Blepharoplasty: Your Guide to Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin, fat, or muscle from the upper or lower eyelids. It can be performed for both cosmetic and functional reasons, such as improving vision or addressing age-related changes.

Here we discuss what to expect from blepharoplasty, including procedure details, recovery, and costs. Book a consultation with our blepharoplasty London specialist to learn more.

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to reshape your upper and/or lower eyelids. We can perform it for cosmetic or functional reasons, such as improving the appearance of sagging or puffy eyelids and addressing vision problems caused by excess skin or fat deposits.

As you age, your skin loses its elasticity, and your muscles weaken, which can cause stretching and sagging. Blepharoplasty can address hooded or droopy eyelids (ptosis) and bags under the eyes caused by these age-related changes.

Blepharoplasty can also help treat blepharospasm. Blepharospasm is the uncontrollable muscle movements in the eyelids, which can cause the eyelids to close or make them difficult to open. This procedure can help elevate severe vision problems through removing some of the eye muscle to combat closure and improve your vision.

You may choose to have a blepharoplasty to improve your peripheral vision or enhance the shape of your eyelids. Speak to our blepharoplasty London specialist, Mr Daniele Lorenzano, about your suitability for upper or lower blepharoplasty.

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Blepharoplasty Costs

We aim to keep the cost of blepharoplasty simple and transparent, to help you feel confident and informed from the very beginning. As a guide you can expect to pay:

Upper blepharoplasty cost (both eyelids) from £4,500

Lower blepharoplasty cost (both eyelids) from £4,800

Upper and Lower blepharoplasty cost (both eyes) from £6,750

Everyone’s needs are slightly different, so please get in touch and we’ll provide a personalised blepharoplasty quote during your consultation.

Blepharoplasty Procedure

There are two main types: upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty. Here’s what you can expect from each.

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty focuses on the upper eyelids, and we often perform it to remove excess skin that may droop over the eyelashes or impair vision. We use local anaesthesia to numb your eyelids and make a small cut along the natural crease of your upper eyelid. We then remove or reposition excess skin, muscle, and fat to achieve a more youthful and alert appearance. We carefully close the cut with sutures, which we typically remove after a week.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty targets the lower eyelids and reduces puffiness, removes bags under the eyes, and tightens loose skin. The procedure involves making a small cut just below the lower lash line or inside the eyelid. Through this cut, we remove or redistribute excess fat and tighten the underlying muscle and tissue. If necessary, we can also trim any loose skin. We may use sutures or surgical tape to close the tissues.

Blepharoplasty Before and After: What to Expect

Blepharoplasty before and after results can vary, but most patients see a noticeable improvement in the shape of their eyelids, reduced puffiness, and a more refreshed, alert appearance. If you’re having the procedure for functional reasons, you may also notice an improvement in your peripheral vision. We’ll show you before and after photos during your consultation to help set realistic expectations.

Preparing For Blepharoplasty

Preparing for blepharoplasty involves having a medical evaluation to check your suitability. We may perform a physical exam, a visual field test, and photograph your eyes to compare to your results after the surgery. In your initial consultation, we will discuss your goals, concerns, and expectations so you are aware of what you can expect from a blepharoplasty.

Before the procedure, you may need to stop taking certain medications or supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding and complications after. You should not smoke for a few weeks prior and arrange for someone to take you home after the surgery.

Remember, undergoing a cosmetic procedure is a personal decision you should make after careful consideration and a consultation with a qualified professional.

Blepharoplasty Recovery and Aftercare

Blepharoplasty recovery time varies from person to person, but you may have some swelling, bruising, and discomfort after the procedure. We recommend using cold compresses and lubricating ointments to help with these symptoms.

It’s important to avoid strenuous activities and protect your eyes from the sun while you heal. You may benefit from wearing dark sunglasses. Most people can resume their daily routine within a week or two, but full blepharoplasty recovery time can take several weeks.

During this time, you should not wear eye makeup or contact lenses, go swimming, or use a hot tub or sauna, as they can increase the likelihood of getting an infection. Our specialist will share how to care for your eyes while you are at our clinic.

Blepharoplasty Risks

As with any procedure, there are some risks to consider with blepharoplasty surgery. These include potential bleeding, infection, scarring, dry eyes, changes in eyelid function, and temporary vision changes, such as blurry vision. You can minimise these risks by following our aftercare instructions below.

In rare cases, you may experience an eye muscle injury, ectropion (lower eyelid drooping), or lower eyelid malposition (changing position). Contact our specialist for expert advice if you see signs of a complication.

Private blepharoplasty surgery

Book your private blepharoplasty now to reshape your eyelids and address sagging, puffy eyelids or vision problems.

Speak to Mr Daniele Lorenzano, our cosmetic specialist, to discuss your blepharoplasty goals and suitability. Our expert will guide you through a safe and successful blepharoplasty journey.

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Frequently asked questions

Smoking after blepharoplasty can delay the healing process and increase the risk of complications. We recommend that you stop smoking for six weeks before and two weeks after your procedure.

If this is too hard, try stopping for at least three days before and two days after. The NHS provides a free smoking cessation programme if you want help to quit.

We numb the eyes before your procedure to prevent pain, though your eye may feel a little sore after. You can take painkillers to relieve this. If you experience severe pain, contact our specialist for advice.

Yes, you should plan to take at least a week off work after a blepharoplasty. After a few days, you may be able to work from home using a computer, but some people choose to wait until the side effects have resolved before returning to work. Keep in mind that a lower blepharoplasty can take longer to heal. Our specialist will let you know how long your recovery is likely to take, depending on your circumstances.

You may have a faint scar after, but the eyelids typically heal very well with minimal scarring. We carefully hide the upper eyelid scar within the natural skin crease, making it hard to notice when the eyes are open. We hide the lower eyelid scars beneath the lashes, so they are barely detectable.

Some alternatives to blepharoplasty include a brow lift, eyelid reduction, and anti-wrinkle injections. Your treatment options will depend on the problem you are experiencing and whether you want short-term or long-term results. Our ptosis surgery and lid laxity surgery pages cover some of these options in detail.