Plastic surgery · Eyelids
Eyelid surgery in Alicante and Benidorm
Blepharoplasty to refresh your eyes
A more rested look that still looks like you. Dr. Francisco Abreu, plastic surgeon, sees patients in English in Alicante, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Elche and Gandia, with a natural approach and close follow-up before and after surgery.
What is eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, rejuvenates the eyes. Many people think of it as simply removing skin, but it goes a good deal further: over the years the eyelid changes in many ways, and each one needs a different solution.
We treat excess skin and fat bags, of course, but also small hollows, a drop of the muscle that holds the eyelid up, or a lowered brow, which is sometimes worth correcting at the same time. Well planned, and combined with other techniques when needed, it is one of the operations with the greatest impact on facial rejuvenation: it brings rest and expression back to your eyes without changing who you are.
Real cases
Results that look natural
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AfterPublished with consent. Results vary from patient to patient.Images published with consent. Every result depends on the patient's anatomy and healing.
Our approach to eyelid surgery
A natural result
The eyes are one of the most expressive parts of the face. So our premise is simple: they should still be yours, just without the accumulated tiredness. We do not set out to change your face, only to give back the rest that time has taken from it.
More than cosmetic: functional too
For many patients, excess skin on the upper eyelid is not only a question of looks. Over the years that skin can rest on the lashes and narrow the field of vision, above all at the top and the sides.
Eyelid surgery does not only rejuvenate the eyes: in some cases it gives back field of vision, which many patients notice from the first days.
Droopy eyelids, hooded eyes or ptosis
Hooded or droopy eyelids are usually caused by extra skin folding over the lashes. Sometimes it is the eyelid itself that has dropped, because the muscle that lifts it has weakened: that is ptosis, and it is corrected by working on that muscle. They look alike in the mirror, and many people have a little of both.
A diagnosis made together
The first thing we do is listen and look at your case with you: what bothers you, what you would like to improve and what is realistic for you. A plan made for you comes out of that conversation, not a standard procedure.
More information about eyelid surgery
01Types of eyelid surgery
Upper blepharoplasty
Treats excess skin on the upper eyelid, which folds over the lashes and makes you look tired or gives you hooded eyes. In some cases, when it is done on its own, it can be performed under local anaesthesia only, without putting you to sleep.
Lower blepharoplasty
Focuses on the bags and the tear trough of the lower eyelid. Rather than simply removing fat, we reposition it to avoid a hollow look and achieve a smooth transition between eyelid and cheek.
Upper and lower together
When it is needed, we treat the upper and lower eyelids in the same operation. We do not do it as a matter of course, only when the case calls for it: then it rejuvenates the eyes completely, with the most balanced result and a single recovery.
Preserve, not hollow out
Classic eyelid surgery aimed to remove as much skin and fat as possible. Taken to the extreme, that leaves sunken eyes and an older look, the opposite of what you want. We work with a modern, preservation technique: we remove only what is excess, not as much as possible. On the lower eyelid we reposition the fat instead of removing it, for a smooth transition to the cheek and a rested look, never a hollow one.
02Who is a good candidate?
Eyelid surgery is indicated when the upper eyelid has excess skin that makes you look tired or droopy, or when bags and a marked trough appear on the lower eyelid. It is also a good option if that extra skin gets in the way of your vision.
There is no set age: most patients come to see us from 40 onwards, but some consider it earlier. In the consultation we assess your case and, if another technique suits you better, we will tell you honestly.
03The technique
Anaesthesia
Day surgery under local anaesthesia with sedation. No overnight stay: you go home the same day, accompanied.
Upper eyelid
We remove the excess skin and, if needed, a small amount of muscle or fat, through an incision hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid. The aim is eyes that look rested, never operated on.
Lower eyelid
We treat the bags by repositioning the fat instead of simply removing it, to avoid a hollow look. The incision is made inside the eyelid, with no visible scar.
Eyelid surgery and laser
In some cases we use energy devices to make more precise incisions and reduce bleeding. After surgery, we also use laser to refine the scars and improve the quality of the eyelid skin. They are tools in the service of the result, not a shortcut: whether they suit you is decided in the consultation.
Combined procedures
When it makes sense, we combine eyelid surgery with other techniques, such as a brow lift, tear trough treatment or a facelift, for a more complete result without a longer recovery.
04Recovery and follow-up
The first days
Some swelling and bruising is normal and easy to disguise. Discomfort is usually mild, and cold compresses in the first days make recovery easier. We recommend taking it easy for the first few days and sleeping with your head slightly raised.
Back to normal
People who work in an office or from home, without dealing with the public face to face, usually go back after 5–6 days. We remove the stitches around the sixth or seventh day, and the swelling keeps going down gradually over the following weeks. We are with you at every stage and answer any question that comes up.
The procedure
Surgery at a glance
- Duration
- 1–2 h
- Anaesthesia
- Local + sedation
- Hospital stay
- Day surgery
- Back to social life
- ~7 days
- Exercise
- 3 weeks
As a guide, upper eyelid surgery starts at €2,500. After the free assessment you receive a written quote with the final price, surgery and aftercare included.
Why choose Dr. Francisco Abreu?
Specialist in Plastic Surgery with international training, from Seoul to New York by way of Istanbul and Paris, and a particular focus on rejuvenating the eyes. Member of SECPRE, ASPS and ISAPS. He looks after you personally before, during and after surgery.
“Your eyes tell people who you are; my job is to care for them, not to change them.”
Patient reviews
Patients who trusted us
“A great professional. I'm very happy with the result, and he has a wonderful human side: he keeps checking on how the recovery is going and makes you feel at ease the whole time. (translated)”
“A wonderful surgeon, both in how he treats you and in the result. I'm delighted with him, and if I ever decide to have something else done, I won't hesitate to put myself in his hands again. (translated)”
“I didn't know what good hands I was in. Today my problem is solved and I'm happy with the result. I'd recommend him as the best in Alicante: a great professional at what he does. (translated)”
“A great team of professionals. Dr. Abreu makes you feel safe at all times. I've been to the clinic twice and I'll be back without a second thought. (translated)”
Frequently asked questions
It is the surgery that removes excess skin from the upper eyelid and treats bags under the eyes on the lower eyelid. The aim is a more rested look that keeps your natural expression.
On the upper eyelid the incision is hidden in the natural crease and, over time, becomes practically invisible. The lower eyelid is always operated from the inside, with no visible scar; only if skin needs to be removed is a very fine incision made, hidden just below the lashes.
It is not a painful operation. It is done under local anaesthesia with sedation, and afterwards most patients describe tightness rather than pain. Some people notice dry eyes for a few days, which is why we prescribe artificial tears at first.
People who work in an office or from home usually go back after 5–6 days; everyone else after about a week, once the stitches are out. Swelling and bruising can be disguised well within a few days.
Usually after 1–2 weeks, once the swelling has gone down and the eyelid has recovered. Until then glasses are better.
When excess skin on the upper eyelid rests on the lashes and narrows your field of vision, eyelid surgery gives that field of vision back, as well as the aesthetic benefit.
It depends on whether the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid or both are treated, on the technique and on the type of anaesthesia. As a guide, upper eyelid surgery starts at €2,500. After the assessment you receive a written quote with the final price, surgery and aftercare included.
Yes. When the eyelid itself has dropped because the muscle that lifts it has weakened, the correction works on that muscle, sometimes together with removing excess skin. In the assessment we tell you whether your droopy eyelid is extra skin, ptosis or both.
Yes. Dr. Abreu and his team speak English, and we answer WhatsApp messages and calls in English the same working day. Consultations are held in Alicante, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Elche and Gandia, with the same free assessment and the same prices in every clinic.
It is a very long-lasting result: the upper eyelid rarely needs a second operation. Your face keeps ageing naturally, but your eyes stay rested for many years.
Where we see you
Based in Alicante
Dr. Abreu's practice is at IMED Alicante. He also sees patients in Benidorm, Torrevieja, Elche and Gandia, so whether you live in Altea, Calpe, Orihuela Costa or Dénia you can be seen nearby, with the same free assessment and the same prices.
Main practice
IMED Alicante
Also consulting in
Benidorm · Torrevieja · Elche · Gandia
Appointments
Hours
Mon–Fri
9:00–20:00
Free assessment
Book your assessment
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