Blepharoplasty is surgery on the eyelids themselves: removing a measured strip of excess upper lid skin, and correcting the bags, hollows or loose skin of the lower lid. In facial feminization it is a refining procedure rather than a structural one.
It matters because of what it reveals. A visible upper lid platform — the smooth strip of skin between the lash line and the crease — is a distinctly feminine feature, and it is the surface that eye makeup is designed to sit on.
How much does blepharoplasty cost in 2026?
Typical market ranges for surgeon, anaesthesia and facility fees. Indicative figures, not quotes.
| Country | Typical range | Approx. in EUR |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $8,500 – $17,500 | €8,000 – €16,000 |
| Canada | C$11,000 – C$20,000 | €7,500 – €14,000 |
| United Kingdom | £6,000 – £11,000 | €7,000 – €13,000 |
| Turkey (Hetzner Health partner surgeons) | €1,800 – €3,200 | €1,800 – €3,200 |
The Turkish range covers upper lids alone at the lower end and upper plus lower lids at the upper end.
| Usually included | Usually extra |
|---|---|
| Surgeon’s fee and surgical team | Flights to and from Turkey |
| Sedation or general anaesthesia | Hotel nights beyond the planned stay |
| Day-case theatre | Brow lift, if added |
| Pre-operative assessment and blood tests | Canthal (fox eye) surgery, if added |
| Dressings and post-operative eye drops | Fat grafting to hollow lower lids |
| Suture removal and wound check | Travel insurance |
| Transfers and interpreter for every appointment | Revision surgery, if it is ever needed |
About these figures: indicative ranges for budgeting, not an offer. See our Medical Disclaimer.
What does blepharoplasty change?
| Area | Typical complaint | What surgery does |
|---|---|---|
| Upper lid skin | Hooding that covers the crease and touches the lashes | A measured strip of skin is removed, revealing the lid platform |
| Upper lid fullness | Heaviness at the inner corner | A small amount of fat is reduced or repositioned |
| Lid crease | Absent, low or indistinct | A defined crease is formed at an appropriate height |
| Lower lid bags | Fat bulging below the eye | Fat is repositioned into the hollow below, or reduced |
| Tear trough | A shadowed groove from the inner corner outwards | Filled by repositioned fat or a graft |
| Lower lid skin | Fine crepey excess | Conservatively tightened through a subciliary approach |
What it does not change: the size of the eye opening, the tilt of the corners or the bone above the eye. Those belong to fox eye surgery and brow bone reduction.
Why does brow position have to be settled first?
This is the single most important planning point on this page, and getting it wrong is the classic eyelid surgery mistake.
When the brow sits low — either naturally or after the bony ridge supporting it has been reduced — it pushes skin down onto the upper lid. That skin looks like eyelid excess but belongs to the forehead.
| Approach | What happens |
|---|---|
| Lift the brow first, then assess the lid | The true amount of lid excess becomes visible; only that is removed |
| Remove lid skin first, then lift the brow | Too much skin is gone; the brow becomes tethered low, and the eye may not close fully |
In practice, brow and lid surgery are often performed in the same operation — but in that order of assessment: brow set, then remaining lid excess measured. If you are also having brow bone reduction, some surgeons prefer to stage eyelid surgery months later, once everything above has settled.
Who is a good candidate?
| You are likely suitable if | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Upper lid skin rests on or covers your lashes | This is the clearest indication for upper blepharoplasty |
| Your brow position has been assessed or already treated | Otherwise the wrong tissue gets removed |
| You have lower lid bags or tear-trough hollows that bother you | These respond well to fat repositioning |
| Your eyes close fully and your tear film is healthy | Reduces the risk of post-operative dryness and exposure |
| You are in good general health and do not smoke | Nicotine impairs healing of delicate lid skin |
| You can stay in Turkey 7–9 days | Sutures come out on day 5–7 |
When should surgery be postponed or avoided?
- Significant dry eye or a history of laser vision correction with dryness — surgery can worsen it markedly. Get an ophthalmology assessment first.
- Thyroid eye disease that is not stable, which changes lid position and eye protrusion over time.
- Eyelid ptosis (a drooping lid margin) that has been mistaken for skin excess — this needs a different operation on the levator muscle.
- Previous eyelid surgery with skin already removed, until it is known how much remains.
- Uncontrolled hypertension or a clotting disorder, because of bleeding risk behind the eye.
- Ongoing nicotine use, including vapes and patches.
- Active eyelid inflammation or infection, such as untreated blepharitis.
What preparation is needed?
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| At enquiry | Photographs, eyes open and closed, plus any history of dry eye, thyroid disease or previous eye surgery |
| At planning | Measurement of lid height and crease, assessment of brow position, eye closure and tear film |
| 4+ weeks before | Stop smoking, vaping and all nicotine |
| 2 weeks before | Pause aspirin, anti-inflammatories, fish oil, vitamin E and ginkgo unless advised otherwise |
| 2 weeks before | No botulinum toxin around the eyes, so true brow and lid position can be assessed |
| 1–4 weeks before | Pause or adjust oestrogen if your surgeon requests it |
| On arrival in Turkey | Bloods, anaesthetic review, markings made with you sitting upright |
Bring your glasses rather than contact lenses for the first week after surgery, and arrange lubricating drops before you travel.
How is the procedure performed?
Upper eyelid:
- Skin to be removed is marked with you sitting upright, leaving enough for full, comfortable eye closure.
- Sedation with local anaesthesia, or general anaesthesia if combined with other facial surgery.
- The incision is made in the natural lid crease, extending laterally into a skin line only as far as needed.
- A measured strip of skin is removed, with a small amount of muscle where appropriate.
- Bulging fat at the inner corner is conservatively reduced or repositioned.
- The crease is formed and the skin closed with fine sutures.
Lower eyelid:
- The approach is chosen — transconjunctival, from inside the lid with no external scar, when fat is the issue; subciliary, just under the lashes, when skin also needs tightening.
- Bulging fat is repositioned forward into the tear trough rather than simply removed, which avoids a hollowed look later.
- Lid support is reinforced where needed with a canthal suture, reducing the risk of lid margin pull-down.
- Any skin excess is trimmed conservatively and closed.
What does recovery look like?
| Time | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Swelling and bruising build; vision may be briefly blurred by ointment; cold compresses hourly |
| Days 3–4 | Bruising peaks and begins to change colour; eyes feel tight and gritty |
| Day 5–7 | Sutures removed; swelling clearly improving |
| Days 10–14 | Most people comfortable in public with concealer; back to desk work |
| Weeks 2–3 | Remaining bruising fades; eye makeup and contact lenses usually resumed |
| Weeks 4–8 | Scars pink but flattening; residual swelling in the outer corners settles |
| Months 6–12 | Scars mature and pale; final appearance |
Aftercare:
- Cold compresses for the first 48 hours, then leave the area alone.
- Head elevated for the first week, including while sleeping.
- Use the prescribed lubricating drops even if your eyes feel fine — dryness is often unnoticed until it causes irritation.
- No rubbing, no heavy lifting, no bending forward and no strenuous exercise for two to three weeks.
- No swimming pools, saunas or hot tubs for three weeks.
- Sunglasses outdoors, and sun protection on the scars for a year.
What are the risks and possible complications?
- Swelling, bruising and temporary blurred vision from ointment
- Dry eye, grittiness and light sensitivity, usually temporary
- Difficulty closing the eyes fully if too much skin is removed — the main serious complication of upper blepharoplasty
- Lower lid margin pulled downwards or outwards (ectropion or scleral show), more likely with a subciliary approach
- Asymmetry of crease height or skin removal
- Visible, thickened or persistently pink scarring
- Milia — small white cysts along the incision, easily treated
- Infection, uncommon
- Under-correction, or residual hooding caused by brow descent rather than lid skin
- Bleeding behind the eye causing pressure on the optic nerve — very rare, but the reason for urgent review of sudden severe pain or vision loss
- Anaesthetic risks common to sedation or general anaesthesia
This list is not exhaustive. Seek emergency care immediately for sudden severe eye pain, rapidly increasing swelling behind the eye, or any loss or change of vision. Your individual risks belong in a documented consent discussion with the operating surgeon.
Can it be combined with other procedures?
| Combined with | Why it is often done together |
|---|---|
| Eyebrow lift | Brow position must be settled before lid skin is measured; combining lets both be judged in one sitting |
| Fox eye surgery | Treats corner tilt and lid support while the same area is open |
| Brow bone reduction | Some surgeons stage lid surgery afterwards, once the upper face has settled |
| Rhinoplasty | Different site, easily added, overlapping recovery |
| Cheek feminization | Midface support improves the lower lid transition |
What results can you expect?
A visible upper lid platform, a defined crease and a smoother transition from lower lid to cheek. Eyes look more rested rather than different, which is the point — blepharoplasty done well is not obvious.
It is a refining procedure. If your eye region reads as masculine primarily because of the bone above it, eyelid surgery alone will disappoint, and the honest answer at consultation should say so.
On before-and-after photographs: they reflect that patient’s skin quality, fat distribution and brow position. They record an outcome; they do not predict yours.
How Hetzner Health arranges the process
- Online assessment — photographs with eyes open and closed, and your eye-health history, reviewed by a partner surgeon.
- Sequencing advice — whether the brow or bone should be treated first, or everything combined.
- Written plan and quote — upper, lower or both; approach; inclusions listed.
- Travel — you book flights; we arrange hotel, transfers and an interpreter.
- Pre-operative day — bloods, anaesthetic review, markings made with you sitting upright.
- Surgery — day case, with a coordinator reachable throughout.
- Day 5–7 — sutures out, wound check, written aftercare and eye-drop regimen.
- After you are home — remote review at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.
Before you decide: this page is general information and does not replace an examination. Lid measurements, tear film and brow position have to be assessed in person before eyelid surgery is planned.