Dr Spindle came highly referred and I have the pleasure of now being another reason why! He is one of the few ocular plastic surgeons and has outstanding experience and training. He’s demeanor, confidence and staff are all phenomenal. He’s honest, and explains in detail his methodology and technique. I appreciated the time he took in his consult and explanations. I feel I look refreshed and have more confidence being that I spend a lot of the time in my profession in the OR where people can only see your eyes!! For the record... There was little down time (I went to work the next day! )
Having a dad whose eyes droop beyond his lashes, I noticed my lids inching their way to the same position. I wanted to get “ahead of the curve” so to speak, and felt this was a good time to begin the effort. I researched doctors and eventually found a doctor very close to my small hometown. Because I am a teacher, I have a limited window for the procedure. From the beginning, Dr. Spindle and his staff have been wonderful! Today is the day after the procedure. Updated on 3 Jul 2018: Pics from recovery. Updated on 4 Jul 2018: Pics from recovery Updated on 1 Jan 2021:
Dr Jordan Spindle of Heaton Eye A Dr Jordan Spindle of Heaton Eye Associates in Tyler, Texas did my upper blepharoplasty. That night, I noticed I could not fully close my left eye, but hoped it was just due to swelling (it wasn’t). A couple of days later, a deep “crater” developed on the outer corner of my left eye. It looked to me like a stitch had popped, which was likely due to my eye straining to close since he’d removed too much skin. I called, then texted pictures to Dr Spindle. He did not seem too concerned, but told me I could come in “if it would make me feel better”. When the incisions healed, a protruding flap of skin had developed at the outer corner of my left eye in the same spot where the “crater” had been. He said he could remove the flap and scar. I was incredulous at this suggestion, because I was already having to force-close my eyelid! What was he thinking? I did permit him to cut off the skin flap - - and he made a new mess. He cut it entirely too deep and created yet another scar! He nonchalantly told me “Oh well, you can cover it up with makeup.” Really? I went to a renowned Dallas plastic surgeon who told me nothing could be done about my raised left eyelid scar and concave scar (where flap was cut too deep), because I simply have no “wiggle room” due to Dr Spindle cutting off too much skin. I then contacted Dr Spindle and requested a refund of my $3000. He said it was their office policy to never give refunds, yet he offered me $1000 “to help me out”, with the stipulation that I sign a non-disclosure agreement. I refused. I wish I’d never chosen Dr Spindle.
My eye bags/fat pads under my eyes have gotten progressively worse over the last 5 years. They are hereditary and after trying every topical option on the market, I came to accept that surgery was the only option of removing them. I had 3 consultations over the course of 2 years (one with an optometrist, one with a PS, and one with an ocular PS.) I finally decided to pull the trigger and go with the second doc (the ocular PS.) I wasn’t planning on doing a review, but decided to go ahead since I’ve gained so much info from the other reviews on this site. My procedure was yesterday (4/10/19.) Updated on 11 Apr 2019: I thought I would include some pics of my eyes before my surgery. I took some a couple days before the procedure without makeup. And then some in the waiting room but the lighting was weird with the sunlight. It was hard to find pics with makeup that showed my bags because I’ve become an expert at taking pics with the right lighting/flash and/or applying the right filter or throwing on a fun pair of sunglasses! But I found a couple recent ones to show my always tired looking eyes. Updated on 11 Apr 2019: So yesterday was my procedure. I had a lower blepharoplasty with fat removal and skin pinch. It was all done while awake. I was quite nervous because I have a total eye phobia. Anything having to do with eyes gross me out. Haha Even having to put eye drops in is a whole ordeal. I psych myself out every time. But I’m happy to say everything went well. When I arrived, Dr. Spindle came in and we visited about everything to make sure we were on the same page with what I wanted for results. (It has been 7 months since my consultation.) He is an oculoplastic surgeon and made me feel very comfortable trusting him with my eyes. After we reviewed everything and I signed my consent forms, I was given 3 valiums and sent to the waiting room for them to kick in. I was definitely feeling good and relaxed by the time they called me back in. The worst part of it all by far was the numbing of the eyes. I lost track of how many needles went in my eyes... felt like 5 or 6 per eye? Was a quick sting each time. After that I couldn’t feel anything. When he finished the left eye and started on the right, there were a couple times when I could feel more than I would have liked. But he was good about injecting more lidocaine whenever that happened. He told me to expect a burning smell, and boy was he right. He did the fat removal from inside the eye lids of both eyes. And the did the skin pinch on each eye with incisions below the lower lash line. He did comment that I had more fat than he expected once he got in there. I wish I would have thought to ask to see it after but to be honest I was pretty loopy from the Valium. He also commented how most people start bruising before the procedure was over with and I had minimal bruising so hopefully that is a good sign of things to come. The procedure lasted maybe 30-45 minutes?? They gave me an ice mask to put on and my husband helped me to the car. I was starting to feel some pain by the time we got to the pharmacy for my pain meds. Of course they weren’t ready yet, so we picked up some lunch to go, went back to the pharmacy and then headed home. I got home around 1pm, took my Tylenol 3 (with codeine) that the doc prescribed. Ate my lunch. Then laid back (elevated) and napped on and off for a couple hours with my ice mask. My doctor called to check on me around 6pm which I thought was great. He answered some questions I had forgotten to ask in my Valium stupor. I’ll attach some pics post op. I took one more pain pill at 5pm, and then one at 10pm. And no more since then. I applied the ointment he prescribed me sometime after dinnertime. Updated on 11 Apr 2019: Last night went well. I took a pain pill before bed just in case it might help me sleep better. I have one of those half chair cushion things that I put in my bed. I slept much better than anticipated. Not great. But better than expected. I woke up around 2:00 to use the restroom and I got another ice mask out of the freezer and put it on before going back to sleep. My eyes were usually stuck shut when I tried to open them in the middle of the night and in the morning, but I expected that from the extra fluids, ointments, and goop. I woke up expecting to see the worst in the mirror but actually felt like it looked better than when I went to bed! I’ve had zero pain today. No pain meds. Vision is a little blurry at times. Especially after I put the drops in my eyes. I’ve been taking it easy. Resting on the couch (inclined) with my ice packs. I texted my doc this morning to show him my concern about is my upper eye lids look like they are pulled down at the corners... giving me a “sad eye” look and making a weird crease on the top lid. He called me immediately to assure me that everything is looking good and that once the swelling goes down, the upper lid will go back to normal. I trust him and I’m not worried. I feel like I already see an improvement since last night. Still swelling and some bruising overall, but not as bad as I was expecting. I know it might still get worse before it gets better but so far I’m pleased with the progress. The incisions seem a little lower than I was expecting, but again... I’m trusting my doctor and the process and will be patient as I heal. Curious to see if I have more bruising tomorrow or not as I’ve heard day 2 or 3 can be the worst. Updated on 12 Apr 2019: Well... The good news is that the swelling seems to have gone down some. The bad news is that I have some pretty new colors today. It is most yellows so I’m hoping that means they won’t get any worse. Still no pain other than a few little zings occasionally in the outermost part of my incisions. I’m sure it’s just nerves reconnecting. My eyes have been a little itchy today but nothing too bad. Still been icing as much as I can. Tomorrow I will switch to heat compresses. I texted my doc last night about the redness in my right eye. He confirmed it is a small subconjunctival hemorrhage with a little chemosis. But all normal and nothing to worry about. Here are some pics from the end of the afternoon of day 2 post op. Updated on 14 Apr 2019: All is going well. I switched to heat compresses yesterday (day 3 post op.) I feel like my bruising peaked yesterday, even though it was still better than I was expecting. I think the heat is working because even from this morning to this evening, I can see a big improvement in the bruising. Still no pain. I’m continuing to sleep with my head elevated. Applying steroid/antibiotic ointment 2/day. I’m happy with my results so far, but hoping there is still swelling that will continue to go down. Although my husband keeps commenting about how the fat bags are all gone... so that’s good that he can see a difference in his end! Updated on 16 Apr 2019: I had my follow-up appointment with my surgeon this morning and everything went great. He kept saying that he couldn’t get over how well I have healed. He even had to check his notes to confirm it had only been 6 days since the bruising is pretty much all gone. He cleared me to start wearing make-up again (hallelujah!), showed me some massages to do, and basically told me to keep doing whatever I’ve been doing because it’s been working. He said the compresses and ointments were optional at this point and that I don’t have to worry about sleeping inclined anymore since most of the swelling is gone. I plan to keep doing the ointment at night until the redness is gone and artificial tears as needed. And I’ve come to really like my eye mask (from Walgreens), so might still do some cold compresses occasionally because it feels good on my eyes. (And my family leaves me alone when they see I have it on!) I feel like my under eyes are still puffy, which is completely to be expected at only 6 days post op. I can see an improvement from before surgery, but still have bags. But I’m optimistic they will continue to go away in the coming weeks. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s been less than a week...and l’m not completely healed despite the bruising being gone. I’ve attached some pics. I think the biggest improvement can be seen when I smile. No big bags. And please note, my eyes were asymmetrical before the surgery. :) I can’t say enough good things about my surgeon. I’m really glad I decided to go with an oculoplastic surgeon. I don’t have to go back for another 3 months, but I’ve got his cell and he told me to call/text if I have any concerns between now and then. I’m having a BA next Wednesday (with another doc) so I’m glad this recovery has gone so well. So now fingers crossed, the BA goes as well, too! Updated on 16 Apr 2019: Put some light makeup on for the first time tonight. Still some swelling but I feel much more human now! Updated on 18 Apr 2019: Today is Day 8. I’ve attached some pics without makeup. My incisions have healed well and even without makeup I think it would be hard for someone to immediately notice I had surgery. My eyeballs are still “angry.” The chemosis is still there. Still putting ointment in at night to help. But my eyes often feel itchy and the swelling of the membranes makes it sometimes feel like there is something in my eye when there’s not. Artificial tears helps. I had some new swelling pop up yesterday on my upper right cheek bone. From what I’ve read this is not uncommon... just gravity working on the swelling and moving it south. I’m doing compresses and massages and I feel like it’s already better than yesterday. I attached some pics in “good” lighting to better show the incisions. I also attached some in “bad” lighting to show that I still have bags. While it’s disappointing, I have to remember it has just been a week. And from everything I’ve read, it can take up to 3 months or longer to see the final results. My eyes went through a lot last week and residual swelling is to be expected. (Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself!) Haha It’s just hard to remember that when everything else has healed so well and quickly.
Blepharoplasty incisions often extend laterally past the corner of your eyelid. This is necessary to remove the proper amount of tissue while retaining a natural crease. These incisions blend in beautifully over time.
2 years out from your surgery is plenty of time to heal. At this point, what you have would need to be revised if you are unhappy with the results. Depending on the amount of residual skin on your upper eyelids, it may be simple to just excise and suture back together.
Often, the best approach to facial cosmetic surgery is to do non-symmetric surgery to achieve the symmetry you desire. A unilateral or bilateral (left>right) blepharoplasty would likely meet your needs depending on you post operative desires. An Oculoplastic surgeon would be able to adequately address this problem.
That is a very normal incision line for a blepharoplasty. It is necessary to extend that far out to get extra skin so that you don't have only excess there.
Due to the very thin nature of the eyelid skin with little underlying skin elements, I have found keloids to be very rare during eyelid surgery. I have operated on numerous individuals from similar descent that DO have a history of keloids, but do not get them after eyelid surgery. Perioperative and postoperative steroid injections are helpful to prevent this complication. Hope that helps!
