About the procedure
Blepharoplasty corrects excess skin on the upper eyelid and puffiness under the lower eyelid, giving the eyes a rested appearance. Incisions are placed in the natural crease of the upper lid and, on the lower lid, just below the lash line or inside the lid.
In the lower lid, fat pads are not removed; they are usually redistributed so that hollowing under the eye is corrected as well.
When planning the upper eyelid, the brow position and the strength of the muscle that lifts the lid are measured in addition to the excess skin; if there is lid drooping (ptosis), removing skin alone does not correct the gaze, and a muscle shortening is planned in the same session. If there is no excess skin on the lower lid, the incision is placed on the inside of the lid (transconjunctival) and leaves no external scar. Tear production and eyelid closure are assessed before surgery; in those prone to dry eye, a more conservative plan is made.
- ✓Incision hidden in the crease
- ✓Short recovery
- ✓Can be combined with a brow lift
Suitability
Who is it suitable for?
May be suitable
- ✓People whose excess upper eyelid skin droops onto the lashes and makes applying makeup or seeing the upper visual field difficult.
- ✓Patients with lower lid bags that create a sleepless or tired look.
- ✓Those whose under-eye hollow is accentuated by a bag and who have not achieved adequate results from fillers.
- ✓Younger patients who want to balance their gaze because of lid asymmetry or a congenitally heavy upper lid.
Should be postponed or is not suitable
- —Those with uncontrolled thyroid eye disease, glaucoma, or significant dry eye syndrome; surgery can affect the ocular surface.
- —Patients whose lower lid is lax and returns slowly when pulled; lower lid surgery is risky without an additional lid-tightening procedure.
- —Patients whose lid drooping is mainly caused by a low brow; in this case a brow lift is considered first or at the same time.
The final decision on suitability is made after a physician examination and tests.
Process
How does it proceed, step by step?
- 01
Initial consultation
Excess skin, bags, and brow position are assessed from photographs of the eyelids open and closed; a plan for the upper, lower, or both lids is discussed.
- 02
Eye examination
Vision, tear volume, and lid laxity are tested; the strength of the lid-lifting muscle is measured to rule out ptosis or add it to the plan.
- 03
Procedure
Under local anesthesia with sedation, skin and, if needed, a small strip of muscle are removed from the crease line of the upper lid; on the lower lid, the fat pads are redistributed.
- 04
Same-day discharge
You are discharged after a few hours of observation; cold compresses and sleeping with the head elevated are recommended for the first 48 hours.
- 05
Check-up and suture removal
Sutures are removed on days 5–7, and lid closure and symmetry are checked; contact lens use and makeup are cleared.
- 06
Return and follow-up
You can fly after suture removal; scar cream and sunglasses are recommended, with photo follow-up at months 1 and 3.
Recovery
Recovery timeline
Day 1
The lids are swollen, with slight burning and watering; temporary blurred vision is due to the ointments.
Days 3–5
Bruising is at its most visible and the eyes are puffy in the morning; reading and screen time are kept short.
Week 1
Sutures are removed and bruises turn yellow; you can go outside with sunglasses and fly home.
Week 2
Remaining bruising can be hidden with makeup; most patients return to work, and contact lenses are allowed.
Month 1
Swelling has largely gone down and the lid crease becomes defined; scars are pink but hidden in the crease.
Month 3
Scars fade and mild firmness in the lower lid resolves; the final appearance is judged at this stage.
Timeframes are averages; they vary by person and by the scope of the procedure.
Results
Before / After
Before and after examples of Eyelid Surgery are shared during the consultation.
We show our patients' photos only within the scope of their written consent and in one-on-one consultations; we respect the wishes of patients who prefer not to be published on the open internet. Let us send you results from cases similar to yours together with the physician's assessment.
Let us be open
Risks and points to consider
Every medical procedure carries risks. The points below are the main known issues for this procedure; a risk assessment specific to you is made during the consultation.
- Temporary dry eye, stinging, and light sensitivity; artificial tears may be needed for a few weeks.
- Outward turning or downward pulling of the lower lid (ectropion); this is associated with removing too much skin or overlooking lid laxity.
- A difference in crease height or opening between the two lids; minor corrections may be needed.
- Bleeding behind the eye is rare but requires urgent treatment; sudden pain and reduced vision must be reported immediately.
- A hollowed look when too much skin or fat is removed; this is why redistributing rather than removing fat is preferred in the lower lid.