Upper Blepharoplasty Ireland: Before & After, Cost, Recovery & Results 2026

Medically reviewed by Dr. James Cotter MD - Medical Director & Co-Founder, Sisu Clinic | Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is one of the most in-demand surgical procedures in Ireland in 2026 - and for good reason. It delivers permanent, natural-looking results that no non-surgical treatment can replicate. Heavy, drooping eyelids are one of the earliest and most visible signs of ageing, and upper blepharoplasty addresses them directly, precisely, and lastingly.

At Sisu Clinic, we perform upper blepharoplasty across our clinics in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford, exclusively by our Royal College of Surgeons-trained Medical Director. This guide covers everything prospective patients want to know before booking - what the procedure involves, what realistic results look like, what recovery is actually like week by week, and how to choose the right clinic.

What is Upper Blepharoplasty?

Upper blepharoplasty, also known as an upper eyelid lift or eye lift surgery, is a minor surgical procedure that removes excess skin - and in some cases fat - from the upper eyelids.

As we age, the skin above the eyes loses elasticity and begins to droop. This creates a hooded appearance that can make you look permanently tired, older than you feel, and in some cases can even obstruct your peripheral vision. Upper blepharoplasty corrects this by carefully removing the excess tissue and restoring a clean, defined eyelid crease.

It is worth distinguishing upper blepharoplasty from two related but different procedures:

Upper vs Lower Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty addresses hooded, drooping skin above the eye. Lower blepharoplasty addresses eye bags and excess skin below the eye. The two can be combined, but they are separate procedures with different recovery profiles.

Blepharoplasty vs Brow Lift

A brow lift elevates the position of the eyebrow itself. Upper blepharoplasty removes excess eyelid skin. Some patients need one, some the other, and some benefit from both. A proper surgical consultation is essential to determine which approach is right for your specific anatomy.

Who is a Good Candidate for Upper Blepharoplasty?

• Upper blepharoplasty is suitable for men and women who:
• Have drooping or hooded upper eyelids that make them look tired or older than they feel
• Have excess skin creating folds or creases hanging over the lashes
• Experience a heavy or weighed-down sensation in the brow area
• Have upper eyelid skin that partially obstructs peripheral vision
• Are in good general health with realistic expectations

Age is not a fixed criterion. Most patients seeking upper blepharoplasty in Ireland are in their 40s, 50s, or 60s, but the procedure is appropriate for younger patients where there is a genuine functional or cosmetic concern.

The best way to confirm suitability is a free consultation at one of our Sisu Clinic locations in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, or Waterford, where our surgeon will assess your specific eyelid anatomy and give you an honest recommendation.

Upper Blepharoplasty Before & After - What Results Look Like

The most common question patients ask before booking is: what will I actually look like afterwards?

The honest answer is: refreshed, rested, and natural - not different. The goal of upper blepharoplasty at Sisu Clinic is not to change the fundamental character of your face. It is to restore your eyes to how they looked before the excess skin accumulated. Most patients report that friends and family notice they look well, but cannot quite identify what has changed.

What changes after upper blepharoplasty:

• The heavy, hooded appearance of the upper eyelid is gone
• The eyelid crease is visible and clearly defined
• Eyes appear more open, alert, and symmetrical
• Makeup applies more easily and sits better on the lid
• In functional cases, peripheral vision improves noticeably

What does not change:

• Your eye colour, shape, or fundamental appearance
• The position of your brows - this requires a separate brow lift
• Lower eyelid concerns such as eye bags - these require lower blepharoplasty

At Sisu Clinic, we have an extensive before and after gallery showing real patient results from our Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford clinics. All results shown are from real patients treated by our surgical team. We encourage every prospective patient to review these before booking.

View Blepharoplasty Before & After Results

Upper Blepharoplasty Recovery - Week by Week

Recovery is the part most patients are most anxious about - and the part most clinic websites are vaguest about. Here is an honest, detailed, week-by-week breakdown of what to expect after upper blepharoplasty at Sisu Clinic.

Day 1 - Surgery Day. The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours under local anaesthesia. You will be awake throughout but will feel no pain. Once complete, you go home the same day - upper blepharoplasty at Sisu Clinic is always a day procedure. Your eyelids will feel tight and slightly swollen immediately after. You should arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first night.

What to do: Rest with your head elevated. Apply cold compresses gently to the eye area. Begin prescribed eye drops as instructed by our team. Avoid screens where possible.

Days 2-4 - Peak Swelling. This is typically when swelling and bruising are at their most significant. Your eyelids will look more swollen than they did on surgery day - this is completely normal and expected. Many patients find this the most psychologically challenging part of recovery. It passes.

What to do: Continue cold compresses. Keep head elevated, including while sleeping. Avoid bending forward or lifting anything heavy. Avoid alcohol. Do not wear contact lenses.

Days 5-7 - Turning the Corner. Swelling begins to reduce noticeably. Bruising starts to yellow and fade. Most patients begin to feel more comfortable and considerably less self-conscious at this stage.

What to do: Continue following aftercare instructions from the Sisu team. Protect eyes from sunlight with sunglasses when outdoors. Continue to avoid strenuous exercise.

Days 7-10 - Suture Removal: Sutures are typically removed at around day 7 at your follow-up appointment. This is a quick, straightforward visit. Once sutures are out, most patients feel significantly more comfortable. Many return to desk-based work around this time.

What to do: Attend your suture removal appointment at your nearest Sisu Clinic location. You can begin to wear light makeup around the eye area once sutures are removed and the skin has healed. Continue to avoid strenuous exercise.

Weeks 2-4 - Looking Better Every Day. The majority of swelling has resolved by week 2. Residual swelling continues to settle gradually through weeks 3 and 4. Most patients are fully comfortable in social and professional settings by the end of week 2.

What to do: You can resume light exercise from around week 3. Continue to protect the eye area from direct sunlight. Attend your follow-up appointment with the Sisu surgical team.

6 Weeks - Final Results By 6 weeks, swelling has fully resolved and your results are visible in their final form. Brighter, more alert, more rested eyes - natural results that reflect how you actually feel inside.

Results from upper blepharoplasty typically last 10 to 15 years, often longer, and in many cases longer. The surgery permanently removes the excess skin - while natural ageing continues, the improvement achieved is lasting.

Upper Blepharoplasty at Sisu Clinic - Why Patients Choose Us

Sisu Clinic is one of Ireland's most recognised and trusted aesthetic clinics, with a presence across Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford. Our patients have shared their experiences across Google and Trustpilot in their thousands - covering everything from anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers to surgical procedures like upper blepharoplasty. The consistent theme across every review is the same: natural results, expert care, and a team that takes the time to listen.

Here is what sets Sisu Clinic apart specifically for upper blepharoplasty:

Surgical Expertise You Can Verify

Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure. Who performs it matters enormously. At Sisu Clinic, every upper blepharoplasty is performed exclusively by our Medical Director, Dr. James Cotter MD - a graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Charles University, Prague, and a member of the Royal College of Surgeons Dublin.

Before co-founding Sisu Clinic, Dr. Cotter worked as a general surgeon and internist in Irish hospitals. This is a surgical background that the vast majority of cosmetic providers in Ireland simply cannot match. Every patient who books upper blepharoplasty at Sisu Clinic is treated by Dr. Cotter personally - there is no delegation to junior practitioners.

Four Locations Across Ireland

Unlike many surgical providers who operate from a single location, Sisu Clinic offers upper blepharoplasty at four clinics across Ireland:

Upper Blepharoplasty Dublin

Our Dublin clinic serves patients from across the city and surrounding areas including Southside Dublin, Northside Dublin.

Learn more about upper blepharoplasty in Dublin →

Upper Blepharoplasty Cork

Our Cork clinic serves patients from Cork city and county including Douglas, Ballincollig, Bishopstown, Blackrock, Carrigaline, Cobh, and Midleton.

Learn more about upper blepharoplasty in Cork →

Upper Blepharoplasty Limerick

Our Limerick clinic on O'Connell Street serves patients from Limerick city and county including Castletroy, Dooradoyle, Raheen, Annacotty, and County Clare.

Learn more about upper blepharoplasty in Limerick →

Upper Blepharoplasty Waterford

Our Waterford clinic serves patients from Waterford city and county including Tramore, Dungarvan, and the surrounding south-east region.

Learn more about upper blepharoplasty in Waterford →

Transparent All-Inclusive Pricing

Upper blepharoplasty at Sisu Clinic is priced clearly and all-inclusively. Your price covers your free initial consultation, the procedure itself, and all follow-up appointments. There are no hidden fees and no surprise charges. Payment plans are available across all four locations.

Free Consultation - No Obligation

Every patient journey at Sisu Clinic begins with a free, no-obligation consultation with Dr. James Cotter MD. During this appointment, Dr. Cotter assesses your eyelid anatomy, discusses your goals honestly, and explains exactly what the procedure involves and what results are realistic for you. There is no pressure to proceed.

How to Choose the Right Upper Blepharoplasty Clinic in Ireland

With more clinics now offering blepharoplasty across Ireland, here are the five questions every patient should ask before booking:

1. Who actually performs the surgery?

Ask directly: will a consultant surgeon perform my procedure, or will it be delegated? Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure and should be performed by a doctor with genuine surgical training and experience.

2. What are the surgeon's qualifications and background?

Look for verifiable credentials - medical degrees, Royal College membership, and a background in surgery rather than purely cosmetic practice.

3. Is the pricing fully all-inclusive?

Ask for a complete, itemised price covering consultation, the procedure, anaesthesia, follow-up appointments, and aftercare. Hidden fees are common in aesthetic medicine.

4. Can you see real before and after results from that specific clinic?

Ask to see results from patients treated by the surgeon who will treat you, at the clinic you will attend.

Book Your Free Upper Blepharoplasty Consultation at Sisu Clinic

If you are considering upper blepharoplasty in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, or Waterford, the first step is a free consultation with Dr. James Cotter MD at your nearest Sisu Clinic location.

During this appointment, Dr. Cotter will assess your eyelid anatomy, discuss your goals honestly, walk you through the procedure and recovery in full, and answer every question you have. There is no obligation to proceed.

Book Your Free Consultation Today