Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) in Turkey

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) in Turkey starts from around £1,800 and is one of the most popular facial procedures for international patients who look tired or older than they feel. It removes or repositions excess skin, muscle and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids to open up the eye and smooth under-eye bags. Most patients stay 5-7 days, have stitches removed around day 5-7, and see the bulk of bruising fade over 2-3 weeks. Unal Cakar coordinates the entire journey with accredited clinics and board-certified oculoplastic or plastic surgeons, so you can compare options clearly before you travel.

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the eyelids. Upper blepharoplasty removes loose, hooded skin (and sometimes a small strip of muscle) that can make the eyes look heavy, sad or even narrow your field of vision. Lower blepharoplasty addresses the puffiness, fat bags and crepey skin that create a permanently tired look beneath the eyes. The two can be done together or separately, on one or both lids.

It is a contouring and rejuvenation operation rather than a 'lift' of the whole face. It does not erase crow's feet, dark pigmentation or sagging brows on its own, though it is often combined with a brow lift, fat transfer or skin resurfacing for a more complete result. Done well, the changes are subtle: you look like a rested version of yourself, not 'operated on'.

The surgeon marks the natural eyelid creases while you are sitting upright, so the incisions follow your own anatomy and stay hidden. For upper lids, a fine incision is made within the crease, excess skin and a conservative amount of fat or muscle are removed, and the edges are closed with very fine sutures. For lower lids, the approach is either transcutaneous (a hairline incision just below the lash line) or transconjunctival (from inside the lid, leaving no external scar) when only fat needs to be repositioned or reduced.

Most blepharoplasty is performed under local anaesthetic with sedation, or light general anaesthetic, and takes roughly 1-2 hours depending on whether one or both lids are treated. Modern technique favours conservative tissue removal and fat preservation or repositioning rather than aggressive excision, which protects against a hollow or 'overdone' appearance and helps the result age naturally.

• Upper, lower or combined eyelid surgery tailored to your anatomy
• Incisions hidden in the natural lid crease or inside the lid for discreet scarring
• Board-certified oculoplastic or plastic surgeons in accredited Turkish hospitals
• Typically a 5-7 day trip including pre-op checks and suture removal
• Independent facilitator: you pay the clinic directly, with structured remote aftercare

1. 01

   Free online consultation and photo assessment

   You share clear photos of your eyes and any concerns. Unal arranges a review by a partner surgeon, who advises whether upper, lower or combined surgery suits you, and flags anything that needs medical clearance first.

2. 02

   Personalised plan and transparent quote

   You receive a written plan, the recommended technique, an all-in price paid directly to the clinic, and an honest view of what surgery can and cannot achieve for your eyes.

3. 03

   Pre-operative checks in Turkey

   On arrival you have an in-person examination, eye and tear-film assessment and routine bloods. The surgeon confirms the markings and final plan with you before anything is scheduled.

4. 04

   Surgery day

   The procedure takes about 1-2 hours under local anaesthetic with sedation or light general anaesthetic. Most patients go back to the hotel the same day with cooling and clear aftercare instructions.

5. 05

   Suture removal and review

   Stitches are typically removed around day 5-7 at a follow-up visit, where the surgeon checks healing and clears you to fly home.

6. 06

   Structured remote aftercare

   Unal stays your point of contact after you return home, coordinating photo check-ins with the clinic at key healing milestones and answering questions throughout recovery.

Good candidates are generally healthy adults bothered by heavy, hooded upper lids, persistent under-eye bags or crepey eyelid skin, with realistic expectations. You should be a non-smoker or willing to stop well before and after surgery, as smoking impairs healing. Blepharoplasty may not be suitable, or may need extra precautions, if you have uncontrolled dry eye, thyroid eye disease, glaucoma, a bleeding disorder, very high blood pressure, or significant brow droop that is actually the main cause of the heaviness (a brow lift may be more appropriate). Where puffiness is mainly fluid or pigment rather than fat or excess skin, surgery may give limited benefit, and a surgeon should tell you so honestly rather than operate.

• More open, rested and alert appearance without changing your fundamental look
• Removal of heavy upper-lid skin that can sit on the lashes or restrict the upper field of vision
• Reduction of under-eye bags and puffiness that make you look permanently tired
• Incisions hidden in the natural lid crease or inside the lid, so scars are typically very discreet
• Long-lasting results, as the skin and fat removed do not return
• Often combined with brow lift, fat transfer or skin resurfacing for a fuller facial rejuvenation

Expect bruising and swelling around the eyes for the first week to ten days; this is normal and is helped by cold compresses, sleeping with your head elevated and avoiding bending or heavy lifting. Sutures usually come out around day 5-7, and most people feel comfortable being seen in public after 1-2 weeks. Residual bruising and a slightly tight or numb feeling along the incision can take 2-3 weeks to settle fully, and fine scars continue to soften over several months.

Vision may be a little blurry early on from ointment and swelling, and watery or temporarily dry eyes are common. You can usually read and watch screens in moderation within a few days, drive once vision and reflexes are normal, and return to light work in about a week, though strenuous exercise, swimming and saunas should wait 3-4 weeks. Sunglasses and sun protection on the healing scars are strongly advised. Unal coordinates remote follow-up so the clinic reviews your progress at each stage.

Final results emerge gradually as swelling resolves over several weeks, with continued refinement of the scars over three to six months. The eyes typically look more open, smoother and less tired, and many patients say they look how they feel again rather than dramatically different. Upper blepharoplasty results are generally long-lasting because the removed skin does not grow back, though the eyelids continue to age naturally with time; lower-lid puffiness rarely fully returns once the fat is treated. No surgeon can promise a perfectly symmetrical or permanent result, as healing varies between individuals and the surrounding face keeps ageing.

Turkey combines internationally trained surgeons, accredited (often JCI-standard) hospitals and high procedure volumes with costs typically a fraction of UK or US prices, where eyelid surgery often runs several times higher. As an independent facilitator and patient advocate, Unal Cakar is not a clinic and does not perform surgery: he is sponsored by vetted partner hospitals, so you pay the clinic directly and never pay him a markup. His role is to shortlist appropriate accredited surgeons, make the quote and plan transparent, coordinate travel, interpreting and appointments, and stay your single point of contact through structured aftercare, so the value of treating in Turkey does not come at the cost of safety or accountability.