• Eyelid Surgery

EYELID SURGERY

Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is an aesthetic surgical procedure to correct sagging skin and bags of the upper and lower eyelids. It can be performed on both the upper and lower eyelids, separately or in the same session as needed.

The area around the eyes is one of the first places where signs of ageing appear. Sagging and bags on the eyelids can make a person look tired, sleepless or older than they are. At Op. Dr. Mert Seçer’s clinic, the aim is to give the eyes a rested, natural look without changing their shape.

UPPER EYELID

Sagging and Heaviness

With age, excess skin forms on the upper eyelid and the lid droops towards the lash line. This gives the eyes a heavy, tired look; in advanced cases it can narrow the field of vision and make applying make-up difficult.

In upper eyelid surgery, excess skin and, if necessary, excess fat are removed. Because the incision is placed in the natural crease of the eyelid, it is not visible when the eyes are open and fades over time.

Who Is It Suitable For?

  • People with excess skin and sagging of the upper eyelid
  • People who feel heaviness and tiredness in their eyes
  • People whose field of vision is narrowed by drooping eyelids

LOWER EYELID

Under-Eye Bags

Bags on the lower eyelid form when the fat around the eye bulges forward over time. They are often accompanied by a hollow just below the bag (tear trough), and together they give the face a tired expression.

In patients without excess skin, the bags can be removed through an incision on the inner surface of the eyelid (transconjunctival approach). With this method there is no visible scar on the skin. In patients who also have excess skin, the incision is hidden just below the lashes.

Who Is It Suitable For?

  • People with visible under-eye bags
  • People with a hollow below the bags
  • People with lax skin on the lower eyelid

FAT REPOSITIONING

Without a Hollow Look

In the past, the fat in under-eye bags was usually removed completely. However, removing too much fat can lead to a hollow, aged appearance under the eyes over time.

For this reason, in suitable patients the fat forming the bag is not removed but spread into the hollow just below it and repositioned. This both corrects the bag and fills the hollow, giving a smoother, younger transition from the lower eyelid to the cheek.

COMBINED WITH BROW LIFT

Combined Procedure

In some patients, the real cause of heaviness in the upper eyelid is not the lid itself but the eyebrow, which descends with age. In this case, eyelid surgery alone may not give a sufficient result.

In patients with brow ptosis, eyelid surgery can be planned in the same session as an endoscopic brow lift. Treating the brow and eyelid together gives a more balanced and natural result around the eyes. Which procedure is needed is determined during the examination.

AFTER SURGERY

Recovery Process

The anaesthesia method and duration of the procedure are planned individually during the examination.

  • Swelling and oedema of the eyelids are seen in the first 2–3 days after surgery.
  • Recovery is largely achieved within the first week.
  • Because the incisions are hidden in the natural creases of the skin, the scar is barely noticeable.
  • During this period, the care instructions provided should be followed.

RISKS

What You Should Know

As with any surgical procedure, eyelid surgery carries certain risks. Swelling, bruising and temporary dry eyes are expected. Other possible risks include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, visible scarring, temporary difficulty in fully closing the eyes and downward pulling of the lower eyelid. Risks are discussed in detail during the examination, taking into account the patient’s eye and eyelid structure.

For patients who do not want surgery and have only fine lines around the eyes, non-surgical aesthetic procedures may also be an option.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does eyelid surgery take, and what anaesthesia is used?

The duration and anaesthesia method vary depending on whether one or both eyelids are treated and on additional procedures such as a brow lift; they are planned during the examination.

How long does swelling last after surgery?

Swelling and oedema of the eyelids are noticeable in the first 2–3 days; recovery is largely achieved within the first week.

Does eyelid surgery leave scars?

On the upper eyelid, the incision is hidden in the natural crease; on the lower eyelid, it is placed on the inner surface of the lid or just below the lashes. The scar is therefore barely noticeable.

Can under-eye bags be removed from the inside?

Yes. In patients without excess skin, the bags are removed through an incision on the inner surface of the eyelid, leaving no visible scar on the skin.

Will the under-eye area look hollow after bag removal?

In suitable patients, the fat in the bag is not removed but spread into the hollow below and repositioned. This prevents a hollow appearance.

Can the upper and lower eyelids be operated on at the same time?

Yes. If needed, the upper and lower eyelids can be operated on in the same session.

Can eyelid surgery be combined with a brow lift?

Yes. In patients with brow ptosis, eyelid surgery can be planned in the same session as an endoscopic brow lift.

This content was prepared by Op. Dr. Mert Seçer.
Last updated: 22 October 2026