Should I stop aspirin before eyelid surgery?

Yes. Aspirin should be stopped 7 to 10 days before eyelid surgery. The eye area is particularly prone to bruising with antiplatelet medication. Also stop vitamin E, fish oil, and NSAIDs unless otherwise instructed by your surgical team.

When should I remove contact lenses before blepharoplasty?

Remove contact lenses the night before surgery. Do not wear them on the day of surgery. Bring your glasses. Contact lenses cannot be worn for approximately 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.

⚤ Friendly general guidance. Your surgical team’s pre-operative instructions always take priority. If in doubt: call and ask before your procedure.

Preparing for Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery requires careful preparation: particularly stopping blood-thinning medications and supplements that significantly increase bruising around the delicate eye area. Cold compresses in the first 48 hours are one of the most effective recovery tools; preparing them before surgery means they are ready immediately.

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Based on guidance from NHS, NICE, AAOS & healthdirect

Last reviewed: July 2026 · Free to use · No data collected

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💊Medications and supplements: stop these before eyelid surgery

Aspirin: stop 7–10 days before: the eye area bleeds and bruises very easily with antiplatelet medication
Ibuprofen, naproxen (NSAIDs): stop 7 days before
Vitamin E: stop 10 days before: commonly overlooked but significant
Fish oil, omega-3 supplements: stop 7–10 days before
Garlic supplements, ginkgo biloba: stop 7–14 days before, all increase bleeding risk
Alcohol: stop 48–72 hours before, vasodilator, increases bleeding
Blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban): stop only if specifically instructed, timing varies by surgeon and anaesthetic type

📚 Based on guidance from:

↗ NHS ↗ healthdirect

👁️Contact lenses and eye preparation

Remove contact lenses the night before surgery, do not wear them on the day
Bring your glasses: you may not be able to wear contact lenses for 2–3 weeks after surgery
No eye make-up, mascara, eyeliner, or eye cream on the day of surgery
Remove false eyelashes before surgery: if permanent, discuss with your surgeon
If you use lubricating eye drops regularly, continue these: dry eye is more common after eyelid surgery

📚 Based on guidance from:

↗ NHS

❊Prepare these before surgery

Prepare cold compresses: gel eye masks stored in the fridgeThe single most effective tool in the first 48 hours. Have them ready to use immediately when you get home.

Buy lubricating eye dropsDryness is very common after blepharoplasty: have these ready before surgery

Arrange loose button-front or zip-up clothingYou will not want to pull clothing over your head for several days

Arrange a driver home and carer for 24–48 hoursVision may be blurry from ointment immediately after surgery

Prepare an elevated sleeping position: extra pillows or wedge pillowHead elevation at 45° significantly reduces swelling in the first days

Remove anything that requires looking closely for the first few daysReading, screens, and detailed work are uncomfortable with swollen eyelids

Based on NHS eyelid surgery patient information and Royal College of Ophthalmologists guidance.

Track your wound healing

Take a photo of your wound each day. The ghost overlay lines up your previous photo so you can spot changes. Drag the reveal slider to compare before and after. Bring the photos to your next appointment. If something looks off, try our wound symptom checker.

100% private. Photos stay on your device. Nothing uploaded.

📷 Open wound photo journal →

Get these ready before eyelid surgery

Having these at home before your procedure means a smoother first few days.

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Cold compresses reduce swelling and bruising around the eyes, you will use these constantly for the first 48 hours. Cold eye compresses →

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Arnica cream may help reduce bruising when applied to the surrounding skin (not the incision itself): many surgeons recommend it. Arnica cream →

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Large wraparound sunglasses protect healing eyelids from wind, dust and sun — and help you feel more comfortable going out. Wraparound sunglasses →

Postopcare.info may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you. These are things patients have told us genuinely helped their recovery: nothing else.

Your recovery toolkit

Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.

Daily dashboardMeds, vitals & wound photos in one view Discharge packTurn discharge notes into a day-one plan Last-dose tracker“When can I take the next one?” Vitals trackerTemperature, heart rate, BP & oxygen Wound photo journalSame angle every day — spot changes early Pain trackerSpot the trend, share it with your GP

These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.

Preparing for Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

🧰 Your recovery toolkit

Your recovery toolkit