Our annual Most Worth It list recognizes the most-loved aesthetic procedures—from noninvasive tweaks to the gold standard in surgery—as chosen by RealSelf community members like you. This story highlights one or more of the 44 Most Worth It honorees for 2022; you can see the full list and learn more about patients’ favorite procedures here.
Eyes can reveal a lot about a person—from how much they’ve slept to how much alcohol they’ve had to their age. In fact, because the delicate, thin-skinned area tends to take a hit from the natural aging process before other features, drooping lids, crepey skin, and puffy bags can make us look even older than we are. Botox is the go-to noninvasive fix, but it can only do so much. For those with more significant sagging who want semipermanent results, doctors recommend eyelid surgery, also called an eyelid lift or blepharoplasty. The popular procedure can be done under local anesthesia, with minimal side effects and recovery time, and the results last 10 to 15 years.
But how much does eyelid surgery cost—and is it actually worth it? We asked seven women across the country to share what they paid and whether they’re happy with the results.
Eyelid surgery cost
$3,825
When: October 2020
Where: Henderson, Nevada
“For four or five years, I noticed I didn’t look right in pictures, and I finally figured out much of the problem was my eyes—they just looked squinty and closed when I smiled. I decided to get eyelid surgery and chose my doctor by reading RealSelf reviews, which was super-helpful.
“I really didn’t have much swelling, and it took about two weeks for all the bruising to dissipate. The scars continue to improve but are never visible when my eyes are open. I no longer have to lift my lid to apply eye shadow, and my eyes are just more open!” —Tracy, 53
$7,560
When: December 2020
Where: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
“I had been thinking about getting a lower blepharoplasty ever since I developed under-eye bags after having children about seven years ago. Right after surgery, I had a banging headache and soreness in the eye area. I was given a Percocet and crackers with juice, which helped right away. My husband drove me home and got me into bed and I slept elevated at a 45-degree angle for a few hours. The pain was manageable with Tylenol 3 for the first few days; after four days, I didn’t need meds, and I was able to get back to work within two weeks. I’m very happy with the results and look 10 years younger!” —Jessica, 39
$3,000
When: December 2003
Where: Los Angeles
“I got my upper eyes lifted at 50, after thinking about it for a few years. My eyes had always been my best feature, and I wanted to preserve them as soon as they started to look and feel heavy-lidded.
“I found an ophthalmic plastic surgeon and I thought I was making the right choice at the time, but looking back, I should have gone to an oculoplastic surgeon. I genuinely believe this surgery was the worst decision I’ve ever made—and I’ve made some bad decisions. I went from having giant, almond-shaped eyes to small, round eyes—it changed the shape completely. I cried for a month straight, afterward. I saw another surgeon to talk about a revision—he said skin would need to be added in—but I’m too afraid that trying to correct it could make it even worse.” —Debra, 68
$9,800
When: September 2020
Where: New York City
“I noticed, over time, that my eyelids continued to droop and I always looked tired. Botox was no longer helping. [When researching doctors,] it was important for me not only to read the reviews but to see real photos. [My surgeon] had five-star reviews and photos that matched. The facility was beautiful, and the entire staff was lovely. More important, [my doctor] answered all my questions. I didn’t feel rushed, and he gave me a tour of the office and operating room himself. I wasn’t passed off to anyone on his team to do that for him.
“After surgery, I didn’t experience any pain or discomfort at all, and the bruising lessened by day five. I’m extremely happy, because he achieved everything I had hoped. I still look like myself, which was my number-one goal. I wouldn’t do anything differently.” —Mali, 43
$2,700 (upper and lower eyelid surgery)
When: November 2019
Where: Costa Rica (lives in Chicago)
“I first had eyelid surgery in 2011, but I can’t remember how much that cost. I had bags under my eyes and lots of loose skin on the upper lids, and I was really happy with my results, but [after some time], they needed tweaking. I was going to Costa Rica for dental work, so I figured I’d do my eyes there too. I went to the same surgeon who had previously done a facelift for me and did the eye lift under conscious sedation, which was a much easier recovery than the first time, when I went under general anesthesia.
“I’m not as happy with my results this second time, but I’m not sure why. I saw a surgeon in Chicago who is reluctant to do a third eye lift. I am turning into what my husband feared, which is a cosmetic surgery junkie who is never happy.” —Alexa, 69
$3,000
When: February 2021
Where: Slidell, Louisiana
“I’ve wanted to get eyelid surgery for the past five years and was told by my surgeon that it was too soon and I should wait until my upper lids were more noticeable. He said doing it too early would mean I would need the same procedure again in five or so years. I moved, found a new doctor, and finally decided, on my 55th birthday, that I would do it. I looked tired, and my upper lids were puffy. You could barely see my eye shadow, due to the upper part dropping over the lid—it was driving me crazy.
“Recovery was really fast. The first day, I rested and used a cold compress every 20 minutes, and I took pain meds only that first day. I had swelling for a week or so and some bruising on one cheek. The hardest part was waiting a week for the stitches to come out—they were tight and uncomfortable. My eyes were ready for makeup after about a week and a half.
“I love the results, and they’re better than I expected. You can see my eyelid completely, and I have no more drooping. I can feel the scar still, but you can’t see it. Before surgery, the outer edge of my upper lid really dropped and was hanging over, and it’s totally fixed now. I was scared to do the surgery but have zero regrets. It was affordable, with an easy recovery, and my eyes look amazing now.” —Nancy, 55
$9,500 (eyelid surgery + brow lift)
When: July 2020
Where: Lebanon, New Jersey
“I had an upper blepharoplasty and brow lift. I’d been thinking about it for a few years
because I hated having droopy eyelids. My eyes would hurt when I wore makeup, because [it would fall into my eye], but since the surgery, that has not been a problem. I can now wear eye shadow, and you can actually see it—it’s fun putting on makeup, and I’m really happy with my results. My grandchildren call me Glam-ma.” —Laurie, 57
