Blepharoplasty — eyelid surgery planned for a rested, natural result
Upper and lower eyelid surgery to remove excess skin, reposition fat, and restore a naturally alert appearance. A fat-sparing approach helps preserve volume where appropriate.
Anesthesia
Local / General
Duration
30–60 min
Hospital
Day case
Work
3–7 days
Driving
1–2 weeks
Sport
1–2 weeks
The aim is to restore a rested eye area without creating an operated appearance.
Dr. Serkan Kaya · Upper · Lower · Fat-Sparing
Fat-Sparing
What is blepharoplasty?
Restoring the eye area — without hollowing or overcorrection
The periorbital area ages differently from the rest of the face — and responds differently to surgery. The goal of blepharoplasty is not simply to excise tissue. It is to restore the relationship between the eyelid skin, the underlying fat compartments, and the orbital rim, so that the eyes look naturally rested and alert — not pulled, hollow, or overdone.
Upper blepharoplasty addresses excess skin causing hooding, heaviness, or functional restriction of the visual field. Lower blepharoplasty addresses tear trough hollowing and under-eye bags — the result of herniated orbital fat — using a transconjunctival approach that leaves no external scar. Upper and lower blepharoplasty may be performed separately or together, depending on anatomy and goals.
Traditional blepharoplasty often relied on more aggressive fat removal. We now understand that orbital fat loss is a primary driver of the hollow, aged appearance around the eye. In the upper lid, a fat-sparing approach removes excess skin while preserving or redistributing fat. For the lower lid, I use the transconjunctival approach — incision inside the lower eyelid conjunctiva, no external scar — and reposition or selectively reduce fat based on what the anatomy requires. The aim is a refreshed eye area that retains natural volume and avoids an over-corrected appearance.
Surgical approach
How the procedure works
01
Upper blepharoplasty — anaesthesia
Upper blepharoplasty can be performed under local anaesthesia alone — precise, comfortable, and efficient. If combined with lower blepharoplasty or another procedure, general anaesthesia or sedation is used. In most cases, the procedure is performed as day surgery.
02
Upper blepharoplasty — incision & skin removal
The incision is placed precisely within the natural upper eyelid crease — effectively invisible once healed. Excess skin is removed. Fat is preserved or redistributed rather than excised, maintaining natural upper eyelid volume and avoiding the hollowed look that can appear years after aggressive removal.
03
Lower blepharoplasty — transconjunctival approach
The incision is placed inside the lower eyelid conjunctiva — no external scar. Herniated orbital fat is repositioned into the tear trough or selectively reduced. This approach corrects under-eye bags and hollowing without disturbing the external lower eyelid skin or leaving any visible mark.
04
Closure
The upper lid is closed with fine sutures, removed at day 3–5. The transconjunctival incision closes without sutures. Bruising and swelling are significant in the first week and resolve progressively over 2–3 weeks.
05
Combined procedures
Blepharoplasty may also be combined with procedures such as brow lift, rhinoplasty, or selected facial surgery when this fits the overall plan.
Are you a good candidate?
Aesthetic and functional indications
Blepharoplasty addresses both aesthetic and functional concerns around the eye. Upper and lower procedures may be performed separately or together, depending on your anatomy and goals.
Excess upper eyelid skin causing heaviness or hooding
Upper eyelid skin restricting the peripheral visual field
Under-eye bags caused by herniated orbital fat
Tear trough hollowing in selected cases
Tired or aged appearance around the eyes
Recovery
What to expect after surgery
Bruising and swelling peak at 48–72 hours and resolve progressively. Most patients are socially presentable by 10–14 days. Sutures are removed at day 3–5. Once all swelling has cleared — typically at 4–6 weeks — the final result is visible. The result is expected to be long-lasting, although the ageing process continues over time. Durability varies with anatomy, skin quality, and the extent of surgery.
3–5
Days — sutures
3–7 d
Return to work
2 wk
Presentable
4–6 wk
Final result
FAQ
Common questions
Upper blepharoplasty scars are placed within the natural eyelid crease and are effectively invisible once healed. Lower transconjunctival blepharoplasty leaves no external scar at all — the incision is entirely inside the lower eyelid. When incision placement and healing are favourable, visible scarring is usually minimal.
Blepharoplasty results are generally long-lasting. However, skin quality, anatomy, and the natural ageing process continue to influence the eye area over time.
Yes — and they frequently are. Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty means a single anaesthetic, a single recovery period, and comprehensive periorbital rejuvenation. For many patients, this can be a practical way to address both areas within a single recovery period. Recovery is marginally longer than either alone, but still among the shortest of any facial procedure.
It depends on the cause. Under-eye bags from herniated orbital fat respond well to lower blepharoplasty. Tear trough hollowing — a shadow rather than a bag — may respond better to fat repositioning or filler. Pigmentation-related dark circles do not respond to blepharoplasty. The consultation will clarify which approach is right for your anatomy.
Blepharoplasty patients typically stay 4–5 days in Istanbul. Consultation, surgery, and suture removal (day 3–5) all take place here. This usually makes blepharoplasty relatively straightforward from a travel-planning perspective. After returning home, we continue with scheduled video check-ups and direct WhatsApp access.