Zorgkaart Nederland VandenBroecke kliniek
Op Zorgkaart Nederland ontvangt onze kliniek een 9.7 uit 100 reviews
feedbackcompany
Op Feedback Company ontvangt onze kliniek een 9.4 uit 1458 reviews

Recovery and aftercare

Recovery and Aftercare blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)

The following phenomena are likely to occur after the procedure:

  • You may experience an inability to fully open or close the eyes during the first period following the procedure.
  • The wounds can ooze and/or bleed, especially during the first night following the procedure.
  • Bruises on and around the eyelids will occur. These may sag towards lower eyelids and cheeks. After 3 to 4 days these will be most visible..
  • Dirt may collect on the lashes, especially after the night. You can (carefully) remove this by using a clean cotton tip that has been wetted with boiled water that has cooled.
  • Plasters may curl. That is no problem, just try to press them back carefully. In case plasters fully release, please contact the clinic in order to apply new plasters, if necessary. Do not cut off any threads that might stick out.

 

Important:

In case one of the following phenomena occurs after the procedure, please contact us immediately:

  • Excessive swelling and dark purple discoloration on one or both sides.
  • Continuing blood loss (running blood) that does not stop after pressing with a compress for 5 minutes.
  • Pus formation and fever.
  • Acute vision loss.

 

What you can do to facilitate healing:

  • Cooling

We recommend you to cool the eyelids with a cold compress mask for 10 minutes every hour during the first 3 days. We will give you a cold compress mask and gauzes to take home after the procedure. Place a piece of gauze between your eyes and the mask during cooling.

  • Rest

Take rest for a couple of days following the procedure. This will reduce pain and swelling and painkillers will usually not be necessary. The thin skin of the eyelid usually heals well and quickly. The scars will hardly be visible after six weeks to three months after the procedure.

  • Avoid pressure and activities

Eyelids are very sensitive to fluid accumulation and gravity. Avoid activities that put pressure on your head for 2 weeks following the procedure. Keep your head elevated, do not bend over and do not lift heavy things. You could use two pillows to keep your head upright as much as possible when sleeping. In case of bleeding you can dab the eyes with gauze carefully. Do not rub, as you could rub open the wound. Also in case of itching: do not rub but dab. A cold compress mask may bring relief.

  • Showering

Keep the plasters dry on the day of the procedure and the following day. After two days you can take a shower as usual. The plasters are splash proof, but should not get fully wet. Dab dry carefully and immediately afterwards. Do not rub. We discourage you to use a bath or sauna as this may cause wound infection.

  • Make-up

Do not use make-up on or around your eyes for two weeks.

  • Sports and exercise

We discourage you to engage in sports or any other vigorous activities during the first two weeks following the procedure.

  • Sunlight

Do not expose the scar to sunlight or a sun bed for 6 weeks after the procedure. Wearing sunglasses and scar cream with SPF might help.

  • Pain killing

Do not take medication that contains aspirin and/or Ibuprofen from 10 days prior until 7 days after the procedure, to avoid discoloration, swelling and bleeding.
Paracetamol however is allowed.

  • Driving a car

You can not drive home independently after the procedure. During the first week following the procedure we discourage you to drive, as your insurance company may not allow you to drive.

  • Arnica

We discourage you to use arnica drops or pills in the period around the operation because of its blood thinning effect. Putting arnica ointment on the lower eyelids or cheeks after the procedure is allowed. Avoid the operation area.

  • Scar cream

We advise you to use a scar cream on the scars. You can start using the scar cream when all scabs are gone (after 2 weeks). Alhydran scar cream is for sale at our clinic.

  • Contact lenses

Contact lenses should not be worn until 2 weeks after the procedure. 

Advice after removal of the stitches

We recommend you to be careful with your eyes for another week. Do not rub, wipe, etc. You can remove the plasters that will be placed after removal of the stitches yourself. Remove them from the inside towards the outside. In case of scabs, do not remove them but let them release automatically. When all the scabs are gone, you are allowed to wear make-up again and start using the scar cream.

Click here to see the appointments currently available.