Seeing Clearly: Choosing the Best Surgeon for Your Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, a form of eyelid surgery, can address concerns like puffiness and drooping upper eyelids. Upper blepharoplasty addresses excess skin of the upper eyelids and lower blepharoplasty improves puffiness or bags of the lower eyelids. With any surgical procedure, especially one near your delicate eyes, choosing the right doctor is crucial. Here's how to navigate the selection process and find the surgeon who's perfect for you.

This is a patient of Pradeep Mettu, MD shown approximately 3 months after upper and lower blepharoplasty

Seek Specialization

Blepharoplasty requires expertise in both aesthetic and functional aspects of the eye, eyelids, and surrounding structures. For blepharoplasty, you should opt for an oculoplastic surgeon (as opposed to a general ophthalmologist who also performs cataract surgeries and as opposed to a general plastic surgeon who also performs breast and body surgery). Oculoplastic surgeons have ophthalmology residency training so they understand the health and function of the eyes. A properly trained oculoplastic surgeon has also completed additional fellowship training focusing solely on the eyelids and surrounding areas. Consequently, oculoplastic surgeons can deliver excellent cosmetic results while also maintaining the health of yours eyes. Oculoplastic surgeons have the most experience with blepharoplasty compared to other types of surgeons who also offer this procedure.

Certification Counts

Verify board certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) and membership in the American Society of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). While many surgeons may label themselves as ‘oculoplastic surgeons,’ be sure to find an oculoplastic surgeon who is a member of ASOPRS. Only oculoplastic surgeons who meet the stringent requirements are selected to become members of ASOPRS. In addition to other requirements, ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeons have completed a rigorous, approved two year fellowship under the mentorship of a master surgeon. During this two year period, each fellow (ASOPRS candidate) must perform a large number of eyelid surgeries including blepharoplasty. An ASOPRS fellowship is one of the most competitive medical positions since there are hundreds of highly qualified surgeons vying for one of the 20 some positions each year. To then become a member of ASOPRS after fellowship, an ASOPRS candidate must also submit a meaningful research contribution which often takes years to complete. Additionally, the ASOPRS candidate must pass challenging written and oral examinations to demonstrate the appropriate knowledge base and clinical judgment. This highly competitive process helps ensure that each surgeon that is a member of ASOPRS has a high level of expertise in oculoplastic surgery including blepharoplasty. There is no comparable quality control for surgeons who are not members of ASOPRS. To confirm that your blepharoplasty surgeon is a member of ASOPRS, be sure to check the member database here.

Picture Perfect Results

Review before-and-after photos of the surgeon's blepharoplasty patients. Look for examples on the surgeon’s website that resemble your desired outcome. Also, you will want to confirm that the surgeon has more than one or two examples. Examine the photos carefully. Edited photos or demonstration of the ‘before’ photo without flash and the ‘after’ with flash are a red flag and an unfortunately common deceptive marketing tactic. While there will be some variation in lighting, positioning, and image quality, heavily doctored images or photos taken under completely different circumstances can be misleading. Finally, look at the fine print on the before and after photos to confirm that the photos that are displayed are actually the surgeon’s own work and not being borrowed from another surgeon or third party company.

Patient Testimonials

Check online reviews on independent platforms like Google. While a high rating may be helpful, pay attention to the specific content of the review to help determine the quality and validity of the review. For example, a large number of Google Reviews with minimal to no comments may be generated by a paid service. These types of services are common within the cosmetic surgery industry. By looking closely at the reviews you may also be able to get a sense of the surgeon's personality, bedside manner, communication style, surgical skills, and post-surgical support.

Experience Matters

Take note of the surgeon's experience with blepharoplasty. In addition to ASOPRS membership, look at the number of blepharoplasty before and after photos on the website and the different types of patients (age, anatomical differences, etc). You can also get a sense of experience with and commitment to blepharoplasty by looking at the range of services provided by the surgeon and the comments in the reviews. This will help you better understand how often the surgeon is performing blepharoplasty. For example a surgeon who offers a broader range of services (i.e. facelifts, breast augmentation, cataract surgery, etc.) will not be performing blepharoplasty as consistently as an ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeon who has limited their practice to eyelid surgery. Additionally, a surgeon may have good reviews, but you may find that most of the positive reviews are from patients who had some other type of surgery such as a facelift.

Would you rather have your blepharoplasty performed by a general plastic surgeon who may spend more time doing breast and body surgery, a general ophthalmologist who devotes much of their surgical time to eye surgery (e.g cataract and glaucoma surgery), or an ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeon who focuses on blepharoplasty on a daily basis?

Social Media (Instagram etc)

While reviewing social media accounts can be helpful, do not be over reliant on social media to identify your surgeon. Some surgeons may have interesting content but this does not necessarily translate into good patient care and outcomes. Additionally, many surgeons use third party companies to inflate their followers to make it seem like the surgeon is more relevant or popular than they actually are.

Building Rapport

Schedule a consultation with the surgeon or surgeons that you think may best meet your needs. This allows you to assess their communication skills, bedside manner, answer your questions thoroughly, and address your concerns. Choose the surgeon who you feel will not only be able to deliver your desired results but who will also be accessible and able to support you through the recovery process. During the consultation, you will be able to assess the cleanliness and overall professionalism of the surgeon’s office. How well the office is run provides valuable insight into the surgeon’s thoughtfulness and dedication to a high level of patient care.

Final Thoughts

Don't hesitate to ask questions during consultation. This is your opportunity to gather information and ensure you're on the same page with the surgeon.

Trust your gut. If something feels off with a particular surgeon, move on to the next candidate. Do not rationalize or try to justify any red flags. You should not settle on a surgeon unless you have 100% confidence in your surgeon and are completely comfortable with the decision.

Cost shouldn't be the sole deciding factor. Prioritize your safety and desired outcome above all. Blepharoplasty is a long term investment.

Blepharoplasty can be a life-changing decision, and choosing the right ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeon is key to achieving optimal results. By following these tips and conducting thorough research, you'll be well on your way to seeing your vision for clearer, brighter eyes come true!