Fox Eye Surgery Cost and Procedure Guide

If you find yourself longing for the look of wide, almond-shaped eyes, you’re in luck. Fox eye surgery is a popular cosmetic surgery trend, changing your eye shape in a way that might be described as alluring.

Yet no cosmetic procedure is without potential side effects, and the cost of fox eye surgery can be substantial. Here’s what you need to know about this trendy procedure.

What Is Fox Eye Surgery?

Medically called “canthopexy” or “canthoplasty,” fox eye surgery lifts the outer corners (canthi) of your eyes, drawing them slightly upward and outward.¹

Plastic surgeons, dermatologists and eye surgeons perform canthopexy and canthoplasty for medical reasons, as well as cosmetic ones. These procedures tighten the lower eyelid to correct drooping that can be caused by normal aging or disease processes. Surgeons perform the less-invasive canthopexy to reinforce existing lid structure using more minimal techniques like placing a single suture. They perform canthoplasty to provide substantial structural support and tightening to the lower eyelid.²

Interestingly, what pop culture terms "fox eye surgery” often isn’t a single procedure. To achieve the look of a wide, tilted eye, some plastic surgeons perform several procedures in a single surgery, including canthoplasty or canthopexy, blepharoplasty (removal of skin and fat in the upper or lower eyelids), midface lift and eyebrow lift.³

If you’re considering fox eye surgery, you should consult several plastic surgeons to find out what they recommend to achieve the look you desire.

How Much Does Fox Eye Surgery Cost?

The national average cost** of a canthoplasty fox eye surgery is $6,112, but costs can range from $4,099 to $10,354. Costs can vary based on the surgeon's experience, your geographic location and other factors.⁴

Calculate the cost of fox eye surgery near you**

Fox eye surgery (canthoplasty) cost by state/district

Below is a breakdown of the average cost** of fox eye surgery (canthoplasty) by all 50 states and the District of Columbia:⁴

If you have multiple procedures done during fox eye surgery, such as a midface lift, brow lift, dermal fillers or BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, your cost may be substantially higher.

Does Insurance Cover Fox Eye Surgery?

When procedures like fox eye surgery are performed solely for cosmetic reasons, they’re not likely to be covered by insurance. However, when canthoplasty or canthopexy is medically necessary to improve function, it may be covered by insurance. Your surgeon can advise you on this issue.

How Can You Pay for Fox Eye Surgery?

There are several ways to pay for fox eye surgery, depending on what your provider offers and your budget. Some pay upfront with cash, check or a credit/debit card. Others may choose a payment plan offered through the practice.

If you’d prefer to pay over time, the CareCredit credit card is another option many patients use for out-of-pocket health and wellness services. If approved, you can make monthly payments (with promotional financing options where available). Promotional financing options vary, so review the details and ask the office whether they accept CareCredit before deciding.

Is Fox Eye Surgery Right for You?

Your surgeon will help you decide if fox eye surgery or a fox eye thread lift is right for you. Your overall suitability for a cosmetic procedure will depend on many factors, including your general health, ability to tolerate anesthesia, any chronic diseases you have and more. Certain chronic conditions like diabetes might lead to more complications.⁵

How Does Fox Eye Surgery Work?

Preparation

Typical preoperative instructions for eyelid surgery include:⁶

• Avoiding aspirin or other blood-thinning medications for a period of time prior to surgery
• Avoiding smoking
• Avoiding alcohol consumption
• Discontinuing food and beverages at the time specified by your surgeon

Before fox eye surgery, you also should:

• Arrange for transportation home because you won’t be able to drive yourself
• Arrange your sleeping area for recovery (Some surgeons recommend elevating the head after eyelid surgery, so you may need to prop yourself up on pillows or sleep in a recliner for a few days.)
• Fill prescriptions for any pain medications provided in advance by your plastic surgeon

Procedure

On the day of surgery, you will report to an operating room facility. This may be at the plastic surgeon’s office, or it may be at a different location, like a hospital or ambulatory surgery center.

You should leave valuables at home and wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.

You’ll change into a hospital gown, receive an IV with fluids and medications, chat with an anesthesiology provider and be transferred to the operating room. The anesthesiology provider will administer medications that make you go to sleep, during which your surgeon will perform the procedure. The next thing you know, you’ll be waking up in the recovery room.

After the surgery, you may experience:

• Bruising
• Grogginess
• Pain (usually minimal)
• Swelling

You may have bandages or compression wraps on the areas of your eyes and face that received surgical procedures. You should read your discharge instructions carefully regarding when and how to remove any dressings or compression wraps.

Possible Side Effects of Fox Eye Surgery

No surgical procedure is without potential complications. General anesthesia alone carries significant possible effects and any invasive surgery carries the possibility of infection.

That said, eyelid surgeries like fox eye surgery tend to be safe for most people. Potential complications from fox eye surgery may include:⁷

• Adverse reaction to medications
• Asymmetry of the eyes (the fox eye shape doesn’t match on both sides)
• Damage to the eye or loss of vision
• Dry eyes
• Eyelid drooping or paralysis
• Inability to fully close the eyes (usually due to swelling that ultimately resolves)
• Scarring
• Slow healing

Although fox eye thread lift is minimally invasive, it nonetheless can result in the following:⁴⁹

• Asymmetry of the eyes
• Pain
• Puckering or dimpling of the skin where the threads were inserted
• Visible threads under the skin

You should thoroughly discuss potential side effects with your surgeon in advance of having a fox eye procedure. Make sure you communicate well with your surgeon and share the same vision for the aesthetic results you expect after the procedure.

Fox Eye Surgery Recovery Tips

Your surgeon will provide specific, detailed instructions for what to do in the first hours and days after your fox eye procedure. Follow these instructions carefully because failure to adhere to the post-op instructions can result in injury or poor aesthetic results.

Common post-procedure instructions for fox eye surgery or thread lift include:

• Elevating your head, including while sleeping, for several days
• Not lifting objects weighing more than a few pounds (your surgeon will provide specifics)
• Not exercising, other than walking
• Taking any pain medications as prescribed
• Caring for sutures as instructed
• Changing or removing bandages or compression wraps on a specific schedule

Follow up with your surgeon on the schedule provided. Call the office if you experience excessive wound discharge, excessive swelling, loss of vision or other nonemergency symptoms.

An Alternative to Fox Eye Surgery

One alternative to fox eye surgery is the fox eye thread lift. This minimally invasive procedure involves placing one or more thin sutures (threads) under your skin using local anesthetic. The edges of these threads are dotted with barbs or cones to grasp soft tissues and pull them upwards when the surgeon tightens them.⁸

The threads are made of materials that your body will absorb over time — usually over six months to a year. After the threads dissolve, your tissues will relax again, and the fox eye look will gradually go away. A fox eye thread lift may be best for someone who wants a temporary change of appearance instead of a long-term commitment.⁸

Frequently Asked Questions About Fox Eye Surgery

Do you still have questions about fox eye surgery? Here are answers to some common questions about this procedure.

Financing Fox Eye Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for fox eye surgery and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Elizabeth Hanes, R.N., has substantial clinical experience and diverse expertise including critical care, plastic and reconstructive surgery, heart health, nutrition and senior health. For over 20 years, she has blended her clinical background with writing for leading healthcare publications, such as WebMD, Anthem, Healthgrades and Modern Healthcare, among others. She is committed to creating exceptional healthcare content that informs and educates both patients and health professionals.