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June 20, 2011

Eyelid Surgery and Permanent Eye Makeup

Filed under: blepharoplasty,brow lift,canthal surgery,cosmetic eyelid surgery,Eyelid Surgery,forehead lift — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 8:13 pm

Permanent eye makeup is a tattoo that is applied to the eyelid margin to simulate eye liner, or along the eyebrow to fill-in or darken the brows.  These services are very popular, but if you are considering permanent eye makeup and are also considering eyelid surgery, Dr. Steinsapir recommends that you have a surgical consultation before receiving permanent makeup.  Permanent eye makeup is a tattoo, and therefore is relatively permanent; “relatively” permanent because over time the tattoo will lose color and after a few years you may need the color reinforced.  Generally eyelid surgery will have an effect on the shape of the eyelids and on eyebrow position.  For this reason, if you are considering doing both services, have the permanent makeup after you have healed from eyelid surgery.

I already have permanent makeup, can I have eyelid surgery?

If you already have permanent makeup, this won’t prevent you from having eyelid surgery.  Generally the permanent makeup is placed within the eyelashes and eyelid surgery typically does not require an incision along the lashes.  Occasionally, the permanent lower eyelid makeup extends beyond the lower eyelid lashes.  The portion of the eye line that extends beyond the lower eyelid lashes may be affected by lower eyelid surgery, but a skilled surgeon can work around this issue and many lower eyelid procedures do not require a lower eyelid incision.

I have permanent eyebrow makeup, can I have a facelift?

Permanent makeup for the eyebrow generally fills-in or darkens your existing eyebrows.  As a result, a forehead lift that moves the eyebrow will also cause your permanent eyebrow makeup to move.  Occasionally, a woman has plucked her thin eyebrow hairs and penciled in a brow at a higher location.  Before considering having this eyebrow location marked permanently with a tattoo, Dr. Steinsapir recommends a cosmetic consultation.  In some cases, an endoscopic forehead lift may correct the location of your eyebrows and improve your appearance and make your eyebrows appear more natural.  For this reason, before you have your eyebrows tattooed in a higher location, consider having a surgical consultation for an endoscopic forehead lift.

About Dr. Steinsapir

Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Los Angeles where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan.

Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.

February 24, 2011

Blepharoplasty Reconstruction

Filed under: cosmetic eyelid surgery,eyelid reconstructive surgery,lower blepharoplasty — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin @ 6:31 pm

Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery or a lidlift, is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries and has a remarkable track record for safety.  Because incisions are made along the creases of the upper eyelid, below the lower lashes, or from the inside of the lower lid, scarring is minimal and relatively hidden.  Complications can occur, even when surgery is performed by experienced surgeons.  Complications that can compromise the outcome of eyelid surgery can include hematoma, infection, or eyelid function problems that result from excessive skin or muscle removal, or motor nerve damage.  When the cosmetic or functional result is unacceptable, reconstructive surgery is needed to address these issues.

Potential Concerns

The traditional approach to upper eyelid surgery has been to aggressively remove skin, muscle, and fat.  The result of this outdated philosophy is “the surgical look” with a high sulcus and no upper-eyelid fold.  While some are happy with the cleaned-up appearance created by this type of surgery, a certain percentage of individuals are unhappy with the alterations caused by their changed appearance.  Unfortunately restoring the upper eyelid fold is virtually impossible.  Fillers can help soften the appearance, but restoration of the upper eyelid is not feasible as it is with repair of the lower eyelid.

Other upper eyelid issues are more amenable to corrections.  One such concern is laxity of the skin in the upper eyelid, below the upper eyelid crease.  The skin takes on a crepe appearance.  Crepe skin appears thin and dry and doesn’t hold makeup.   This can be corrected with a precision anchor blepharoplasty.

The indiscriminate removal of skin, muscle, and fat can have more serious complications than just the “surgical look.”  Over-aggressive cosmetic surgery can, result in damage to the muscles that allow the eyelid to close, shortening the upper eyelid and preventing the eye from closing.  The lower lid can also become retracted, pulling the lower lid downward.  Often, individuals come to Dr. Steinsapir with unique issues that require unique surgical solutions.  While there are complications that can’t be fully corrected, many of these issues can be improved functionally and cosmetically by a very limited number of specialized eyelid surgeons who offer these types of reconstructions.  The process starts with a detailed personal consultation.

About Dr. Steinsapir

Dr. Steinsapir is a much sought after oculofacial surgeon.  He is an innovator in minimally invasive cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and has invented new methods for treating with BOTOX, Fillers and cutting edge reconstructive eyelid  and midface surgery.  He specializes in high precision eyelid surgery and is a leader in correcting prior facial and eyelid surgery, including multiple revised cosmetic eyelid reconstructions.  He attended medical school at the UCLA and completed ophthalmology residency at The University of Chicago.  He is multiple fellowship trained including three years of fellowship training in oculofacial plastic surgery at UCLA, and a two-year cosmetic surgery fellowship in Rancho Mirage.  He is widely published and lectures to other surgeons nationally and internationally.  He is an associate clinical professor of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA.  His private practice is located in West Los Angeles, immediately serving the Los Angeles and Bevery Hills communities.  Additionally, individuals from all over the country and the world regularly come to Los Angeles for this expert care.

October 1, 2010

Can I go blind from eyelid surgery?

Filed under: blepharoplasty,cosmetic eyelid surgery,Eyelid Surgery,safe cosmetic surgery — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 12:33 pm

Cosmetic eyelid surgery is an important resource for enhancing your appearance.  If you are nervous about the possibility of eyelid surgery complications, the best thing you can do is get the honest facts directly from a cosmetic surgeon.  Yes, all surgeries carry with them a level of risk, but on a positive note, severe complications like blindness are rare in eyelid surgery, and oculoplastic surgeons, who are specifically trained as both an ophthalmologist and an oculofacial surgeon, take steps to further reduce the risk of this specific complication.

A Rare but Possible Reality

If anyone tells you that you can’t go blind from eyelid surgery like blepharoplasty, they aren’t being honest with you.  The truth is that, while this is an extremely rare complication, there is a risk of blindness from eyelid surgery.  Of course no doctor thinks this will happen to them, but the best oculoplastic surgeon will acknowledge it’s a possibility, be honest with you about this, and take precautions to minimize the risk as much as possible.  This is one reason to seek out an oculoplastic surgeon with board certification in ophthalmology as your assurance that they are more likely to recognize problems with the eyes than a non-ophthalmologist plastic surgeon.

If someone tells you that they have never encountered or heard of blindness after eyelid surgery, then they probably have not seen enough cases, or simply lack adequate training in eyelid surgery.  A specialist will keep abreast of these issues and should be trained in how to reduce the risks of this complication and provide treatment problems arise.

Truly, this risk is extremely small but not zero.  Still, you should understand the possible risks and seek a doctor who is completely honest about your potential surgery.  Your cosmetic surgeon should review with you not only the eyelid surgery benefits, your individual treatment plan, and your recovery and aftercare needs, but also the risks involved in any procedure.  There is no surgery that is risk-free, which is why your doctor will ask you to review and sign forms saying that you understand both the risks and benefits involved.  Be sure to read this before signing it!  You have the right to know and the responsibility to educate yourself.

How Can Blindness Occur?

The small risk of blindness associated with blepharoplasty is primarily related to uncontrolled bleeding behind the eyelid after surgery.  This process is known as a retrobulbar hemorrhage, and, as already stated, it is extremely rare.  In the few cases that this happens, what we see is a pool of blood that is expanding in the confined space around the eye.  This can raise the pressure enough to affect the circulation of blood to retina, and it can result in loss of vision.

There are different numbers floating around in regards to just how often blindness from cosmetic eyelid surgery occurs.  We have heard someone say that this happens 1 out of 10,000 cases, but this figure seems exaggerated.  If you do the math, that means that just last year around 20 people had blepharoplasty complications that included blindness.  However, if there truly were that many cases, it would have been all over the news.  We have also heard some say that this happens to 1 out of 300,000 cases, which is the opposite extreme estimation.  Somewhere in between these two figures is probably more accurate.  In other words, blindness from blepharoplasty is a rare event.

Making the Low Risk Even Lower

Your reputable oculoplastic surgeon will ask about your medical history to ascertain your risk level and special considerations.  He or she will also give you a physical examination and instructions on how to care for yourself before and after surgery.  Your doctor will have you avoid blood-thinning medications to significantly decrease the already-low risk of retrobulbar hemorrhage.  This means that, with the consent of your general practitioner or family doctor, you won’t be able to take certain prescription medications as well as over-the-counter medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Advil, and Motrin.  You will also need to abstain from most herbal products for a while.  If you must be on a medication like Plavix or aspirin for medical reasons to thin your blood, your surgeon may advise you that you are not a candidate for cosmetic eyelid surgery, or may recommend a less extensive eyelid surgery.

Your doctor will also take some technical precautions that are medically advised during surgery to decrease the risk of post-operative hemorrhage.  During the first part of your recovery, you will need to taking easy, avoid bending over, and immediately call your surgeon should you experience any pain, bleeding, or impaired vision after surgery.  Don’t worry about memorizing all this right now; it is simply meant to be educational, and when you see your actual cosmetic surgeon, he or she will go over your pre-op and recovery plans in depth, giving you instructions and making sure you have the opportunity to ask all of your questions.

What You Can Do

Is there a risk associated with eyelid surgery?  Yes, there is a risk with any surgery.  But is this a major risk you should seriously worry about?  In most cases, no.  To further minimize your risk, find an experienced cosmetic surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive eyelid procedures.  Be completely open and honest about your medical history and any past or present conditions you may have, and what medications you take—this is your responsibility!  Ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable.  Finally, relax a little.  All that worry and stress isn’t helping!

Seeking Safe Treatment from an Expert

Seek treatment from a specialist in oculoplastic surgery who understands how to care for the eye, your most precious facial structure.  Dr. Steinsapir is one such expert in treating eyelid concerns with impressive eyelid surgery results.  He has training in ophthalmology, cosmetic surgery, and oculofacial surgery gained from his education at UCLA, The University of Chicago, and multiple fellowships, making Dr. Steinsapir one of the best cosmetic surgeons in Los Angeles and the world.  In fact, people travel internationally for his exceptional eyelid treatments that emphasize a natural outcome and overall balanced facial appearance.  Contact us today to find out how you can improve your eyelid and facial appearance with a doctor in whom you can feel confident.

June 8, 2010

Help for Ptosis after Blepharoplasty

Filed under: best cosmetic surgeons,blepharoplasty,cosmetic eyelid surgery,eyelid reconstructive surgery,Eyelid Surgery,fixing eyelid surgery — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 7:47 pm

Eyebrow and eyelid ptosis is the most common reasons people seek revision eyelid surgery after blepharoplasty.  In most cases, this is not an urgent concern or an emergency, although it is still important and can be a source of disappointment following surgery.  These issues are relatively common after eyelid surgery.  Some degree of eyebrow ptosis is normal and occurs in 100% of cases.  It becomes a problem when it in someway reduces the apparent benefits of the surgery.  True upper eyelid ptosis following eyelid surgery is more complex.

Eyelid Ptosis Surgery Before and After Photo

Eyelid Ptosis Surgery Before and After Photo

What causes eyebrow ptosis after eyelid surgery?

There are a couple of reasons why you may be experiencing ptosis.  After a blepharoplasty, the forehead and eyebrows may relax.  The reason is simple.  Generally before surgery, the eyelid fold which is operated on during blepharoplasty rests on the eyelid.  This sends a signal to the forehead and eyebrow lifting muscles to cinch up, lifting the eyelid fold so it does not weigh so heavily on the actual eyelid.  When surgery trims this eyelid fold, there is less tissue weighing on the eyelid.  The signal to lift the forehead and eyebrow decreases and the eyebrow falls, lowering what remains of the eyelid fold.  For most, this difference is small and just not an issue.  In fact, the relaxation of the forehead and eyebrow muscles is possibly the most significant benefit of upper eyelid surgery.  However, for some individuals, the fall in the eyebrow can bring too much of this fold down.  They may feel that they got very little benefit from the eyelid surgery.  Sometimes the answer is removing more upper eyelid skin.  However, sometimes the answer may be a different approach altogether like a forehead lift.

Actual upper eyelid ptosis is another reason why the eye might be heavy after eyelid surgery.  The tendon that lifts the upper eyelid is held in place by loose fibrous tissues that become looser in time as we blink our eyelids.  In some cases this causes an the tendon to slip out of place resulting in a drop in the eyelid position.  In a rare case, the tendon may be loosened by direct damage from surgery.  However, it is probably much more common for eyelid swelling after surgery to simply weigh the eyelid down and cause this delicately held tendon to slip.  As the swelling resolves, some of the heaviness resolves.  However, after about 6 months or a year, if there is no further improvement, surgery may be needed to tighten the upper eyelid tendon.  This surgery is called upper eyelid ptosis surgery.

How can I fix my ptosis?

There are different solutions to this problem, and the right one for you will be determined through a personal consultation that includes a discussion of your goals and a physical exam to identify the core issues that are causing your problem.  There are a few approaches, which include:
•    Removal of excess skin in the upper eyelid to reduce the forehead activation needed to elevate the excess eyelid skin.  This offers an appearance that doesn’t seem surgical.
•    If you need your eyes to appear brighter, you may need a forehead lift in conjunction with eyelid surgery to address all of your facial dynamics.  This stabilizes the face.  It’s important to note that not everyone who needs blepharoplasty also needs a forehead lift, and not everyone with brow heaviness needs a forehead lift.

What if my eyelashes point down?

This is a different kind of ptosis called eyelash ptosis, and it can happen in relation to poor levator fixation of the upper eyelid platform skin.  Eyelid revision surgery by an expert can improve the support for the eyelashes by creating a balanced tension that rotates the eyelashes upward.  This procedure can usually be performed in the office under local anesthesia, and recovery time is similar to standard upper blepharoplasty: 10 to 14 days before you are ready for social situations.

Finding the Best Doctor

As a specialized oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, Dr. Steinsapir meticulously evaluates the current and potential eyelid ptosis in each potential candidate for eyelid surgery and creates treatment plans that specifically address these realities.  In this way he can bring you the best results possible and avoid problems.  In the case that your results are disappointing, which all ethical physicians must admit is a possibility, Dr. Steinsapir understands how to find a solution to resolve or improve the situation in each unique case.  The reality that not every surgery goes perfectly is why Dr. Steinsapir plans ahead, leading the trend toward minimally invasive surgeries that give natural-looking benefits while allowing for revisional surgeries should the need arise.

If you are experiencing blepharoptosis or another unsatisfactory outcome, your original surgeon will likely be happy to help you achieve the results you desire.  However, if your cosmetic surgeon does not specialize in eyelid surgery or fixing eyelid surgery, or if you are not confident in your patient-doctor relationship, it’s reasonable to seek a second opinion.

When you need to fix eyelid surgery with the best cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles, consider making Dr. Steinsapir a part of your treatment experience.  At a no-risk consultation, you can seek an opinion based on years of education, practical experience, and insight regarding the best way to move forward.  In many cases, Dr. Steinsapir can help restore your relationship with your original surgeon.  If your needs exceed the expertise and specialization of your first doctor, then Dr. Steinsapir can help you find the best treatment option for you and offer honest advice.

Take the first step in resolving your ptosis concerns.  Call today to learn more about Dr. Steinsapir’s background in fixing eyelid surgery.

May 19, 2010

Will Health Insurance Cover my Eyelid Surgery?

Filed under: blepharoplasty,cosmetic eyelid surgery,cosmetic surgery and insurance,cosmetic surgery costs,cosmetic surgery payment plans,fixing eyelid surgery — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 7:51 pm

People seek an eyelid surgeon for a variety of reasons, including personal preference, aesthetic concerns, professional desires, trauma, and medical necessity.  Whether your health insurance will cover your cosmetic eyelid surgery depends on your condition, the reason you seek surgery, and of course your insurance.

Eyelid Ptosis Surgery Before and After

Eyelid Ptosis Surgery Before and After

Health insurance does not cover most cosmetic procedures because they usually are not medically necessary.  Health insurance plans are there to help you when you medically need treatment, so while there are many good and legitimate reasons to seek eyelid plastic surgery, if your primary goal is to improve your appearance with no health benefit (other than peace of mind), then your insurance probably won’t cover the cost, nor should it have to.  This is not to say that you should not seek cosmetic treatment or that you have few payment options; these are all points to discuss with your doctor, and you may be happy to learn that many doctors offer a variety of cosmetic surgery payment options.

How can I find out if my health plan will cover my surgery?

Health insurance does not cover cosmetic surgery. It may cover medically necessary reconstructive surgery.  May is the operative word.  Health insurance companies are increasingly unlikely to cover procedures that they previously did cover.  This is their effort to maximize profit and minimize expenses.  Examples of items that generally are covered include eyelid ptosis surgery because of vision problems, or if you have skin cancer and need mohs surgery for basal cell carcinoma, your insurance may help.  To find out, call your insurance provider or read your insurance handbook.  If you call, you can describe your situation and treatment desires, and also ask under what circumstances eyelid surgery is covered.  Be honest and don’t try to scam an insurance provider into paying for care that isn’t really in your plan or that you don’t truly need for good physical health.

Will Dr. Steinsapir accept my insurance?

Dr. Steinsapir is not a network provider in any health care plans, so check with your insurance to find out if they offer out-of-network payment.  For reconstructive surgery, you will be asked to make a good faith deposit for surgery.  As the doctor is not an in-network provider, his fees are likely to be more than what is allowed or paid by your health insurance.  Following surgery, a courtesy bill will be provided for you to submit to your health insurance company.  However, they are only obligated according to their fee schedule.  This generally means that you will be out of pocket for much of Dr. Steinsapir’s fees.  The good news is that many health insurance plans do cover the hospital and anesthesia fees and part of their network.  Because of how medically necessary surgery is billed, many patients are surprised to learn that they may actually save money when surgery is performed as self-pay cosmetic.  If you have Medicare, you will be asked to sign a so-called opt out form that waives your right to bill Medicare for Dr. Steinsapir’s work.

I want to see Dr. Steinsapir, but my insurance won’t help.

There are a variety of ways individuals have financed their cosmetic treatment plan, including saving up or using CareCredit card, which offers care credit cosmetic surgery options.  This leading patient payment program can help you to completely finance your cosmetic eyelid surgery in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills area with Dr. Steinsapir on approval of credit.  CareCredit is a great program that we are happy to offer as a service to our patients.  This will enable you to seek treatment today that you can pay for in monthly installments.

Discuss Your Options

Depending on your need and condition, there is a good chance that your health insurance will cover a portion of your eyelid reconstruction in Los Angeles in medically necessary situations.  We invite you to make Dr. Steinsapir a part of your treatment and healing.  As a service to you, we will do our best to work with your insurance.  Let us remind you that although Dr. Steinsapir may not be part of your insurance company network, we are still obligated to communicate honestly with your health plan regarding your health needs.  At the same time, there are many responsible ways to pay for your treatment without health insurance.  We find that if you carefully plan your treatment decisions, seek professional advice from your doctor, and keep communication open, then you will be very pleased with your decision to seek treatment from the best.  Contact us today to for a private consultation with Dr. Steinsapir to learn how the best eyelid surgery available can be a reality for you.

May 3, 2010

Definitive Asian Eyelid Surgery Results with Dr. Steinsapir

Filed under: asian eyelid surgery,best cosmetic surgeons,blepharoplasty,eyelid reconstructive surgery,Eyelid Surgery,fixing eyelid surgery,safe cosmetic surgery — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 3:30 am

If you are seeking Asian eyelid surgery in Los Angeles, we invite you to consult with the best.  Choose Dr. Steinsapir for definitive Asian eyelid surgery results and find out how double fold surgery, blepharoplasty, or another specialized eyelid surgery in Beverly Hills or Los Angeles with Dr. Steinsapir can make the difference you’ve been seeking.

Asian Eyelid Surgery Before and After Photo

Asian Eyelid Surgery Before and After Photo

Dr. Steinsapir distinguishes himself among eye plastic surgeons in Los Angeles and throughout the world with his extensive experience, fellowships, training, and focus on cosmetic eyelid surgery with an emphasis on Asian eyelid surgery.  This exceptional surgeon studied medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, then further pursued his talents at The University of Chicago to become an ophthalmologist.  Dr. Steinsapir’s separate training in both oculofacial and cosmetic surgery combined with his natural aptitude for artistic detail orientation make him the ideal surgeon for those seeking dramatic yet natural results.

When you seek Asian oculofacial surgery, you need a surgeon who is not only exceptionally trained, but who also has extensive experience in treating this distinctive feature with exceptional results.  Dr. Steinsapir specializes in natural Asian eyelid surgery with proven results and seeks to compliment the eye’s natural contour to enhance its features, rather than “westernize” the eye.

The eye and surrounding tissues are incredibly complex features that require a specialist with precise abilities, artistic skills, extensive experience, and premier training and education.  If you are searching for any number of plastic eyelid surgery procedures, be sure to find a surgeon with all of these qualities.  We invite you to consider Dr. Steinsapir, a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at the world-renowned Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA where he is on staff and also shares his expertise as he teaches about specialized facets of cosmetic eyelid surgery, including Asian eyelid surgery and how the underlying anatomy determine what must be done surgically.

As a practicing surgeon at UCLA and at his private practice base in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, Dr. Steinsapir takes an individual approach to every single individual in order to emphasize and enhance the natural eyelid features.  A cookie-cutter approach to surgery will not work for anyone, which is why Dr. Steinsapir meticulously plans each treatment with your help and never uses assistants, technicians, or physician extenders to treat you.

Dr. Steinsapir likes to discuss the needs of each individual seeking treatment in a relaxed atmosphere where you can feel free to ask as many questions as you need to in order to make an informed decision.  If your eyes and situation are particularly unusual, it’s understandable that you may be apprehensive about seeking the changes you want; in such cases, we advise you to meet with potential surgeons and see if you are confident in their abilities and comfortable with their personality.  If your potential surgeon tells you that performing Asian eyelid surgery is the same as performing any other eyelid procedure, this is a red flag that tells you the doctor does not specialize in understanding how subtle differences between every eye influences treatment.  There is not even a standard treatment method for all individuals with Asian eyes.  While your doctor should possess experience in treating concerns similar to yours in people who have similar eyes, it takes a doctor who individualizes each treatment for truly exceptional results.

We invite you to a no-risk consultation with Dr. Steinsapir today.  At this appointment, feel free to express your concerns, ask many questions, and learn about Dr. Steinsapir’s experience in treating a wide variety of eyelid concerns.  Dr. Steinsapir can show you many examples of before and after Asian eyelid surgery photos, which will help you understand his abilities.  You can also evaluate how comfortable you feel, decide if Dr. Steinsapir is a good match for your needs, and discuss treatment options.  Dr. Steinsapir is world-renowned for his leadership as an oculofacial surgeon, and he’ll be happy to help you achieve the results you desire.  Please give us a call us to learn more.

April 24, 2010

The Best Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery in Los Angeles

Filed under: best cosmetic surgeons,blepharoplasty,cosmetic eyelid surgery,eyelid cancer reconstruction,eyelid reconstructive surgery,Eyelid Surgery — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 11:55 pm

If you are looking for cosmetic eyelid surgery in Los Angeles, consider Dr. Steinsapir for truly impressive results.  Over the last several years, there has been a trend toward making cosmetic eyelid surgery less invasive.  Through these changes, Dr. Steinsapir has been a leader who strives for natural eyelid surgery with minimal downtime.  Dr. Steinsapir demonstrates his leadership as an eye plastic surgeon through the multiple fellowships he’s completed, as an experienced practitioner who believes in putting the patient’s best interest first, and as an associate clinical professor of ophthalmology at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute, Daved Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.  Furthermore, he has published multiple studies on specialized aspects of eyelid surgery and has served as a reviewer for every leading ophthalmology journal.  Dr. Steinsapir has extensive training and experience in both ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery, and to this he adds the care, skill, and vision necessary to give you the most definitive results in eyelid surgeries like blepharoplasty, eyelid reconstruction, and fixing eyelid surgery.

Blepharoplasty Before and After Photo

Blepharoplasty Before and After Photo

A Modern Approach

The eyes are arguably our most important single feature when it comes to our appearance because of both their communicative abilities and aesthetic contribution to the way we look to others.  The eyes are particularly expressive, and even tiny irregularities are perceived by all we meet.  This is why a skilled precision is a necessity for eyelid surgery in particular.  Natural-looking results are crucial to meeting surgery goals.  When it comes to performing eyelid surgery well, Dr. Steinsapir is a perfectionist.  Rather than having physician extenders do his work for him or suggesting “blue plate specials” to those seeking surgery, Dr. Steinsapir works deliberately to take the time to listen to your concerns, measuring and evaluating your features, all of which is needed to create superior results.

There was a time when blepharoplasty surgery was considered a procedure that simply involved removing muscle, skin, and fat.  The unfortunate result was that this often led to oversurgical look, especially when care was not taken to preserve the natural eyelid crease and sometimes even damaging the tissue.  Dr. Steinsapir takes a completely different approach, conserving key features and enhancing others to create great eyelid surgery rather than an over-aggressive result.  Dr. Steinsapir’s support of natural results and minimally invasive procedures means that you can be comfortable that you have found the right surgeon.

Fixing Eyelid Surgery with Care

Dr. Steinsapir is widely respected and renowned for his work in correcting eyelid surgery that’s gone wrong elsewhere.  He understands that it can be traumatic to have unsatisfactory results from a doctor who perhaps was not an expert in eyelid plastic surgery, which is why he encourages you to carefully research corrective eyelid surgery and consult with potential revisional surgions before making a final treatment decision.  Dr. Steinsapir’s conservative methods preserve the eyelid integrity while yielding dramatic results, and he is considered one of the best doctors for fixing eyelid surgery as well as performing reconstructive eyelid surgery.

Reconstructive Surgery to Restore Balance

Dr. Steinsapir is a top eyelid reconstruction surgeon in Los Angeles who treats problems ranging from eyelid ptosis to skin cancer that affects the eyelids.  Do not give up hope if a medical condition, incident, or another cause has left you with eyelids you are dissatisfied with.  Dr. Steinsapir can dramatically improve eyelid concerns by approaching each patient as an individual and custom-tailoring treatment to your unique needs.

Consult with an Expert

We invite you to consult with Dr. Steinsapir to learn more about how his eyelid surgery can help you.  Please peruse his unretouched before and after eyelid surgery photos to see his abilities first-hand.  Call us today to learn more about how Dr. Steinsapir’s specialization in eyelid surgery will make a difference in your own life.

March 8, 2010

Is Mesotherapy Good For Lower Eyelid Bags?

Filed under: blepharoplasty,eyelid fat,Eyelid Surgery,lower blepharoplasty,mesotherapy,under eye fat — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 10:14 pm

Two common problems in the undereye area are the absence of fat and the presence of excessive fat.  Too little fat gives the eyes a hollow, sunken appearance, while too much fat makes them look puffy and swollen.  Because the appearance of the eyes makes a big difference in how we read facial expressions, correcting excess fat under your eyes can greatly improve your appearance.  While searching for solutions through cosmetic eye procedures, you may hear about a procedure called mesotherapy, which is being actively marketed by a few less ethical practitioners today.

What Is Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is a procedure in which a solution is injected into the body with the hope of reducing fat.  The solution includes chemicals like aminophylline, dimethylethanolamine, glutathione, hyaluronidase, isoproterenol, L-arginine, lidocaine pentoxifylline, yohimbine, and the bile salt deoxycholate and phosphatidylcholine.

Mesotheraphy is marketed under many catchy names like Lipodissolve, LipoShape, and Lipostabil.  Unfortunately, this procedure sounds appealing but is actually untested and unproven, making it a very real danger to those seeking treatment.

Is Mesotherapy FDA-Approved?

Mesotherapy has not been tested enough to demonstrate if it is safe, and we have documented some unpleasant side effects.  Mesotherapy remains an unproven treatment that not only doesn’t live up to its hype, but also presents a serious threat to anyone trying to sort through eyelid surgery options.  Mesotherapy dangers include scarring, damage to blood vessels, and pain.

For these reasons, the FDA has not approved mesotherapy.  The FDA will not endorse mesotherapy for human use unless further research can resolve its side effects and prove it safe and effective.  It is unlikely that mesotherapy will ever receive FDA approval. It can destroy fat cells, but it also causes significant inflammation.

You may be wondering what this means for removal of fat under eyes, since this represents a small yet significant fat deposit.  If mesotherapy someday be approved for under the eyes, then why not use it now?  In answer, you especially shouldn’t use mesotherapy under the eyes now or anytime soon.  The area under the eyes is especially sensitive to aging and treatment.  Because the skin here is so thin and delicate, it’s very hard to disguise problems in this area.  There are a narrower range of treatments that are proven to work here, primarily because the fragile skin here cannot compensate for even small mistakes or irregularities.  You don’t want to damage an already-sensitive area by experimenting with an unapproved and unsafe treatment.  And that’s exactly what someone performing mesotherapy is doing; they are conducting an uncontrolled experiment on you with chemicals not approved by the FDA.  Most doctors will not administer mesotherapy for ethical reasons, but there are a few people hoping to make a quick profit who will try to tell you that mesotherapy is safe.  Here’s the bottom line: if the FDA hasn’t approved it, they don’t have science on their side.

Here’s another word of caution: those who administer mesotherapy do not respect the recommendations of the FDA, so you are at increased risk for infection because these same practitioners may also disregard safe preparation procedures.  The chemicals are concocted in an unlicenced lab, which gives you no assurance that they were mixed under ideal conditions.

Alternative Treatments for Undereye Bags

Overall, mesotherapy is not a suitable alternative to liposuction and it is certainly no alternative to lower eyelid blepharoplasty.  If you are seeking treatment for your undereye bags in particular, a personal consultation may reveal that blepharoplasty or lower eyelid surgery is a much better option for removing fat under eyes.  These are flexible procedures that enable a qualified, experienced oculoplastic surgeon to present different treatment options to you and customize a procedure to help this sensitive area.  The eyelids and surrounding areas are incredibly complex, and our brains are programmed to pick up on very subtle irregularies, assymmetries, and problems in these areas, cuing us in on how a person is feeling and determining how attractive we view them as.  This is why only a proven, time-tested treatment should be administered by a highly experienced doctor who can treat you with the precision necessary to avoid mistakes while improving this area.

Find a Doctor Who Cares

Dr. Steinsapir specializes in cosmetic eye procedures in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.  His approach is to work with a patient to determine their goals and then customize a minimally-invasive treatment plan that makes sense and, most importantly, works.  Dr. Steinsapir has completed numerous fellowships and teaches at the prestigious Jules Stein Institute at UCLA.  Please contact us today to find out how Dr. Steinsapir can customize your safe treatment program today.

December 9, 2009

How Can Lower Eyelid Surgery Improve My Puffy Eyelids and Under-Eye Circles?

Filed under: Dr. Steinsapir,Eyelid Surgery — Tags: , , , — admin @ 11:14 am

In our last post, we discussed upper blepharoplasty or upper eyelid cosmetic surgery and its benefits in solving particular cosmetic concerns. Lower blepharoplasty or lower eyelid cosmetic surgery (also known as lower lidlift) has its own set of indications and can vastly improve many lower eyelid or under-eye problems. By removing excess fat, skin, or both on and around the lower eyelid, lower eyelid surgery can eliminate bags under the eyes by correcting problems caused by excess and unsightly skin, muscle, and tissue.

Lower Eyelid Surgery Before and After

Lower Eyelid Surgery Before and After

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty, or tranconjunctival lower eyelid surgery, is the preferred lower eyelid procedure, although what is best for you depends on your particular situation. Transconjunctival blepharoplasty improves the contour of the lower eyelid by correcting herniated orbital fat trapped beneath the eyelid, causing a ‘puffy’ look. This approach uses an incision made behind the eyelid to avoid scaring the eyelid skin or altering the eyelid margin. With an incision from behind the eyelid, unwanted results can be more easily avoided with the utmost precision. Removing this excess fatty tissue will give you a softer, more alert and interested appearance.

Often the puffy lower eyes are confounded by two problems: as previously addressed, excessive herniated orbital fat under the lower eyelid gives this area an inflated look, while the sagging of the cheeks caused from age, stress, or genetics creates a hollow that exaggerates the appearance of swelling or circles under the eyes. Having both these concerns simultaneously means that each problem exacerbates the other; hollow under-eyes make the lower eyelids look even more overly full, while full eyelids makes the under-eye hollows stand out. This compounded problem can be resolved with a procedure called arcus marginalis release, which takes the transconjunctival blepharoplasty one step further. The lower eyelid fat is used to make a living fat graft with its own blood supply. This pedicle of tissue is rotated into the top of the cheek where there is hollowness. This is done through a small incision at a condensation of tissue known as the arcus marginalis. The acrus marginalis release corrects problems of both excessive eyelid fat and the hollow or circle that develops in many of us at the top of the cheek in a single procedure with no skin incision. Like other forms of fat transfers, this procedure is very safe because the body cannot reject its own natural cells. However, unlike other fat transfer procedures that need to develop their own blood supply, the fat from the lower eyelid already has its own blood supply making this transfer of volume highly dependable.

During a lower eyelid procedure, your surgeon’s goal is to correct these problems and aim for a natural, symmetrical look. Your surgeon will take care to remove and/or transfer just the right amount of fat, taking special care to not remove too much, because it is easier to remove more fat later than add it back.

The lateral canthal angle, which is the outer eye corner, may be used as a point of access to perform different procedures. If you are dissatisfied with your lateral canthal angle, this may be a good time for the surgeon to improve it. Dissatisfaction of this anatomic feature is usually caused by prior eyelid surgery. With canthoplasty the surgeon can tighten the lower eyelid and also reconstruct the lateral canthal angle adjusting unsatisfactory issues like a position that is too high or too low. By controlling the shape and position of this corner with precision, an experienced oculoplastic surgeon can attain the desired results.

Improved Methods

Years ago, it was popular to perform related procedures through an incision made just below the lower eyelid lashes. Unfortunately this method sometimes damaged the lower eyelid muscles and created scar tissue. The good news is that the introduction of transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty many changes associated with old style lower blepharoplasty can now be avoided. What does this mean for you? If you are worried about problems you’ve heard are associated with lower eyelid surgery, these are likely the results of older methods that are completely avoidable through more appropriate methods available today. Professionals like Dr. Steinsapir have extensive experience performing transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty, enabling them to obtain the desired eyelid improvement with a significantly reduced risk of complications.

Combined Procedures

Many eyelid procedures can be combine with other facial surgery such as a facelift or forehead lift. Most oculoplastic surgeries can be performed under local anesthesia or local anesthesia augmented with intravenous sedation. Dr. Steinsapir performs many of his surgeries at the UCLA Medical Center Outpatient Surgery Center. Many eyelid procedures can be performed under local anesthesia in the office setting. The doctor will discuss with you the appropriate setting for your surgery. Receiving a chemical peel at the time of lower eyelid surgery is often a fantastic option that will improve your results. Often lower eyelid wrinkles are the result of a combination of fullness and skin laxity. A chemical peel firms the skin and together with fat removal from surgery, the results is improved lower eyelid rejuvenation. A skin pinch is sometimes used as an alternative to the chemical peel in the right circumstance.

Personalizing Your Results

Because no one has eyes quite like your own, a one-size-fits-all approach simply will not do. This is why consulting a doctor who has worked on a diverse range of eyelids will be most informative and yield the best results. Dr. Steinsapir is such a doctor who has improved many combinations of eye concerns. He specializes in minimally invasive techniques and is exceptionally adept at performing corrective procedures. He has developed an number of surgical techniques and treatment methods. His specialization in treating the eyelids is supported by multiple fellowships, residencies, professorial positions, published papers, and of course extensive experience. Dr. Steinsapir never turns over his work to nurses or “physician extenders,” ensuring that you receive the best treatment possible. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your specific concerns and learn how Dr. Steinsapir can help.