A blepharoplasty quote should tell you which lids are being treated (upper, lower or both), what's being done to each (skin, fat, muscle), the technique for the lower lids, who the surgeon is and what their specialty is, and the type of anesthesia. If a quote just says "blefaroplastia" with one number, you can't compare it to anything yet.
- Upper and lower blepharoplasty are different operations. A quote for "both" should describe each one.
- Hooding isn't always excess skin. Ptosis or a low brow need different procedures; get a diagnosis before comparing prices.
- For lower lids, ask whether the approach is transconjunctival or external, and whether fat is removed or repositioned.
- Ask for the surgeon's specialty: plastic surgeon or oculoplastic ophthalmologist, verified in RETHUS.
- Ask whether a pre-op eye exam is required and included, especially if you have dry eye or past eye surgery.
Medical note: This is general information, not medical advice. Whether eyelid surgery is right for you, and which kind, is a decision to make with a licensed clinician who has examined you.
LINE 01Upper vs lower: two different operations
"Blepharoplasty" is an umbrella term. The upper and lower lids are treated differently, have different risks, and should be described separately in your quote.
| Upper blepharoplasty | Lower blepharoplasty | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical goal | Remove excess skin (and sometimes some fat or muscle) causing hooding. | Address under-eye bags, fat bulging, and sometimes loose skin. |
| Common incision | In the natural crease of the upper lid. | Inside the lid (transconjunctival) or just below the lash line (external). |
| Fat handling | Sometimes trimmed. | May be removed, or repositioned to smooth the lid-cheek junction. |
| Extra steps sometimes needed | Brow assessment. | Lid support or tightening in some patients. |
| Questions to ask | How much skin? Any fat or muscle? | Which approach? Remove or reposition fat? Any lid support? |
Lower lid surgery is often considered more technically demanding because it can affect how the lid sits against the eye. That's a reason to ask more questions about the lower-lid plan, not a reason to fear it.
LINE 02Is it actually the eyelid? Ptosis and brow
Before you compare prices, make sure the clinics are quoting the same problem. Heavy, hooded upper lids can come from three different sources, and they don't have the same fix:
- Excess skin (dermatochalasis): what upper blepharoplasty treats.
- Ptosis: the lid itself sits low because the muscle that lifts it has stretched or weakened. This needs a ptosis repair, a different procedure, sometimes done alongside blepharoplasty.
- Brow descent: a low brow pushes skin down onto the lid. Removing lid skin alone may not solve it; a brow procedure might be discussed.
If one clinic quotes "upper bleph" and another quotes "upper bleph plus ptosis repair," the second isn't necessarily upselling. They may have looked more closely. Ask each surgeon to explain what they see and why.
Send each clinic the same set of photos: straight-on, eyes open, eyes gently closed, looking up, and side profiles, in even light with no makeup. A real assessment still needs an in-person exam, but consistent photos make remote quotes more comparable.
LINE 03Who should operate
Eyelid surgery is commonly performed by two types of specialists: plastic surgeons and ophthalmologists with subspecialty training in eyelid and orbital surgery (oculoplastic surgeons). Both can be appropriate. What matters is specific training and regular experience with this procedure.
- Ask for the surgeon's full name and specialty, then check it in RETHUS.
- Ask how often they perform blepharoplasty, and lower-lid surgery specifically.
- Ask to see before-and-after photos of their own patients, with consistent lighting and angles.
- Confirm the facility in REPS and ask whether surgery will happen in an operating room or a procedure room.
LINE 04What the quote should itemize
Eyelid quotes are often one line long. Ask the clinic to expand it to something like this:
- Upper lids: skin / fat / muscleDESCRIBED
- Lower lids: approach + fat planDESCRIBED
- Ptosis repair, if neededSEPARATE LINE?
- Lid support / canthal procedureIF PLANNED
- Surgeon fee (name, specialty)LISTED
- Anesthesia type + who manages itSTATED
- Facility / OR feeINCL.?
- Pre-op eye examINCL. OR EXTRA?
- Labs, if requiredINCL. OR EXTRA?
- Eye drops, ointment, cold compressesINCL.?
- Suture removal visitINCL.?
- Follow-ups (qty)STATED
- Revision policyIN WRITING
Anesthesia is one line worth questioning closely. Eyelid surgery is often done with local anesthesia, sometimes with sedation, and sometimes under general anesthesia, particularly when it's combined with other procedures. Each approach changes who needs to be present and what the quote should include.
LINE 05Combined procedures
Blepharoplasty is frequently added to facelifts, brow lifts or other procedures. That can make sense, but combined quotes are harder to read.
- Ask for each procedure priced separately, even within a package, so you can see what the eyelid portion costs.
- Ask whether the anesthesia plan changes because of the combination, and whether the operating time is estimated.
- Ask whether the same surgeon performs every part. In some clinics, a different specialist does the eyelids.
- Ask how recovery changes. Combining procedures can mean a longer stay and more follow-ups before you can fly.
If you're also considering facial surgery, see our facelift quote breakdown in the reading list below.
LINE 06Recovery and follow-up in the quote
Eyelid surgery is often thought of as a "small" procedure, but the follow-up still has to fit your travel dates. Ask the clinic:
- When are sutures removed, and is that visit included? Your flight home should be planned around it.
- What eye drops, ointments or other supplies will you need, and are they in the quote?
- What symptoms should prompt an urgent call, and how do you reach the surgeon after hours?
- When does the surgeon want to see you before you fly home?
- If you wear contact lenses, when can you go back to them? Plan to bring glasses.
Severe or worsening pain, changes in vision, or rapidly increasing swelling around the eye after surgery need urgent medical attention. Ask your surgeon for their full list of warning signs and an after-hours number before you leave the clinic.
LINE 07Red flags
A quote issued without seeing your eyes. At minimum, they should ask for photos and history; a final plan needs an exam.
No distinction between upper and lower lids.
No questions about dry eye, contact lenses or past eye surgery. These matter for planning.
Vague answers about the lower-lid technique.
Pressure to add lower lids "while you're here" when you only asked about upper hooding.
LINE 08FAQ
Is upper or lower blepharoplasty more involved?
Lower eyelid surgery is often considered more technically demanding because of how it affects eyelid position and support. That said, complexity depends on your anatomy and the technique planned. Ask the surgeon to explain the plan for each lid separately.
Is a droopy eyelid always fixed by blepharoplasty?
Not always. Excess skin is treated with blepharoplasty, but a lid that sits low because of the muscle that lifts it (ptosis) needs a different repair, and a low brow can also cause hooding. Ask the surgeon which of these you have before you compare quotes.
Who should perform eyelid surgery in Colombia?
Eyelid surgery is commonly done by plastic surgeons and by ophthalmologists who specialize in eyelid and orbital surgery (oculoplastic surgeons). Ask for the surgeon's specialty, check it in RETHUS, and ask how often they perform this specific procedure.
Do I need an eye exam before blepharoplasty?
Many surgeons want an eye evaluation first, especially if you have dry eye, wear contact lenses, or have had eye surgery such as LASIK. Ask whether one is required and whether it's included in the quote.
Is blepharoplasty done under general anesthesia?
It depends. Eyelid surgery is often performed with local anesthesia, sometimes with sedation, and sometimes under general anesthesia, especially when combined with other procedures. Ask which is planned and who manages it.