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I have a question.
As, just like any surgery of such nature, it does not remove the CAUSE of problem. Doesn't this require routine follow ups? OOP? What, basically, ensures that MD has stable income source for years to come.
wow, that is an important detail to know (I have hashimotos).
Yes, exactly. Just FYI, there are ophthalmologists who specialize in thyroid cases, though they are rare. Hashimoto's affects vision, it can cause chronic headaches, one cause of which relates to structures on the lower forehead in-between the eyes (there's a type of scan or ultrasound that can diagnose that), and other eye/vision-related issues. So unless you're not having those types of symptoms (you weren't wearing glasses in your posted photo, as I recall, back a couple of years ago), it wouldn't be a bad idea to seek out one of those specialists, and get your annual eye exams from him/her, so that expertise will be available to you when you need it. You're in SoCal, so you should be able to find one of these specialists, and they do take insurance.
After years of hating my droopy eye lids (I resemble a shar Pei dog!) my eye Dr confirmed that it was impairing my vision by 30% and sent me to a ocularfacial surgeon!
I had my consult and of COURSE they tried to up-sell me on a brow lift too. I've decided not to go ahead with that (mostly due to the cost) but the surprising part is that insurance just pays for the muscle tightening of the eye lid and not the skin removal part which is out of pocket.
I think I've decided to go ahead and pay for the skin removal part also.
My question is:
Has anyone done this? Are you happy with the results? Was there a noticeable different (to you anyway)?
Did any part of it go through insurance?
I had an upper and lower eyelid lift at age 50 in CA. I was originally just there for a lower facelift due to turkey neck, but the doctor said my eyelids were starting to fold over and I might as well get it done all at once. Between both procedures, I definitely looked younger and refreshed. Of course, none of it was paid for by insurance because it was all cosmetic.
Fast-forward to age 67. My left lid had started to sag a few years earlier and it looked a little wonky in pictures. Finally it started interfering with my vision. Went to an eye surgeon here in FL. He said there wasn't enough skin to lift it that way, which I thought was a good sign -- 17 years later, the skin still wasn't drooping. He did a muscle lift which involved going underneath the lid and lifting the muscle. I was really afraid that I'd end up with one really big left eye, but it turned out perfectly. Insurance did pay for it since it was confirmed that my vision was impaired. I do know people who have had the skin removed (even multiple times) and it was paid for by Medicare, so I'm not sure why yours wouldn't be covered?
I'm now 70 and the lids are still even. They are starting to fold over a bit, but I don't think enough to warrant another cosmetic lift. I would, however, like to get my neck done again. Way expensive for me now that I'm retired, though.
Last edited by Avalon08; 07-17-2020 at 12:24 AM..
Reason: typo
I have one droopy lid...(beginning after having Cataract surgery when cut into to insert the IOL). First, to explain, after having been told repeatedly that it just "needed to heal" and wasn't doing so, I returned to my original Ophthamalogist I had seen prior (having only switched Dr's due to an Insurance issue).
This original Dr. would not help me with the eyelid (but performed Cataract Surgery on my other eye with a Laser which turned out fine, wishing both had been done by him). He suggested the surgeon in his office for the eyelid, whose personality I didn't care for, so I did not do so.
I was not finding many options, searching for someone appropriate. Another Dr. claimed it would "not be covered" since I "could still see well enough", which is not the case. (I had someone close to me talking me out of it too, and let it go for a while). My sister said she knew some who had it done and they "looked weird" afterward. I said, "I look weird now..."
Later, I was referred to another surgeon whom I really liked and felt it would go well with, saying it would be covered and was scheduled for March of this year -- (which was cancelled due to Covid..then, was contacted to see if I wanted to go ahead in May, which I declined under the circumstances).
Anyway, my intention is to get it done, hating the way it looks, being half-closed and impeding my vision, but unsure when I will do so now, needing to rely upon another's help and taking the time to heal, without the added stuff being dealt with currently. (Besides this, I am in need of a regular eye exam and new glasses).
To answer, I believe my choice was to the muscle tightening and some skin removal, being told it would be covered thru Medicare and Medi-Cal, hopefully being the truth. I have always had concerns about the outcome, but I feel this Dr. will be appropriate from what I've seen about him online besides the personal impression I had of him. So, just waiting... and will need all my pre-op tests done again..ugh.
I had heavy lids genetically but not to the point of impeding my vision to any great extent, just age was making them look worse and it was certainly going to be an issue in my future. I had upper & lower blepharoplasty in 2013 at age 56 paid for out of my pocket, but I also found a surgeon who had a very high office overhead and being hurt by the recession and he was offering a significant discount on the surgery to bring in new clients and cover his overhead. All mine was out of pocket, cost $3000 for all. I had a bit of problem with one eye healing in the first 2 weeks (the lower lid looked a bit turned inside out) but some steroid drops got that turned around in a few days and no other problems. Looked a mess for 2 weeks but no pain, a little discomfort, and having to sleep on my back with my head elevated for that time which was do-able but not my favorite, as I'm a side sleeper normally.
About 6-8 months later looked absolutely fantastic, and that has diminished slowly over time as you keep getting older. the droopy-ness is still much better than it was when I got the operation done, and I can see what it would look like in another decade without the op from looking at my oldest sister who didn't have it done. Her eyesight is definitely impeded by the droop. In the future, I may opt for a forehead lift, or maybe just age as gracefully as I can manage with creams and dermal stamping instead.
Thanks for all your feedback. I'm not sure why insurance won't pay for the skin removal part - the office said that that cosmetic and they would deny it.
I know that over time, they'll sag back again, but i"m 49 and I have so many more working years ahead of me and I really think that if I can feel better about the way I look, it'll help me advance at work etc. And the vision thing is truly an issue.
Interesting about thyroid issues though.
...and?? do you like the results? Do you look normal or "fake"?
I've had a bunch of relatives that have had it done, the results all look normal after a month or two. They look much better, honestly, not at all fake. All of them save for my MIL had it done for medical reasons. It's one of those things where even if it's obvious there was some work done, it looks infinitely better.
I've had a bunch of relatives that have had it done, the results all look normal after a month or two. They look much better, honestly, not at all fake. All of them save for my MIL had it done for medical reasons. It's one of those things where even if it's obvious there was some work done, it looks infinitely better.
I had the uppers & lowers done 10 years ago by an ocular surgeon. He was at a university-based medical center, and specialized in patients with thyroid issues. I didn’t have this problem, but due to his expertise and the clinic’s reputation, I knew I would have a good result. Insurance paid for the uppers, and I was given a discount for the lowers. It was the best thing I ever did for myself, it looks as good now as when it was first done.
If you do it, be gentle with your eyelids to keep them that way. Avoid sun, clean them gently. If you’re female, don’t pull and tug on the skin when you apply eye makeup.
I have a question.
As, just like any surgery of such nature, it does not remove the CAUSE of problem. Doesn't this require routine follow ups? OOP? What, basically, ensures that MD has stable income source for years to come.
Are you talking about droopy eyelids? The cause is that it's genetic. It's just a cosmetic feature that some people don't like, but some do. Some actors got famous with them, like Roy Rogers, Lauren Bacall, Mitzi Gaynor, Clint Black, Shirley Maclaine, Renee Zellweger...
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He suggested the surgeon in his office for the eyelid, whose personality I didn't care for, so I did not do so.
