Successful eyelid surgery can depend as much on your actions as on those of the surgeon. Carefully following the pre- and post-operation instructions provided by your surgeon will help to ensure that you receive the best possible results from your procedure.

Patients are usually asked to follow specific steps before undergoing an eyelid surgery. While these steps may range from treatment to treatment they often include:

- Undergoing a medical evaluation and/or providing your physician with a lab test
- Smoking cessation for a period of time leading up to the procedure
- Avoiding certain medications and herbal supplements that increase bleeding (usually aspirin and/or anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Adjusting dosage or temporarily ceasing the use of certain medications you’re currently prescribed
- Beginning to take pre-treatment medications

Your surgeon will help you to understand exactly what you need to do (or not do) in the time leading up to your surgery. You will also receive special instructions that help you to know how to be properly prepared for the time immediately before and after the procedure.

These instructions will tell you what to do the night before and the morning of your surgery, what to expect from the anaesthetic used in the procedure and what to expect of post-operative care and follow-up appointments.

The consultation process will outline where your eyelid surgery will be performed as well. Various procedural factors (along with personal/practitioner preference) will determine whether your surgery should be performed at an accredited practice’s office, a hospital or an outpatient or ambulatory surgical centre. If you’re treated as an outpatient it will be necessary to arrange a ride to and from surgery and have someone able to stay with you for (at least) the first night after the treatment.

Be prepared to adjust your lifestyle and diet prior to surgery to best prepare your body for surgery.