Mr Will Anderson
Consultant plastic surgeon
GMC 3679250
Eyelid surgery in Edinburgh
Heavy upper eyelids can narrow your field of vision long before they change how you look, and under-eye bags can make you appear tired when you are not. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) at Quaba Plastic Surgery addresses both the functional and cosmetic sides of the problem. Surgery is performed by Mr Omar Quaba at Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh, and the consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register who assesses you is the surgeon who operates and reviews your result.
- Anaesthetic
- Local anaesthesia, or general anaesthesia for more extensive surgery
- Length
- 1-2 hours
- Hospital stay
- Day case at Waterfront Private Hospital
- Recovery time
- 1-2 weeks off work; 4 to 6 weeks before strenuous exercise
- Guide price
- from £4,200
- Consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register
- Surgery at Waterfront Private Hospital, regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland
- Your consultation and your operation with the same consultant
Contents
Results from our patients
Upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) – patient in her late 50sBefore and after upper and lower eyelid surgery with fat transfer
Eyebag removal and fat transferSee all 40 eyelid surgery results
Real patients, shared with their consent and not retouched. Results vary from person to person.
What patients say
★★★★★
A very professional establishment, very tasteful relaxing interiors, lovely reception staff. Great first impression.
It became clear from the start that Omar Quaba is a man of integrity and only interested in patient wellbeing. I was dissuaded from pursuing an expensive process, but returned a year later, having lost lots of weight to get my eyelids 'done'. Again I was looked after by the medical staff exceptionally well, both at the time and with the follow ups. I was delighted with the result. I have no hesitation recommending the Waterfront Private Hospital.
★★★★★
Mr Omar Quaba is not only an excellent Surgeon, but from our first encounter through to my post-operative final review appointment, he was professional, informative, empathic and understanding. I had a lot of excess skin on both upper eyelids and also a noticeable asymmetry. I found this unsightly and it impacted my self- confidence. Following surgery, I am delighted with the outcome and would recommend Mr Quaba (and all his supporting team) without hesitation to anyone considering surgery
★★★★★
Very accommodating and patient with me after enquiring about a lower eyelid surgery. Everyone made me feel at ease, I will look forward to booking the procedure in the future.
Quoted word for word from Trustpilot. Read all our reviews
Is it right for me?
A good candidate for eyelid surgery has excess upper eyelid skin, persistent bags or puffiness under the eyes, or drooping lids that interfere with vision, and is in good general health.
- Upper lid hooding or excess skin, sometimes resting on the lashes or restricting vision
- Under-eye bags or puffiness that persist however well rested you are
- Good general health, with no eye conditions that would make surgery unwise
- A non-smoker, or willing to stop smoking around the time of surgery
- Realistic expectations of what eyelid surgery can and cannot change
Eyelid surgery does not lift a heavy brow and does not treat crow’s feet or fine skin wrinkles. Where brow position is the main problem, a brow lift may be more appropriate – on its own or combined with blepharoplasty – and your consultant will explain the difference at consultation.
Unsure? Try the free AI consultation, or ask at your appointment.
What eyelid surgery involves
Eyelid surgery removes or repositions the excess skin, muscle and protruding fat that cause hooded upper lids and under-eye bags. It is performed through incisions hidden in the natural creases of the eyelids.
Upper blepharoplasty
An upper blepharoplasty (eye lift) uses an incision hidden in the upper eyelid crease. Protruding fat is removed through the incision, along with excess skin and sagging muscle. Where the eyelid droops because the lifting muscle itself has weakened (ptosis), the muscle can be tightened at the same operation.
Lower blepharoplasty and eye bag removal
Lower blepharoplasty uses an incision just below the lashes. The skin is lifted, and protruding fat is removed or repositioned along with excess skin. When there is no excess skin, the incision can sometimes be made on the inside of the eyelid, leaving no visible scar. Fat is often repositioned rather than simply removed, to avoid a hollow appearance.
Surgery is performed by one of our consultant plastic surgeons as a day case at Waterfront Private Hospital, under local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia depending on the extent of the procedure.
When eyelid surgery is functional rather than cosmetic
Eyelid surgery is one of the few cosmetic operations that is frequently medical in nature. Excess upper eyelid skin (dermatochalasis) can reduce peripheral vision by up to 50% in severe cases, according to clinical studies in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, and surgery can restore much of that lost field of view.
Drooping lids also create secondary symptoms. Research published in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery shows that patients with heavy or ptotic eyelids often unconsciously contract the forehead muscles to hold their lids up, which can cause chronic headaches and eye strain. Correcting the lid position removes the need for this compensation.
Lower eyelid position matters for the surface of the eye itself. A lax or malpositioned lower lid can disrupt the tear film, causing dry eye symptoms or excessive watering, and appropriate lower eyelid surgery can improve both.
Patients with significant upper lid hooding and demonstrable visual field restriction may qualify for NHS treatment; appropriate testing and documentation can be arranged if this applies to you. At consultation, both the functional and the aesthetic aspects of your eyelids are assessed together.
What eyelid surgery can and can't do
Upper eyelid surgery does one job well: it removes the extra skin that hoods the eye. Lower eyelid surgery, sometimes with fat transfer to the cheek, can make the under-eye area look less tired. Neither can 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.
- Reduce bags and puffiness below the lower lid.
- Tighten loose, crepey skin under the eye.
- Soften a hollow tear trough and smooth the join between lid and cheek, with fat transfer.
- Restore some of the cheek fullness whose loss makes under-eye bags look worse.
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.
- Always raise a lid that droops because of the muscle. A drooping lid edge (ptosis) is a different problem from loose skin, and removing skin alone can make it more noticeable. It can be corrected in the same operation, though not every surgeon offers this, so your consultant checks for it at consultation.
- Fix dark circles caused by pigment or visible blood vessels. Surgery treats bags and hollows, not skin colour.
- 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.
- Be easily redone. Revision surgery on the lower lid is harder than the first operation, which is why we remove tissue conservatively.
- Promise all the transferred fat will stay. Some of the fat is absorbed as it heals, so the cheek settles a little. More on fat transfer to the face.
- Stop the eyes ageing. The skin removed does not grow back, but skin, fat and the support around the eye keep changing with age, 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 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. Our consultation fee with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.
Quick answers
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my eyelid surgery?
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my eyelid surgery?
Yes. The consultant who assesses you at consultation plans your surgery, performs it at Waterfront Private Hospital and reviews you afterwards. There are no handovers between surgeons.
Who will perform my eyelid surgery?
Who will perform my eyelid surgery?
Your eyelid surgery is planned and performed by one of our consultant plastic surgeons, Mr Will Anderson, Mr John Biddlestone, Ms Ewa Majdak-Paredes, Mr Omar Quaba, Mr Awf Quaba and Mr Ken Stewart, all on the GMC Specialist Register. You choose your consultant, meet them at your first appointment, and the same consultant operates and sees you afterwards.
Can I see results from your surgeons?
Can I see results from your surgeons?
Yes. Our eyelid surgery before and after gallery shows patients treated at Quaba Plastic Surgery, shared with their consent. Results vary between people, and your consultant will show you what is realistic for you at your consultation.
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
Your Quaba consultant stays responsible for your care after surgery. A nurse sees you a week after your operation, more often if you need it, and your consultant reviews you at around six months, when the result has settled. If anything worries you before then, contact us and your consultant will reply directly and see you as soon as needed.
How much does eyelid surgery cost?
How much does eyelid surgery cost?
Upper blepharoplasty starts from £4,200 under local anaesthesia, lower blepharoplasty from £6,300, and combined upper and lower surgery from £7,900 at Waterfront Private Hospital. Prices cover the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee where applicable, the hospital and theatre fee, and all post-operative reviews. A consultation with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.
All our guide prices are on our pricing page.
Is blepharoplasty the same as eyelid surgery?
Is blepharoplasty the same as eyelid surgery?
Yes. Blepharoplasty is the medical name for eyelid surgery. Upper blepharoplasty treats hooded or drooping upper lids; lower blepharoplasty treats under-eye bags and excess lower lid skin.
Will my eyelid surgery be considered functional or cosmetic?
Will my eyelid surgery be considered functional or cosmetic?
Eyelid surgery often addresses both appearance and vision. At consultation we assess whether your needs are primarily functional, such as visual obstruction from heavy upper lids, or aesthetic. Patients with significant hooding and demonstrable visual field restriction may qualify for NHS treatment; most blepharoplasty at Quaba is performed privately.
How long do the results of eyelid surgery last?
How long do the results of eyelid surgery last?
Results generally last 7 to 10 years for upper eyelids and often longer for lower eyelids. Skin quality, sun exposure and genetics influence how long the result holds.
Can eyelid surgery be combined with other procedures?
Can eyelid surgery be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Blepharoplasty is commonly combined with a brow lift or facelift so that the upper face is treated in a single recovery period. Your consultant will advise whether a combination is appropriate for you.
Can eyelid surgery be done under local anaesthetic?
Can eyelid surgery be done under local anaesthetic?
Yes. Many blepharoplasty procedures, particularly upper eyelid surgery, are performed under local anaesthesia, which avoids the risks of general anaesthesia and shortens recovery on the day. More extensive surgery may be better performed under general anaesthesia.
What should I expect during recovery from blepharoplasty?
What should I expect during recovery from blepharoplasty?
Most patients return to normal daily activities within 7 to 10 days. Bruising typically settles within two weeks, when most people feel comfortable returning to work and social engagements. Swelling continues to improve over the following weeks.
Where are the scars after eyelid surgery?
Where are the scars after eyelid surgery?
Upper eyelid scars sit in the natural crease of the lid. Lower eyelid scars sit just below the lash line, or inside the eyelid when no skin needs to be removed. They typically fade over 6 to 12 months until they are very difficult to see.
The surgeons who do this
You meet your consultant at your first appointment. The same consultant plans your surgery, carries it out and sees you afterwards.
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
- Uncommon
- Rare
- For the long term
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.
- Swelling in the cheeks where fat has been placed, settling over the following weeks.
- Dry, gritty or watery eyes in the first few weeks, and sometimes swelling of the white of the eye (chemosis), usually settling as the lids heal. Eye drops help.
- Blurred vision for a few days from ointment and swelling.
- Difficulty closing the eyes fully for the first few weeks, especially when asleep, while the swelling settles.
- A lower lid that feels tight or sits a little low for the first few weeks while the swelling settles.
- A fine scar in the upper lid crease or just below the lower lashes, pink at first and fading over several months, or no outside scar if the lower lid is operated on from the inside. Scars are 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.
Up to 1 in 10upper lids
- A small further procedure for a stitch cyst, a small lump or a fold of skin at the outer corner of the eye.
About 1 in 10lower lids
- The lower lid pulling down and needing a further operation (lid malposition or ectropion). Careful planning and support for the lid reduce the risk.
About 1 in 30lower lids
- Bleeding under the skin that needs treatment (haematoma).
Under 1 in 100
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 1,000upper lids), up to 1 in 200 (lower lids
- Permanent loss of sight from bleeding behind the eye, about 1 in 20,000 in the largest survey of eyelid surgery.
Very rare
- Injury to the surface of the eye (the cornea). Temporary irritation settles within days; serious injury is very rare with protective measures during and after surgery.
- A blood clot in the leg or lung (DVT or PE) if you have a general anaesthetic. We assess your risk and take steps to prevent it.
Under 1 in 1,000
- A serious reaction to the anaesthetic. All our anaesthetists are consultants.
Very rare
For the long term
- Over-correction is hard to reverse. Removing too much fat can leave a hollow look that is difficult to fix, which is why we remove tissue conservatively and add fat where it is needed.
- 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 of upper lid surgery for ten years or more, and of lower lid surgery well into the next decade, though 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
- Hass AN et al. Incidence of postblepharoplasty orbital hemorrhage and associated visual loss. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 2004;20:426-32 (survey, 269,433 cases)For: bleeding behind the eye; permanent loss of sight
- Viscardi JA, Giordano S. Upper blepharoplasty under anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2026;50:4866-72For: further small operation (asymmetry, residual skin)
- Codner MA et al. Plast Reconstr Surg 2008;121:241-50For: lower lid malposition needing surgery; small further procedure
- Patrocinio TG et al. Complications in blepharoplasty: how to avoid and manage them. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2011;77:322-7For: lower lid malposition (second series)
- Prischmann J et al. JAMA Facial Plast Surg 2013;15:39-46; Todorov D et al. Aesthet Surg J 2025;45:554-62For: dry eye and chemosis
- Todorov D et al. Functional and aesthetic outcomes after upper blepharoplasty: systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Aesthet Surg J 2025;45:554-62For: difficulty closing the eye (lagophthalmos)
- Winocour J et al. Venous thromboembolism in the cosmetic patient. Aesthet Surg J 2017;37:337-49 (CosmetAssure prospective database)For: DVT or PE
- Royal College of Anaesthetists, Risks and side effects: death and serious harmFor: serious reaction to the anaesthetic
Aftercare and recovery after eyelid surgery
Recovery from blepharoplasty follows a predictable timeline, and most patients see significant improvement within two to three weeks.
First week
First week
- Noticeable swelling and bruising immediately after surgery
- Cold compresses and keeping the head elevated reduce swelling
- Discomfort is usually minimal and managed with simple pain relief
- Antibiotic ointment is applied at night as instructed
- Sutures are removed at around day six to seven
Second week
Second week
- Bruising and swelling continue to improve
- Most patients return to work; make-up can cover residual bruising
- Driving and normal showering resume
Weeks three to four
Weeks three to four
- Most bruising and the majority of swelling resolve
- The intended result of the surgery becomes visible
Results and healing
Results and healing
Final results typically appear by one to three months as the last swelling resolves, and scars continue to fade over 6 to 12 months. Temporary dryness or watering of the eyes can occur while healing.
Follow-up and reviews
Follow-up and reviews
A nurse reviews you at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant sees you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between then, your consultant is always available – if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
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