Eyelid Surgery

Eyes are read before anything else on a face. Blepharoplasty removes the excess skin, muscle and fat that make the eyes look tired or older than the person behind them.

At a glance

Operating time

1–3 hours

Anaesthesia

Local with sedation, or general

Hospital stay

Day case

Recovery

7–10 days

Back to work

7–10 days

How it is performed

The procedure is designed around the problem rather than a standard package. If only the upper lids are affected there is no reason to operate on the lower ones, and vice versa. Where the issue is fat alone, no skin is removed; where it is skin alone, no fat is removed.

Incisions follow the natural lines of the lids — in the crease of the upper lid and just below the lashes on the lower lid — and may extend a little into the laughter lines at the outer corner. Through them the skin is separated from the fat and muscle, excess fat is removed and sagging skin and muscle are trimmed. Very fine sutures close the incisions.

If there is a pocket of fat under the lower lid but no skin to remove, a transconjunctival approach is used: the incision is made inside the lid and leaves no visible scar. Where the upper lid problem is accompanied by sagging brows, a forehead lift is added; dark circles may need a chemical peel and crow's feet can be treated at the same time.

Who is it for

Excess skin or puffiness on the upper lids; excess skin, bags or dark circles on the lower lids.
Patients in their twenties and thirties with inherited features that make them look tired.
Patients in their forties and fifties, where drooping upper lids and lower lid bags usually occur together.
Adults of any age in good general health — an eye test is part of the pre-operative work-up.

Recovery timeline

Evening of surgery
Rest quietly with the head elevated and apply cold compresses to the lids.
Days 2–3
Reading and television are comfortable again. Swelling, bruising, itching, watering and light sensitivity are normal.
Days 7–10
Most people are ready to go out and back to work; make-up covers residual bruising.
Week 2
Contact lenses can usually be worn again, though they may feel odd at first.
Weeks 3+
Exercise is resumed after about three weeks. Sunglasses and eyelid sunblock are advised for several weeks.

Risks & honest expectations

Hematoma, infection and reactions to anaesthesia.
Temporary blurred or double vision; dry eyes; slight asymmetry in healing.
Temporary difficulty in closing the eyes completely — rarely permanent.
Downward pull of the lower lid, which may require a further procedure.
Blindness is extremely rare.

The information on this website is for general information only and is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation. Every surgical procedure carries risks; outcomes vary from person to person. Content is reviewed by Dr. H. Seçkin Öksar, Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon.

Questions about this procedure

Will the scars show?

Upper lid scars sit in the natural crease and disappear when the eye is open. Lower lid scars sit under the lashes, and the transconjunctival approach leaves none at all.

Is it painful?

There is usually no pain, only temporary discomfort — tightness, itching and watering for a few days.

Can it be combined with a facelift?

Yes, and it often is. Eyelids alone rejuvenate the upper face; combining procedures avoids a mismatch between rested eyes and an ageing jawline.

Related procedures

All procedures

Face

Contact

Start with a conversation

Tell us what you are considering. You will get an honest answer about whether it is the right procedure for you — including when the answer is no.

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Yeşilbahçe Mah. Metin Kasapoğlu Cad., Gökhan İş Merkezi No:19 D:9, Muratpaşa / Antalya, Türkiye