Blepharoplasty is one of the most searched cosmetic procedures in Calgary, and the questions patients ask about it are remarkably consistent: what does it cost, how long is recovery, and will anyone be able to tell. At art&fact, a surgeon-led plastic surgery and medical aesthetics clinic in Calgary, Alberta, eyelid surgery is performed by board-certified plastic surgeons. Here are direct answers to the questions we hear most.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is surgery that improves the appearance of the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. It addresses loose or sagging upper eyelid skin, bags under the eyes, excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid, and mono eyelids. The most common motivation we hear is not vanity. It is looking tired when you do not feel tired.
For an upper blepharoplasty, the incision sits within the natural crease of the eyelid, where fat deposits can be removed, the eyelid muscle tightened, and excess skin removed. For a lower blepharoplasty, the incision is placed just below the lash line. Depending on your anatomy, a lower blepharoplasty can involve a simple skin pinch or fat redraping and fat grafting to the cheeks.
What does blepharoplasty cost in Calgary?
At art&fact, published starting costs are:
- Upper blepharoplasty: $4,500 plus GST
- Lower blepharoplasty: $6,800 plus GST
- Upper and lower together: $9,800 plus GST
These are starting points, not quotes. Your exact price depends on what your surgery involves, and it is confirmed in writing at your consultation before you make any decision.
What is recovery like?
Blepharoplasty recovery is shorter and easier than most patients expect, though the full downtime range is two to six weeks depending on what is done.
What to expect
Day of surgery
Home the same day; a responsible adult accompanies you
Next day
Most patients are back to normal daily activities and comfortable driving
5 to 7 days
Sutures removed
2 to 4 weeks
Swelling and bruising subside
3 months
No heavy lifting until this point, to protect the incisions
An upper blepharoplasty is typically done under local anesthetic, so you can eat normally beforehand and go home shortly after. A lower blepharoplasty is done under local or general anesthetic depending on what your surgeon needs to do. Most patients with desk jobs do not take extended time off work.
Upper, lower, or both?
That depends on what bothers you when you look in the mirror. Heavy upper lids that make you look tired point to an upper blepharoplasty. Under-eye bags and crepey lower lid skin point to a lower blepharoplasty. Many patients benefit from both at once, which is why combined surgery has its own pricing.
One honest caveat from our surgeons: sometimes upper eyelid skin looks worse than it is because the brow itself sits low. At your consultation, your surgeon will tell you if a brow lift should be considered alongside, or instead of, an upper blepharoplasty. It matters because treating the wrong problem produces a disappointing result.
What about double eyelid surgery?
Double eyelid surgery is a form of blepharoplasty in which a crease is created in the upper eyelid to produce a wider, larger-looking eye. It is sometimes combined with a canthoplasty for further effect. This is a procedure where anatomical experience matters enormously. art&fact specializes in Asian faces, and our surgeons approach double eyelid surgery with the goal of a natural result that fits your face, not a standardized crease.
Why pair lower blepharoplasty with CO2 laser resurfacing?
Surgery and skin quality are two different problems. Blepharoplasty repositions and removes tissue, but it does not change the texture of the skin itself. That is laser territory. CO2 laser is best for improving skin quality, and it is particularly strong on lower eyelid skin, which is exactly where fine wrinkles concentrate.
At art&fact we treat the eye area comprehensively: surgical correction where structure is the problem, CO2 laser resurfacing where skin quality is the problem, and frequently both in a coordinated plan. This pairing is one reason patients choose a clinic with the most comprehensive options rather than a single-procedure practice.
Frequently asked questions
Will blepharoplasty fix my vision?
Blepharoplasty is not intended to correct vision impairments unrelated to excess eyelid skin. If you have vision concerns, a consultation with an ophthalmologist is recommended before surgery.
Will people see my scars?
Incisions are hidden in the natural crease of the upper lid and just below the lash line on the lower lid. After the incision heals, you are provided with a silicone ointment to improve its appearance. Most healed blepharoplasty incisions are very difficult to spot.
Can blepharoplasty cause dry eyes?
It can temporarily worsen dry eyes, and in some cases symptoms take months to fully settle. Saline drops help during recovery. Mention any existing dry eye condition at your consultation so your surgeon can plan around it.
Am I a good candidate?
A good candidate is relatively healthy, at a stable weight, a non-smoker at the time of surgery, and has realistic expectations. If you smoke, our surgeons advise quitting at least three months before surgery.
How long do results last?
Results are long lasting, though no surgery stops the natural aging process. Many patients enjoy their result for many years. If facial aging is your broader concern, your surgeon may also discuss options such as a face and neck lift so you can see the full picture before deciding.
Who performs blepharoplasty at art&fact?
Eyelid surgery at art&fact is performed by board-certified plastic surgeons. You can meet the full surgical team on our About Us page.
Book a blepharoplasty consultation in Calgary
The fastest way to get answers specific to your eyes is an in-person assessment with a board-certified plastic surgeon. art&fact is located at 2403 33 Avenue SW in Calgary's Marda Loop. Call (403) 800-9157 or book a consultation through our contact page.
