will then arrange the date and time for your surgery. He/she will give you a list of things to do in preparation for your surgery. Please follow these to the letter. They may seem a bit restrictive or time consuming but they are designed for your safety and well being. The aim is to ensure that you achieve the very best you can from the surgery and are back on your feet as soon as possible.

This is the process if you are going as a private patient. It may be a different process if you are applying to the NHS.

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) Guide Index:

COSMETIC SURGERY TREATMENTS

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