Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

An eyelid correction always involves cutting, which means that a scar is also left in this area. After treatment, this scar remains red in color for several months, but this color slowly fades away.

In an upper eyelid surgery, the scar falls into the cover crease of the eyelid. This means that the scar is virtually invisible. Depending on the excess skin that is removed, the scar may extend slightly next to the eye.

After about a year, the color of the scar has completely faded and you usually see almost nothing of it. Our doctors are very experienced in performing eyelid surgery and therefore always ensure a neat and hidden scar.

Especially in the first 48 hours after eyelid surgery, regular cooling is recommended. Also, during this period there is the most swelling and there may be some discomfort. It is important here to avoid bending and lifting as this puts extra pressure on the eyes causing more swelling. It is wise not to go to work for at least these 48 hours, although there are no restrictions on this.

However, many people choose to go to work once the sutures are removed, after about a week. This is mainly due to appearance. When the sutures are removed, one looks more presentable.

It is especially important to judge for yourself what is comfortable and not to rush back to work. Allow the tissue rest to recover.

Our specialists at Ivy clinics do always recommend when possible to schedule the first two days really off. It is important to cool down a lot and not bend over too much to prevent more swelling and any blueness from spreading.

This varies somewhat from person to person, but generally one can enjoy about 10 years of eyelid surgery. The aging process continues, so drooping eyelids may reappear after these years.

However, this depends greatly on the situation. A doctor at Ivy clinics can help assess this, but a quick repeat treatment is basically never necessary.

Unfortunately, as we age, skin aging continues and in time the eyelids will begin to sag again. In some people faster than others. The average that a person enjoys eyelid surgery in about 10-12 years. Sometimes even longer.

After about 2 days, it is possible to wear lenses again but we recommend not wearing lenses again until the swelling has subsided slightly and inserting lenses does not cause additional problems.

It is no problem at all to wear glasses. In fact, it’s helpful when wearing lenses to have glasses on hand. In fact, the first few days the swelling can make it annoying to put lenses in. Most people also don’t like getting too close to the wounds.

It’s different for everyone and you have to take some time to feel what feels comfortable for you. For the first two days at least, it will be more comfortable to wear glasses instead of lenses.

It is not recommended to go into the sun for the first few weeks after eyelid surgery. The treated skin is very sensitive. In addition, sunlight affects the scar. The first few days after treatment, any form of sunlight is not recommended.

It is best to avoid bright sun, sauna and tanning beds for the first two weeks. If sunlight is unavoidable, always use at least SPF 50 (only after the sutures are removed) and wear sunglasses.

Discuss with an Ivy clinics specialist exactly what is possible and what to watch out for regarding sunlight and other (weather) influences. Immediately after treatment, application of any kind of cream is not recommended. Only after removing the sutures do we recommend a scar cream. Our cosmetic specialists have several brands available.

You can shower a day after having your eyelid surgery performed, but it is important to keep your eyes dry when the sutures are still present. If the eyelids accidentally get wet, gently pat dry.

While showering, steam is created. Therefore, a long shower can also be harmful, even if no direct water gets on the eyes. After sutures are removed, fewer restrictions exist.

In the weeks following eyelid surgery, rest is important for the recovery process. When you play sports, sweat is produced, which makes the eyelids wet. Especially in the first week after the eyelid correction, when the stitches are still present, sports are strongly discouraged.

We recommend waiting at least one to two weeks before exercising and allowing the eyelids plenty of rest to recover. Discuss your own situation with an Ivy clinics specialist.

This is because the type of sport you practice also affects the advice regarding sports after treatment. Dangerous sports and pressure-increasing sports such as heavy strength training are best avoided for more than a few weeks.

When the stitches are still present, makeup should not be worn. After this, it can be done in principle, but swelling and blueness will still be present. It is recommended to refrain from wearing makeup even during this period. If you do want to wear makeup, do so sparingly and be careful, especially when removing the makeup.

Again, the eyelids should be rested as much as possible to recover properly from the procedure.

Most people do not experience much pain after eyelid surgery. However, it is recommended to take paracetamol even before the treatment before the anesthesia wears off.

Naturally, there is swelling and blueness and the eyelids are sensitive. Therefore, it is not recommended to do intense activities and, in addition, not to stoop or bend forward.

Eyelid surgery is a routine procedure that is performed very often and is also not very difficult for experienced cosmetic doctors, such as those at Ivy clinics.

Nevertheless, as with other surgical procedures, there is a small risk of complications. For example, there may be post-bleeding, a pulling sensation, dryness or just fluid accumulation. This usually goes away on its own, but in the event of post-bleeding or other serious symptoms, contact Ivy clinics.

In very rare cases, a so-called epithelial cyst may develop, in which fluid accumulates in the scar. This usually disappears on its own within three months, or else it can be surgically removed through a small procedure.

When in doubt and complications, always contact Ivy clinics. We are available through our emergency number 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Surgery or minor surgery is never risk-free. However, the chances of something going wrong during or after performing eyelid surgery are extremely low.

What everyone experiences and therefore cannot really be considered a complication is the development of blueness and swelling. For some this is nil and for others very bad. Cooling a lot in the first days and taking a little rest often helps. We also use a special anesthetic which reduces the risk of blueness.

For the first 12-24 hours, some leakage occurs at the wounds. This is wound fluid mixed with some blood, which is why it appears somewhat pink/red. Every client is given gauze to dab after surgery. We also recommend cleaning the wounds occasionally with a gauze pad with some boiled water on it to prevent crusting.

Very occasionally, an epithelial cyst develops on the wound edge. This usually disappears within three months. Should this not happen, we can remove this cyst with a small procedure.

In rare cases, a hypertrophic scar develops. Often people already know they are prone to creating these less attractive scars, so good to discuss this beforehand.

In the worst case, there may be bleeding behind the eye. Often severe pain then occurs within a few hours of the treatment. It is then a good idea to contact the emergency line and possibly 112 as soon as possible. This complication should be corrected as soon as possible.

To give a picture, since 2008, we have never experienced this. Our doctors know exactly what danger zones are and stay far away from them.

Basically, you decide whether you need eyelid surgery. After all, you’re doing it for yourself and no one else. At Ivy clinics, however, we can help you make a decision by providing you with good education during an intake interview.

Furthermore, it is important that there are no contraindications. Such as the use of certain blood thinners from the thrombosis service, high risk of hypertrophic scarring or other specific conditions that affect wound healing.

After surgery, we recommend two days of some form of rest and also lots of cooling. Showering is allowed, but avoid getting the eyes wet.

To get a fresh feeling and prevent crusting, we recommend using the gauze obtained to dab the wounds a little with boiled water. Furthermore, it is important to avoid risky situations as well as pressure-inducing activities such as heavy bending and lifting.

Even after removing the sutures, it is wise to be careful for a while to prevent the wound from opening again. After all, the new skin membrane that closes the wound is still very fragile.

It is most helpful to take a moment to present your specific situation to our cosmetic specialists.

Eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. Generally, we also do not give sedatives beforehand because it is absolutely unnecessary.

We schedule one hour for eyelid surgery. Afterwards, you may return home, however, please arrange for someone to drive you home. Participating in traffic can create possible risks and we do not recommend it.

The doctors at Ivy clinics have a great deal of surgical experience, and eyelid surgery is the most common procedure at our clinic.

Cosmetic physician and owner Drs. Natale Adamo has now performed over 3,500 eyelid surgeries and has been an educator for over 6 years.

Currently, Ivy clinics has four locations, in Westervoort (near Arnhem), Den Bosch, Amstelveen and Amsterdam.

You are welcome at all four locations for an upper eyelid correction and for a lower eyelid correction at the Den Bosch and Westervoort locations.