Upper Eyelid Surgery in Edinburgh
Upper eyelid surgery restores the upper eye shape that hooded or heavy eyelids have hidden, making the eyes look open and rested rather than tired. At Waterfront, the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic in about an hour, as a walk-in, walk-out treatment, by the consultant plastic surgeon who assessed you and who will follow you through recovery.
Contents
Overview - Upper eyelid surgery
- TYPE OF ANAESTHETIC
Local - LENGTH OF PROCEDURE
1 hour - HOSPITAL STAY
Walk in walkout - RECOVERY
1 week off work, 4 weeks before strenuous exercise
What the procedure involves
Upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty) is one of the most commonly performed procedures in plastic surgery and has a high satisfaction rate when performed in carefully selected patients. At Waterfront it is typically performed as a walk-in walk-out procedure under local anaesthetic.
- Consultation and planning: a detailed examination of the upper lid, brow position and underlying anatomy, with the surgical plan tailored to your case.
- Anaesthesia: usually local anaesthesia (the eyelid is numbed before the procedure begins). General anaesthesia is used where the procedure is combined with other surgeries.
- Surgical technique: a precise incision is made along the natural fold of the upper eyelid, so the scar is hidden when the eye is open. Excess skin is removed; in some cases, a small amount of underlying fat or muscle is also addressed.
- Closure: the incision is closed with fine sutures and removed at follow-up about a week later.
Upper eyelid surgery is commonly combined with lower eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or a facelift, where the surrounding anatomy also needs attention.
Benefits and expected outcomes
Upper eyelid surgery can address:
- Hooded or heavy upper eyelids that make the eyes look smaller or tired
- Excess skin that has started to fold over the lash line or affects how you apply eye makeup
- Visual obstruction caused by sagging upper eyelid skin (which can be functional as well as aesthetic)
- An asymmetry between the two upper lids
What it does not address: heaviness coming from the brow (where the issue is brow position rather than lid skin — addressed by a brow lift), fine surface lines around the eyes (more suitable for non-surgical treatments), or pigmented dark circles. Your consultant will be honest at consultation about whether upper eyelid surgery is the right starting point — sometimes a brow lift is the more appropriate operation.
Results are long-lasting. The natural ageing process continues, but most patients see the benefit of their surgery for ten years or more before considering any further work.
Before and after upper eyelid photos
Ideal Candidates
Suitable candidates for upper eyelid surgery:
- Have hooded or heavy upper eyelids that make the eyes look tired, smaller, or older than they feel
- Notice that the lid skin folds over the lash line or affects makeup application
- May find their peripheral vision restricted by the upper lid skin (a functional rather than purely cosmetic concern)
- Are in good general health and have realistic expectations about a subtle, refreshed result
A consultation is a conversation, not a commitment to surgery. If we feel that brow position is the underlying issue — and a brow lift would suit you better, or that surgery is not the right step for your case, we will say so honestly.
Risks and Considerations
Upper eyelid surgery is generally a low-risk procedure when performed in well-selected patients, but like any surgery, it carries a defined set of risks that any patient should understand before deciding to go ahead:
- Bleeding and bruising: some post-operative bruising around the eyes is normal and settles over one to two weeks.
- Dry, gritty or watery eyes: common in the early healing period and usually temporary. Persistent dry eye is uncommon but possible, particularly in patients with pre-existing dry eye.
- Scarring: incisions are placed in the natural eyelid crease, so the scar is typically inconspicuous when the eye is open. The scar is permanent and fades over months.
- Asymmetry: small differences between the two sides can occur. Aiming for absolute symmetry is not realistic.
- Under-correction or over-correction: removing too little leaves residual hooding; removing too much can impair full closure of the eye (lagophthalmos), particularly during the early healing period.
- Vision changes: rare but possible — including very rare, more serious complications such as retrobulbar haematoma. Your consultant will discuss the rare but important risks in detail at the consultation.
Further reading: BAAPS — Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
Aftercare and Recovery
Recovery from upper eyelid surgery is relatively quick because the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and the incisions are small.
Most patients return to desk-based work within a week. Bruising is most noticeable in the first 10 days and continues to settle over 2 to 3 weeks. Sutures are removed at around one week. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for around four weeks.
The final result is expected to settle over three to six months as any residual swelling resolves. A nurse reviews you at one week and more often if needed during the early healing period. Your consultant will see you again around six months after the result has settled. In the meantime, your consultant is always available — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
What is the cost of upper eyelid surgery?
Guide prices at Waterfront Private Hospital:
- Upper eyelid surgery under local anaesthesia: from £3,600
- Upper eyelid surgery under general anaesthesia: from £4,500
- Upper and lower eyelid surgery combined: from £6,800
- Upper and lower eyelid surgery with fat transfer: from £7,600
Each price covers the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee where applicable, the procedure room fee, and all post-operative reviews until you are fully discharged.
The full price for your individual case can only be confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery. Our consultation fee with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.
Frequently asked questions about upper eyelid surgery
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my upper eyelid surgery?
Yes. The consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who plans your procedure, performs it, and follows you through every post-operative review. There is no handover between assessment and surgery, no patient coordinator, and no surgeon rotation — even though this is a procedure that some practices treat as high-volume.
What is upper eyelid surgery?
Upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove excess skin (and in some cases a small amount of underlying fat or muscle) from the upper eyelids. The result is a more open, rested-looking eye area, with the scar hidden in the natural fold of the upper lid.
How does upper eyelid surgery differ from a brow lift?
Upper eyelid surgery addresses excess skin or heaviness in the eyelid itself. A brow lift addresses sagging of the eyebrow position above the eyelid. The two are sometimes confused because both can make the upper eye area look tired. At consultation your consultant will examine you to identify whether the issue is brow position, eyelid skin, or a combination — and recommend the right operation. Sometimes the answer is one, sometimes the other, sometimes both.
How long does the procedure take?
Typically around one hour for upper eyelid surgery alone. Combined procedures (upper and lower, or with brow lift) take longer.
Will I be awake during the procedure?
If performed under local anaesthesia (which is the usual approach), yes — you are awake but the lid area is numbed and you should not feel discomfort. General anaesthesia is used where the procedure is combined with other surgery.
Can upper eyelid surgery improve my vision?
Yes, in cases where the heavy upper eyelid skin is genuinely blocking your peripheral vision (a functional issue rather than only an aesthetic one). Your consultant will assess this at consultation. If functional vision is significantly affected, the procedure can sometimes be performed under NHS criteria — your GP can refer you to assess this; private surgery is a self-pay option for cases that fall below those criteria.
Is upper eyelid surgery permanent?
Results are long-lasting. The skin that is removed does not regrow. However, the natural ageing process continues, and new excess skin may develop over many years. Most patients see the benefit of their surgery for ten years or more before considering any further work.
What are the risks of upper eyelid surgery?
Risks include bleeding, bruising, temporary dry or gritty eyes, scarring, asymmetry, under- or over-correction (the latter can affect the ability to close the eye fully in the early healing period), and very rarely more serious complications such as retrobulbar haematoma. Specific risks for your case will be discussed in detail at consultation.
How long is the recovery period?
Most patients return to desk-based work within one week. Bruising and swelling settle over two to three weeks; strenuous exercise should be avoided for around four weeks. Final results take three to six months to settle fully.
Will I have visible scars after the surgery?
Scars are placed in the natural crease of the upper eyelid, so they are well-hidden when the eye is open. They fade over months. The scar is permanent but rarely noticeable in everyday life.
Can upper eyelid surgery be combined with other procedures?
Yes. The most common combinations are with lower eyelid surgery (where the lower lid is also a concern), brow lift (where brow position is contributing to upper-eye heaviness), and facelift. Combining procedures in one operation shortens overall recovery time.
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
All patients are seen by a nurse at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant reviews you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between those reviews, your consultant is always available — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
How much does upper eyelid surgery cost?
Guide prices are listed in the Cost section above. The full price for your individual case is confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery.
Caring, skilled and professional service
Caring, skilled and professional service. Mr Quaba helped me feel relaxed and in very safe hands. His team were kind and helpful when I had problems after surgery with dry eyes and a bad reaction to eye creme. I’m looking forward to seeing the results when I fully recover from surgery. Thanks to Mr Quaba and everyone on the team
Mrs Baybutt
Nov 2023
Author
Mr Will Anderson is a fully accredited Consultant Plastic Surgeon in Edinburgh on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery (3679250). Having served as an NHS Consultant since 2008, he specialises in advanced reconstructive, cosmetic, and laser surgery. With global training and an MSc from University College London, he is renowned for his patient-centred care at Waterfront Private Hospital. He is a full member of BAAPS.
