Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) refreshes the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess skin, fat, and muscle—restoring a more rested, alert appearance and, in some cases, improving vision. Find the right surgeon who fits your needs below, serving Canadians in major cities like Vancouver, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec.

The information on this website is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, legal, or financial advice. Always consult a health provider, legal counsel, or financial professional if you have questions or concerns. The use of the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship between Surgency and you.
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a procedure that removes or repositions excess skin, fat, and muscle from the upper and/or lower eyelids. It's one of the most commonly performed facial cosmetic procedures and can be done for cosmetic reasons (you look more tired than you feel) or functional reasons (drooping skin is blocking your vision).
Think of the eyelids as some of the thinnest, most active skin on the body — they fold and unfold thousands of times a day. With age, sun exposure, and genetics, the skin loses elasticity, the small fat pads behind the eye start to bulge forward, and the supporting muscles weaken. The result: hooded upper lids, deep upper-lid creases, puffy lower-lid bags, and fine vertical wrinkles.
Depending on which area is being treated, the surgeon makes carefully placed incisions — hidden in the natural crease of the upper eyelid, just under the lashes of the lower lid, or on the inside (pink side) of the lower lid — and removes or repositions excess skin, muscle, and fat. The incisions are closed with very fine sutures.
Many patients say they look chronically tired, sad, or angry even when they feel rested — and that no amount of sleep, skincare, or under-eye cream changes it. Eyelid surgery is the most reliable way to refresh that area. For patients with significant upper-lid hooding, it can also restore peripheral vision and reduce eye strain from constantly raising the brows to see.
Upper blepharoplasty alone typically takes about 45–75 minutes. Lower blepharoplasty alone is similar; combined upper and lower surgery typically takes 1.5–2.5 hours. Add time at the centre for check-in, anaesthesia, and recovery.
1. Check-in and confirmation
You meet the team, review your surgical plan, and confirm incision markings drawn on you while sitting upright (this matters—eyelid skin sits differently when you're lying down).
2. Anaesthesia
Most upper blepharoplasties are done under local anaesthesia with light oral or IV sedation. Combined upper + lower or more extensive cases may use deeper sedation or general anaesthesia.
3. Position and prep
You're positioned on your back. Protective eye shields or lubricating drops are placed, and the surgical area is cleaned and draped sterilely.
4. Local anaesthetic
The surgeon injects local anaesthetic into the eyelid. This is usually the most uncomfortable moment and lasts only seconds.
5. Upper-lid steps (if treated)
The surgeon makes a fine incision in the natural crease of the upper lid, removes a precisely measured strip of excess skin, trims a sliver of muscle if needed, and conservatively removes or repositions fat. The incision is closed with very fine sutures.
6. Lower-lid steps (if treated)
For patients with fat bags but good skin: a transconjunctival incision (inside the lid) is used to remove or reposition fat—leaving no visible scar.
For patients with loose skin: a subciliary incision (just under the lashes) is used to lift the skin, remove or reposition fat, and trim excess skin. The lower-lid corner may be supported with canthopexy or canthoplasty stitches to prevent downward pulling.
7. Symmetry check
The surgeon checks symmetry at multiple points and adjusts as needed.
8. Closure
Very fine sutures close the incisions. Cool compresses are placed.
9. Wake-up and instructions
You recover briefly in the post-anaesthesia area. Most patients go home the same day.

This is generalized information. Every body heals differently—follow your surgeon's plan.
Most people are presentable in 10–14 days and back to most normal activities by 2 weeks. Final, refined results emerge over 2–3 months.
Reality check:
You'll have swelling, bruising (often dramatic on the lower lids), and watery, blurry vision. Most patients sleep with their head elevated and apply cool compresses every 1–2 hours.
Goals: Manage swelling, protect the eyes, rest.
Activities: Cool compresses 10–20 minutes per hour while awake; sleep with head elevated on 2–3 pillows or a wedge; lubricating eye drops as directed; avoid bending over, heavy lifting, and screens for long stretches.
Bruising peaking, then beginning to fade.
Goals: Reduce swelling, return to light routines.
Activities: Sutures (if non-dissolving) typically removed at 5–7 days. Many patients return to desk work by day 7–10 if comfortable being seen. Continue head elevation, cool compresses, and lubricating drops. Light walking is encouraged.
Most visible bruising gone; subtle swelling lingers.
Goals: Return to most daily activities; protect from sun.
Activities: Most patients are presentable in public. Sunglasses + sunscreen on the lids during the day. Light cardio is usually OK. Continue eye lubrication if dry.
Building toward final result.
Goals: Resume full exercise; gentle scar care.
Activities: Most patients return to gym workouts and most physical activities. Scars are pink but well-camouflaged in the upper-lid crease and along the lash line. Continue sun protection—fresh scars darken with sun exposure.
Final result emerges.
Goals: Allow scars to mature and final shape to settle.
Activities: No restrictions. Scars continue to fade for up to a year. Mild dryness or asymmetry usually resolves over weeks to months.
Most recoveries are uneventful, but the eye is delicate and some warning signs need same-day attention. Call your surgeon or seek care immediately if you notice any of the following:
When in doubt, call. With eye surgery especially, your surgical team would always rather hear from you early than late.
Blepharoplasty pricing varies based on whether it's upper, lower, or both, the surgeon's experience, the type of anaesthesia, and the city. Always ask for a written, itemized quote.
Typical range: $4,000 - $12,000+
Typical range: CA$7,000 - CA$20,000+ for comparable procedures, usually higher in major metro areas.
Quotes vary widely. Request line items for: surgeon, facility, anaesthesia, follow-ups, and clarify the revision policy if a touch-up is needed. Be cautious of bargain pricing—the eyelid is unforgiving, and revision surgery is significantly more difficult than getting it right the first time.
The eyelid is the most delicate area in cosmetic surgery, with very little room for error. Choosing the right specialist matters more here than almost anywhere else.
Ask how many eyelid surgeries they perform each year—not just "facial procedures" in general.
Blepharoplasty is technique-sensitive because:
Also ask about their case mix:
Three types of surgeons commonly perform blepharoplasty in Canada:
Any of these can be excellent—the question is volume, results, and fit.
For a more in-depth guide read, How to Understand Surgeon Credentials in Canada
Request recent data, ideally for blepharoplasty specifically:
A careful surgeon should explicitly assess:
Ask:
Choose accredited centres (e.g., Accreditation Canada or CAAASF) with:
You want a written plan for:
Request an itemized quote including:
Surgeon and plan
Technique and safety
Recovery and after-care
Costs and logistics
Blepharoplasty can be a powerful, high-satisfaction procedure for the right candidate, but is not right for everyone. This is a deeply personal decision and should not be taken lightly.
This is general information, please consult with your health provider.
In most cases, no. Cosmetic eyelid surgery is accessed directly—you can book a consultation with a private plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon without a family doctor's referral.
If you're seeking partial public coverage for a functional upper blepharoplasty, you'll typically need a referral from your family doctor or optometrist to an ophthalmologist or oculoplastic surgeon, and a documented visual-field test.
Your surgeon will want a complete medical history, your medication list, and recent eye-health information before clearing you for surgery. If you have ongoing medical conditions (high blood pressure, blood-clotting disorders, thyroid eye disease, dry eye), your surgeon may ask your family doctor or eye specialist to confirm you're safe for surgery.
If you don't have a family doctor, many clinics can help coordinate the medical clearance you need.
Your surgeon's instructions come first—follow their plan if it differs.
Eye health check
Quit nicotine—this is critical
Medication review
Optimize medical conditions
Set up a recovery zone
Reduce screen and reading time
Clothing
Help at home
Stock easy meals
Skin prep
What to bring
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Your personal risk depends on your anatomy, eye health, medical history, and the technique used. This is generalized information, discuss your specific risks with your surgeon.
Eyelid surgery is one of the longest-lasting procedures in cosmetic surgery. Most patients enjoy their results for 10–15 years or more, and many never need a touch-up.
This is general information only, consult with your surgeon for your unique circumstances.
Some patients eventually pair their original blepharoplasty with a brow lift, fillers, or skin resurfacing as the rest of the face continues to age—but most don't need another surgery on the eyelids themselves. A small number of patients choose a minor touch-up years down the road for asymmetry or a small amount of returning skin laxity.
If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us directly.
Please note: Surgency is not a clinic itself. Nor can we help with emergency situations, or provide personalized medical advice—that is between you and your surgeon. If you are experiencing acute or severe symptoms, please present to your local emergency department or urgent care centre.


Double board-certified surgeon (CA & US) renowned for her "Golden Ratio" approach to aesthetics, combining the precision of microsurgery with a commitment to female empowerment with 15 years of experience.