Opthamologist or Plastic Surgeon for Eyelid Surgery?

Question

I am turning 60 soon and have asked a number of people for recommendations on who to perform upper and lower eyelid surgery. Some recommend a plastic surgeon and some recommend an opthamologist. I am confused as to which is better. I am very nervous about having this surgery and will have to return to work 5 days post op. Thanks for advice in advance!

David R. Stephens, MD · Answer

I agree with Dr. Amadi. Be sure to check the credentials of your surgeon regardless of who they say they are and use only those that have a true fellowship based plastic, facial plastic or oculo-plastic surgery training. This is important in that your surgeon's technical and aesthetic training is appropriate as they are more acutely aware of the things to treat and those to avoid. Lower eyelid surgery is more technically demanding with more recent advances and this requires a skilled and experienced surgeon. As a plastic surgeon, I do not put in lenses for catraracts and your opthomologist shouldn't do eyelid surgery without additional plastic fellowship training. Look for results of your surgeon too. I think that 5 days may be too soon to return to work but this is dependent on the complexity of the surgery.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

Plastic surgeons and ophthalmic surgeons have surgical training in eyelid surgery. Of course, not all training is the same. It is wise for a prospective patient to be informed about the training, experience, expertise and record of safety of any surgeon you are considering. It is also important to carefully check out the facility where the surgery will be performed and the medical team who will be working with your surgeon.Looking at many, many before and after images of work the surgeon has performed is very important. Some surgeons, in my opinion remove too much skin and leave the upper and or lower lids with a pulled or hollowed look. In my opinion, great surgery gives people a beautiful result, but does not make people as though they have had surgery.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Expert Eyelid surgeons include Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, Facial Plastic Surgeons (ENT), and ophthalmology. There is no such thing as a "eyelid fellowship". The most critical decision to be made in achieving the best plastic surgical result is picking the most experienced and talented, that is the best, plastic surgeon possible. Too often, patients choose a physician based on a catchy ad, the brand name of a technique, the basis of one or two before and after photos, or their web site’s search engine ranking. These criteria will not find the most experienced and talented plastic surgeon. See the below link on how I would research the identity of the best plastic surgeon for your eyelid surgery.#TopEyelidSurgeon

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question.  Cost will vary among plastic surgeons as well as with geographic location and what procedures exactly they will be providing to you.  Both specialties are apt and able to perform this procedure.  Certainly, researching a board certified plastic surgeon well-versed in the procedure(s) you desire is recommended - checking the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a great start. Consult with two or more surgeons who you are happy with their postoperative photographs and those who you, most importantly, feel comfortable and confident with. Use the opportunity to ask questions as well as visit with staff and investigate the accredited facilities they work out of.  I believe fellowship-training, beyond the core plastic surgery residency to be important, as that surgeon has gone above and beyond to seek additional training specific to that area of interest and chosen to gain additional expertise in that area.   Experience should not be measured solely by the age of the surgeon or how many years s/he has been in practice.  Checking the education and training is more valuable - a Board Certified MD plastic surgeon who was accepted to and completed an integrated plastic surgery residency, in today's day and age, are excellent choices. Those are the top students who have superior training at top institutes.  Plastic Surgery is NOT a fellowship...it is a residency. Those surgeons who have actually successfully completed additional fellowship training beyond the plastic surgery residency are also passionate about that area and will likely have the most recent, innovative, and up to date techniques. These are usually the younger surgeons, who are still readily willing and competent to continue to strive for the newest material and remain up to date on literature and conferences. You must decide for yourself who you are most comfortable with and confident with who will meet your goals and expectations. Cost may differ just on expertise and the aforementioned additional training ad what that additional expertise training has afforded to his/her patients.  Hope that this helps!  Best wishes!

A.J. Amadi, MD · Answer

There are three types of surgeons that perform eyelid surgery:  plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeon, and oculoplastic surgeons.

	Experience matters more than the type of surgeon. It is important to ask your surgeon how many eyelid surgeries they perform per year, and ask for before and after photos to evaluate their results.

	If you decide to see an Ophthalmologist, make sure that he/she is an ASOPRS trained Oculoplastic surgeon, and not an general Ophthalmologist, as they would not have enough experience with eyelid plastic surgery.

	You can find one using the link provided below.

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

The question of which specialty is less relevant than your expectations.  Well trained and experienced Plastic Surgeons and Oculoplastic Surgeons can perform the procedure.  Return to work 5 days postop is unrealistic.  You will be swollen, bruised and have difficulty focusing, not to mention the unwanted attention due to your appearance or the sunglasses you are wearing indoors.  Consider delaying the procedure until you have more time for recovery. All the best.

David S. Felder, MD · Answer

It is the quality of work by the surgeon, not just the specialty. Ophthalmic plastic surgeons have specialized in eyelid surgery with advanced training. That being said, ask people in the community and certainly look at before and after pictures from the physicians that you may consult with during the visit. The end result is what you are looking for and clearly state what expectations you may have after the surgery.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Both specialist receive training/experience in eyelid surgery.  You need to find a surgeon in one of those specialities in which you feel comfortable with caring for you and has the experience you desire to meet your needs.  Best Wishes

	Dr. ES

Mitesh Kapadia, MD, PhD · Answer

There are different types of plastic surgeons, many of which perform eyelid surgery. Oculoplastic surgeons are ophthalmologists with additional training in plastic surgery. Facial plastic surgeons are ear, nose and throat doctors with plastic surgery training and general plastic surgeons often have significant training in general surgery prior to plastic surgery. I would recommend asking friends who have had similar surgery and reading reviews on this website to find a surgeon in your area who performs a lot of cosmetic eyelid surgery.

	In my mind, returning to work five days after surgery may be a very aggressive timeline, but you should discuss this with your doctor. Best of luck.

Julian De Silva, MD · Answer

In my opinion, an experienced surgeon with expertise in
blepharoplasty, revision blepharoplasty and associated techniques including fat
transfer and laser resurfacing will be best suited. It has become more and more
difficult for doctors to have expertise in all areas of the body and a
specialist who focuses around the eyelids and face may be preferred.  Because facial plastic surgeons specialize in
cosmetic procedures in the face and neck, they are trained to have an eye in
the artistic approach to an eyelid surgery. More importantly, is the
qualification of the doctor you choose and that you have clear, open
communication. You should consider consulting more than one surgeon before
making a final decision, so that you can feel comfortable in his or her care
and at ease that your surgery will heed the most aesthetically-pleasing results
in the safest manner.

Opthamologist or Plastic Surgeon for Eyelid Surgery?

Answers (17)

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