POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery REVIEWS
Lower Eyelid Surgery ... Bye-Bye Bags! - Bay Area, CA
ORIGINAL POST
I'm 51 and SO ready to finally get rid of these...
WORTH IT$4,650
I'm 51 and SO ready to finally get rid of these bags under my eyes that have bothered me since childhood! Curious to hear feedback from any of you who may have feedback/experience with doctors in my area. I've had one consultation with a San Francisco "Top Doctor" here on RealSelf, I am scheduled with another on August 26th, and have one more with an oculoplastic surgeon on August 24th. I am leaning toward the latter for the "delicate touch factor", but I'm in no rush in this decision. I feel like this is THE most important part of the process, so I want to take my time and get as much information as possible before committing. October is my goal in having surgery. Any feedback would be appreciated and welcomed! Thank you! Jacqueline
Jacqueline C.'s provider
Replies (22)
August 14, 2015
I would sure appreciate surgeon recommendations for those in my area who have had SUCCESSFUL lower blephs with fat transpositioning! Thanks.
August 15, 2015
I hope you go with a plastic surgeon
Best wishes for a successful outcome. My main issues would be
Minimizing chances for extra white showing underneath and hollowing after wards
Best wishes for a successful outcome. My main issues would be
Minimizing chances for extra white showing underneath and hollowing after wards
August 15, 2015
Hi,
For what its worth, here is my advice. I wish I had done what you are doing but trusted a board certified oculoplastic surgeon with lots of good reviews ( for other surgeries)
the most important thing is to find a surgeon who understands what you want and has also done LOTS and LOTS of lower bleph surgeries to remove bags, not other surgeries, and has lots and lots of photos from the front of the results. If they dont, its a red flag.
Make sure the surgeon has Lots of great reviews and recommendations for doing lower blephs, not for restylane or botox, the don't matter at all when it comes to a lower bleph surgery which is very very delicate with many possible complications. Many very nice Doctors cant seem to do it correctly.
You have nice shaped eyes and it is very possible to have rounded eyes after a lower bleph if your surgeon isnt up on the latest techniques, which are much safer.
The safe method is called "Inter- conjunctival" and the incisions go inside the lower lid and can remove your fat bags with very low risk for changing the shape of your eyes. Also,there are no stiches on the outside, so no scars.
If you have extra skin, they may want to talk you into a "skin pinch" which sounds like no big deal, but is also high risk for change in eye shape, and requires a visible incision with stiches. You can always have laser resurfacing later if you have too much skin after removing the fat bags, anyway.
I had this done a while back and had some big problems after the "skin pinch" procedure, round eyes, scleral show below my iris. Etc, and the surgeon didn't even tell me he was going to do this procedure! So also make it clear when you are interviewing the Doctors,that you dont want them to do anything that you have not discussed beforehand. I know it sounds ridiculous to have to say that, but some of these men (mostly) are extremely arrogant and paternalistic and think they can just make decisions for you, because they "know best".
I would suggest having an interconjunctival lower bleph ( please research it on real self, lots of doctors say they would never do anything else due to the risks)
You can see how you like your lower lids after fat bag removal, without risking a possible major change in eye shape, which is quite devastating.
My PS was a "board certified oculoplastic surgeon", but did not matter because he had no aesthetic eye at all, so maybe surgeons that always do cosmetic surgery would be better, I dont know.
A good place to see some videos about what to ask your surgeon and what to look for in a surgeon and why is on real self under Dr Michael Law. Hes not in CA but he has short 2 min videos and explains very well what to look for in a surgeon. I wish I had seen his videos before my surgery.
Anyway, I wish you very good luck! Im glad you are taking your time.
For what its worth, here is my advice. I wish I had done what you are doing but trusted a board certified oculoplastic surgeon with lots of good reviews ( for other surgeries)
the most important thing is to find a surgeon who understands what you want and has also done LOTS and LOTS of lower bleph surgeries to remove bags, not other surgeries, and has lots and lots of photos from the front of the results. If they dont, its a red flag.
Make sure the surgeon has Lots of great reviews and recommendations for doing lower blephs, not for restylane or botox, the don't matter at all when it comes to a lower bleph surgery which is very very delicate with many possible complications. Many very nice Doctors cant seem to do it correctly.
You have nice shaped eyes and it is very possible to have rounded eyes after a lower bleph if your surgeon isnt up on the latest techniques, which are much safer.
The safe method is called "Inter- conjunctival" and the incisions go inside the lower lid and can remove your fat bags with very low risk for changing the shape of your eyes. Also,there are no stiches on the outside, so no scars.
If you have extra skin, they may want to talk you into a "skin pinch" which sounds like no big deal, but is also high risk for change in eye shape, and requires a visible incision with stiches. You can always have laser resurfacing later if you have too much skin after removing the fat bags, anyway.
I had this done a while back and had some big problems after the "skin pinch" procedure, round eyes, scleral show below my iris. Etc, and the surgeon didn't even tell me he was going to do this procedure! So also make it clear when you are interviewing the Doctors,that you dont want them to do anything that you have not discussed beforehand. I know it sounds ridiculous to have to say that, but some of these men (mostly) are extremely arrogant and paternalistic and think they can just make decisions for you, because they "know best".
I would suggest having an interconjunctival lower bleph ( please research it on real self, lots of doctors say they would never do anything else due to the risks)
You can see how you like your lower lids after fat bag removal, without risking a possible major change in eye shape, which is quite devastating.
My PS was a "board certified oculoplastic surgeon", but did not matter because he had no aesthetic eye at all, so maybe surgeons that always do cosmetic surgery would be better, I dont know.
A good place to see some videos about what to ask your surgeon and what to look for in a surgeon and why is on real self under Dr Michael Law. Hes not in CA but he has short 2 min videos and explains very well what to look for in a surgeon. I wish I had seen his videos before my surgery.
Anyway, I wish you very good luck! Im glad you are taking your time.
August 15, 2015
Thank you so much for all of that information! I especially appreciate the comments about the skin pinch. It seems risky to me as well. Unbelievable you ended up with one without asking for it! Wow, that's crazy. I saw Dr. Law here, but didn't look much further since he wasn't in my area. I'll check out the videos you recommended - thanks! Take care :)
August 16, 2015
You are so welcome. I remembered too that it would be good to ask when you are interviewing a surgeon: what is their plan if there are complications? I think Dr. law probably says that in one of the videos as well.
If they cant handle talking about possible complications or dont have a plan of how to deal with them, I would be wary. My PS, and it seems many others on this site's reviews, will never even ackowledge that there is a problem.
Again, I realize that sounds unbelievable , but it seems to be the reality when something goes wrong with cosmetic elective surgeries. The surgeon has no reponsibility to the patient. If I had it to do over, I would go to someone who does revision eyelid surgeries all the time, since apparently they require much more skill. Might go for someone who was at the top of his class too, lol, can't hurt....
If they cant handle talking about possible complications or dont have a plan of how to deal with them, I would be wary. My PS, and it seems many others on this site's reviews, will never even ackowledge that there is a problem.
Again, I realize that sounds unbelievable , but it seems to be the reality when something goes wrong with cosmetic elective surgeries. The surgeon has no reponsibility to the patient. If I had it to do over, I would go to someone who does revision eyelid surgeries all the time, since apparently they require much more skill. Might go for someone who was at the top of his class too, lol, can't hurt....
August 18, 2015
I'm in the Bay Area too and only had one consultation - I decided NOT to go with that top rated surgeon as he quoted me $7650 (the anesthesia isn't done in his office). I thought the cost was outrageous! I also specifically want a transconjunctival bleph for obvious reasons - and he wanted to cut the outside. NO THANKS. Please do your research. I may end up going to LA or OC for the work because, like everything else here in SF, it's ridiculously overpriced. I'm going to meet with a couple more docs (don't want to waste another $100 on a consult though! ;) ) so I'll report back what I find too! Good luck to you! The person smokincb has great advice - spot on! Make sure you find a doc who SPECIALIZES in our surgery - not a boob guy or a face lift doc - a facial and, specifically, an EYE (oculoplast) plastic surgeon! You're going to look great without your bags. People say they wish they'd done it years sooner but also say it takes years off your face! I'm excited to do it too. Hoping to do it next month!!!! IF I find he right doc. Best wishes to you fellow bag lady! :) Cheers!!!!!
UPDATED FROM Jacqueline C.
Day of treatment
Today was the day!
After much consideration and consultation, I decided on Rona Silkiss, MD FACS out of Oakland and Walnut Creek, CA for my lower blepharoplasty and skin removal. So far, I'm doing great! Everything went so smoothly, I was treated with the utmost respect by this very professional surgeon; and like a precious jewel by the nurses at her surgery center (Aspen) in Walnut Creek. Dr. Silkiss has done "thousands" of these, and it was obvious in consultation. I'm virtually pain-free, bruising is not too bad, and the swelling has already gone down a lot! Of course, it's only DAY 1, but I'm feeling pretty confident that my research will have paid off.
Au revoir, beauties!
Jac.
Au revoir, beauties!
Jac.
Replies (2)
October 17, 2015
Looking good!!! Glad you are healing away! Can't wait to see the end results. Still no pain? How is sleeping?
October 17, 2015
Thanks, Amy! No, still pain free. Sleeping normally and woke up with even less bruising today :) Follow up is Thursday, so I'll check in then with more photos.
Are you closer to a decision?
Are you closer to a decision?
UPDATED FROM Jacqueline C.
7 days post
One-Week Checkup
Stitches that hadn't yet dissolved were removed, and I was given the ok to try putting contacts in again and use a bit of makeup - BUT NO RUBBING. Me and Dr. Silkiss both very happy so far.
Replies (14)
October 24, 2015
You look great! My upper bleph is Tuesday :)
October 26, 2015
I'm in the exact same boat as you. Big bags under the eyes, so I'm following your progress. You seem to be healing well, look good so far. Please keep posting your progress, I'm very interested in your post op healing!
October 26, 2015
Will do! And thanks ... I'm pleased with the progress so far. I went out to lunch with some family members today and we had a group photo taken. It was the first real photo I've been in (other than pre- and post-ops), and I didn't have to filter it! Not bad for less than 2 weeks after surgery :)
October 26, 2015
Did you do TCA peel under your eyes as well?
October 28, 2015
plse send us more photos. I have very heavy lower bags & have had my consult ...just need to make the appt for surgery.
October 30, 2015
Hi, Chris - I posted a photo tonight. Are you going to Dr. Silkiss? Best of luck! You will love it!
October 29, 2015
Jacqueline, those bags are gone! may i ask what convinced you to go with this particular doc....i have small bags with hollowing...and baggy uppers...sounds great huh!...did you have fat graphing or repositioning?
October 30, 2015
Hi, 'at ease' (what's your name?). I did a LOT of research and went to 3 consultations before making my decision with Dr. Silkiss. I was pretty sure I wanted to go to an oculoplasty, as their training is so specific with this type of procedure, and has also done some work on my father to reconstruct his eye after Mohs surgery (cancer). Each case is different, so she'll know how to address your specific needs as far as what to do with your fat. Mine was partially removed and partially repositioned, and I had a small amount of skin removal. I also had the incisions on the OUTSIDE of my lids, which some people don't want to do, but for me (age, skin resiliency, etc.) it was the best decision, especially since I was having skin removed. My incisions are barely noticeable in my opinion. If you read through my full review, you'll hear the history of my journey. Any other questions, feel free to ask.
Au revoir,
Jacqueline
Au revoir,
Jacqueline
October 30, 2015
Thank you Jacqueline...One reads such conflicting ideas on inner or outer incisions. I really am looking for someone who does only facial surgery with eyes their specialty. Someone who has an artist's eye! Hoping that is not too much to ask...you are looking lovely....
October 30, 2015
Yes, I was very confused initially too. I never, ever thought I'd have anything but the transconjunctival (inner) method. What I finally came to realize after meeting with both Dr. Cockerham and Dr. Silkiss (both are excellent oculofacial plastic surgeons) was that it's the experience and number of times a surgeon has performed the particular surgery you want to have done that matters. Both of these surgeons have done thousands of blephs, and oculoplastic surgeons have a more delicate hand; even more precise instruments. A patient half my age may have done just fine with a transconjunctival incision (inside the lid) because he/she may not have needed skin removal. I, on the other hand, would have had a slight risk of drooping based on my skin condition and amount of skin to be removed. Plus, that would have been two separate incisions on each eye and a much more difficult recovery and possible mess! Any doctor who tells you over the phone that they "would never do anything but transconjunctival" isn't doing you any favors. There is NO WAY a good surgeon should be married to a method without a very thorough exam, taking measurements, etc. There are two other plastic surgeons in SF that I was scheduled to consult with before making my decision to go with Dr. Silkiss. If you're interested in shopping around more, I'd be happy to give you my appointments, as I haven't cancelled them yet. They were hard to get, and one isn't until March of 2016. Let me know ASAP if you're interested.
Au revoir,
Jacqueline
Au revoir,
Jacqueline
Good luck with your research! Â Please keep us posted on everything.
The board certified stuff is all really confusing. Â I like this post that helps explain a little:
http://www.realself.com/blog/what-does-board-certi...
Some people swear by oculoplastic surgeons for eyelid surgery, while others swear by plastic surgeons. Â It can be hard to navigate.
I found this in the Q&A and thought it was interesting:
http://www.realself.com/question/opthamologist-pla...
No prob. Â My personal opinion is that it is valuable to take your time and be thorough with your research. Â If it were me doing it all over I would have gone to multiple consultations with multiple doctors. Â Fortunately everything worked out, but I had no idea what I was doing (I didn't work for RealSelf at the time). Â There is always risk involved, no matter how skilled the doctor, but it is always worth taking the time to find the best doctor for your specific goals. Â Also it is smart to ask them during the consultation what the process is if you have complications and need a revision, or even if you simply aren't happy with the results. Â I'm rambling now :)
Ha ha I know what you mean. Â Don't worry, you will figure it all out. Â Be sure to check and see if the doctors you are planning on scheduling consultations with have doctor profiles on RealSelf- sometimes they waive their consultation fees if you mention you found them here. Â It would be on their main profile page if they have an offer. Â Good luck!
Definitely let us know how the consultation goes!