Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes or repositions excess skin, fat and sometimes a little muscle around the eyes. It treats heavy, hooded upper lids and puffy bags or loose skin under the eyes: changes that can make you look more tired than you feel and, in some people, press down on the upper field of vision.

If you are considering eyelid surgery in Turkey, Plastic Surgery Turkey Group (PSTG) plans your treatment with you and coordinates your trip. The operation is carried out at a contracted healthcare institution authorised for international health tourism in Istanbul or Antalya, and the treating surgeon makes every clinical decision.

Blepharoplasty is one of several face procedures covered in our plastic surgery guide. It can be done on its own or, where the surgeon feels it is appropriate, alongside other facial surgery.

Who is a good candidate#

Eyelid surgery tends to suit adults who:

• have folded or excess skin on the upper lids, sometimes resting close to the lashes;
• have bags under the eyes caused by fat that has pushed forward, or loose, crepey lower-lid skin;
• are in good general health and do not smoke, or are willing to stop for as long as their surgeon advises;
• want a fresher, more rested look rather than a different face.

It may not be suitable, or may need an eye specialist's opinion first, if you:

• have significant dry eye, glaucoma or active thyroid eye disease;
• have had laser eye surgery recently;
• have uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes, a bleeding disorder, or take blood thinners that cannot safely be paused;
• have a drooping upper lid caused by a weak lifting muscle (ptosis), which needs a different repair.

A heavy upper lid is not always an eyelid-skin problem. When the eyebrow itself has descended, removing lid skin alone can pull the brow lower still, and a brow or temporal lift may be the more suitable option, alone or together with eyelid surgery. Your surgeon examines your brow position, lid margin, tear film and eye health before recommending anything.

Techniques and options#

Upper blepharoplasty#

The incision follows the natural crease of the upper lid. The surgeon removes a measured amount of skin and, where needed, a thin strip of muscle or a small amount of fat, often from the inner corner. Leaving enough skin for the eye to close comfortably is part of the plan.

Lower blepharoplasty#

There are two main approaches, and your surgeon chooses based on what is causing the problem:

• Transconjunctival: the incision is made on the inside of the lower lid, so there is no external cut. It is used mainly when bulging fat, rather than excess skin, is the issue. Fat may be removed or moved into the hollow under the eye to smooth the transition to the cheek.
• Transcutaneous (subciliary): the incision runs just below the lash line, which allows excess skin to be removed and the muscle to be tightened. It is often combined with support of the outer corner of the eye (canthopexy) to help the lower lid keep its position.

Double eyelid surgery#

Double eyelid surgery creates or defines an upper-lid crease and is most often requested by people of East Asian heritage. It can be done with an incision or with suture-based methods. The crease height and shape should suit your own features rather than follow a template.

Eyelid surgery as part of a wider plan#

When the concern extends beyond the lids, blepharoplasty may be planned together with a brow or temporal lift, a facelift, or eye-corner reshaping for people who want the outer corners lifted. Combining procedures makes the operation and recovery longer, so your surgeon decides what can sensibly be done in one session. Our article on which surgeries can be combined explains the general principles.

How the procedure is carried out#

Before surgery, the medical team reviews your health history, eye health and every medication and supplement you take. Blood thinners and some supplements, such as fish oil or ginkgo, may need to be paused on medical advice. Stopping smoking and avoiding alcohol before the operation help with healing and bruising.

On the day:

• Markings. The surgeon marks the incisions with you sitting upright, so the natural folds and the amount of skin to remove can be judged accurately.
• Anaesthesia. Upper-lid surgery is often done under local anaesthesia, with or without sedation. Lower-lid surgery, or eyelid surgery combined with other procedures, is more often done under sedation or general anaesthesia. The surgeon and anaesthetist decide what suits you.
• Surgery. Skin, fat and muscle are adjusted as planned, and the incisions are closed with fine sutures.
• Duration. Treating both upper and lower lids typically takes around one to two hours, and longer if other procedures are added.

Afterwards, ointment and cold compresses are applied. Depending on the anaesthesia and the institution, you may return to your hotel the same day or stay one night.

Recovery and results#

Recovery follows a fairly predictable pattern, although everyone heals at their own pace:

• First two to three days. Swelling and bruising are usually at their most noticeable. The lids feel tight, the eyes may water or feel dry, and ointment can blur your vision. Cold compresses, keeping your head raised and resting your eyes all help.
• End of the first week. Sutures are typically removed around five to seven days after surgery, and bruising starts to fade.
• Weeks two and three. Most people feel comfortable being out in public, though some yellowish bruising or puffiness may remain. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and bending are usually avoided for around two to three weeks, or as your surgeon advises.
• The following months. Scars gradually fade from pink to pale, and the last subtle swelling, particularly in the lower lids, settles.

For most people, results are long-lasting. Removed lower-lid fat rarely returns, but the skin and brow continue to age, so upper lids may become heavier again over the years. Blepharoplasty does not remove crow's feet, fine lines, pigment-related dark circles or deep hollows; these may need other treatments, which your surgeon can discuss.

Risks and limitations#

Eyelid surgery is common, but it is still surgery on a delicate area. Possible risks include:

• bruising, swelling and temporary dry, gritty or watery eyes, and sensitivity to light;
• difficulty closing the eyes fully for a short period after surgery;
• infection, bleeding or a collection of blood under the skin;
• rarely, bleeding behind the eye, which is an emergency: sudden severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling or any change in vision needs urgent medical attention;
• asymmetry, or too little or too much tissue removed, which can leave a hollow or tight look;
• pulling down of the lower lid (showing white below the iris, or the lid turning outwards), more likely when the lower lid is already lax;
• thickened scars or small cysts along the incision line;
• very rarely, problems with vision;
• the need for a revision procedure.

Your surgeon should explain which of these are most relevant to your eyes and your health.

Planning your treatment in Turkey#

Planning starts with photos: your face from the front and sides, and close-ups of your eyes open, closed and looking up, taken in good light without makeup. Together with your medical history, eye conditions and medication list, these allow a preliminary online assessment. After the medical assessment you receive a written treatment plan and quote.

For most people, a stay of around a week works well. It allows time for the operation, the first check-ups and suture removal before you fly. Many surgeons prefer you to wait until the stitches are out and they have checked the lids before you travel. Your surgeon confirms the timing for your case.

PSTG coordinates the practical side, including:

• pre- and post-operative consultations and follow-up appointments;
• a 4–5-star hotel, and airport and clinic transfers;
• a personal interpreter or assistant, and 24/7 support during your stay;
• post-operative medication;
• virtual follow-up after you fly home, and coordination with your home doctor if needed.

For the flight, keep sunglasses, lubricating drops and any prescribed ointment in your hand luggage, as cabin air is dry. If you are still weighing up treatment abroad, our guide on what to check before plastic surgery in Turkey sets out the questions worth asking.

Where treatment takes place#

Your surgery takes place at a contracted, licensed healthcare institution authorised for international health tourism in Istanbul or Antalya. The treating surgeon assesses you in person, confirms whether eyelid surgery is right for you and makes every clinical decision. PSTG, a health-tourism intermediary affiliated with TÜRSAB, coordinates your plan, travel and aftercare around those decisions.

If tired-looking or heavy eyelids bother you, you are welcome to send your photos for a free, no-obligation assessment. You will receive an honest view of what eyelid surgery could and could not change for you, and there is no pressure to go ahead.