Blepharoplasty corrects excess skin and fat pads on the eyelids. It is really two different operations. On the upper lid, skin is removed, sometimes with a little muscle or fat, to open the eye. On the lower lid, the fat responsible for bags is redistributed or removed, and any skin removal is far more conservative. Many people have only one of the two; some have both in the same session.
The eyelids are thin, mobile and protect the surface of the eye, so this is precise surgery where a few millimetres matter. This page explains who it suits, how it is done, what your week in Istanbul looks like, how healing unfolds and which questions are worth asking before you book.
Is the problem really in your eyelids?
Upper blepharoplasty suits people whose upper lid skin folds down towards the lashes, hides the natural crease or makes the eyes look tired; in some cases the fold is heavy enough to narrow the upper field of vision. Lower blepharoplasty suits bags caused by fat that pushes forward under the eye, sometimes with a hollow at the junction with the cheek. You are usually a reasonable candidate if you are in good general health, do not smoke or can stop for several weeks around the operation, and want a fresher look rather than a different face.
What it will not change
It does not lift the eyebrow. A heavy upper lid sometimes comes from a dropped brow, and operating on the lid alone then exaggerates the imbalance. It does not soften crow's feet, which come from muscle contraction and are a recognised indication for botulinum toxin rather than for surgery. It does not change the colour of a dark circle or the quality of the skin. A true drooping of the lid margin itself, called ptosis, is a different problem with a different operation.
When it is wiser to wait
Assessment of the lids and the ocular surface beforehand is essential, because pre-existing dry eye can be made worse. Thyroid eye disease that is still active, recent laser eye surgery, poorly controlled blood pressure, blood-thinning treatment that cannot be adjusted safely, or a recent eye infection are all reasons to postpone or to discuss another approach. Tell the surgeon about every medication and supplement you take.
How blepharoplasty is performed
For the upper lid, the incision follows the natural crease so that the scar sits in the fold when the eye is open. The surgeon removes a measured strip of skin, sometimes a thin band of muscle, and trims or repositions fat where it bulges, particularly towards the nose. Upper lid surgery is often done under local anaesthesia, sometimes with light sedation.
For the lower lid there are two main routes. When the problem is mainly fat, the surgeon can work through the inside of the lid, so no skin scar is visible. When there is also loose skin, the incision runs just below the lashes and a small amount of skin is removed. In many cases the fat is not simply taken out but moved into the hollow below it to smooth the transition to the cheek. If the lower lid is lax, the surgeon may add a tightening stitch at the outer corner to support it. Lower lid surgery is more often performed under general anaesthesia.
The operation takes about one to two hours, depending on whether one or both lids are treated. Fine stitches on the skin are usually removed after five to seven days.
Your days in Istanbul
- Day 1: airport transfer, consultation with the surgeon, examination of the lids, brow and ocular surface, blood tests, photographs and a final plan in writing.
- Day 2: the operation. Cold compresses start straight away. Depending on the anaesthesia, you return to the hotel the same day or after one night at the clinic.
- Day 3: first check of the wounds and of eye comfort, with instructions for drops or ointment.
- Days 4 to 5: rest at the hotel with the head raised, short walks, no screens for long stretches if your eyes feel dry.
- Days 6 to 7: stitch removal, final check and a decision on fitness to fly.
Travel guidance suggests waiting seven to ten days after a facial procedure before flying, though the operating surgeon's clearance is what actually governs. If your surgeon prefers a longer interval, plan a few extra nights.
What your written quote should spell out
Esthappy organises the consultation, the surgeon and clinic, your hotel, transfers and an interpreter. The quote should list exactly what is included, so you can compare like with like:
- whether it covers the upper lids, the lower lids or both, and any additional step such as lower lid support;
- pre-operative tests, anaesthesia and the clinic or hospital stay;
- the number of hotel nights and all transfers between airport, hotel and clinic;
- interpreter support at consultation and check-ups;
- post-operative drops, ointment and medication;
- stitch removal and the checks before you fly;
- what would happen, and what would be covered, if a revision were needed.
Healing, week by week
Week 1: bruising and swelling of the lids are the rule for the first days and are clearly visible. The eyes may feel tight, gritty or watery, and closing them fully can feel odd at first. Cold compresses, a raised head and the prescribed drops help.
Week 2: most bruising fades and many people return to desk work at seven to ten days. Make-up can usually be used once the wounds have closed, and sunglasses help outdoors. Contact lenses are generally left out until the surgeon agrees.
Weeks 3 to 6: residual swelling, especially of the lower lids, settles progressively. Strenuous exercise usually resumes after about three weeks, swimming once the surgeon confirms the wounds are fully healed.
Months 3 to 12: the upper scar sits in the lid crease; the lower one runs below the lashes or inside the lid depending on technique. Scars go from pink to pale over several months, and the final appearance is judged at that stage, not in the first weeks.
Risks and how they are reduced
- Dry or irritated eyes: common and usually temporary; reduced by checking the ocular surface beforehand and by conservative skin removal.
- Bleeding: a small bruise is normal. Bleeding behind the eye is rare but urgent: sudden severe pain, a bulging eye or a change in vision needs immediate medical attention.
- Asymmetry: small differences are common, since faces are rarely symmetrical.
- Lower lid position: pulling down of the lower lid can follow excessive skin removal; supporting a lax lid and removing skin sparingly lower this risk.
- Hollow look: taking out too much fat can age the eye; repositioning rather than removing fat helps.
- Infection and visible scarring: uncommon on the eyelids, which heal well.
Stopping smoking, following advice about blood thinners and controlling blood pressure all make a real difference.
Questions to ask before booking
- Is the problem truly in the lid, or partly in the brow?
- Which route will you use for the lower lids, and why?
- How much skin and fat do you plan to remove, and will fat be repositioned?
- How would residual asymmetry be handled?
- What is the plan if my eyes become dry or irritated?
- Who reviews me if eye irritation persists after I get home?
- What would a revision involve, and what is covered in writing?
Once you are home
You send photographs at agreed intervals so the team can follow your healing remotely, and your interpreter remains your contact. Arrange an ophthalmologist you can reach locally before you travel. See a doctor promptly for increasing pain, swelling on one side, discharge, fever, or any change in your vision. A revision of the eyelids is rarely decided in the first weeks; it is usually considered only once swelling has settled.
Take home your operative report, the discharge summary, your medication and drop schedule, and the care instructions. As with any treatment abroad, it is sensible to see your own doctor four to six weeks before leaving, make sure your vaccinations, including hepatitis B, are up to date, and check what your insurance covers, since ordinary travel insurance often excludes complications of elective surgery.