Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) in Bordeaux
Blepharoplasty corrects the signs of ageing of the eyelids to give the eyes a more rested look. The procedure differs depending on whether the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids or both are concerned. Dr Maxence Thomas, plastic surgeon, performs it at the Clinique Esthétique Aquitaine in Bordeaux.
Content reviewed by Dr Maxence Thomas on 13 October 2026
Upper or lower eyelids: which blepharoplasty?
The eyelids do not age in the same way. At the top, it is mostly excess skin that weighs down the eyelid and makes the eyes look tired. At the bottom, it is rather bags, linked to slackening of the skin and muscles and to fat build-up, sometimes with wrinkles caused by excess skin.
- Excess skin on the upper eyelids: upper blepharoplasty removes the extra skin and, if needed, the small fat pads at the inner corner of the eye.
- Bags under the eyes, wrinkled lower eyelids: lower blepharoplasty removes the fat bags, the excess skin, or both.
- A drooping brow weighing on the eyelid: a brow lift may be indicated, alone or combined with upper blepharoplasty.
The hollow of the tear trough is not treated by blepharoplasty. It can be treated at the same time with an injection of fine fat, micro-fat grafting, or with aesthetic medicine (injections).
When to operate on the upper eyelids?
Upper blepharoplasty is intended for patients whose upper eyelids are weighed down by excess skin, which make the eyes look tired. It opens up the eyes through a measured correction of this excess, for a more rested appearance.
The surgeon makes an incision on each upper eyelid to remove the excess skin, removes the small fat pads at the inner corner of the eye if needed, then closes with a very fine thread. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, with or without sedation, takes 20 to 30 minutes and is a day case: you go home the same day after a few hours of observation. The scar is hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid and cannot be seen when the eyes are open. Recovery takes one week to 15 days.
When to operate on the lower eyelids?
Lower blepharoplasty treats bags under the eyes and wrinkles of the lower eyelid caused by excess skin. The technique depends on what needs to be corrected.
Two approaches are possible. The transconjunctival approach goes through the inner side of the eyelid, with no visible scar: it is used to remove fat bags. The subciliary approach goes just below the lashes, where the scar is barely visible: it is used to remove excess skin. Both can be combined if several corrections are needed.
The procedure is usually performed under local anaesthesia, more rarely general, and generally takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on its complexity, as a day case. Expect swelling and bruising for about fifteen days, with 10 to 15 days away from social life; you can nevertheless go out from the first days wearing sunglasses.
Can all four eyelids be operated on at the same time?
Yes. When both the upper and lower eyelids are concerned, the two blepharoplasties can be performed in the same operation. All four eyelids can be operated on under local anaesthesia, as a day case. Plan for about 2 weeks away from social life. A four-eyelid blepharoplasty starts from €4,200.
A blepharoplasty can also accompany a facelift or a brow lift when the rest of the face is sagging too: the different techniques are compared on our facelift in Bordeaux page.
How do the two procedures differ?
Scroll the table sideways to compare.
| Criterion | Upper blepharoplasty | Lower blepharoplasty |
|---|---|---|
| Area treated | Upper eyelids: excess skin, small fat pads at the inner corner | Lower eyelids: bags under the eyes, excess skin |
| Anaesthesia | Local, with or without sedation | Usually local, more rarely general |
| Duration | 20 to 30 min | 30 to 45 min |
| Hospital stay | Day case | Day case |
| Scar | Hidden in the eyelid crease | Not visible from the outside with the transconjunctival approach, below the lashes with the subciliary approach |
| Recovery | One week to 15 days | 10 to 15 days away from social life |
| Indicative price | From €2,250 | From €2,650 |
Indicative prices: only the quote given after the consultation is binding.
How does the consultation work?
The first consultation is a time for listening and discussion. Dr Maxence Thomas takes note of your request and medical history, then examines your eyelids and the position of your brows, since a drooping brow can weigh down the upper eyelid. He then explains the possible procedures, their benefits, limits and risks. A second consultation may be offered to refine the plan.
After the consultation, you receive a detailed quote. In France, a cooling-off period of at least 15 days applies between the quote and the procedure. Stopping smoking is recommended, as it increases the risk of healing problems; the details are given at the consultation.
The consultation and the procedure take place at the Clinique Esthétique Aquitaine, 49 boulevard Georges Pompidou in Bordeaux. Post-operative follow-up is provided by Dr Thomas himself.
The procedures in detail
Upper blepharoplasty
A blepharoplasty aims to reduce the signs of aging present in the eyelids and to replace the “tired” appearance of the eyes with a more rested and relaxed appearance.
Learn more →
Lower blepharoplasty
Lower blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure that aims to correct certain defects associated with aging of the lower eyelid.
Learn more →
Frequently asked questions
Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin from the upper eyelids and, if needed, the small fat pads at the inner corner of the eye. Lower blepharoplasty treats bags under the eyes and excess skin of the lower eyelids, through the inner side of the eyelid or just below the lashes. Both can be performed in the same operation.
After upper blepharoplasty, the scar is hidden in the eyelid crease and cannot be seen when the eyes are open. After lower blepharoplasty, it cannot be seen from the outside with the transconjunctival approach (inner side of the eyelid) and barely visible with the subciliary approach, just below the lashes. As eyelid skin is very thin, the scar generally fades quickly.
It is a procedure with little pain, managed with usual painkillers. Stinging eyes, blurred vision or slight itching may be felt temporarily: eye drops are prescribed for the first days.
Allow one week to 15 days after upper blepharoplasty, 10 to 15 days after lower blepharoplasty and about 2 weeks when all four eyelids are operated on together, while swelling and bruising subside. Physical recovery is quick: you can go out from the first days wearing sunglasses.
It takes 1 to 6 months to really assess the result: this is the time needed for the tissues to regain their suppleness and for the scars to fade.
Removal of the bags is practically permanent and they usually do not come back. The skin, however, keeps ageing and its slackening may eventually crease the eyelids again. A new procedure is rarely considered within about twelve years.
No, the hollow of the tear trough is not treated by blepharoplasty. It can be treated at the same time with an injection of fine fat, known as micro-fat grafting or nanofat, or with aesthetic medicine (injections).
As a guide, upper blepharoplasty starts from €2,250 and lower blepharoplasty from €2,650. When all four eyelids are operated on together, the procedure starts from €4,200. Only the detailed quote given after the consultation is binding.
Tell us about your project
A question or need advice? Contact Dr Maxence Thomas’s practice in Bordeaux on +33 5 56 68 69 70 or book an appointment online on Doctolib.