What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Dear Dr. Parsa:

I just want to take this time to thank you for everything you have done for me. As you know, when I was first diagnosed with facial paralysis a few months ago, I felt like my life was about to end. After seeing several doctors, you were one of the only ones who spent an hour with me explaining everything that is possible. I have never felt so comfortable with a doctor. I want to thank you for sharing your gift with me, and I feel lucky to have you as my doctor.

Sincerely,
Johnny S.

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Can I combine a blepharoplasty with Lasik in one surgery?

Q: Can Lasik surgery be combined with eyelid surgery? I would rather only have one surgery but I want both procedures...Would it be hard to find a doctor who can do both?

A: I typically tell my patients that they need to wait at least 2 to 3 months between having any laser correction surgery and Blepharoplasty. This is because proper time is needed to allow the cornea to stabilize.

What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Dear Dr. Parsa:

I was a patient of yours last year, and I want to thank you for your help and fine work. I wanted to wait a while to see how everything went before I wrote, and in appreciation, I want you to have the gift I send along, and to thank you and compliment your staff for such a professional and excellent job they all did. I also thought you might like an update now. Everything came out beautifully, I look wonderful, and I feel so much better. It is amazing how just a small thing can make such an improvement. I will feel much better about my appearance and my self-confidence in that area for years to come. Frankly, I think I will probably feel so much better for the rest of my life that I am extremely happy I decided to do this and cannot imagine now not having done it. I think this one thing was such an improvement. Thank you very much for everything and especially for doing such a concerned and careful job. I was very anxious about the procedure and doing anything like this. I am very glad I chose you. I will keep you posted on everything.

Sincerely,
Jackie L.

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What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Dear Dr. Parsa:

I just want to take this time to thank you for your kindness and caring ways as a great doctor. You made me feel very comfortable in which, as you know, in the past I was not. We need to have more doctors like yourself in this world. Oh, yes, and I love my eyes of course. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Angela L.

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What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Marie and Dr. Parsa:

Thank you so much for all you have done for me. This whole experience has been wonderful, and I love my results.

Love,
Deb P.

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What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Dear Dr. Parsa:
I have been trying to formulate the appropriate way to express my gratitude to you. It is difficult because it is mingled with all the emotions of Gabe’s ordeal that I have been experiencing. The process began with a tremendous amount of fear and anger which I had to disguise for Gabe’s sake. He kept saying that I needed to be positive. It was the only way that he would make it through all of this, and so we did that together, fortunately with some success. Interestingly, as he progressed in his recovery, my emotions welled to the surface and I had several trying weeks as I dealt with the challenge of ridding myself of the image of a brutal stranger beating my child’s face.

I know that time will heal both of us physically and emotionally. And in all of this was you, our wonderful surgeon, skilled in both your medical specialty as well as your ability to offer us your calming and reassuring presence. All that you are and have done for us means more than I can express to you on this page. Know that I will forever be grateful to you for your extraordinary skills and for steering us with care through our crisis.

P.S. If there is ever another family who would benefit from speaking to me or Gabe, please do not hesitate to have them contact me. I would be happy to offer support for anyone in a similar difficult situation.

Sincerely,
Jade S.

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What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Dr. Parsa is an amazing doctor who is very skillful at his work and extremely understanding and caring. The whole procedure, from the first day I entered Dr. Parsa’s office for the consultation to the day of the surgery, has proven to be above and beyond my expectations. Thank you to Dr. Parsa and his entire staff, plus the anesthesiologist, David, was a superb anesthesiologist.

Love,
Lisa V.

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Browlift vs Blepharoplasty - which is best for sagging eyelids?

Q: Is a brow lift (forehead lift) better to raise sagging eyelids than a blepharoplasty?

A: Every time I see a new patient in my office for consultation, after listening to their needs & concerns they get a full comprehensive evaluation. At end of the evaluation depending on the patient’s individual anatomy I come up with a customized treatment plan.

Now because of the proximity of the brow to the upper eyelids and variations in anatomy and the aging process, each person will have different contributions to the sagging upper eyelids. Some people will have severe brow droop which is most of the problem and some people may not have any brow droop. So your treatment plan will have to be customized for you.

What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Dr. Parsa: 

I want to say to you that not only are you a very skillful, gifted doctor in the work you perform, but you also are blessed with something extra which puts you on a higher plane than other surgeons. I believe this extra special quality which you possess is your intuitiveness and listening abilities. I mean you give wholeheartedly to each and every one of your patients to truly hear their personal concerns when sitting in your presence. I know with me, you often had to hear me babble about nonsense. Yet, you still cared. This quality truly enables you to connect with your patient’s real needs, giving a positive end result. I want to tell you that life is definitely a gift. So, I say thank you Dr. Parsa for the gift you have given me. I sincerely express my appreciation and gratitude for your professional work, care, and passion.

Thank you so much.
Janet B.

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Eyelid Belpharoplasty Risks, Problems, What to Know in Advance

Q: In preping myself for eyelid blepharoplasty procedure i'd like to know what to expect beforehand.  Am I taking risks? what problems are possible? help me calm down!


A: There are more than 50 different ways to perform an eyelid surgery. Depending on you, your needs and your anatomy your surgeon should come up with a specific treatment plan to meet your needs. Unfortunately some surgeons only know of one or two ways of doing these procedures and they use that on every patient they see.

So I would say make sure you do your homework before choosing an eyelid surgeon because revisional surgery (fixing previously poorly performed surgery) is more challenging and costs much more than primary surgery. Make sure you at least you ask for an oculoplastic surgeon.

What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Hi Marie:

I'm soooooooooooooooooooo happy !!!!Thank you so much and  MY VERY BIG THANKS TO Dr Parsa for his magic ! I truly felt cared for and my long trip was priceless in knowing that I was in good hands from the start ! I'm being good- no sun- no swimming - no weed whacking !!!! But, I  thought I'd share a little photo of what I'm coming home to.....my little swimmers ! They have the end of year Banquet this Friday !

Thank you again for all !
Galen

Oculoplastic Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will my insurance pay for Blepharoplasty?

A: Insurance paying for upper eyelid surgery
There are three criteria that medicare has established and all three need to be documented before your insurance company considers covering the cost of upper eyelid surgery.

1. Documentation of superior visual field loss: This test is performed with each eyelid taped up to prove improvements in the superior visual field after surgery.

2. Documentation of ptosis (eyelid droop) OR dermatochlasia by your surgeon

3. Frontal and side view photographs documenting the presence of ptosis or dermatochlasia.

Now remember each insurance company is different and may have their own rules for qualifications.

What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Dear Dr. Parsa:

You are an angel disguised in human form doing God’s friendly work here on Earth. Even while still healing above and beyond my expectation. Thank you for all your care and patience with me.

Sincerely,
Lisa V.

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Oculoplastic Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will I be able to close my eyes after eyelid surgery? does the eyelid surgery leave the lids pulled open more so, causing difficulty to close them?

A: Eye closure after blepharoplasty
The eyelids are very delicate. If the blepharoplasty procedure is performed correctly you should have no problems with your blinking or eyelid closure. A major part of my practice is revisional surgery (correcting previous bad surgery) and I see inexperienced doctors taking too much skin which leads to eyelid closure problems.

What our Eyelid Surgery Patients are Saying

Dear Dr. Parsa, Marie, Morgan, and Janet:

Just wanted to say thanks. Dr. Parsa, thanks for your generosity and care above and beyond your call of duty. Marie, thanks for making me feel at home and comfortable. Morgan, thanks for all the phone calls, even when I was not supposed to be there. Janet, you guys are rock stars. Good luck and be well.

Sandra L.

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Oculoplastic Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can eye bags and fat be removed without blepharoplasty?
I have had two eyelifts on the lower lid and there is not a lot of elasticity left. However, I have fat under one eye and would like to if possible have it removed. Is this possible?

A: Multiple lower lid surgeries
The most important advise for you at this time is to make sure you are seen by an Oculoplastic surgeon. I agree with others, It is impossible to answer your question without examining you first. Make sure you do your research before having any other surgery.

Your Cosmetic Surgery Questions Answered

Q: I have a pre-op appointment on May 12th for Blepharoplasty. I'm a little scared about doing this. I don't want to regret it if things don't turn out good. I'm also afraid of the dry eye problem that can occur. My eye doctor says that I don't have extreme dry eyes. but I feel they are dry at times. Will they become extremely dry after surgery, for the rest of my life?

A: Every patient I see in my practice as part of their initial consultation and evaluation is tested for dry eyes. If your plastic surgeon does not routinely do this, it is because they are not familiar with these tests. That’s why it is important to make sure the surgeon operating on your eyes is an oculoplastic surgeon.

Glossary of Oculoplastic Terms - B

B cell lymphoma: Types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affecting B cells. It develops more frequently in immune compromised individuals.

Basal cell carcinoma: Most common type of skin cancer. A slow-growing, malignant, but usually non-metastasizing epithelial neoplasm of the epidermis or hair follicles, most commonly arising in sun damaged skin of the elderly and fair skinned.

Basal cell nevus syndrome: A syndrome of myriad basal cell nevi with the development of multiple basal cell carcinomas in adult life. These patients need to be followed closely for the development of basal cell carcinoma.

Benign mixed tumor: Neoplasm of epithelial and myoepithelial differentiation, varied architectural and cytologic features and mucoid, myxoid or chondroid stroma.

Blepharochalasis: A congenital or acquired condition characterized by undue looseness or pendulousness of the eyelid skin due to an abnormality or deficiency of elastic fibers. This is an idiopathic condition.

Blepharoplasty: Blepharo = eyelid + Plasty = to change. An operation performed to remove excess skin, muscle or fat from the eyelids to create a more youthful appearance. This procedure needs to be customized and individualized for the patient. The art of blepharoplasty has changed significantly in the past 10 years. Today the goal of the operation is to create a more natural look based on each patient's individual needs.

Blepharoptosis: Drooping of the upper eyelid.

Blepharospasm: Involuntary spasmodic contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle.

Blowout fractures: Bone fractures caused by direct trauma to the globe, which leads to an increase in intraorbital pressure and decompression via fracture of the orbital floor.

Blue nevus: A dark blue or blue-black nevus covered by smooth skin and formed by heavily pigmented spindle-shaped or dendritic melanocytes in the reticular dermis.

Botox: A neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is used in minute doses both to treat painful muscle spasms, and as a cosmetic treatment. In cosmetic facial rejuvenation it allows paralysis of the affected muscle to temporarily eliminate static wrinkles. The effects of Botox typically last about 90 days. 

Bowen disease: A form of intraepidermal carcinoma characterized by the development of slowly enlarging pinkish or brownish papules or eroded plaques covered with a thickened horny layer. Microscopically, there is dyskeratosis with large round epidermal cells that contain large nuclei and pale-staining cytoplasm and are scattered through all levels of the epidermis.

Brow lift: Operation to elevate the eyebrows.

Brow ptosis: Droopy eyebrow caused by heavy tissue above the eye; it can obstruct vision and result in fatigue caused by the effort required to raise this tissue out of the way.

Buccal mucus membrane graft:  A type of mucosal graft from the lips; commonly used to reconstruct the fornices in situations that the patient lacks normal tissue from previous trauma, injury or birth defect.

Bulbar conjunctiva: The thin, clear tissue over the sclera, which is the white part of the eyeball.

Patient Before and After

Upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty

The History of Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

The first recorded documentation of blepharoplasty was in the first century AD , when Aulus Cornelius Celsus described the excision of skin for “relaxed upper eyelids” in De Re Medica. The term blepharoplasty dates back to 1817, when a German physician Von Graefe described a technique for repairing deformities caused by resection of cancer in the eyelids. In 1907, Conrad Miller wrote Cosmetic Surgery and the Correction of Featural Imperfections, the first book of cosmetic surgery. The second edition of this book, published in 1924, contained diagrams of incisions for upper and lower eyelid surgery. From the late 1940’s to even as recent as today, orbital fat removal had been an important part of this procedure. In the past 10 years, a new paradigm has emerged in periocular rejuvenation where advanced customized techniques allow re-establishment of youthful characteristics by relying less on removal of fat and more on restoration. The goal is to still look like you, just better.