Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon Before Blepharoplasty

If drooping eyelids or undereye bags have led you to seek eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), your first step is to choose the right surgeon to perform your procedure. When you meet with a plastic surgeon for your consultation, they will ask you many questions about your concerns, your health and your desired results. But you should also take this opportunity to ask your own questions. This is your chance to learn about your surgeon and the blepharoplasty process and to determine if they are the right fit for you. At The Maas Clinic^TM, we know the importance of communicating with your surgeon, and we want you to be prepared for your consultation. These are some of the questions you should consider asking your surgeon to make sure that blepharoplasty is right for you.

Questions About Their Experience

You can think of your first appointment with your surgeon as an interview — you want to make sure they are the right person for the job. Just because you have scheduled a consultation with them does not mean that you have to choose that surgeon for your procedure. If you do not feel comfortable around your surgeon or your surgeon does not communicate in a way that you understand, you can feel free to schedule other consultations elsewhere. Aside from your personal concerns, you should always make sure that your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, the foremost nationally-recognized network of plastic surgeons. You also want to make sure that your surgeon has several years of experience not only performing plastic surgeries but performing blepharoplasties in particular. Some good questions for your surgeon include:

• Are you board-certified in plastic surgery?
• Where did you receive your medical training?
• How long have you been practicing cosmetic surgery?
• Do you specialize in facial surgeries?
• How many blepharoplasties have you performed?
• Is your office space nationally accredited or state licensed for this surgery?

Questions About The Procedure

Since there are a few standard ways of performing blepharoplasties, your surgeon likely has their preferred method and has potentially developed some of their own techniques through their years of experience. Additionally, every surgery is slightly different based on each client’s needs and facial structure — your blepharoplasty will be tailored to your specific qualities. Reading about a typical blepharoplasty procedure on the internet is often not enough to really understand how your eyelid surgery will work. You should ask your surgeon questions about what your particular procedure will be like to get a better sense of what to expect. These questions may include:

• What makes me a good candidate for a blepharoplasty instead of a different procedure?
• What kind of eyelid surgery technique do you use?
• Do you have recommended steps I can take to ensure my surgery goes smoothly?
• Do you perform your surgeries in your office or at a different surgical facility?
• What kind of anesthesia do you use for eyelid surgery?

Questions About Your Recovery

Although you will likely receive a written packet of information about your recovery process, you should also talk to your surgeon about your recovery ahead of time. After your surgery, you will be woozy from pain medications and have difficulty seeing due to the temporary swelling — you will not be able to ask your surgeon many questions, and trying to read your instructions will be uncomfortable. When you learn about your recovery before your surgery, you can prepare yourself, your loved ones and your home so that you have a safe and comfortable place to go after your surgery. You will likely want to know:

• What kind of pain medications will I need?
• How many days should I plan to take off from work or other responsibilities?
• What kinds of activities should I avoid?
• Are there signs of complications I should watch for?
• Who should I call if I have questions during my recovery?
• Can you help me understand how my final results will look?

If you are interested in learning more about eyelid surgery in San Francisco, contact The Maas Clinic^TM today. Our expert plastic surgeon, Corey S. Maas MD^TM, is an internationally-recognized expert in facial plastic surgeries and has been providing successful blepharoplasties for many years. We would be happy to discuss our team’s techniques with you and to answer any questions that you may have. Call us at 415-567-7000 to schedule your consultation.