Quick Facts: Eyelid Surgery in Medellín 2026
Your eyes are the first thing people notice—and unfortunately, they're often the first to show age. Hooded upper lids make you look perpetually tired. Under-eye bags suggest you haven't slept in weeks. Excess skin can even obstruct your peripheral vision. You look in the mirror and the person staring back seems exhausted, older, and frankly, not how you feel inside.
Here's the good news: eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is one of the most effective facial rejuvenation procedures in existence—and it's remarkably straightforward. It's also one of the procedures where Medellín truly shines. Colombian surgeons have refined their techniques over thousands of cases, and the results speak for themselves: natural, refreshed eyes that look like you've been on vacation, not under the knife.
And the economics? They're stunning. The same surgery that costs $6,000–$8,000 in the US runs $2,000–$3,500 in Medellín for both upper and lower lids. That's not a typo. You'll save enough to cover your flights, a beautiful hotel in El Poblado, two weeks of exceptional Colombian coffee—and still have money left over.
Why Medellín for Eyelid Surgery?
- ✓ Exceptional Value: 55–70% savings with no compromise on quality
- ✓ High-Volume Expertise: Colombian surgeons perform high volumes of facial procedures, developing refined techniques
- ✓ Perfect Recovery Climate: 70–80°F year-round, no extreme temperatures to aggravate swelling
- ✓ Short Trip Required: 7–10 days is sufficient—one of the quickest recoveries in plastic surgery
- ✓ Easy to Combine: Often done with brow lift or facelift for comprehensive rejuvenation
What This Guide Covers
Upper vs. Lower Blepharoplasty: What Do You Need?
The eyes age differently in the upper and lower lids, and each requires a distinct surgical approach. Many patients benefit from addressing both, but understanding what each procedure does helps you make an informed decision.
Upper Blepharoplasty
Addresses the upper eyelid—the area between your brow and lash line.
What It Fixes:
- • Hooded, heavy upper lids
- • Excess skin that hangs over the crease
- • Skin touching or resting on lashes
- • Tired, aged appearance
- • Vision obstruction (in severe cases)
The Procedure:
Incision hidden in the natural eyelid crease. Excess skin (and sometimes small fat pockets) removed. Scar becomes virtually invisible once healed.
Medellín Price: $1,200–$1,800
Lower Blepharoplasty
Addresses the area below your eye—from lash line to cheek.
What It Fixes:
- • Under-eye bags and puffiness
- • Excess skin and wrinkles
- • Hollowing/tear trough deformity
- • Tired, aged appearance
- • Dark circles (partially—if caused by shadowing)
The Procedure:
Incision just below lash line OR inside the eyelid (transconjunctival—no visible scar). Fat repositioned or removed. Skin tightened if needed.
Medellín Price: $1,500–$2,200
Most Patients Do Both
While you can address uppers or lowers separately, most patients find that doing both together creates the most harmonious, natural result. The eyes age as a unit—refreshing just one area can make the other look worse by comparison. Plus, you save on anesthesia and facility fees by combining.
Surgical Techniques: How It's Done
Modern blepharoplasty has evolved significantly. Today's techniques focus on preservation and repositioning rather than aggressive removal, creating more natural results that age well over time.
Upper Lid Technique
The gold standard approach for upper eyelid rejuvenation:
- 1. Marking: Surgeon carefully marks exactly how much skin to remove while you're sitting upright (gravity matters!)
- 2. Incision: Made precisely in the natural crease of your eyelid
- 3. Removal: Excess skin excised; small fat pockets removed if contributing to puffiness
- 4. Closure: Fine sutures close the incision, hidden in the crease
Time: 30–45 minutes per eye | Anesthesia: Local with sedation (most common) or general
Transconjunctival Lower Blepharoplasty
Preferred TechniqueThe modern approach for lower lids—no visible scar:
- 1. Incision: Made inside the lower eyelid (conjunctiva)—completely hidden
- 2. Fat Management: Excess fat removed OR repositioned to fill hollow areas
- 3. No external scar: Incision heals internally
Best for: Patients with bags but good skin elasticity. If significant loose skin exists, may need external incision.
External Lower Blepharoplasty
When skin removal is needed in addition to fat management:
- 1. Incision: Just below the lash line, extending slightly into crow's feet area
- 2. Fat & Skin: Both addressed—fat repositioned/removed, excess skin excised
- 3. Closure: Fine sutures; scar fades to nearly invisible
Best for: Patients with significant skin laxity in addition to bags
Complete 2026 Pricing: The Math That Makes Sense
Let's break down exactly what you'll pay—and what you'll save. These numbers make the case for Medellín better than anything we could write:
| Procedure | Medellín | USA | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Blepharoplasty | $1,200–$1,800 | $3,000–$5,000 | $1,800–$3,200 |
| Lower Blepharoplasty | $1,500–$2,200 | $3,500–$6,000 | $2,000–$3,800 |
| Upper + Lower Combined | $2,000–$3,500 | $6,000–$10,000 | $4,000–$6,500 |
| Asian Blepharoplasty (double eyelid) | $1,500–$2,500 | $4,000–$8,000 | $2,500–$5,500 |
Total Trip Budget: Upper + Lower Blepharoplasty
You pay LESS for surgery + flights + hotel + meals than you'd pay for surgery alone in the US.
Recovery: Easier Than You Think
One of the best things about blepharoplasty is the relatively quick, easy recovery. There's no body-wide healing process—just your eyes, which are remarkably resilient. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable it is.
Day 1: Surgery Day
Procedure takes 1–2 hours. Most patients have local anesthesia with sedation—you're comfortable but not under general. Go home (or to your hotel) the same day. Eyes will feel tight, may be teary. Cold compresses begin immediately. Sleep with head elevated.
Days 2–3: Peak Swelling
This is when you'll look your worst—bruised and puffy, like you got in a fight. This is completely normal. Continue cold compresses religiously. Eye drops as prescribed. Light activities okay. Most patients watch a lot of Netflix and audiobooks (reading strains eyes).
Days 4–7: Rapid Improvement
Swelling decreases significantly day by day. Bruising shifts from purple to yellow-green (healing!). Sutures removed around day 5–7. Can start reading, using screens more comfortably. Many patients feel well enough to venture out with sunglasses.
Days 7–10: Flying Home
Most patients are cleared to fly around day 7–10. Bruising can usually be covered with concealer. Sunglasses are your friend at the airport. You'll still have some swelling but look presentable.
Weeks 2–4: Social Recovery
Most bruising gone by week 2. Swelling continues to resolve. Can wear makeup by week 2. Most people are comfortable at work and social events. Scars are pink but healing—easily covered or overlooked.
Months 2–6: Final Results
All swelling resolved. Scars fade to thin white lines hidden in creases. Final shape and position settled. This is when you'll fully appreciate your results.
Recovery in Medellín: The Advantage
Medellín's climate is perfect for eyelid surgery recovery:
- • No extreme temperatures: Heat aggravates swelling; cold makes you want to stay inside. 70–80°F is ideal.
- • Low humidity: Comfortable healing environment
- • Beautiful scenery: Light walks in El Poblado are pleasant, not punishing
- • Change of scenery: Psychologically, healing in a new place feels less clinical
Results: What to Realistically Expect
What Blepharoplasty Achieves
- ✓ Brighter, more alert, refreshed appearance
- ✓ Elimination of tired, aged look
- ✓ Smoother upper lids without hooding
- ✓ Elimination or significant reduction of under-eye bags
- ✓ More visible eyelid crease (if desired)
- ✓ Improved peripheral vision (if skin was obstructing)
- ✓ Results lasting 7–15+ years
How long do results last? Blepharoplasty results are among the longest-lasting in facial surgery. Upper blepharoplasty typically lasts 7–15 years before you might consider a touch-up. Lower blepharoplasty often lasts even longer—many patients never need a revision. You'll continue to age, but from a younger starting point.
What Blepharoplasty Won't Do
- • Dark circles from pigmentation: Surgery addresses shadowing from bags, not skin discoloration
- • Crow's feet: These are smile lines, not eyelid issue (Botox helps)
- • Drooping brows: If your brows are low, you may need brow lift instead of or in addition to blepharoplasty
- • Deep hollows: May need fat grafting in addition to or instead of blepharoplasty
Combining with Other Procedures
Blepharoplasty is frequently combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures for comprehensive results. In Medellín, the savings on combined procedures are even more dramatic.
Blepharoplasty + Brow Lift
For patients with both heavy lids AND low, sagging brows. Addresses the upper third of the face comprehensively.
Medellín: $3,500–$5,500
Blepharoplasty + Facelift
Full facial rejuvenation—eyes, midface, lower face, and neck. Often performed together for dramatic yet natural results.
Medellín: $7,000–$12,000
Blepharoplasty + Fat Transfer
For patients with bags AND hollowing. Fat from another area (usually abdomen) fills hollow tear troughs.
Medellín: $3,000–$4,500
Blepharoplasty + Laser Resurfacing
Surgery addresses structure; laser improves skin texture, fine lines, and discoloration around the eyes.
Medellín: $2,800–$4,000
Choosing Your Surgeon in Medellín
Eyelid surgery is delicate work—millimeters matter. You need a surgeon with specific expertise in periorbital (around the eye) procedures, not just general plastic surgery experience.
What to Look For
- SCCP Certification: Verify at cirugiaplastica.org.co—this is non-negotiable
- Facial Surgery Focus: Surgeons who specialize in or frequently perform facial procedures
- Before/After Portfolio: Specifically for blepharoplasty, not just general work
- Natural-Looking Results: Eyes should look refreshed, not "done" or surprised
- Volume of Eye Procedures: Ask specifically how many blepharoplasties they perform annually
Why Colombian Surgeons Excel at Facial Work
Medellín has become a center for facial rejuvenation surgery, and there are specific reasons why:
- • Cultural emphasis on appearance drives high demand and refined techniques
- • High patient volumes mean surgeons develop exceptional skill through experience
- • SCCP training is rigorous—4–5 years of specialized residency
- • International training—many top surgeons trained in the US or Europe
- • Competitive market incentivizes excellence and innovation
Ready to Open Your Eyes to Medellín?
Blepharoplasty is one of the highest-satisfaction procedures in plastic surgery—and in Medellín, it's remarkably accessible. For less than the cost of surgery alone in the US, you can have the procedure, recover in perfect weather, and return home looking refreshed and rested.
Request your free consultation →