Eyelid surgery in Turkey: a more open, rested look
Upper and lower eyelids, techniques, procedure, scars, recovery, risks and price: everything you need to know before eyelid surgery in Turkey.
What is eyelid surgery in Turkey?
Drooping upper eyelids that make the eyes look heavy, sometimes even blocking vision, or bags under the eyes that make you look tired: with age, the skin and fat of the eyelids loosen.
Eyelid surgery in Turkey (blepharoplasty) removes excess skin from the upper eyelids and treats bags on the lower eyelids, by removing or repositioning fat. It lasts 1 to 2 hours, under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia, most often without a hospital stay. The scars are hidden in the eyelid crease or just below the lashes. The stay usually lasts 5 to 7 days, until the stitches are removed. The price is set in a free quote.
TurquieMed organizes your stay: forwarding your file to the surgeon, opinion and detailed quote within 48 hours, airport pick-up, transfers, hotel, interpreter and 7-day-a-week assistance.
- Duration
- 1 to 2 hours
- Anesthesia
- Local with sedation or general
- Hospital stay
- Most often day surgery
- Stay
- Usually 5 to 7 days
How much does eyelid surgery cost in Turkey?
The price depends on the eyelids treated (upper, lower or all four), the technique and the anesthesia. It is often offered as a package and is usually significantly lower than prices in Western Europe or North America.
Your free quote is prepared after your photos have been reviewed. Your flight is usually at your own expense.
Why have eyelid surgery in Turkey?
Eyelid surgery requires great finesse, as the skin there is the thinnest on the body. Turkish plastic surgeons and oculoplastic surgeons perform it with techniques that leave almost invisible scars.
- Surgeons experienced with eyelids. Plastic surgeons and oculoplastic surgeons regularly operate on upper and lower eyelids.
- Hidden scars. At the top, the scar sits in the natural crease; at the bottom, it runs just below the lashes or inside the eyelid.
- Fat repositioned, not just removed. For bags, fat can be redistributed to fill the tear trough and keep a natural look.
- Often local anesthesia. The procedure can be done under local anesthesia with sedation, as day surgery, which simplifies recovery.
- A short stay. 5 to 7 days in Turkey, until the stitches are removed, before going home with a rested look.
Who is eyelid surgery for?
- heavy upper eyelids, with excess skin touching the lashes or blocking vision;
- bags under the eyes, often hereditary or age-related;
- healthy adults, usually after 35 to 40, sometimes earlier for hereditary bags.
An eyelid that droops because the lifting muscle is weakened (ptosis) is treated differently: the surgeon tells the difference at the examination. Significant dry eyes should be mentioned, as they may change the technique.
How is eyelid surgery performed?
Upper eyelids
The surgeon removes a strip of excess skin and, if needed, a little fat, through an incision hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid.
Lower eyelids
Bags are treated through an incision just below the lashes or through the inside of the eyelid (transconjunctival approach), with no visible scar. Fat can be removed or repositioned to fill the tear trough.
How does your eyelid surgery in Turkey work, step by step?
- You send your photos. You receive an opinion and a quote.
- Day 1: consultation and eyelid examination.
- Day 2: the procedure, then usually back to the hotel the same day.
- Days 3 to 5: rest and check-up, cold compresses, ointment.
- Days 5 to 7: removal of stitches and return.
After the procedure
The eyelids are swollen and bruised for 7 to 14 days. Apply cold compresses, sleep with your head raised, avoid long screen time, make-up for 2 weeks and contact lenses for 2 to 3 weeks. Work usually resumes after 10 days. Flying is possible after the stitches are removed.
What are the risks of eyelid surgery?
Blepharoplasty is a common procedure with a simple recovery. The scars become very discreet within a few months.
| Possible effect | Frequency | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Swelling, bruising, watery eyes | Very common | Disappear within 1 to 2 weeks |
| Dry eyes, difficulty closing the eyes completely | Common at first | Relieved by artificial tears, they improve within a few weeks |
| Slight asymmetry | Uncommon | A small touch-up is possible |
| Lower eyelid pulled down, hematoma | Rare | Managed by the surgeon |
How to choose your surgeon and quote?
A low price is not enough. Ask the hospital these questions before committing:
- Is the hospital authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health to treat international patients?
- Who will perform the procedure, and how experienced are they with this technique?
- Is the surgeon a qualified plastic surgeon, and can you see before-and-after photos of their own patients?
- Does the procedure take place in a hospital with an anesthesia team and intensive care on site?
- Who takes care of a complication, on site and after your return home?
- What medical follow-up is planned, and with whom?
What a good quote should specify
- The name of the hospital and the doctor
- The tests, anesthesia, hospital stay and medication included
- The number of nights in hospital and at the hotel, and the transfers
- What happens in case of complication or cancellation
- The follow-up offered after your return
Also budget for your flight and follow-up consultations. Planned treatment in Turkey is usually not covered by public health insurance: ask your insurer in writing before committing.
Take time to think, and be wary of any offer that pushes you to decide quickly.
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Frequently asked questions about eyelid surgery in Turkey
How much does eyelid surgery cost in Turkey?
The price depends on the eyelids treated, the technique and the anesthesia. It is usually significantly lower than prices in Western Europe or North America. The exact price appears on your free quote.
Are the scars visible?
Very little: at the top, the scar is hidden in the eyelid crease; at the bottom, it is just below the lashes or inside the eyelid. Pink for the first weeks, they become almost invisible within a few months.
Is the result permanent?
The result is long-lasting, often more than 10 years for the upper eyelids, and very long-lasting for bags. Natural aging does, however, continue.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Usually 5 to 7 days, so that the stitches can be removed before you go home. Bring sunglasses to hide the bruising during the journey.
Does eyelid surgery improve vision?
When the skin of the upper eyelids falls over the lashes, it can reduce the upper field of vision: removing it widens it. It does not correct eyesight itself.
Which photos should I send to get an opinion?
Send photos of your face from the front, eyes open and then closed, and in profile, without make-up, along with your age, medical history (eye surgery, dry eyes) and current treatments.
Is eyelid surgery covered by insurance?
Cosmetic eyelid surgery is not covered. In some countries, it may be covered when excess skin on the upper eyelid obstructs vision, as shown by a visual field test. Planned treatment in Turkey is usually at your own expense. Ask your insurer in writing before committing.
Request a free medical opinion and quote
Send us photos of the area to be treated, your age, weight, height, medical history and current treatments. The surgeon will review them, and you will receive a detailed medical opinion and an estimated quote.
