Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty) in Turkey
Upper blepharoplasty in Turkey: removing hooded upper-eyelid skin through an incision hidden in the crease, under local anaesthesia with sedation; 1 hospital night and 3 hotel nights. Brow versus lid, technique, recovery, risks.
Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia with sedation
Operation time
45–60 minutes
Hospital / hotel
1 night / 3 nights
Stay in Turkey
4 nights (1 hospital + 3 hotel), sutures out before you fly
Back to work
Desk work in 5–7 days
Package price
€960
What Upper Eyelid Surgery involves
Upper blepharoplasty removes the excess skin that folds over the upper eyelid with age — the hooding that makes eyes look tired, hides the lid when eye make-up is applied, and in advanced cases narrows the upper field of vision. A crescent of skin is removed through an incision placed exactly in the natural crease, so that when the eye is open the scar sits in the fold and cannot be seen. A sliver of muscle and, if it bulges, a small amount of fat at the inner corner may be removed at the same time.
It is one of the most satisfying operations in facial surgery: short, done under local anaesthesia with sedation, with a recovery measured in days and a result that lasts a decade or more. The single most important judgement is how much skin to remove — enough to reveal a clean crease, never so much that the eye cannot close comfortably. The marking is done with you sitting up and your eyes closed for exactly that reason.
What it does not do: it does not lift a low eyebrow. If the hooding is caused mainly by brow descent — common — removing lid skin alone under-corrects and can pull the brow down further. The surgeon checks brow position first; where the brow is low, a brow lift alone or combined is the right plan. It also does not treat crow’s feet, dark circles or lower-lid bags.
Scars: A fine line hidden in the natural crease of each upper lid, invisible with the eyes open
Who it suits — and who it does not
Good candidates
- ✓Excess upper-lid skin that folds over the crease or the lashes, making eyes look tired or hooded
- ✓Difficulty applying eye make-up, or a feeling of heaviness by the end of the day
- ✓Narrowed upward vision from skin resting on the lashes
- ✓Eyebrows at a normal position — checked at consultation
- ✓Good general health, no significant dry eye or active eye disease
Usually advised against
- –A low brow as the real cause — brow lift needed, alone or combined
- –Significant dry eye, thyroid eye disease or recent laser eye surgery without an ophthalmologist’s clearance
- –Hollow upper lids where skin removal would deepen the hollow — fat grafting may be discussed instead
- –Expecting removal of crow’s feet or fine lines
- –Bleeding disorders or blood thinners that cannot be paused
Techniques and options
Skin-only excision
A crescent of skin is marked in the crease with the eye closed, removed, and the incision closed with a fine running suture. Suits patients with skin excess and no muscle or fat bulge.
Skin and muscle excision
A thin strip of the orbicularis muscle is removed with the skin to sharpen the crease and reduce fullness — the standard technique for most patients.
Fat handling
A bulge at the inner corner (the medial fat pad) is reduced conservatively. Central fat is preserved or even repositioned in patients whose lids are hollow, because removing it produces a sunken, aged look.
Crease placement
The crease is set at its natural height for your anatomy and ethnicity; it is not raised artificially. In patients who wish to create or define a crease, the technique is adapted and discussed specifically.
Combined with brow lift
When the brow is low, a temporal or endoscopic brow lift is done first in the same session and the lid skin then removed conservatively. Doing the lid alone in that situation is a common cause of disappointment.
What happens on surgery day
- 1
Assessment before travel: close-up photos of the eyes open, closed and looking up, and the face from the front so brow position can be judged. The surgeon confirms upper blepharoplasty alone is the right operation.
- 2
Admission on the morning of surgery. A light sedative and a cannula; local anaesthetic is injected into the lids after sedation so it is not felt.
- 3
Markings sitting up with the eyes open and closed, measuring the skin to leave so closure is complete.
- 4
The skin (and muscle strip if planned) is removed, fat handled conservatively, and the incision closed with a fine suture. Both sides are compared before final closure. About 45–60 minutes.
- 5
Antibiotic ointment and cold compresses. One night in hospital for comfort and observation of any bleeding, with the head raised.
- 6
Discharge to the hotel the next morning. Clinic visit at day 5–6 for suture removal and the fit-to-fly confirmation.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–2
Swelling and some bruising of the lids, a tight feeling on closing, blurred vision from ointment. Cold compresses 15 minutes every hour while awake; head raised; limited screens.
Days 5–6
Sutures removed. Bruising fading to yellow. Fit-to-fly check.
Weeks 1–2
Desk work resumes; concealer over residual bruising once the incision has sealed. Contact lenses from 10–14 days. Mild tightness on closing eases.
Weeks 3–6
Swelling resolves; the crease is visible and clean. Exercise from week 2–3.
Months 3–12
Final result; the scar fades to an invisible line within the crease.
Results — and their limits
A visible upper-lid crease, open eyes and a rested look; eye make-up can be applied again. The change is significant to you and unremarkable to others, which is exactly the goal.
The result lasts 10–15 years; skin continues to age slowly and a repeat is rarely needed.
The scar sits in the fold and is invisible with the eyes open; with the eyes closed it is a faint line after a year.
Crow’s feet, lower-lid bags and brow position are unchanged and are treated separately if wanted.
When it is final: Swelling settles over 4–6 weeks; scars fade over 6–12 months
Risks and how they are managed
Every operation carries risk. These are the ones that matter for this procedure, and what is done to reduce, spot or treat each.
Bleeding behind the eye
Very rare with upper-lid surgery; blood thinners stopped, blood pressure controlled, first night in hospital, immediate reporting of pain, pressure or vision change.
Dry, gritty or watery eyes
Common for 1–3 weeks while closure is slightly incomplete; lubricating drops and night ointment. Persistent dry eye is rare when symptoms are screened for and skin removal is conservative.
Incomplete closure (lagophthalmos)
Prevented by measuring skin to leave with the eyes closed at marking. Mild tightness in the first week is normal.
Asymmetry of the crease or skin fold
Careful matching on the table; minor adjustment under local anaesthesia after 3–6 months if needed.
Hollowing
Avoided by preserving central fat.
Small cysts or thickening along the scar
Removed or treated in clinic if they occur.
Infection
Uncommon; ointment and clean technique.
Package and cost
€960
One fixed price for the operation and a 4-night stay: 1 hospital night and 3 hotel nights. No deposit surprises, no add-ons for anaesthesia or medication.
Included
- ✓Consultation with the operating surgeon, including brow-position assessment
- ✓Anaesthetic assessment and blood tests where needed
- ✓Upper blepharoplasty for both eyes under local anaesthesia with sedation in a hospital operating theatre
- ✓1 night in hospital with nursing care, cold compresses and medication
- ✓3 nights in a 4- or 5-star hotel in Kuşadası
- ✓Private transfers between airport, hospital, clinic and hotel
- ✓Antibiotic ointment, lubricating drops, suture removal and fit-to-fly confirmation
- ✓12 months of remote photo follow-up
Not included
- –Flights and travel insurance
- –Brow lift or lower blepharoplasty if combined — quoted as a package
- –Treatments for crow’s feet, pigmentation or fine lines
How to compare this with a quote at home
Ask any clinic for the same list: surgeon and anaesthetist fees, hospital nights, tests, medication, garments or splints, follow-up visits. A cheaper headline price usually excludes several of these. Then add your flights and insurance to our price for a like-for-like comparison.
How to prepare
- 1.Send close-up photos of the eyes open, closed and looking up, and a front view of the face; mention dry-eye symptoms, contact lenses and any eye surgery.
- 2.Have an eye check if you have glaucoma, thyroid disease or significant dry eye; bring the report.
- 3.Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E and ginkgo 14 days before; stop smoking 4 weeks before.
- 4.No eye make-up or false lashes on the day; remove lash extensions beforehand.
- 5.Bring sunglasses, glasses instead of contact lenses for two weeks, and lubricating drops; arrange 4 nights in Turkey and 5–7 days off desk work.
Aftercare at home
- •Cold compresses for the first 48 hours; head raised for a week; no rubbing the eyes.
- •Ointment along the incisions as instructed; lubricating drops during the day and ointment at night for 2 weeks.
- •No eye make-up until the incisions have sealed, usually 10 days; no contact lenses for 10–14 days.
- •Avoid bending, lifting and exercise for 10–14 days; swimming and saunas for 4 weeks. Sunglasses and SPF over the scars for 6 months.
- •Report sudden one-sided swelling, severe pain, pressure or vision change immediately. Photos at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
Is it done awake?
Do I need a brow lift instead?
Will the scar show?
How much skin is removed?
How long until I look normal?
Will it change the shape of my eyes?
How long does it last?
When can I fly home?
What is included in the price?
Often considered alongside
Free assessment
Send your details; a coordinator replies with a surgeon’s opinion and a written plan.