The right blepharoplasty surgeon is not simply the one with the most followers or the lowest price. Look for a surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register (for example in Plastic Surgery), with a qualification such as FRCS (Plast), membership of BAAPS or BAPRAS, regular experience of eyelid surgery, a CQC-registered hospital, and a clear aftercare plan. A thorough, unhurried consultation with the surgeon in person is essential.
Check the GMC Specialist Register
Any doctor can legally call themselves a cosmetic surgeon in the UK, so qualifications matter. The General Medical Council keeps a Specialist Register listing doctors who have completed recognised specialist training. You can search it online by name or GMC number.
For eyelid surgery, look for a surgeon on the Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery, or in Ophthalmology for surgeons who specialise in oculoplastic surgery. Both routes involve years of structured training. If a surgeon is not on the Specialist Register, ask why.
The register also shows whether a doctor holds a licence to practise and whether any conditions or warnings apply to their registration. It takes only a minute to check, and it is one of the most reliable ways to separate trained specialists from practitioners who have taken short courses in cosmetic procedures.
Qualifications and memberships
- FRCS (Plast): the fellowship examination taken at the end of UK plastic surgery training.
- BAAPS: the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, whose full members are specialist plastic surgeons with a focus on cosmetic surgery.
- BAPRAS: the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, representing the specialty as a whole.
- Royal College certification: the Royal College of Surgeons offers cosmetic surgery certification for surgeons meeting set standards.
For reference, Mr Reza Nassab is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register (GMC 4704243), holds the FRCS (Plast) and sits on the BAAPS Council.
Experience with eyelid surgery
Eyelid surgery is precise work where small differences matter. Ask how often the surgeon performs upper and lower blepharoplasty, whether they perform both skin and transconjunctival approaches, and how they manage lower-lid support and brow position.
Ask to see consented examples of patients with similar features to yours. Photographs should be consistent in lighting and angle, without filters, and should include a range of results rather than only the most dramatic.
The hospital and the team
Surgery should take place in a hospital or clinic registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England, which you can check on the CQC website. Ask who will give the anaesthetic, whether an anaesthetist is present for sedation or general anaesthesia, and what happens if you need to stay overnight.
Mr Nassab operates at Deansgate Hospital in Manchester and at a private hospital in London, and some local anaesthetic procedures may be carried out at CLNQ.
What a good consultation looks like
You should meet the operating surgeon, not a sales adviser, and have time to talk through your concerns. The surgeon should take a medical and eye history, examine the lids and brows carefully, explain what surgery can and cannot achieve, and discuss risks including dry eye, asymmetry and the rare but serious risk of bleeding behind the eye.
You should receive a written quote and be encouraged to take time before deciding. Good practice includes a cooling-off period and the option of a second consultation.
Red flags to watch for
- Pressure to book: discounts for booking on the day or time-limited offers.
- Cheap packages abroad: low prices bundled with travel, often with little or no follow-up once you return home.
- No surgeon at consultation: meeting only a coordinator or salesperson.
- No aftercare plan: no clear emergency contact or follow-up schedule.
- Unrealistic promises: claims of an ideal or lifelong result, or risks brushed aside.
Cost and value
Price matters, but it should be judged against what is included. A transparent quote covers the surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, theatre and routine follow-up. At Mr Nassab’s practice, upper blepharoplasty starts from £5,000 under local anaesthetic and the £150 consultation is charged separately. See the blepharoplasty cost guide for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a plastic surgeon or an oculoplastic surgeon be chosen?
Both can be suitable. The key is specialist registration, specific eyelid surgery experience and good aftercare.
How can a surgeon’s GMC status be checked?
Search the GMC online register by name or number to see their registration and any specialist listing.
Are online reviews reliable?
They can help, but check qualifications independently. Reviews alone do not show training or safety.
Is surgery abroad cheaper and safe?
It may be cheaper, but follow-up is harder, and complications may need treatment after you return home, often at extra cost.
How many consultations are advisable before deciding?
At least one detailed consultation, with a second if you have more questions. Never feel rushed into booking.
