I was a difficult festoon case - look great one month post-op and still improving

About 4 years ago, at age 41, I began to develop the worst kind of festoons - some loose skin, but also severe malar/cheek edema. It was genetic -several family members have aged this way. It was aggravated by tear trough fillers I had done 4 years ago to try to remedy/disguise the problem. A bit of the filler migrated over time, leaving me not with just the original malar/cheek edema (which never disappeared), but also with an odd lump under my left eye. Zero fat pad prolapse - that wasn’t my problem.

I did CO2 laser resurfacing for the excess skin. - it definitely helped, but the malar edema persisted, and I looked 55 years old, not 44.

I consulted with seven (7) oculoplastic and facial plastic surgeons on options before choosing Dr Gupta. Most recommended a) transconjuctival lower bleph and/or b) more filler. A couple of them (very much to their credit) told me they couldn’t help me at all - malar edema being notoriously difficult to treat. A shocking couple of them mis-identified my problem as fat pad prolapse, even though bags were mostly down on my cheeks.

At my consultation with Dr Gupta, she listened very closely to my explanations, looked very closely at pictures I brought to the consultation, thoroughly/directly examined my eyes from multiple angles, and asked a ton of questions (eg, “what happens to them when you get on a plane?”).

I was clear with her that I had no tolerance for over-correction (I don’t need to look 15 years younger...I just wanted to look great for 44, but most importantly still look like myself). In turn, she was very clear with me on possible outcomes - this is not a layup, which is why many oculoplastic surgeons won’t do at all. She set very realistic expectations, and I chose her with confidence.

Dr Gupta did not disappoint. I had open lower bleph and direct festoon excision. Painless, excellent experience in office. And most importantly I look great one month later. Like myself, but better. Scars aren’t invisible yet, but still even with open procedures I look far better at just one month (no shadows on my cheeks from large fluid bags!)

Emilia and Ann in her office are also fantastic. Emilia explained everything, plus answered my incessant questions patiently and knowledgeably. Ann made the whole process seamless, kept my husband comfortable and informed as he waited for me, and continues to follow up with me to this day. There is another new nurse who was present for my procedure and whose name I can’t recall, but she took very good care of me as well.

I could not be more pleased with this care team.