For patients in South Africa

Upper eyelid surgery in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

Upper eyelid surgery, or upper blepharoplasty, removes excess skin from the upper lids and, where needed, a small amount of fat, so the eyes look more open and less heavy. Our eyelid surgery guide for South Africans covers the travel basics for all eyelid surgery; this page looks only at the upper lids and at the question patients most often ask: is it my eyelid or my brow?

Eyelid or brow?

Hooded upper lids are usually caused by excess eyelid skin, which upper eyelid surgery removes. Sometimes, though, a low brow pushes skin down onto the lid, and then removing eyelid skin alone may not give the result you want. The surgeon examines both before recommending anything, and may suggest a brow lift instead or as well. If you also have under-eye bags, read about eye bag removal or upper and lower eyelid surgery together.

The operation is explained on the upper eyelid surgery treatment page, and other procedures are in our face surgery guide for South African patients.

Who it suits

• People with drooping or hooded upper lids that make them look tired
• People whose eyes look heavy or less open because of excess skin
• People who want a brighter, fresher eye contour
• People in good general health who do not smoke, or can stop before surgery, and whose expectations are realistic

Suitability is confirmed only after a medical assessment.

Your stay in İzmir and the flight home

On arrival you have health checks, blood tests and a face-to-face meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon. After surgery you recover at Mandarin Grove, with nursing support and dressing changes. The first three days bring swelling, bruising and some tightness; keeping your head raised and using cold compresses can help. By days four to seven things are improving, though the lids may still look slightly swollen.

Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, subject to the surgeon’s approval. Choose a ticket you can change, and plan the long flight to Johannesburg or Cape Town with eye care in mind.

Recovery at home

Most swelling settles over two to six weeks. Most people are back at work and normal routines within one to two weeks; strenuous exercise waits until the surgeon clears you. The scar sits in the natural eyelid crease and fades over three to six months.

Known risks are swelling, bruising, temporary dry eyes, asymmetry and delayed wound healing and, more rarely, bleeding, infection, a change in eyelid position or the need for revision surgery. Keep your operation notes and let your GP know what was done.

After you fly home, follow-up continues by photograph, message and video call with the same team, and İzmir is only one hour ahead of South Africa, so calls fit into a normal day. Medical complications and any revision that becomes clinically necessary within one year of treatment are covered by our treatment guarantee; it does not cover a preference for a different look where the result is within what was discussed beforehand. See our clinic facts and complaints process.

What decides the cost

The cost depends on whether only the upper lids are treated, whether the operation is combined with lower eyelid surgery or a brow lift, and how long you stay. You receive a personalised quote after the surgeon has reviewed your photographs.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a plan before a surgeon has reviewed you, we will not promise a result, and we will not operate if your health makes it unsafe. Coming a long way is not a reason to add more procedures to one operation than the surgeon judges safe.

Frequently asked questions

What does upper eyelid surgery remove?

It removes excess skin from the upper eyelids and, where necessary, repositions or removes a small amount of fat, so the eyes look more open.

Do I need upper eyelid surgery or a brow lift?

If the extra skin is on the eyelid itself, upper eyelid surgery is usually the answer. If a low brow is pushing skin down, a brow lift may be needed instead or as well. The surgeon examines both before advising you.

How long after upper eyelid surgery can I fly home to South Africa?

Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, subject to the surgeon’s approval. Book a return ticket you can change in case you are asked to stay longer.

Will people see the scar after upper eyelid surgery?

The scar sits in the natural crease of the upper lid and fades over three to six months, so it is usually discreet once healed.

Will my medical aid cover upper eyelid surgery?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic eyelid surgery done abroad. If drooping lids affect your vision, your scheme may view it differently, but that is their decision. Ask your scheme directly, and note that standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.