Plastic surgery
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) in Turkey
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mehmet Yılmaz
Quick answer
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes excess skin and sometimes fat from the upper or lower eyelids to refresh hooded, heavy or tired-looking eyes. At SaluVista in Turkey it starts from £1,315 for upper lids and £1,680 for lower lids, with incisions hidden in the natural eyelid crease. A board-certified surgeon confirms whether it truly suits you.
- Upper eyelid from £1,315 · lower eyelid from £1,680 · both together from £2,415 (guide prices, quote after assessment).
- Best for hooded upper lids, under-eye bags and a tired, heavy look, not for fixing dark circles alone.
- Scars sit in the natural eyelid crease or under the lash line, so they're discreet once healed.
- Most people look presentable in 1–2 weeks; swelling refines over weeks to months.
In this guide
Few features age quite as visibly as the eyes. As the skin of the upper lid loosens it can begin to fold, or "hood", over the lash line; the lower lids can develop puffiness or bags. The result is a look people often describe as tired even when well-rested. Eyelid surgery (its medical name is blepharoplasty) is one of the most requested facial procedures worldwide precisely because a small, precise change here can freshen the whole face.
This guide explains what the operation does, who it genuinely suits, what it costs at SaluVista, and how recovery really unfolds. It's general information to help you prepare for a proper conversation with a surgeon, not medical advice.
What blepharoplasty is
Blepharoplasty is surgery to reshape the eyelids by removing or repositioning excess skin, muscle and fat. It comes in two main forms, done alone or together:
Upper blepharoplasty
The surgeon removes a precise crescent of loose skin (and sometimes a little fat) from the upper lid. This is the operation that lifts a hooded fold away from the lashes. It opens the eye and makes it look more awake. The incision follows the natural crease. The fine scar is hidden when your eyes are open.
Lower blepharoplasty
Here the focus is usually under-eye bags and loose lower-lid skin. Fat may be removed or, increasingly, repositioned to smooth the transition to the cheek. Depending on the case, the surgeon works either just below the lash line or through the inside of the eyelid (a transconjunctival approach), which leaves no external scar.
Blepharoplasty changes the skin and fat around the eye. It does not lift a heavy brow, erase crow's-feet lines, or fix dark under-eye pigmentation on its own: those need different treatments, which a surgeon will explain honestly.
Hooded & tired eyes explained
"Hooded eyes" is one of the most common reasons people ask about eyelid surgery, but the heaviness can come from more than one place, and identifying the true source is the whole point of a good assessment.
- Excess upper-lid skin. When the fold rests on or over the lashes, upper blepharoplasty is usually the direct answer.
- A descended brow. If your forehead and brow have dropped, they push skin down onto the lid. Removing lid skin alone won't fix that: a brow lift may be the better or complementary option.
- Lower-lid puffiness. Bags are often fat that has become prominent, which lower blepharoplasty addresses.
A responsible surgeon may tell you the heaviness you dislike is coming from your brow, not your eyelid, and that a different, or smaller, procedure will serve you better. That honesty is a feature, not a hedge.
SaluVista's plastic and aesthetic surgery is led by board-certified plastic surgeons, including Assoc. Prof. Emre G., an academic plastic surgeon whose work centres on facial aesthetics. You speak with your surgeon before travelling. The plan reflects your anatomy, not a template.
Are you a good candidate?
Blepharoplasty tends to suit people who are in good general health, don't smoke (or can stop around surgery), have realistic expectations, and have a specific, describable concern: a hooded fold, visible bags, a persistently tired look. It's often, though not only, chosen from the forties onward as skin naturally loosens.
When a surgeon may advise caution or waiting
- Dry-eye conditions or certain thyroid-eye problems, which need review first because surgery can affect eye comfort.
- Uncontrolled health conditions that raise surgical or anaesthetic risk.
- Expecting the wrong fix — for example, hoping lid surgery will remove dark circles or deep smile lines.
A screening assessment exists partly to catch these. Sometimes the most professional recommendation is not to operate. Sometimes it's to do less than you first asked. Screening and booking happen in the SaluVista app, and a qualified human surgeon makes the final decision: never an algorithm, never a salesperson.
Cost in Turkey
At SaluVista, eyelid surgery pricing is transparent. It's quoted as a "from" guide, confirmed by an itemised quote after your individual assessment.
| Procedure | From (guide) | Approx. € |
|---|---|---|
| Upper eyelid surgery | from £1,315 | ≈ €1,550 |
| Lower eyelid surgery | from £1,680 | ≈ €1,980 |
| Upper + lower together | from £2,415 | ≈ €2,850 |
| Canthoplasty (almond-eye) | from £2,680 | ≈ €3,160 |
Combining upper and lower in a single session (from £2,415) usually costs less than two separate operations, because you share one theatre visit and one recovery, but it's only advised when it's safe and appropriate for you. Prices are a guide only, not a flat fee. Your assessment may show that a smaller procedure, or a different one, is the honest recommendation. Compare related facial pricing on our facelift cost guide and the main plastic surgery hub.
The procedure & scars
Eyelid surgery is usually a day procedure. Upper blepharoplasty is often done under local anaesthetic with sedation. Lower or combined work may use general anaesthetic depending on the plan. Each lid typically takes under an hour, though this varies.
Where the scars go
Scar placement is what makes blepharoplasty so discreet:
- Upper lid: the incision follows the natural crease, so once healed it's concealed within the fold when your eyes are open.
- Lower lid (external): just beneath the lash line, where the fine line settles into the lid's natural shadow.
- Lower lid (transconjunctival): inside the eyelid, no visible external scar. Suited to cases that mainly need fat adjustment.
Fresh scars start pink and firm and typically soften to a fine, pale line over months. Healing genuinely varies between individuals. No surgeon can promise an invisible scar or a specific final look. Sun protection and following aftercare instructions help scars settle well.
Recovery week by week
Eyelid skin is thin, so it bruises and swells readily. But it also heals quickly. Here's a realistic, staged picture:
| Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Bruising, swelling, tightness; cool compresses and head elevation help. |
| Days 5–7 | External stitches usually removed; swelling starts easing. |
| 1–2 weeks | Most people feel presentable; light concealer can cover residual bruising. |
| 3–6 weeks | Return to exercise as cleared; scars still maturing. |
| 2–4 months | Swelling fully settles and the refined final result appears. |
Early on, expect watery or dry eyes, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision from ointment, all usually temporary. Screens, strenuous exercise, alcohol and sun exposure are limited in the first week or two. Because SaluVista is a travel platform, your itinerary is planned so you're not flying home before it's sensible. Your surgeon guides when it's safe to travel.
Plan your trip with recovery in mind. Many people prefer a quiet week with sunglasses before big social events or a flight. Rushing the eyes rarely pays off.
Combining with other procedures
Eyelids rarely age in isolation, so blepharoplasty is often discussed alongside neighbouring procedures, but only combined when it's safe and genuinely additive:
- Brow lift. When heaviness comes from a dropped brow as well as lid skin, a brow or temporal lift addresses the root cause together with the lids.
- Facelift or mid-facelift. For broader facial ageing, some people combine eyelid work with a facelift in one recovery.
- Rhinoplasty. Occasionally planned in the same period when reshaping the nose is also a goal: see our rhinoplasty cost guide.
Combining should always follow safety before convenience. A good surgeon weighs your health, the total anaesthetic time and your recovery capacity before agreeing to stack procedures, and will decline if it isn't in your interest.
Wondering if your eyes need lid surgery, a brow lift, or nothing yet?
Share a few details and photos. A board-certified surgeon gives you an honest, personalised view, including if a smaller change, or no surgery, is the better answer.
Get a free assessment →Frequently asked questions
How much is eyelid surgery in Turkey?
At SaluVista, upper eyelid surgery starts from £1,315, lower eyelid from £1,680, and upper and lower together from £2,415 (about €2,850). These are guide prices only; your final, itemised quote is confirmed after an individual assessment with a surgeon.
Will eyelid surgery leave visible scars?
Upper eyelid incisions are placed in the natural eyelid crease, so scars are hidden when your eyes are open and usually fade to a fine line over months. Lower eyelid scars sit just under the lash line or, in a transconjunctival approach, inside the eyelid with no external scar at all. Healing varies between individuals.
Does blepharoplasty fix hooded or tired-looking eyes?
Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin and sometimes fat from the upper lid, which can lift a hooded fold and make eyes look more open and rested. If your heaviness comes mainly from the brow or forehead, a brow lift may suit you better, or be combined. A surgeon assesses which is the true cause.
How long is recovery after eyelid surgery?
Most people feel presentable within one to two weeks, once stitches are removed and the main bruising fades. Swelling settles gradually over several weeks, and the final, refined result can take a few months to appear. Screens, exercise and sun exposure are limited early on.
Is eyelid surgery in Turkey safe?
It can be, when performed by a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon after a proper assessment. Blepharoplasty is a delicate procedure near the eye, so surgeon experience and honest candidacy screening matter more than price. SaluVista connects you with board-certified surgeons and you speak with yours before travelling.
Can upper and lower eyelid surgery be done together?
Yes, upper and lower blepharoplasty are often combined in one session when both are appropriate, from £2,415. Combining is only advised when it is safe for you. A surgeon may also suggest doing less than you ask for if that gives a more natural, balanced result.
This article is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor. Individual results and recommendations vary, and no aesthetic outcome can be guaranteed. Always discuss your options and risks with a medical professional.
Sources & further reading
- NHS — Cosmetic procedures (overview, choosing a practitioner and risks).
- BAAPS — British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (patient safety and standards).
