Eyelid Surgery in Turkey

Eyelid surgery removes excess skin, fat or muscle from the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids or both. It changes the look of hooded or drooping upper lids and of bags under the eyes. It does not remove crow's feet or dark circles, and results cannot be guaranteed. The NHS suggests talking to a GP first, in case a medical condition is affecting your eyelids.

Sources: NHS - Eyelid surgery; ASPS - Eyelid surgery.

• Upper eyelids - removes hooding skin through a cut in the natural crease; often possible under local anaesthetic. Listed from €950.
• Lower eyelids - treats bags by repositioning or removing fat, through a cut just below the lashes or on the inside of the lid. Listed from €1,500.
• Upper and lower together ("4 lids") - one operation, one recovery. Listed €2,000 to €3,000.

Some surgeons price "upper or lower" as one package: €1,390 to €1,750.

Sources: NHS - Eyelid surgery; ASPS - Eyelid surgery procedure.

• Extra upper-lid skin that makes the eyes look tired or sits on the lashes
• Bags under the eyes that are fat, not just swelling
• Good general health, no smoking, and no untreated eye disease
• Realistic goals - for yourself

Not every heavy lid is extra skin. A lid that droops because the lifting muscle is weak (ptosis) needs a different repair, and a low brow can make the lids look heavy - then a brow lift may help more. Send clear photos of your eyes open and closed, from the front and side, with your quote request.

Sources: ASPS - Eyelid surgery candidates; NHS - Eyelid surgery.

Tell your surgeon before you book if you have dry eyes, glaucoma, thyroid eye disease, a detached retina, recent laser eye surgery, high blood pressure, diabetes, or take blood thinners (such as aspirin, warfarin or apixaban). Some of these raise the risk of problems or change the plan. If you have had eye problems, an up-to-date check with your optician or eye doctor at home is a good idea before you travel. If you wear contact lenses, plan to wear glasses for a while after surgery.

Sources: NHS - Eyelid surgery; ASPS - Eyelid surgery risks and safety.

Eyelid surgery is done by plastic surgeons and by eye doctors (ophthalmologists) who specialise in eyelids (oculoplastic surgeons). Either way, check the specialty and registration, how often they do the operation, and before-and-after photos of eyes like yours.

Sources: NHS - Eyelid surgery.

Eyelid surgery is often added to a facelift and neck lift, because tired-looking eyes and a loose jawline tend to come together. Doing them in one operation means one anaesthetic and one recovery, but a longer operation and more swelling at once - your surgeon decides whether it is safe for you. Upper and lower eyelids are also often done together ("4 lids").

Combined packages that include eyelid surgery, quoted to our team:

• Face and neck lift + upper and lower eyelid surgery - İstanbul Cerrahi Hospital (hospital package - the surgeon is named in your quote): €5,440 (hospital price list, April 2026).
• Revision facelift + neck lift + temporal lift + upper and lower eyelid surgery, all-inclusive (2 nights in hospital, interpreter, follow-up; hotel not included) - Dr. Beşir Öner, at İstanbul Cerrahi Hospital: US$14,790 (quoted 23 September 2026, valid to 31 December 2026).
• Deep plane facelift + neck lift + upper and lower eyelid surgery; brow lift and fat grafting included - Dr. Metin Kerem: from €21,250 (quoted 24 September 2026, starting price).

These are combined packages quoted on the dates shown, some for a specific patient. They are not the price of eyelid surgery on its own, prices change, and what is included differs - your written quote confirms the operations, the hospital, the nights and the price.

Eyelid surgery on its own is listed from €950; a facelift + neck lift from €4,900 (Facelift in Turkey).

• Anaesthesia: local anaesthetic (you are awake, the area is numb) or general anaesthetic - often upper lids under local, lower or all 4 lids under general.
• Length: around 45 minutes to 2.5 hours.
• Hospital stay: most people go home the same day; some packages include 1 night - shown on each package.

Sources: NHS - Eyelid surgery.

On the upper lid the scar sits in the natural eyelid crease. On the lower lid it is just below the lashes - or there is no visible scar when the surgeon works from the inside of the lid. Scars can look pink and feel tight for a few months before they fade.

Sources: NHS - Eyelid surgery; ASPS - Eyelid surgery procedure.

• First days: puffy, bruised, numb lids that can be hard to close; cold packs and sleeping with your head raised help.
• About 1 week: stitches or suture strips removed.
• About 2 weeks: most people take about 2 weeks off work.
• Several weeks: bruising and redness fade; avoid strenuous activity and swimming early on, no rubbing the eyes, no contact lenses until your surgeon agrees; sunglasses outdoors.
• A few months: scars settle and the final look appears.

You will not be able to drive for a number of days.

Sources: NHS - Eyelid surgery; ASPS - Eyelid surgery recovery.

For a few weeks it is common for the eyes to feel irritated, gritty, dry or watery, to be sensitive to light, and for the lids to not close fully at first. Your surgeon may give you drops or ointment. Blurred or double vision can happen and is usually temporary. If you already have dry eyes, surgery can make it worse for a while - tell your surgeon before the operation.

Get help straight away - in Istanbul or at home - for sudden severe pain around the eye, rapidly increasing swelling, bleeding or any loss of vision. These are rare but urgent.

Sources: NHS - Eyelid surgery; ASPS - Eyelid surgery risks and safety.

The NHS recommends not flying for 7 to 10 days after facial cosmetic surgery. Plan about a week in Istanbul so the stitches can come out and your surgeon can check your eyes before you travel; with a facelift, plan longer. Eye drops and sunglasses in your hand luggage help on the flight.

Sources: NHS - Cosmetic surgery abroad; NHS - Eyelid surgery.

Occasionally: blurred or double vision, uneven-looking eyes, noticeable scars, and changes in eyelid sensation. Rarely: injury to the eye muscles, the lower lid pulling down and away from the eye (ectropion), bleeding behind the eye, and damage to vision. As with any operation: bleeding, blood clots, infection and reactions to the anaesthetic. Sometimes the result is not what was hoped for and another operation is needed.

Sources: NHS - Eyelid surgery; ASPS - Eyelid surgery risks and safety.

• Your coordinator stays with you through recovery - message them first with photos if something worries you.
• Remote follow-up with your surgeon is part of the process after you return home.

For eye pain, worsening swelling, bleeding or any change in your vision, get medical help at home straight away (an eye casualty or emergency department), then tell your coordinator.

Anti-wrinkle injections can lift the brow slightly, and fillers can soften a hollow under the eye, for months rather than years. They cannot remove extra eyelid skin or fat bags. Botox in Turkey

Sources: ASPS - Eyelid surgery.

Results are long-lasting for many people, but the face keeps ageing: the brow can drop and the upper lids can become heavier again over the years. Sun protection and not smoking help.

Sources: ASPS - Eyelid surgery.

• A plastic surgeon or oculoplastic ophthalmologist who does eyelid surgery regularly, registered on HealthTürkiye (the Ministry of Health portal).
• A hospital or clinic licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
• Before-and-after photos of eyes like yours.
• A written quote naming the surgeon, upper / lower / both lids, local or general anaesthesia, the nights and the follow-up.

On &NewMe the Verified by &NewMe badge only appears when we have checked the hospital's licence and the surgeon's registration and specialty. How we verify

Sources: BAAPS - Eyelid surgery; BAAPS - Consumer safety guidelines.