Blepharoplasty — eyelid surgery — is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in Turkey for international patients. Upper eyelid surgery to remove excess skin costs £800–1,800 in Istanbul. Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty: £1,200–2,800. In the UK, the same procedures cost £3,000–6,000. The procedure is short (1–2 hours), recovery is fast, and Turkey’s cosmetic surgery infrastructure handles it routinely.
Blepharoplasty Costs: Turkey vs UK
| Procedure | Istanbul | UK (private) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper blepharoplasty (both eyes) | £800–1,800 | £2,500–4,500 |
| Lower blepharoplasty (both eyes) | £1,000–2,000 | £2,500–4,500 |
| Upper + lower blepharoplasty | £1,200–2,800 | £3,500–6,500 |
| Asian blepharoplasty (double eyelid) | £1,500–3,000 | £3,500–6,000 |
| Ptosis correction | £1,000–2,500 | £2,000–4,500 |
| Brow lift + upper blepharoplasty | £2,000–4,000 | £5,000–9,000 |
Includes surgery, anaesthesia (local with sedation or general), and post-op follow-up.
Upper vs Lower Blepharoplasty
Upper Blepharoplasty
Removes excess skin and sometimes fat from the upper eyelid. The most common blepharoplasty procedure. Indicated when:
- Excess upper eyelid skin causes a hooded or heavy appearance
- Skin hangs low enough to impair peripheral vision (functional blepharoplasty — sometimes covered by NHS or private insurance)
- The patient wants a more open, refreshed eye appearance
The incision follows the natural upper eyelid crease — scars are effectively invisible once healed. Procedure takes 45–60 minutes under local anaesthesia with sedation.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Addresses under-eye bags, excess skin below the eyes, or hollowing (tear trough). Two approaches:
Transcutaneous (external incision): Incision just below the lower lash line. Removes or redistributes fat and removes excess skin. Leaves a fine scar at the lash line — heals well and becomes nearly invisible.
Transconjunctival (internal approach): Incision inside the eyelid — no external scar. Used when fat needs to be removed or repositioned but there’s no significant skin excess. Preferred for younger patients with good skin elasticity.
Lower blepharoplasty is more technically demanding than upper and requires careful assessment of your tear trough anatomy. An experienced oculoplastic or facial plastic surgeon is important.
Planning Your Istanbul Trip
Pre-op consultation
Send the surgeon clear photos of both eyes — front view, looking straight ahead and slightly downward. Include photos that show the specific concern (excess skin, under-eye bags, asymmetry). The surgeon will assess:
- How much skin can safely be removed
- Whether fat needs to be removed, redistributed, or added (fat grafting)
- Whether ptosis (drooping of the eyelid itself, not just skin) is present — requires different surgical correction
- Whether you’re a candidate for local anaesthesia or need general
Trip timeline
Day 1: Arrival, pre-op consultation with surgeon, photographs, medical assessment.
Day 2: Surgery (1–2 hours). Most upper blepharoplasty is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation — you’re awake but comfortable. Significant swelling and bruising begin immediately. Cold compresses provided.
Days 3–4: Significant bruising and swelling — eyes may be partially closed from swelling. This is normal and temporary. Rest, cold compresses, head elevated.
Day 5: Follow-up with surgeon. Sutures checked (non-absorbable sutures are typically removed at 5–7 days).
Day 6–7: Suture removal, cleared to fly if uncomplicated.
Day 7: Fly home.
Bruising is typically worse at days 3–5 and then fades significantly through week 2. Plan for 2 weeks of social recovery — you’ll be presentable under sunglasses by week 1 and comfortable in public by week 2.
Recovery After Return
Week 1–2
- Significant bruising and swelling — normal, expected
- Cool compresses reduce swelling
- Head elevated when sleeping
- No makeup on or near eyes
- No contact lenses for 2 weeks
- Avoid strenuous activity
Week 3–4
- Most bruising resolved; residual swelling fading
- Incision lines still pink — will continue to fade
- Light makeup possible from week 2–3
Months 2–6
- Scars fade significantly — typically pale and barely visible at 6 months
- Final result is achieved — upper eyelid results are immediate and dramatic; lower eyelid results take longer to fully appreciate as swelling resolves
Functional blepharoplasty note
If your upper eyelid excess skin impairs your peripheral vision, this is functional blepharoplasty rather than purely cosmetic. The NHS will consider this on clinical grounds — ask your GP about referral to an NHS ophthalmologist for assessment before pursuing private treatment abroad. If NHS funding isn’t available, Turkey represents the most cost-effective private option.
Combining with Other Procedures
Blepharoplasty is frequently combined with other facial procedures in Istanbul:
- Brow lift — if brow position contributes to upper eyelid heaviness, a brow lift addresses the root cause
- Rhinoplasty — common facial combination, but recovery logistics are complex; typically staged a week apart rather than simultaneously
- Fat grafting to tear trough — restoring volume to the under-eye hollow alongside lower blepharoplasty gives the most natural rejuvenation result
- Facelift — for patients wanting comprehensive facial rejuvenation; blepharoplasty is typically included
Choosing Your Surgeon
Blepharoplasty requires precision work on delicate anatomy. The surgeon’s subspecialty matters:
- Oculoplastic surgeons (ophthalmologists with plastic surgery subspecialty) — the most specialised for eyelid work; expert in functional anatomy and tear drainage
- Facial plastic surgeons — broad aesthetic face experience; good choice for combined procedures
- Plastic surgeons with documented eyelid subspecialty — appropriate if they show strong blepharoplasty case volumes
Ask to see before-and-after photos specifically for blepharoplasty — not just general facial procedures. Look for natural results with well-positioned incisions and no ectropion (lower eyelid pulling down) or lagophthalmos (inability to fully close the eye) in any case.
These complications — rare with experienced surgeons, more common with inexperienced ones — affect daily life significantly. This is a procedure where surgeon experience matters more than price.