Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty — eyelid surgery — removes excess skin and repositions fat around the eyes to restore a rested, alert appearance. The eyes are the first place the face shows age, and blepharoplasty is often the single highest-impact operation for looking refreshed without looking "operated".

It is a precise, technical operation with a short recovery and excellent long-term results. Done well, nobody notices you had surgery — only that you look like yourself on a better day.

Who is a good candidate?

• Heavy upper eyelids with excess skin that touches or overhangs the lash line.
• Lower eyelid bags caused by herniated fat pockets.
• Loose lower eyelid skin creating fine lines and a tired appearance.
• Functional visual field loss from heavy upper lids (often insurance-relevant in the UK/EU).

Patients with severe dry eye, thyroid eye disease, or untreated glaucoma need those conditions managed before surgery.

Types of blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty

Removes excess skin from the upper eyelid and repositions or removes fat as needed. The incision is hidden in the natural lid crease and heals to a virtually invisible line.

Lower blepharoplasty

Addresses bags and loose skin of the lower lid. Our preferred technique is the transconjunctival approach — the incision is made inside the lower lid, leaving no external scar — combined with skin tightening via laser or a small pinch excision where needed.

Combined upper and lower

The most common presentation. Done in one session under the same anaesthetic.

Asian eyelid surgery ("double eyelid" surgery)

A distinct operation that creates or defines the upper lid crease while respecting Asian eyelid anatomy. Requires specific experience to preserve the natural look that most patients seeking this procedure want.

The procedure, step by step

Performed under local anaesthesia with light sedation, or general anaesthesia if combined with other surgery. Duration: one to two hours. Day-case surgery — you return to your hotel the same evening.

Recovery timeline

First week

Bruising and swelling are significant but limited to the eye area. Cold compresses for the first forty-eight hours. Sutures removed around day five to seven.

Weeks 2–4

Most patients are back to normal appearance with concealer over residual bruising by day ten to fourteen. Office work is realistic from day seven to ten.

Months 1–3

Fine scar line continues to fade. Subtle refinements of the final shape settle in.

Risks and realistic expectations

Honest risks: temporary dry eye (common for the first weeks), asymmetry that may need minor touch-up, and — rarely — ectropion (lower lid pulling down). Experienced technique prevents the last one in the vast majority of cases.

Blepharoplasty does not remove crow's feet — those are wrinkles of facial expression and belong to the domain of Botox or laser resurfacing.

Why Istanbul

Blepharoplasty is a high-precision, low-risk, high-satisfaction operation — ideal for international patients because recovery is short and predictable. The price difference versus Western Europe is significant and the clinical standard is equivalent.