Upper and lower blepharoplasty together typically costs between $7,000 and $12,000 when you factor in all expenses. The surgeon’s fee alone averages $3,359 for the upper lids and $3,876 for the lower lids, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. But those numbers don’t include anesthesia, the operating facility, or other charges that can add thousands to your final bill.
Surgeon’s Fees for Upper vs. Lower Lids
Upper blepharoplasty generally costs less than lower. The 2024 range reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is $3,000 to $5,500 for upper eyelid surgery and $3,709 to $6,500 for lower eyelid surgery. Lower lid work costs more because the procedure is technically more complex. Surgeons may reposition or remove fat pads beneath the eyes, tighten the lower lid muscle, or address the transition between the lower lid and cheek, all of which require more precision and operating time than trimming excess skin from the upper lid.
When you have both procedures done in the same session, some surgeons offer a combined rate that’s slightly less than booking each separately. You also save on anesthesia and facility time since everything happens at once. Still, the combined surgeon’s fee for both upper and lower lids typically falls between $6,700 and $12,000 before any additional costs.
The Costs Beyond the Surgeon’s Fee
The quoted surgeon’s fee is only one piece of your total bill. You’ll also pay for:
- Anesthesia: Upper blepharoplasty can sometimes be done under local anesthesia with light sedation, while lower blepharoplasty often requires deeper sedation or general anesthesia. Anesthesia fees for eyelid surgery generally run $500 to $1,500, depending on the type used and how long the procedure takes.
- Operating facility: Whether the surgery is performed in a hospital, an ambulatory surgical center, or an in-office surgical suite affects cost. Facility fees typically range from $500 to $2,000.
- Pre-operative testing: If your surgeon requires bloodwork, an EKG, or visual field testing, those carry their own charges.
- Post-operative supplies: Prescription eye drops, cold compresses, and follow-up visits are usually minor but can add a few hundred dollars.
Adding these together, the all-in cost for combined upper and lower blepharoplasty realistically lands between $7,000 and $14,000 for most patients.
Why Prices Vary So Much by Location
Where you live (or where you travel for surgery) has a major impact on price. Practices in New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago tend to charge at the high end of the range, with some clinics reaching $10,000 or more for a single procedure. Cities with high concentrations of plastic surgeons competing for patients, like Miami, sometimes offer lower pricing. Smaller metro areas and suburban practices generally fall below the national average.
Beyond geography, a surgeon’s experience and specialization matter. Oculoplastic surgeons (ophthalmologists with additional fellowship training in eyelid and orbital surgery) and board-certified plastic surgeons with high-volume blepharoplasty practices tend to charge more than general cosmetic surgeons. The variation in technique also plays a role. A lower blepharoplasty that repositions fat to fill a hollow tear trough takes more skill and time than one that simply removes a small fat pocket, and the price reflects that.
When Insurance Covers Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper blepharoplasty is one of the few cosmetic-adjacent procedures that insurance may partially or fully cover, but only when excess eyelid skin is blocking your vision. This is called functional blepharoplasty, and insurers have specific criteria you’ll need to meet.
A representative set of requirements (based on MassHealth guidelines, which many private insurers mirror) includes all of the following: you must have a documented complaint of functional impairment from the drooping skin, photographs in a straight-ahead gaze showing the tissue overhanging or pushing down on your eyelashes, and automated visual field testing showing at least 12 degrees of superior vision loss. When the eyelid skin is taped up out of the way, your visual field must improve by 30% or more. Your surgeon also needs to confirm that the obstruction is caused by excess skin rather than a weakened eyelid muscle, which is a different condition called ptosis.
If you meet these criteria, insurance typically covers the upper lids only. Lower blepharoplasty is almost always considered cosmetic and is not covered. If you’re having both done together, expect to pay the lower lid portion entirely out of pocket while filing an insurance claim for the upper lids.
Financing and Payment Options
Because cosmetic blepharoplasty isn’t covered by insurance, most practices offer payment plans or accept medical financing through companies like CareCredit or Prosper Healthcare Lending. These plans often advertise zero-interest promotional periods of 6 to 24 months, though interest rates jump significantly if the balance isn’t paid off in time.
Some patients reduce costs by choosing local anesthesia with oral sedation instead of general anesthesia, or by having surgery in an office-based surgical suite rather than a hospital. These choices aren’t appropriate for every case, particularly for lower blepharoplasty, so they’re worth discussing with your surgeon during a consultation. Most consultations cost $50 to $200, with many practices applying that fee toward the procedure if you book.
What Revision Surgery Costs
Revision blepharoplasty, needed when results from a first procedure are unsatisfactory or complications arise, is generally more expensive than a primary surgery. The tissue has already been altered, scar tissue may be present, and the margin for error is smaller. Revision cases require surgeons with specialized experience, and many charge a premium of 20% to 50% above their standard blepharoplasty rate. If you’re consulting with a new surgeon for revision work, you’ll typically pay their full fee with no credit from the original procedure.