Dr. Dal Canto will meet with you and discuss your concerns. He will provide you a thorough examination, often involving at least a partial eye exam. He will then discuss your diagnosis, answer questions, and review treatment and/or surgery options with you.

Your surgery can be scheduled based on Dr. Dal Canto’s surgery schedule and your convenience. Usually 3-4 weeks are necessary to obtain insurance preauthorization, if required.

Each patient is different and has his or her own combination of problems, options, concerns and structural/functional and aesthetic goals which must be addressed individually and personally. As a result, cost of various procedures and options will be reviewed with you after your initial visit.

If the service is not covered by insurance, payment is due before the surgery is performed.

Dr. Dal Canto operates at the Alta View Hospital outpatient surgery center as well as within his procedure room in the Alta View Specialty Clinic.

Most of the surgeries done by Dr. Dal Canto can be performed either under general or local anesthesia with sedation. He will discuss the options with you when deciding upon the surgery and you will make the decision together.

Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and resuming their social activities in about one to two weeks. This may vary depending on your type of procedure, how quickly you heal, and the nature of your job.

Yes!

• You may need to see your primary care physician or internist 3-4 weeks prior to your surgery for standard preoperative clearance, including blood work and an EKG.
• Avoid medications which thin the blood for 7-10 days prior to surgery. These include aspirin, Excedrin, vitamins E & C, and herbal supplements such as Gingko Biloba and St. John’s Wart. Ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, and related medicines should be avoided for 5 days before surgery. Coumadin and Plavix also need to be stopped (generally 3 and 5-7 days preoperatively respectively), which may require clearance from your cardiologist or internist. Coumadin may be resumed 1-2 days following surgery depending on the procedure.
• Make arrangements for someone to pick you up the day of your surgery and someone to stay with you for at least the first 8 hours.

Refrain from doing any activity that has the potential to raise your blood pressure such as exercising, bending, lifting, brisk walking and sexual activity. Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Do not take medicines or supplements which thin the blood. You will have these restrictions generally for 1 week after surgery.

Anywhere from 5-8 days following surgery. You will be given an appointment for your first post operative visit along with detailed instructions which you must follow carefully.

Normally in about one week, or when the wound is adequately healed.

Yes.

• Use plenty of cold packs, especially for the first 3-4 days after surgery. Frozen peas in a Ziploc bag work very well for this purpose. Swelling and bruising are normally the worst 24-36 hours after surgery, but cold packs starting immediately after surgery help tremendously.
• Sleep in a reclining (not horizontal) position for 3-5 days following surgery to minimize the collection of fluids in the face and eyelids.