Facelift and Eyelid Surgery in One Trip: Recovery Week by Week (2026)

Yes, a facelift and eyelid surgery can be done in the same trip to Istanbul, and often in the same operation, if the partner surgeon agrees. Mayo Clinic notes that eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may be done at the same time as a face-lift, brow lift or skin resurfacing. The recovery then follows the facelift timeline, the longer of the two. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), bruising and swelling peak around days 3 and 4, many people feel ready to return to work between days 7 and 14, and facelift sutures come out between the end of week one and week three. Plan to stay at least until the partner surgeon's check at the end of the first week.

Why the two operations are often combined

Facial ageing rarely stops at the jawline. Loose skin along the jaw and neck tends to appear in the same decade as heavy upper lids or puffy lower lids, so many patients ask about both at the first consultation. Combining them means one anaesthetic, one block of downtime and one flight to Istanbul instead of two. The trade-off is a longer operation, so the partner surgeon decides whether to combine after reviewing your age, health history and medications. Our guide to combining several procedures in one trip explains how surgeons weigh operating time against a second journey.

Estetica Istanbul is a medical-tourism agency: the operation is performed by a partner plastic surgeon at a partner hospital. The facelift package starts from €3,750 and eyelid surgery from €1,850. Both prices include the partner surgeon's fee and hotel nights at the Deniz hotel; flights are never included. When both procedures are done in one operation, the partner surgeon gives a single combined quote after reviewing your photos. You can see what the facelift package in Istanbul includes before you ask for that quote.

Day 1: the night after surgery

The ASPS describes day one as the day you are likely to feel unsteady and sleepy and the day you most need pain medication. You will need someone to help you get from the hospital to the hotel, so travelling with a companion makes the first night easier. For the eyelids, Mayo Clinic advises ice packs on the eyes for 10 minutes every hour on the night after surgery, then four to five times spread across the following day. Mayo Clinic also advises sleeping with your head raised higher than your chest for a few days, so ask the hotel for extra pillows on arrival.

Days 2 to 6: dressings, peak swelling and the first check

On day 2 the ASPS describes a follow-up visit in which the surgeon removes or changes the dressings and checks the incisions and swelling. Bruising and swelling usually reach their height around days 3 and 4. Around the eyes this can mean puffiness, irritation and dry eyes; the ASPS notes that lubricating ointment and cold compresses may be used after eyelid surgery. These days are best spent resting in the hotel.

By days 4 to 6, the ASPS says most people no longer need prescription pain medication, swelling starts to decrease and light housework is often allowed. Mayo Clinic adds a firm limit for the eyelids: nothing strenuous for a week, which means no heavy lifting, swimming, jogging or aerobics. Short, slow walks are fine; hotel pools and spas are not.

Days 7 to 14: the week your face starts to look like yours

Between days 7 and 14, the ASPS says some swelling, bruising, numbness, tingling or tightness may remain, yet many people feel like themselves again and are ready to return to work and to light activities such as walking. Around the eyes, Mayo Clinic says bruising and swelling generally lessen slowly over about 10 to 14 days. If you work with the public, plan for the full two weeks before you face colleagues or clients.

Mayo Clinic advises against wearing contact lenses for about two weeks after eyelid surgery, so pack your glasses for the flight home. The partner surgeon decides the day you can fly after checking the incisions. For Italian patients, direct flights from Milano MXP or BGY and Roma FCO to Istanbul take about three hours. Our article on how long to wait before flying after a facelift covers the timing question in more detail.

Days 15 to 30: sutures and a return to exercise

The ASPS says facelift sutures may be removed anywhere from the end of week one to week three. If yours are due after you fly home, ask the partner surgeon before the operation whether they are dissolvable or whether a local doctor or nurse can remove them, and take written instructions with you. Between days 15 and 30 the ASPS says residual swelling and tightness may persist, improvements in the facial contour become visible, and you can get back to exercising. After day 30, most people have returned to their normal activities.

Months 2 to 12: the final result

The ASPS says it may take a few months to begin seeing the final result of a facelift, and that very minor swelling, bruising, tightness and numbness can take up to one year to resolve. Facelift incisions start pinkish-red and fade over time. Mayo Clinic says eyelid scars may take months to fade, and the ASPS recommends darkly tinted sunglasses until healing is complete. Patients who only need their eyelids done can follow the shorter eyelid surgery recovery timeline instead.

What to pack and who to bring

Bring glasses instead of contact lenses, dark sunglasses, button-front tops that do not pull over the head, and a printed copy of the partner surgeon's aftercare instructions. A companion is strongly recommended for day 1, when the ASPS says you will need help getting home. Your Estetica assistant stays in touch on WhatsApp during your stay and after you return home.

When to call the surgeon at once

Mayo Clinic lists the signs that need immediate medical care after eyelid surgery: shortness of breath, chest pain, an unusual heart rate, new or worsening eye pain, bleeding, or vision problems. Sudden swelling on one side of the face or bleeding through the dressings after a facelift also needs an immediate call to the partner surgeon, or emergency care if you cannot reach them. A combined facelift and eyelid operation is not risk-free, and these rules apply in Istanbul and at home.

The first step is a free video call with your Estetica assistant, who collects your photos and health history. The partner surgeon then confirms whether combining both procedures suits you and how long you should plan to stay in Istanbul.