Under-eye surgery (lower blepharoplasty) typically totals $4,000–$8,000 in the U.S.; complex cases can run higher.
Price questions come up fast once under-eye bags or hollowing start to bother you. This guide breaks down the real-world math behind lower eyelid procedures, what pushes the number up or down, and how to read a quote with confidence. You’ll see typical fees, timelines, and safe ways to plan a budget without cutting corners on safety.
Under-Eye Surgery Price Range And What Drives It
Lower eyelid procedures sit in a wide band because the work varies. Some patients need fat removal only; others need fat repositioning, skin tightening, or canthopexy support. Surgeon reputation, anesthesia choice, and where the operation happens all play a role. A common all-in range runs $4,000–$8,000, while premium markets, combined procedures, or complex revision cases can cross $10,000.
What “Under-Eye Surgery” Usually Means
Most quotes refer to lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Techniques include transconjunctival (incision on the inner lid) for fat work with no external line, and transcutaneous (just below the lashes) when skin needs trimming or when tightening is planned. Fat can be removed, repositioned, or blended with tiny grafts to smooth the lid-cheek transition.
Typical U.S. Cost Components
Every estimate groups several fees. Some clinics bundle them; others itemize. Either way, the total comes from three buckets: surgeon fee, anesthesia, and facility.
Common Price Components And Typical Ranges
| Component | What It Includes | Typical Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon Fee | Planning, surgery, early follow-ups | $2,800–$5,000 |
| Anesthesia | Local with sedation or general; provider time | $500–$1,800 |
| Facility | OR time, staff, equipment, supplies | $700–$2,200 |
| Adjuncts | Laser/skin pinch/canthopexy if needed | $300–$1,500 |
| Medications | Ointments, drops, pain control, cold packs | $30–$150 |
| Follow-ups Beyond Standard | Extra visits or minor touch-ups | $0–$500 |
For a reference point on surgeon fees alone, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports national averages for eyelid procedures each year. The numbers on that page reflect the surgeon portion and exclude anesthesia and facility charges, which is why your all-in total runs higher. See the current breakdown on the ASPS eyelid surgery cost page.
How Technique And Setting Change The Quote
Technique and setting are the biggest levers. A short, inner-lid approach with no skin removal is faster and may use lighter anesthesia. If skin laxity needs attention, expect a different plan and longer room time. The setting matters too: accredited office ORs can be leaner than hospital ORs, while complex cases may require hospital resources.
Technique Choices
- Transconjunctival fat work: Aimed at bags from fat herniation; often paired with fat repositioning to smooth the lid-cheek step.
- Transcutaneous with skin trim: Adds skin tightening; may include canthopexy for corner support.
- Energy or peel add-ons: Laser, peel, or radiofrequency can refine texture but add to the total.
Anesthesia Options
Many cases use local anesthesia with sedation, handled by an anesthetist. Some surgeons prefer general anesthesia for longer combos or patient comfort. The choice affects safety planning and cost. Lighter anesthesia and shorter room time can trim the bill; long general anesthesia increases it.
Facility Type
- Accredited office OR: Often the most cost-efficient for straightforward cases.
- Ambulatory surgery center: Middle ground on price and resources.
- Hospital OR: Reserved for complex scenarios, revisions, or when medical conditions require it; highest facility fees.
What A Fair Quote Looks Like
A clear estimate names the plan, the facility, the anesthesia type, and what’s included. You should see the surgeon fee, expected OR time, and a tally of any add-ons. Ask about the time window for included follow-ups, whether suture removal visits are covered, and policies for minor in-office tweaks.
Checklist For Your Estimate
- Technique named: inner-lid, skin trim, fat repositioning, canthopexy if planned
- Anesthesia type and provider
- Facility accreditation and location
- What’s bundled: meds, cold packs, eye shields, follow-ups
- Payment schedule, cancellation policy, financing terms
Insurance And Medical Necessity
Lower eyelid work for cosmetic bags is self-pay in nearly all cases. Policies handle functional problems differently, and most medical necessity rules apply to upper lids that block the visual field. Coverage hinges on formal testing, photographs, and documentation, not personal preference. Medicare and many private plans publish clear criteria; see the Medicare policy article that outlines covered indications and documentation for eyelid surgery in a non-cosmetic context on the CMS medical policy page.
When A Plan Might Help Pay
- Visual field loss proven by testing and improved with lid taping (usually upper lids)
- Ptosis repair for a droopy lid that blocks sight
- Lid malposition from disease or prior trauma
Under-eye cosmetic bags without a functional issue almost never meet those thresholds, so plan for an elective budget.
Sample Budgets You Can Use To Plan
These rounded figures help set expectations. Your quote may land outside these ranges based on surgeon, market, and plan details.
| Scenario | Typical Total (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inner-Lid Fat Work, Office OR | $4,200–$5,500 | Local with sedation; no skin trim |
| Fat Reposition + Skin Trim, ASC | $5,800–$7,800 | Longer room time; canthopexy if needed |
| Revision Or Complex Case, Hospital OR | $8,000–$12,000+ | Long anesthesia; extra monitoring |
Cost Vs. Value: Where To Spend, Where To Save
Board certification, eyelid-focused experience, and vetted facilities are worth paying for. Those guardrails reduce risk and raise the odds of a smooth result. Savings come from simpler plans when anatomy allows, accredited office ORs, and lighter anesthesia when appropriate. Combining upper and lower lids can share facility costs, yet it increases anesthesia time; weigh comfort, downtime, and risk against the discount.
Smart Ways To Keep The Bill In Check
- Match the plan to the problem: If skin quality is good, fat repositioning without a skin trim may be enough.
- Pick the right setting: Accredited office ORs often post lower facility fees for straightforward cases.
- Pick the right time: Some clinics price seasonal blocks; ask about off-peak days.
- Use transparent financing: Choose low-fee options; avoid high APR traps.
- Protect your revision fund: Keep a small reserve for extra visits or small tweaks.
Recovery Timeline And Time Off
Plan two weeks before social events, with swelling settling in the first several days and quiet exercise after clearance. Most desk jobs resume within a week. Bruising can linger; makeup waits until cleared. Sleep with your head up, use cold compresses as instructed, and keep drops or ointments handy. Smokers heal slower, and some medications raise bruising risk; your surgeon will screen and time the plan around that.
Normal Milestones
- Day 1–3: Swelling and tightness peak, then ease
- Day 4–7: Bruising colors shift; light activity returns
- Week 2: Back to most routine tasks; swelling keeps fading
- Month 1–3: Shape refines; final contour continues to settle
Risks To Understand Before You Book
Complications are uncommon with skilled teams, yet no surgery is risk-free. Known issues include bleeding, infection, dry eyes, eyelid position changes, scarring, and rare vision problems. A careful exam, accurate measurements, and a plan that respects your anatomy reduce those odds. Read a plain-language overview on the Mayo Clinic blepharoplasty page if you want a medical summary of risks and aftercare.
How Prices Compare To Non-Surgical Options
Fillers can soften a hollow but don’t remove bulging fat. Tear-trough filler sessions often run $600–$1,200 per visit and need maintenance. Energy treatments can tighten mild crepe skin or texture but don’t address large bags. When anatomy shows true fat herniation or a strong lid-cheek step, surgery gives a durable fix that outlasts multiple filler top-ups. Many patients still pair procedures: a measured filler touch below the cheek or a light resurfacing pass once healing is complete.
Questions To Ask During Consults
- How many lower lid surgeries do you perform each month?
- Which technique are you recommending and why?
- What will anesthesia look like for my case?
- Where will we operate, and is the facility accredited?
- What result can I expect based on my photos and skin quality?
- What are your policies on revisions or extra visits?
- What does the fee include, and what could add cost?
Realistic Budget Plans
Build your number from the ground up. Start with surgeon fee quotes from two experienced eyelid surgeons in your city. Add anesthesia and facility from each office, then compare like-for-like plans. If quotes differ, ask to see operative time and technique notes. Price gaps often reflect room time, technique complexity, or bundled add-ons such as laser or canthopexy. Pick the plan that fits your anatomy and risk tolerance, not just the lowest sticker.
Two-Quote Strategy
Line up one consult with an oculoplastic surgeon and one with a plastic surgeon who routinely operates on lower lids. You’ll hear two styles and see where they agree. When both recommend the same technique and similar room time, your budget forecast is probably on the right track.
Red Flags That Raise Risk Or Cost Later
- Vague estimates with no line items
- Facility with no accreditation or unknown anesthesia provider
- Promises of scar-free magic with no talk of trade-offs
- Pressure pricing that expires before you can think
- No pre-op eye surface evaluation when you have dryness symptoms
Putting It All Together
A careful plan, a clear quote, and realistic downtime make this a predictable investment. Most patients land between $4,000 and $8,000 for a single-area, lower lid operation in an accredited setting. Choose a surgeon who shows you case-matched photos, explains the technique, and details what’s included. Spend where safety lives—experience, anesthesia, and facility—then trim with smart choices on setting and timing. That’s how you reach a smooth contour and a bill you expected.