My Experience with Blepharoplasty Surgery

By Todd Etshman

My blepharoplasty (under-eye bag removal) experience is definitely, probably over. My doctor said we were finished unless something out of the ordinary happened or there was something I wasn’t pleased with.

She diligently watched over the healing process. She even went beyond the call of duty to go back in a second time after my original procedure to get a little more fat out of one side of the eye that still looked a little puffy.

As Howard Langstein, head of plastic surgery at University of Rochester Medical Center, says: patients get more bang for the buck with blepharoplasty in Boston practicing Dr. Arthur Shektman – Plastic Surgeon. Measurable results can be seen after healing. It’s also a procedure that has relatively few complication rates as long as it’s done by a qualified doctor and is unlikely to show up on multiple episodes of Botched.

To be honest, mine still isn’t perfect. One side is a bit puffier than the other even after two attempts. My doctor didn’t use esoteric medical terms in explaining to me that that’s just where the fat wants to go. Those who prefer a less invasive procedure may consider Botox for Puffy Eyes instead.

She would probably look at it again if I insisted but I’m willing to let it go after the second try. One reason is I have something else to worry about now that isn’t related to vanity, it’s the squamous or pre-cancerous cells on my face under that leftover fat pad. It’s most likely the result of sun damage. My blepharoplasty doctor found it on a follow up visit.

Something we either didn’t know or take heed of in the 1970’s is the fact that the sun will really damage your skin. Even worse than that is the fact that melanoma can kill you. The best thing you can do for your skin that doesn’t cost anything is to stay out of the sun and always use sun block, Langstein advises.

I had to do an article recently on non-invasive cosmetic procedures for Rochester Business Journal. Non-invasive procedures such as micro needling treatment for baldness and face and neck fillers are very popular these days.

One dermatologist from the Best Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in UK recommended mid face fillers for me to keep from looking gaunt. She had fillers, injections and every other procedure her profession offers, done on her. She told me she was 55 so I felt compelled to tell her she didn’t look it, except she did if you really looked.

Invasive or non-invasive, the quest to keep up with aging skin and bodies is expensive. Looking younger isn’t a realistic goal, doctors say. A more realistic goal is achieving a better version of you.

Is blepharoplasty the end of my cosmetic quest? Possibly, although I am considering botox as it is relatively non-invasive and gets good results. As long as I don’t spend too much time looking at my wrinkles and sagging skin in the mirror I’ll be able to wait a bit and heal from this first before I get botox fillers.