Blepharoplasty in Istanbul

What is Blepharoplasty?

With age, the eyelid skin stretches and the fat that cushions the eye can bulge forward. Upper eyelids may become hooded, sometimes resting on the lashes, and lower eyelids may develop bags or a hollow junction with the cheek. Genetics play a strong role, and some women notice these changes in their thirties.

Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin and, where appropriate, a small amount of muscle or fat through an incision in the natural eyelid crease. Lower blepharoplasty can remove or reposition fat to smooth bags, either through an incision just below the lashes or from inside the lower eyelid (transconjunctival approach). It is important to distinguish eyelid heaviness from a low brow, which may need a brow lift instead of, or as well as, eyelid surgery.

Who may be suitable?

• Excess or hooded upper eyelid skin
• Puffiness or bags in the lower eyelids
• Healthy eyes without untreated dry eye, glaucoma or other significant eye disease
• Good general health and non-smoking
• Realistic expectations of a refreshed rather than altered appearance
• Willing to share recent eye test results or have an ophthalmic check

What can this procedure address?

• Heavy or hooded upper eyelids
• Under-eye bags caused by fat prolapse
• Excess, crepey skin of the lower eyelids
• A tired appearance around the eyes
• Upper eyelid skin restricting the field of vision

Consultation & assessment

During your online assessment you share close-up photographs of your eyes with eyes open, closed and looking upwards, confidentially, together with your medical and eye history, including any dry eye, contact lens use, previous laser eye surgery or thyroid eye disease.

Your surgeon examines you in Istanbul before surgery is confirmed, assessing eyelid skin, fat, lower lid tone and brow position. An ophthalmic check, including tear function and vision, may be recommended before surgery, particularly if you have dry eye symptoms or have had eye surgery. Consented before and after photographs can be reviewed with you.

How the procedure is performed

For upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon marks the natural crease, removes a measured amount of skin and sometimes a strip of muscle or a small amount of fat, then closes the incision with fine sutures.

For lower blepharoplasty, fat can be removed or repositioned into the hollow under the eye through an incision inside the eyelid or just below the lash line. If there is excess skin, a small amount can be removed, and the lower lid may be tightened or supported to reduce the risk of the lid pulling down.

Anaesthesia

Upper blepharoplasty is often performed under local anaesthesia, sometimes with sedation. Lower or combined eyelid surgery may be performed under sedation or general anaesthesia. Your surgeon and anaesthetist will advise.

Recovery timeline

1. Days 1–3

   Swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness are common. Cold compresses and head elevation help. Vision may be blurred from ointment.

2. Week 1

   Sutures are usually removed around days 5–7. Bruising begins to fade.

3. Weeks 2–3

   Most women feel comfortable socially, and make-up may be used with approval.

4. Week 6

   Most swelling has settled. Scars may still be pink.

5. 3–6 months

   Final contour emerges and scars fade.

What to expect during the first week

• Use cold compresses as advised and keep your head elevated
• Use eye drops or ointment exactly as prescribed
• Avoid contact lenses until your surgeon agrees
• Avoid reading, screens and rubbing the eyes for long periods in the first days
• Wear sunglasses outdoors
• Seek urgent help for severe pain, increasing swelling or any change in vision

Scars

Upper eyelid scars sit in the natural crease and are usually hard to see once healed. Lower eyelid scars below the lash line are typically fine; the transconjunctival approach leaves no visible scar.

Results

Blepharoplasty can soften a tired or heavy appearance and create a more rested look. Your surgeon may review consented before and after photographs with you. Results vary between individuals.

Results vary between individuals. Consented before-and-after images of similar cases may be reviewed with your specialist during consultation — before & after

How long do results last?

Results of upper blepharoplasty are often long-lasting, although skin continues to age. Lower blepharoplasty results tend to be durable, as removed or repositioned fat rarely returns.

Potential risks and complications

All surgical procedures carry risks. Your surgeon will discuss the potential benefits, limitations and individual risks with you before you decide whether to proceed.

• Dry eye or worsening of existing dry eye symptoms
• Difficulty closing the eyes fully (lagophthalmos), usually temporary
• Lower eyelid malposition (ectropion), where the lid pulls down
• Asymmetry or over- or under-correction
• Bleeding behind the eye, which is rare but serious and needs urgent treatment
• Visible scarring or milia along the incision
• Infection
• Temporary blurred vision; rarely, lasting visual change
• General risks of anaesthesia

Choosing a surgeon

• Specialist training in plastic surgery or oculoplastic surgery
• Registration with the Turkish Medical Association and relevant society membership that you can verify
• Specific experience with upper and lower blepharoplasty, including lower lid support techniques
• Consented before and after photographs reviewed during consultation
• Hospital privileges and a clear plan for eye care after you return home

Our specialists

Blepharoplasty in Istanbul

Women travel to Istanbul for eyelid surgery because of the availability of experienced plastic and oculoplastic surgeons and modern private hospitals with coordinated support for international patients. Depending on the surgeon and procedure, treatments may be performed at leading private hospitals in Istanbul, including LIV Hospital Vadistanbul, Memorial Bahçelievler and selected Acıbadem hospitals.

A stay of around 7 days usually allows for suture removal and a check before flying. Combined procedures may require longer.

The cost of blepharoplasty in Turkey depends on the surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, whether upper, lower or both eyelids are treated, combined procedures, hospital stay and accommodation. A personalised written quote follows assessment. Choose your surgeon and hospital based on medical quality, not price alone.

Costs depend on your surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, complexity and any combined procedures — see treatment costs in Turkey.

Your hospital

Depending on the surgeon and procedure, treatments may be performed at leading private hospitals in Istanbul, including LIV Hospital Vadistanbul, Memorial Bahçelievler and selected Acıbadem hospitals. Your written treatment plan confirms the hospital before you travel. Hospitals & Facilities

Aftercare when you return home

• Continue lubricating drops as advised
• Protect your eyes from wind and sun
• Return to contact lenses only when your surgeon agrees
• Send photographs for remote review
• Seek urgent care for vision changes or severe pain

Our aftercare pathway