MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY MALLAPPA KOLAR
Saw a cheap blepharoplasty on TikTok?
Read this before you book
It appears everyone has gone crazy for cheap eyelid surgery abroad.
Let us show you what surgeons in the UK are seeing and what to check for before making your decision!
“Removing excess eyelid skin is easy. Determining how much to remove is where the expertise comes in.”
There are many times when the results of surgery will turn out fine. Unfortunately, sometimes they don’t. The cost of surgery does not always determine whether you will receive good results.
The BBC had conducted an investigation into cheap blepharoplasty abroad. The findings from the investigation were shocking. A woman from Dublin went to social media (TikTok) looking for an affordable blepharoplasty. She was quoted approximately €4,000 by a surgeon in Ireland but was able to find a cheaper option for €750. Some individuals returned with unhealed wounds. One individual had to use adhesive strips to close her eyes at night so she could get some rest.
If you have been considering booking a trip overseas to undergo cheap blepharoplasty surgery, we are sure you have asked yourself several questions:
- Is eyelid surgery abroad dangerous? Or did these individuals simply experience bad luck?
- What goes wrong and can it be fixed?
- How do you tell a good clinic from a bad one?
Nobody should ever schedule surgery on their eyes without being aware of what they are signing. We will explain all of them. If you have already undergone eyelid surgery that did not meet your expectations, there is a section further down the article that deals specifically with you.
Eyes that won’t close: what UK surgeons keep seeing
Blepharoplasty takes away excessive skin, and possibly fat from the area of the eyelids. It’s relatively simple to remove the skin. What complicates things is knowing when to stop removing skin and that’s where the surgeon’s expertise lies.
According to the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society, which represents members performing oculoplastic surgery in the UK, the most common problem that patients have had with blepharoplasty performed outside of the UK was an inability to completely shut their eyes.
Eyelids are like curtains. When open, the eyelid folds nicely over itself; closed, the eyelid needs sufficient material to fit snugly over the eye. Remove too much skin and you expose a portion of the eye, making it dry and irritated. Fixing this is technically challenging and expensive.
To perform an approximate version of the surgeon’s check at home, simply place a mirror in front of yourself, pinch the additional skin on the top eyelid, and attempt to close that eye.
Were you able to close the eye without any tension?
If so, there is likely excess skin in that area.
A skilled surgeon will make this determination with care prior to surgery. On the other hand, a rushed clinic may not spend adequate time evaluating the eyelids because of which they may choose not to remove any excess skin.
At Kliniken, we tend to err on the side of caution. We occasionally have a patient heal and when they feel that the results were slightly too conservative after our evaluation too, we may take just a small amount of skin off. This is rarely required but if needed, can be done. Replacing removed skin is a significantly greater task. Therefore, we would always prefer to provide sufficient protection for your eyes.
In addition to scarring and asymmetry, surgeons surveyed also reported wounds opening up. These blepharoplasty complications prompt individuals to search for “eyelid surgery gone wrong” a couple weeks into their recovery at home.
Temporary tightness in your eyelids due to swelling during the first few days after surgery is quite normal. The inability to shut your eyes for several weeks after surgery is not normal.
It should be noted that not every complication can be attributed solely to the surgeon. All surgeries carry inherent risks. The significant factor is whether a complication arises quickly and whether there are qualified professionals available to address it immediately.
Aftercare: the part a cheap price leaves out
People who have had cheap eyelid surgery abroad are consistently reporting problems with their aftercare being done wrong.
A consultant reported to the BBC that 24×7 aftercare for blepharoplasty should always be available. It can’t work well if your surgeon is many hundreds of miles away. Once you’re back home, these types of complications usually arise.
- A wound has opened again.
- An eye hasn’t settled properly.
At this point, someone needs to look at it. If your clinic abroad doesn’t answer you or goes silent then you end up going to A&E. One woman in the BBC report said that she went to A&E 4 times after the surgery.
With our surgeons at the clinic, we have one person looking after you from the time of your first consultation until your last post op appointment. Your surgeon will also do your follow up appointments.
Before booking anywhere, ask who picks up the phone at 11pm on day three. If they hesitate, take note.
Choosing a surgeon: the country matters less than you think
Search for blepharoplasty turkey cost or blepharoplasty turkey price and the numbers look very tempting next to UK prices.Turkey and other parts of Europe have a lot of experienced surgeons doing a great job. It’s not about where you go, it’s about what has been reduced to make the price less expensive.
The Dublin patient described her clinic as having a conveyor belt style , i.e, one patient out and another one in. They suggested a lower price may also equal a lower standard.
Our consultations take an hour and you will see a fully qualified consultant plastic surgeon. Mr. Kolar has almost twenty years experience in Plastic Surgery and he is registered as a Specialist with the GMC for Plastic Surgery.
This allows him to assess your eyelids, eyebrows and skin during the consultation hour and discuss what you would like to achieve from your surgery before discussing the options available to you and importantly to guide you as to what you can and cant do. The patient from Dublin flew home on the day of surgery, because others had done the same on tiktok. This is not sensible. Another thought that having upper eyelid blepharoplasty is the same as having botox, which it is obviously not, where cuts are made and yes, this is actually surgery not just injections.
In the UK, you can check if your surgeon is registered on the GMC specialist register and you can check whether their clinic is CQC Registered (Kliniken is). Whichever destination you decide upon, please ensure that you meet the surgeon who will perform your surgery at least twice prior to the agreed surgery date, with the recommended two week cooling off period between consultations to give you time to consider your options and whether you want to go ahead with it.
Another factor to consider is that heavy upper lids do not always equate to needing a blepharoplasty. Drooping eyebrows can give a similar ‘hooded’ appearance and an eyelid surgery will not correct a droopy eyebrow. If you’re unsure whether a blepharoplasty or brow lift is more suitable for you, we have written a detailed article on blepharoplasty or brow lifts that covers the pros and cons of each procedure.
Already had blepharoplasty abroad?
Revision is a different question entirely
Blepharoplasty revision refers to corrective eyelid surgery, on eyelids that have had previous surgical intervention. The specifics as to what is required depend on which aspects were problematic during the first procedure.
There are generally two specific issues.
- If excess skin remained post op, this is usually corrected through follow-up procedures, where extra will be removed, safely.
- If too much skin was removed, correcting this issue can be significantly more complex and may involve adding additional tissue from elsewhere, most likely using a skin graft.
In either case, the majority of surgeons prefer to allow time for the eyelids to completely settle prior to performing any further procedures, which can involve waiting until the skin and deeper layers have softened and can take up to 12-18 months.
Revision of work performed elsewhere is what our surgeons perform. Therefore, we would recommend booking a consultation should you wish to undertake revision blepharoplasty in the UK as a result of blepharoplasty abroad.
During this consultation, we will assess your eyelids and provide you with honest information regarding whether revision will benefit you.
If you experience a sudden onset of redness or pain in one or both eyes, a noticeable change in vision, or find yourself unable to shut one eye altogether, please do not delay seeking medical attention. Attend A&E or visit an eye casualty unit immediately.
Please bring any documentation you may have received from the original, such as operative reports, photographs etc. Our surgeon will require these documents.
So should you book that cheap bleph?
- Maybe, as long as you have met the surgeon beforehand that will be performing on you; you meet with them to discuss your after care prior to surgery and you understand who will take care of you post surgically.
- Probably not, they are relying a great deal upon their pricing for the sale and there is little to no information provided regarding how you will be taken care of when you leave.
- If something has gone wrong at this point in time, do not hesitate, get it checked.
Upper eyelid surgery at Kliniken
Rather have it done closer to home? Here’s what upper eyelid blepharoplasty involves with us:
- Two hour long consultations with a consultant plastic surgeon before anything is booked and spaced out by at least 2 weeks in between.
- The same clinician from start to finish.
- Surgery takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic with sedation.
- Home the same day.
- Showering again after 48 hours and around 1-2 weeks off work.
- The scar sits in the natural crease of your eyelid, so it’s hidden once healed.
- Recovery in a quiet, countryside setting outside Harrogate.
- We don’t post case photos publicly, but you can see similar cases privately at your consultation.
You can also read about lower eyelid blepharoplasty and brow lift surgery on our procedure pages.
What does blepharoplasty cost in the UK?
At Kliniken:
- Consultation with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.
- Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is from £2,625 under local anaesthetic.
- Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is from £3,985 under general anaesthetic or sedation.
- Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is from £5,850.
- Revision surgery is priced after consultation, because every case is different.
The price includes your surgeon, the surgical team, the facility and follow-up reviews. No hidden costs. You get your final price in writing at consultation. Flexible finance is available through Chrysalis Finance.
Comparing with a cheaper quote from abroad? Check whether follow-ups are included and who does them.
See the full list on our procedure pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
- Can blepharoplasty go wrong?
Yes, like any surgery. Swelling, bruising and dry eyes are common early on. Scarring, uneven eyes or too much skin removed happen less often but are harder to fix. The right surgeon and proper aftercare bring the risk down. We provide information leaflets and consent forms for you to read through well before surgery to ensure you are fully aware of all risks.
- Why can’t I close my eyes after blepharoplasty?
In the first few days, it’s usually swelling and it settles. If it’s still happening weeks later, too much skin may have been removed. Get it assessed rather than waiting.
- What happens if too much skin is removed during blepharoplasty?
The lid can’t fully cover the eye. That leads to dryness and soreness and, over time, can damage the eye’s surface. Fixing it usually means more surgery. We see and treat patients with this problem.
- Can blepharoplasty make you blind?
Serious vision loss is very rare. The more common risk from over-removal is damage to the surface of the eye. Sudden pain, swelling or any change in your vision after surgery needs urgent attention.
- Can blepharoplasty be done more than once?
Yes. Whether it’s possible depends on how much skin you have left and how well you’ve healed. Your surgeon will usually want things to settle first.
- How long does swelling last after upper blepharoplasty?
Bruising usually fades within about two weeks. Swelling hangs around a bit longer, often four to six weeks. Some dryness or watery eyes early on is normal and eye drops help.
- What qualifications should I check before choosing a surgeon?
Check they’re on the GMC specialist register for plastic surgery or oculoplastic surgery and that the clinic is CQC-registered. It’s also fair to ask how many eyelid procedures they do and who looks after you afterwards.
- Is blepharoplasty available on the NHS?
Only when drooping skin affects your vision. Cosmetic eyelid surgery isn’t usually funded.
Thinking about eyelid surgery or worried about surgery you’ve already had?
Book a consultation with Mr Kolar. He’ll look at your eyelids, go through your options and be upfront about what’s realistic. If pricing is the issue, we will help you with our finance partner, Chrysalis.
Call for appointment
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