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Upper eyelid surgery in Edinburgh

Removes the heavy or hooded skin that hides the upper eyelid, so the eyes look open rather than tired. It takes about an hour under local anaesthetic, and you go home the same day.

Your consultants
+1
Consultant assessing a hooded upper eyelid
Anaesthetic
Local
Surgery time
1 hour
Recovery
1 week off work, 4 weeks before strenuous exercise
Guide price
From £4,200

Contents

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.

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.

Upper eyelid surgery animation

A short 3D animation of the procedure. It loads only when you press play.

What upper eyelid surgery can and can’t do

Upper eyelid surgery does one job well: it removes the extra skin that hoods the eye. It cannot fix everything around the eyes, and we would rather you heard that from us now than found it out afterwards.

It can

  • Remove the extra upper lid skin that hoods the eye or folds over the lash line.
  • Give you a clearer lid crease, which can make eye make-up easier to apply.
  • Improve your side vision where heavy lid skin hangs into it.
  • Reduce a difference between the two upper lids.

It can’t

  • Lift a low brow. If the heaviness comes from the brow sitting lower, removing lid skin will not fix it, and a brow lift may be the better operation.
  • Raise a lid that droops because of the muscle. A drooping lid edge (ptosis) is a different problem, and removing skin can make it more noticeable. Your consultant checks for it at consultation.
  • Smooth fine lines or crow’s feet. These sit in the skin surface and respond better to non-surgical treatments.
  • Make the two sides identical. Most people start with small differences between their eyes, and some remain after surgery.
  • Stop the eyes ageing. The skin removed does not grow back, but ageing continues and some heaviness can return over the years.

Your consultant will tell you at your consultation which of these apply to you.

What is the cost of upper eyelid surgery?

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.

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Questions before you book?

Ask anything about upper eyelid surgery, its recovery, risks or cost, any time and in plain language. If you would like, our team can contact you afterwards.

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General information, not a substitute for a consultation.

Patients often ask

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Quick answers

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.

Can I spread the cost?
Yes. You can pay in full two weeks before your procedure, or spread the cost with interest-free finance through Omni Capital Retail Finance over 6 or 10 months, with a deposit of between 10% and 50%. There is no interest and no hidden fee, and most applicants get a decision straight away. We do not accept private medical insurance for cosmetic treatment.
Does upper eyelid surgery fix hooded eyelids?
Usually, yes. Upper eyelid surgery removes the heavy or hooded skin that hides the upper eyelid, so the eyes look open rather than tired. The incision sits in the natural fold, so the scar is hidden when the eye is open. If the hooding comes from a low brow rather than the lid, a brow lift may suit you better, and your consultant will check which at consultation.
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.

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.

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.

Our upper eyelid specialists

You meet your consultant at your first appointment. The same consultant plans your treatment, carries it out and sees you afterwards.

Will Anderson

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS

John Biddlestone

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)

Ewa Majdak-Paredes

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Omar Quaba

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · ISAPS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Awf Quaba

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS

Ken Stewart

Consultant plastic surgeon

GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery)BAAPS · BAPRAS · Board Certified in cosmetic surgery (ICSB)

Highly recommend Mr Omar Quaba and…

I cannot recommend Mr Omar Quaba and the Waterfront Hospital highly enough. My first experience of private healthcare and it was in every way an excellent experience. Mr Quaba not only is an excellent surgeon but he has a wonderful manner and at every step of the way he put me at ease and was very reassuring throughout the whole process of my Upper Blepheroplasty. I am ‘over the moon’ with the outcome and could not have wished for a more natural and satisfactory result. I 100% recommend Mr Quaba and the Waterfront Hospital.

Anne H
Jun 2026 Read on Trustpilot (opens in a new tab)

4.9TrustScoreout of 5

581 reviews

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Risks, and how often they happen

Every operation carries risk. Here they are in three groups. The figures come from UK national guidance and published studies, averaged across many patients, so your own risk may be higher or lower. Your consultant will go through what applies to you, and every risk is in your written consent.

Expected Almost everyone, and they settle

  • Bruising and swelling around the eyes, most noticeable in the first ten days and settling over two to three weeks.
  • Dry, gritty or watery eyes in the first few weeks, usually settling as the lids heal. Eye drops help.
  • Difficulty closing the eyes fully for the first few weeks, especially when asleep, while the swelling settles.
  • A fine scar in the lid crease, pink at first and fading over several months. It is permanent but hidden when the eye is open.

Uncommon Some patients, and some need further treatment

  • A further small operation to even out the two sides or remove a little more skin.
    1 in 10 or fewer

Rare but serious

  • Bleeding behind the eye (retrobulbar haemorrhage), usually in the first few hours. It needs emergency treatment, so tell us straight away about sudden pain, swelling or any change in your sight.
    Under 1 in 1,000
  • Permanent loss of sight from bleeding behind the eye, about 1 in 20,000 in the largest survey.
    Very rare

For the long term

  • Dry eye can last longer if your eyes were dry before surgery. Tell your consultant if you already use eye drops.
  • Ageing continues. Most people see the benefit for ten years or more, and some heaviness can return. Brow position also changes with age.
  • The scar keeps fading for several months and is usually hard to see in everyday life.

More from BAAPS on eyelid surgery.

Where these figures come from

Aftercare and Recovery

Your recovery is led by the consultant who performed your surgery. A nurse reviews you at one week, and your consultant sees you again once everything has settled. Between appointments, our team are available whenever you have a concern — you do not need to wait for a scheduled review. Practical guidance on dressings, activity and returning to work is in our aftercare guide.

  1. Day of surgeryHome within the hour. Upper eyelid surgery is usually under local anaesthetic.
  2. Days 6–7Nurse appointment: stitches out.
  3. Week 1Back to office work, possibly with some bruising.
  4. Week 2Gentle exercise such as walking.
  5. Week 4Full exercise, building up gradually.
  6. 6 monthsYour consultant reviews the settled result. Sooner if you need it.
  7. 12 monthsNurse reviews, dressing clinics and the treatment of any complications are included.

Typical timings. Your consultant and nurse will tailor them to you.

Find out more about aftercare
Patient with a cup of tea in the Waterfront lounge, a nurse beside her

Written by

Mr Will Anderson, consultant plastic surgeon

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.