Eyelid Surgery: A Complete Guide
A doctor-led guide to upper and lower blepharoplasty from Bodyvie’s surgical team
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200,000
Satisfied patients
Trusted by patients across the UK for medical & aesthetic care
CQC rated Good
Inspected April 2026 – Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led
27 years
Of Clinical Experience
Established in 1999
Bodyvie has provided medical and aesthetic care in London since 1999. We are registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission and rated Good in all five domains, following a report published on 10 April 2026.
A word from your surgeon
“Cosmetic surgery, in my experience, is rarely about wanting to look like someone else. Far more often, the people I meet simply want to look like themselves again: refreshed, rested, and at ease with what they see in the mirror. The eyes are usually where that feeling begins.
Throughout my career I have trained and practised across general surgery, trauma surgery, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and plastic and reconstructive surgery, a breadth spanning fifteen years of surgical practice. In time my focus moved to where I find the work most rewarding: cosmetic surgery, and the upper face in particular.”
Dr Vadim Corjos, Cosmetic Surgeon, GMC No. 7822977
Is eyelid surgery right for you?
Eyelid surgery, known medically as blepharoplasty, is one of the most commonly performed facial procedures in the world. But it isn’t for everyone, and the honest first step is working out whether it genuinely suits your concern. The list below is a starting point, not a diagnosis. Only a face to face consultation can confirm suitability.
You may be a good candidate if
- You have loose or excess skin on your upper eyelids creating a hooded or heavy look
- Your upper lids feel heavy by the end of the day, or excess skin interferes with your vision
- You have persistent bags or puffiness beneath your eyes that don’t change with rest or skincare
- You look tired or older than you feel, and the eyes are the first thing you notice
- You are in good general health with realistic, specific expectations
Surgery may not be the answer if
- Your main concern is fine lines or crow’s feet, usually better addressed non-surgically
- Your concern is dark circles or hollowing without excess skin
- You are looking for a dramatic change in the shape or appearance of your eyes
- You have certain eye, thyroid or general health conditions that need assessment first
At your consultation Dr Vadim will examine your eyelid anatomy and give you an honest opinion, including whether a non-surgical option might serve you better. We recommend surgery only when it is genuinely in your interest.
Upper blepharoplasty
Time in clinic 90 to 180 minutes · Downtime 10 to 14 days · From £2,995
Upper eyelid surgery addresses excess or loose skin on the upper lid, the most common reason people seek the procedure. As the skin loosens with age it can begin to hood over the natural eyelid crease, creating a heavy or tired appearance and, in some cases, interfering with the upper field of vision.
Performed under local anaesthetic, the procedure is precise and contained, with the incision placed within the natural eyelid crease so it remains discreet once healed. The aim is not to change the shape of your eye, but to restore the definition that skin laxity has obscured.
Most often considered for hooded or heavy upper lids, a persistently tired expression, or excess skin that begins to limit the upper field of vision.
Sometimes combined with a brow lift, where a lowered brow contributes to the same heaviness in the upper face.
Lower blepharoplasty
Time in clinic 90 to 180 minutes · Downtime 10 to 14 days · From £3,150
Persistent under-eye fullness can make you look more tired than you feel, and skincare rarely resolves it on its own. Lower blepharoplasty gently addresses the excess fat and loose skin that gathers beneath the eyes over time.
Depending on your anatomy, the procedure either removes or carefully repositions this fat to smooth the transition between the lower lid and the cheek. Where puffiness rather than loose skin is the main concern, the incision can be made inside the eyelid, leaving no visible scar at all.
Most often considered for persistent under-eye bags or puffiness that doesn’t change with rest, and loose skin beneath the lower lid.
Often considered alongside canthopexy, which supports the outer corner of the eye, or a brow lift.
Canthopexy and brow lift
Upper and lower blepharoplasty are the two procedures most people come to us for, but they are not always the whole answer. Two related operations are often discussed at consultation, either on their own or alongside a blepharoplasty.
Canthopexy
Time in clinic 60 to 120 minutes · Downtime 10 to 14 days · From £1,800
A canthopexy supports and gently tightens the outer corner of the lower eyelid. It is used where the lid has become lax with age, or where extra support is needed to protect the shape of the eye during a lower blepharoplasty. The result is a lid that sits where it should rather than drooping away from the eye.
Most often considered for lower lid laxity, a rounded or downturned outer corner, or as support alongside lower blepharoplasty.
Brow lift
Time in clinic 60 to 120 minutes · Downtime 7 to 14 days · From £1,500
As the brow descends it pushes the upper lid down with it, and the result can look like heavy eyelids when the real cause sits above them. A brow lift raises the outer brow back to its natural position, opening the eye without removing more upper lid skin than is needed.
Most often considered for a heavy or low outer brow, a tired or stern resting expression, or where upper lid heaviness is coming from the brow rather than the lid.
Which procedure you need is a consultation decision, not a website decision. Dr Vadim assesses the brow, the upper lid and the lower lid together, because they work as one unit. Some patients need only one procedure. Others get a better and more natural result from two done at the same time, which also means one recovery rather than two.
How the procedure works
1. Consultation and planning. Dr Vadim carries out a detailed assessment of your eyelid anatomy, takes clinical photographs, and reviews your medical history. You’ll discuss your goals together and agree on the most appropriate approach. If surgery isn’t the right option, this is where we’ll tell you.
2. Anaesthetic. Blepharoplasty at Bodyvie is performed under local anaesthetic, with mild sedation available if appropriate. You remain comfortable and awake but relaxed, avoiding the additional recovery and risk associated with general anaesthetic. The procedure is not painful.
3. The procedure. For upper blepharoplasty, a precise incision is made within the natural crease of the eyelid and the excess skin carefully removed. For lower blepharoplasty, the fat pads are removed or repositioned through an incision just below the lash line or inside the eyelid. The surgery itself typically takes 60 to 90 minutes.
4. Closure. The incisions are closed with fine sutures placed to sit discreetly within the natural lines of the lid. Because the upper lid incision follows the eyelid crease, the resulting scar is usually very well concealed once healed.
5. Going home. Blepharoplasty is a day case procedure. You return home the same day, usually within a couple of hours of surgery finishing, with clear written aftercare instructions, any medication you need, and details of how to reach us.
6. Cooling-off period. In line with GMC guidelines we always recommend a minimum two-week period between your initial consultation and proceeding with surgery, so you have time to reflect, ask further questions, and decide entirely at your own pace.
Your recovery, day by day
Everyone heals at their own pace, and the timeline below is a general guide rather than a promise. Dr Vadim will tailor his guidance to you.
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Day of surgery | Rest at home with your head elevated. Some tightness, mild discomfort and watering of the eyes is normal. Cold compresses help with swelling. Arrange for someone to stay the first night. |
| Days 1 to 3 | Swelling and bruising typically peak in the first 48 to 72 hours, which is entirely normal. Continue cold compresses, keep your head elevated, and avoid bending, lifting or straining. |
| Days 4 to 6 | The worst of the swelling begins to subside and bruising starts to fade. You will feel increasingly normal, though not yet ready for a public-facing day. |
| Around day 7 | Your first follow-up with Dr Vadim usually falls now, and sutures are typically removed. The shape of your result begins to emerge. Most patients return to desk-based work. |
| Weeks 2 to 3 | Residual swelling settles and remaining bruising fades, often easy to conceal with make-up. Most patients are comfortable in social and work settings by the end of week two. Strenuous exercise should still be avoided. |
| One month and beyond | By around a month most visible signs of surgery have resolved and the result looks natural and settled. |
Your aftercare and follow-up
Surgery is a single day. Recovery is the weeks that follow, and that is where careful aftercare matters most. Every blepharoplasty patient at Bodyvie follows the same structured schedule, and every follow-up is with Dr Vadim himself, not a nurse or a patient coordinator.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Before surgery | A full medication review, with clear written instructions on anything to pause beforehand. |
| Day of surgery | You go home the same day, usually within a couple of hours, with written aftercare instructions, any medication you need, and direct contact details for the clinic should anything concern you overnight. |
| First 48 hours | The period when swelling peaks and questions are most likely. You can contact us at any point during this time. We would always rather you called than waited and worried. |
| Around day 7 | Your first follow-up, with Dr Vadim. Sutures are removed, healing is assessed, and you will be told plainly whether you are where you should be. |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Further follow-ups, again with Dr Vadim. Most patients have two or three follow-up appointments in total across the first month, so healing is monitored closely rather than left to chance. Additional appointments are arranged whenever they are needed, at no extra cost. |
| Beyond one month | Your result continues to refine over the following weeks. You remain a Bodyvie patient. If anything concerns you months or years later, you can come back and see us. |
Aftercare is included. Your quotation covers your follow-up appointments. There are no additional charges for routine aftercare.
If you need us during clinic hours, call 020 7100 0744 and ask for the surgical team. Outside clinic hours, use the contact number provided in your discharge pack.
Why have eyelid surgery at Bodyvie
Choosing where to have surgery matters as much as choosing the procedure.
Independently inspected and rated Good. Bodyvie Medi-Clinic is registered with and regulated by the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of health and social care in England. We are rated Good in all five domains the CQC assesses: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Report published 10 April 2026.
Surgeon-led throughout. Your consultation is with Dr Vadim himself, and he performs your procedure and follow-up care personally.
Local anaesthetic, not general. We perform blepharoplasty under local anaesthetic with optional sedation, avoiding the additional risk and recovery of a general anaesthetic.
A doctor-led clinic since 1999. Founded and still led by Dr Andrew Weber, a founding member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine.
Two-week cooling-off period. In line with GMC guidance, never less than two weeks between consultation and surgery.
No hard sell, ever. If a procedure isn’t right for you, we will say so. We don’t use time-limited discounts or financial pressure on surgical decisions.
Costs
| Procedure | Price from |
|---|---|
| Upper blepharoplasty | £2,995 |
| Lower blepharoplasty | £3,150 |
| Canthopexy | £1,800 |
| Brow lift | £1,500 |
The exact cost depends on complexity and whether one or both lids are treated. A precise quotation follows your consultation. Interest-free payment options over 3, 6 or 10 months are available through Chrysalis Finance, subject to status.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after my consultation can I have the procedure?
In line with GMC guidelines we recommend a minimum two-week cooling-off period between your initial consultation and proceeding with surgery.
Will I be put to sleep for the procedure?
No. It’s performed under local anaesthetic, with mild sedation if appropriate. You remain awake but relaxed and comfortable throughout, avoiding the risks and recovery of general anaesthetic.
How much does eyelid surgery cost?
Upper blepharoplasty from £2,995 and lower from £3,150. Canthopexy from £1,800 and brow lift from £1,500. The exact cost depends on complexity and whether one or both lids are treated.
How long before I can return to work?
Most patients return to desk-based work in one to two weeks, depending on their role and how visible any residual bruising is.
Will there be visible scarring?
For upper blepharoplasty the incision sits within the natural eyelid crease and is usually very discreet once healed. For lower blepharoplasty it can often be made inside the eyelid, leaving no external scar.
How long do the results last?
Blepharoplasty provides a long-lasting, structural improvement. The natural ageing process continues, but the improvement remains stable for many years relative to your starting point.
Can upper blepharoplasty improve my vision?
Yes, in some cases. Where excess upper-lid skin physically obstructs the upper field of vision, removing it can improve peripheral sight as well as appearance. This is assessed individually.
What are the risks?
As with any surgery there is some risk: swelling, bruising, infection, scarring, asymmetry and temporary dryness. Less common complications are fully discussed at consultation, and a thorough assessment ensures the procedure is suitable and safe.
Is Bodyvie regulated?
Yes. Bodyvie is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission and is rated Good across all five domains. Bodyvie Limited has been established since 1999.
What Dr Vadim will ask you at your consultation
A thorough consultation is the foundation of a safe and successful outcome. Before making any recommendation, Dr Vadim will want to understand not just what you’re hoping to achieve, but your full health picture.
- What outcome are you hoping to achieve?
- What is it about your eyes that concerns you?
- Does it affect your daily life, your confidence, self-esteem, or vision?
- Do you have any current medical conditions? High blood pressure, blood clotting or coagulation disorders, thyroid conditions, skin conditions such as rosacea or eczema, and autoimmune diseases can all affect candidacy and healing.
- Are you currently taking any medication? Blood thinners including aspirin and warfarin, blood pressure medication, vitamin E supplements and omega-3 fatty acids all increase bleeding risk and may need to be paused before surgery.
- Do you have any known allergies, particularly to medication or anaesthetic?
- Are you currently pregnant or breastfeeding? Elective surgery is not performed during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- Have you had any previous eye surgery or eye conditions? Dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, previous laser eye surgery and earlier cosmetic procedures around the eyes can all influence the surgical plan.
The more openly you can answer these questions, the safer and more effective your surgery will be. Everything discussed at your consultation is confidential.
What to ask at your consultation
- Am I a suitable candidate, and would you recommend upper, lower, or both?
- What result is realistic for my anatomy, and what would it not change?
- Which technique would you use for me, and why?
- What does recovery look like specifically for my procedure?
- How many of these procedures have you performed?
- What does the aftercare and follow-up schedule involve?
- What are the risks most relevant to my case?
- What is the full cost, with no hidden extras?
There is never any obligation to proceed. You’ll leave your consultation with a clear written summary and quotation to consider in your own time.
Arrange your consultation
Take your time, ask every question, and leave with complete clarity.
Richmond clinic 133-135 Kew Road, Richmond TW9 2PN
Belgravia clinic 11A West Halkin Street, London SW1X 8JL
All surgical procedures carry risks and individual results vary. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. A full clinical assessment with the surgeon is required before any procedure.
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