As they say, “the eyes have it.” Or something like that. Truth is, your eyes are the first features someone notices when they look at you – and they’re one of the top tell-tale indicators of your age. If you’re aiming to smooth out those under-eye crinkles that add years to your look, you’ve got several options including under eyelid surgery and Botox. Jacksonville’s Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery can help you choose.

Also known as “blepharoplasty,” eyelid surgery effectively removes excess skin and bulges from around your eyes, including both upper and lower eyelids. This excess skin below the eyes is what causes that crinkled look. Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery’s Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia remove the skin via a tiny incision underneath the eyelashes in the first crease or behind the eyelid. Careful placement of the incisions assures that your plastic surgery scars will be unnoticeable or even invisible.

Another option for treating under-eyelid crinkles is Botox. This method of treatment is used far less frequently because it demands an incredibly skilled hand and a tiny amount of Botox. Also, Botox may not work well for every patient, depending upon the facial structure and the way the skin beneath the eyes fold when the patient smiles. It’s most effective in conjunction with Botox treatment of crow’s feet.

Chemical peels also can be an effective choice for treating under-eye crinkles, but again – this takes a highly skilled professional. Chemical peels that are too strong or administered incorrectly can be harmful to the sensitive skin around the eyes.

Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery can help you decide the best treatment for your under-eye crinkles and set you up with great skincare products and vitamins that help keep your skin smooth and youthful. Call 904-247-8522 to schedule a consultation today.

Eyelid surgery by Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery can be an effective option for anyone seeking a more youthful, rejuvenated look around the eyes, and a particular benefit to patients whose drooping eyelids impair vision.

Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville focuses on both aesthetic and functional benefits of eyelid surgery.

Formally known as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery involves removing excess skin, muscle or fatty tissue from the upper and lower eyelids. Most upper eyelid surgeries and lower eyelid surgeries are performed for cosmetic reasons. The primary aesthetic result is a firmer, refreshed look around the eyes. But in many cases, eyelid surgery can significantly improve a patient’s vision as well. For instance, a blepharoplasty procedure can address a severely hooded eyelid that partially obscures a patient’s vision or open up naturally small eyes.

The body’s thinnest and most delicate skin is the skin around the eyes. As we age, the underlying eye muscles weaken and the skin stretches. For most, this simply means an older, often tired look. For many others, however, the resulting droop of the upper eyelids can compromise vision by more than 50 percent. Patients considering blepharoplasty often complain that their eyelids feel heavy and that they feel tired even after a full night’s sleep. And any amount of vision loss can hinder independence and everyday activities from reading your favorite novel to assembling a puzzle with your grandchild to driving your car.

In an upper eyelid surgery, excess fat, muscle and loose skin is removed with incisions made along the natural folds and creases of the eyelid, and fine sutures are used to close the incisions. This helps minimize the visibility of any scar. Lower eyelid operations involve removing excess fat and skin through a tiny incision beneath the eyelashes in the first crease. If only fatty pockets need to be removed, your surgeon may instead cut behind the eyelid, making the incision completely invisible. Self dissolving sutures are used, leaving no visible scar.

Typically, upper and lower eyelid surgery is completed within two hours. Permanent stitches are removed three to five days following the surgery and you’ll be advised to use cold compresses and keep your head elevated when lying down to help speed healing and relieve discomfort. You’ll also need to avoid certain activities and environments – particularly bright, direct sunlight – while you heal.

Eyelid surgery done for cosmetic reasons only won’t be considered by insurance companies. However, photographic documentation of obstructed vision and physicians’ projections on the percentage of vision improvement may convince your insurer to pay for a portion of your eyelid surgery costs. Insurance providers differ on the requirements for such coverage, and Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery’s surgeons and staff will work diligently with you and your provider to help land coverage of qualified costs. We also accept major credit cards and work with financing companies including CareCredit and CapitalOne Healthcare Finance. For more information or to schedule an eyelid surgery consultation, contact Garcia Facial Plastic Surgery near Jacksonville at 904-247-8522.

At Garcia Institute in Jacksonville, plastic surgery for men is growing. At one time a taboo subject among men everywhere, cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular for men, particularly Baby Boomers putting retirement plans on hold.

More men in Jacksonville and nationwide are opting for plastic surgery to help them remain competitive in the workplace.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the top facial plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures among men in 2009 were:

• Botox (308,000)
• Microdermabrasion (177,000)
• Chemical Peel (93,000)
• Soft Tissue Fillers (71,000)
• Nose Reshaping (66,000)
• Eyelid Surgery (30,000)

A major reason for plastic surgery among Jacksonville men is career competitiveness. According to the 2009 Harvard Study of Health and Life Quality, attractive and confident job seekers stand better chances of getting hired than do less attractive, less confident competitors. And the Journal of Economic Psychology published findings of a study that show employees deemed more attractive make 12 percent more money annually than do their less attractive coworkers.

These statistics are prompting many Jacksonville men to undergo plastic surgery. Jacksonville is not immune to the economic troubles that have hit the nation, so many local Baby Boomers are delaying retirement plans and instead finding themselves vying for promotions or new jobs. Trouble is, their competitors may be literally half their age. An AARP study shows this to be the case for 25 percent of respondents to a study on the issue, and many feel they’re at a competitive disadvantage when younger job seekers are eyeing the same positions. A recent NBC poll revealed that 95 percent of men undergoing cosmetic procedures are working professionals looking to extend the life of their careers and boost their income potential.

For men considering plastic surgery, Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute is a top choice. Dr. Phillip Garcia and Dr. Roberto Garcia are board-certified specialists in facial plastic surgery and our facility is North Florida’s only office-based surgery suite certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations. Contact us at 800-803-0082 or via our online email form to schedule a consultation today.

Whether insurance will cover your plastic surgery in Jacksonville depends chiefly on the type of plastic surgery you choose. The primary consideration is whether your will undergo a cosmetic plastic surgery or a reconstructive plastic surgery. Jacksonville’s Garcia Institute defines the two using the same definitions adopted by the American Medical Association and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. We define cosmetic plastic surgery as a surgery “performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient’s appearance and self-esteem;” and reconstructive plastic surgery as one “performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease.” Reconstructive plastic surgery primarily is performed to restore or improve facial functions such as the ability to smile, open and close your eyes or speak clearly, but may also be done to restore or approximate a patient’s normal appearance. Read more »