I think most people would agree that there are few areas on the human body that have a deeper connection to who an individual is then the eyes.  I suppose this is because of the eye’s ability to convey emotion and to hint at what an individual may be feeling as in, “a window into the soul”.  When someone is considering cosmetic eye surgery usually their biggest fear is that they don’t want to drastically change their appearance.  Generally what they are saying is that they don’t want to change their identity that they feel they convey with their eyes.  What most of these patients do want is to just discard their  tired look that brought them into the Doctor’s office in the first place.  Fortunately for the Plastic Surgeon only the later of these is possible.

The eye area is one of the first problem areas that cause patients to seek the help of a Plastic Surgeon.  This is because eyelids comprise the thinnest skin on the human body.  Thousands of times a day we move this skin while blinking and conversing.  All this movement paired with a greater amount of sun exposure than other body parts causes the skin to wrinkle at an earlier age than the rest of our face in most people.  The protective fat around our eyeballs begins to herniate out causing those unattractive bags.

Like all new prospective patients, the first consultation starts off with a detailed interview about the overall health status of the patient.  Then the conversation turns to focus more on the specific complaints relating to the appearance of the eyes and any associated problems or issues pertaining to this area.  The eyes are then examined with the patient in front of a mirror so she/he and I are looking at the same thing as I discuss what can be done and how.

Cosmetic eye surgery centers around removing or relocating the fat bags, as well as tightening the skin.  Patients generally state that the surgery is less painful than they anticipated and all sutures are removed by the sixth post operative day.  Results start to show by one week and continue to improve over the first few months.  For those not ready, or willing, to undergo a surgical procedure great gains can be made with Botox.  This agent can reduce crow’s feet and change the shape of the brow to minimize the extra upper eyelid skin.

Wherever you draw your line in the sand options to improve those windows into your soul exist.

Dr Roland

Well after several months of having this blog I’ve often asked myself what I should I write about.  The problem is that it’s much easier for me to figure out what not to write about when I surf the Internet for ideas.  For instance,  I will not write about celebrity body parts and what seems to have gotten bigger or smaller on the cover of the tabloids.  I will not write about areas that I know nothing about, and I will not write in a way that glorifies Plastic Surgery to be more than it is.

Plastic Surgery means many different things to different people.  Sure it can conjure up thoughts of certain entertainer’s large breasts or of others over done noses, but to many others Plastic Surgery means a reconstructed breast lost to cancer, a life saved from a deadly burn, or the use of a severed limb that was replanted.  My goal for this blog is to familiarize those who read it with useful information about the various procedures offered, and to sometimes comment on some of the trends and associations between Plastic Surgery and our society that I find interesting.  Cosmetic Surgery has become very popular in the last several years, prime time sitcoms and reality shows have brought enhancement surgery into our homes almost on a nightly basis.  At the same time managed care HMOs have made obtaining reimbursement more difficult for Doctors in all fields.  This has led to a wave of non-Plastic Surgeons performing procedures and operations outside their fields.  I’ve heard of Cardiologists giving Botox injections and of Dentists performing face lifts.  These Doctors are trying to make up the lost revenue which their insurance based practices have suffered.  As the consumer, the patient needs to do their due diligence, and check on their potential Doctor’s qualifications and areas of expertise before signing up for any procedure.  As we’re all aware of health reform is in the works, it seems over due.  Rising medical costs paired with decreased accessibility surely seems like a recipe for disaster.  I’m hopeful that things will improve in the future and I will make sure to discuss how these changes will effect Plastic Surgery.