"My eyes make me look so tired." Eyelid blepharoplasty can fix that.

Some times patients notice it themselves. Sometimes it's because someone asks, "Why do always look so tired? Are you getting enough sleep?"

People judge our emotions and health by how we look to them. Hanging, loose upper eyelid skin or lower eyelid bags cause others to assume we are not our best.

Eyelid tuck, eye lift, or its medical name "blepharoplasty" is the procedure that is done to correct those characteristics. Under light anesthesia, or occasionally local, extra skin is removed, fat pockets are smoothed, crinkly skin is tightened with laser, etc. These procedures may be done only to the upper or the lower lids, or both. They may be combined with other procedures a patient desires like browlift, facelift, necklift, lip enhancement, facial fat grafting, etc.

Our goal is to give you a natural improvement in your appearance. We avoid techniques that distort, pull tightly, or unfavorably alter the shape of your eye area. We want everyone to notice how great you look, not notice that you look odd or different. Our photo gallery can be found at http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/photogallery/eyelid-surgery-blepharoplasty-4802

Our cosmetic surgery is most often done in our nationally accredited out-patient surgical facility (in-office), complimented by a physician anesthesiologist (MD). Detail about our facility and a photo tour are available on our web site http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/about.html

Sutton Graham, MD, FACS is board certified in plastic surgery, and has almost 20 years experience performing cosmetic eyelid surgery (and other aesthetic / cosmetic surgery of the face, breast & body). Our office is located in Greenville, South Carolina. We serve a wide area of Georgia, North & South Carolina, including Hartwell, Athens, Clayton, Seneca, Keowee, Anderson, Greenwood, Clemson, Abbeville, Jocassee, Sunset Lake Communities (Cliffs, Reserve, etc.), Easley, Greenville, Greer, Simpsonville, Mauldin, Taylors, Cleveland, Spartanburg, Highlands, Cashiers, Franklin, Brevard, Flat Rock, Tryon, Landrum, Hendersonville, Asheville, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock

Facelift in South Carolina: Natural, beautiful results

There are plenty of jokes about poorly done, overly tight, unnatural appearing facelift patients. The reality is that well done facelifts are so natural that most people never know you had it done, they only see how great you look. Our photo gallery can be viewed at http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/photogallery/facelift-necklift-4805/case-6-07394-16775

Dr. Sutton Graham has an excellent reputation for achieving beautiful, natural-looking results with face lift cosmetic surgery. A variety of techniques are classified under the simple title “face lift”, and the procedure can be adapted to suit each individual patient’s desires and problem areas. Standard procedures combine correction of looseness and sagging involving your cheeks, jowls, jawline, chin and neck. If the forehead and brow area is a problem, then minimal-incision browlift can be done. If eyelid area loose skin, hooding, bags, etc. are a problem, then eyelid blepharoplasty is the solution. Short-scar (limited-incision) facelift is appropriate for those with looseness limited to the cheeks and jawline areas - without much neck looseness. This latter procedure is known by a variety of names; mini-lift, lite-lift, lifestyle-lift, MACS lift, S-lift. These alternatives are considered for all patients. Additional information is on our website http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/facelift.html

Sometimes we simply hear our patients say, “I’m just looking so old and tired,” or “I look so much older than I feel.” A facelift at our Greenville practice can address these concerns, helping to restore youthful-looking beauty for both our male and female patients.

Dr. Graham is board certified in plastic surgery, respected in the community, has almost 20 years experience, cares for thousands of cosmetic patients, is a member of several regional and national professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons. We serve Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Columbia, Greenwood, Seneca, Clemson, Easley, Greer, Simpsonville, Mauldin, Taylors, Sunset, Lake communities of Hartwell, Keowee, Jocassee, Reserve, Cliffs, Landrum & Tryon, Hendersonville, Brevard, Asheville, Waynesville, Franklin, Highlands, Cashiers, Clayton, Hartsville, etc.

Droopy eyelid skin; Removal is most common facial cosmetic surgery

Blepharoplasty is the medical term for a procedure often called eyelid tuck or eyelift. According to 2008 national statistics from the ASPS, eyelid cosmetic surgery was the most common facial surgery (followed by facelift, browlift). http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Media/Press_Kits/Procedural_Statistics.html

Similarly, in our practice in upstate South Carolina, eyelid is most common. It is performed as a single procedure or in combination with facelift or browlift, or other procedures. For more information call 864-676-1707 or see the e-mail link on our website: http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/other-face.html

Removal of hanging, loose, excess upper lid skin is the most common feature that patients request to freshen their appearance, make them look less tired or old. If there are upper fat pockets these can be removed. If there are lower eyelid bags these can be removed, tightened or hidden by a variety of techniques. If the skin texture is crinkled, then erbium:YAG laser resurfacing (peel) can be done to improve surface texture.

Each one of our patients is treated to post-operative lymphatic massage, carefully done by our experienced Skin Care Specialists (estheticians) to reduce post-op swelling, bruising or discomfort. They can also assist you with professional skin care products to enhance your surgical results, improve skin tone, pigmentation and texture. Make-up advice is available if you wish. We have Latisse eyelash enhancement prescription medication. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/skin.html

Cosmetic eyelid surgery and non-surgical eyelid enhancements at Dr. Sutton Graham's specialized practice. Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Columbia, Asheville

Facelift: making the result natural and beautiful.

Beautiful, natural facial rejuvenation is possible through facelift surgery. It all in how the surgeon does his work.

Dr. Graham is widely known for achieving such high quality results for his female and male patients. Our photo gallery gives many examples and we'll show you more when you visit the office for a consultation. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/photogallery/facelift-necklift-4805. The skin is not pulled overly tight. The mouth is not stretched. the cheeks aren't flattened. The expressions remain natural. Many times your friends will only notice that you look better somehow, less tired, or they might think you lost some weight. Of course, if the concerns include slack jowls, "turkey-neck," lax cheek and neck skin, etc. those will be improved markedly.

Most patients feel well in days and return to light activities in about a week. There is relatively little down-time. You can resume exercise and an active lifestyle in 3 weeks.

If you want more information, see our website. Our contact page will get you started, and give you information on how to schedule a consultation. http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/contact.html
Call 864-676-1707.
E-mail info@expertplasticsurgeon.com

Our specialized cosmetic plastic surgery practice can offer an in-office, private, nationally accredited surgical suite, with MD anesthesiology (board-certified). We perform facelift, cheeklift, short-scar facelift, necklift, neck liposuction, browlift, endoscopic browlift, eyelid blepharoplasty, fat graft augmentation of loss of fullness, lip augmentation, cheek augmentation, chin augmentation, chin implants, hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane & Juvederm), Botox & Dysport, laser skin tightening, laser peels, intense-pulsed light (IPL). We serve NE Georgia, Western North Carolina, South Carolina, including Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Columbia, Greenwood, Greer, Taylors, Clemson, Seneca, Reserve and Clifts Communities, Tryon, Landrum, Hendersonville, Asheville, Highlands, Cashiers, Beavard, etc.

Eyelid cosmetic blepharoplasty in Greenville, South Carolina

Eyelid tuck (blepharoplasty) is the most common facial cosmetic surgery both nationally and in our practice in Greenville, Upstate South Carolina.

People notice our eyes as the most expressive part of our face. The skin is thinner there and years of expressions & possibly sun damage cause wrinkles, deeper lines, thinning of the lower rim, protruding fat bags, draping loose skin. Gravity pushing the forehead and eyebrows down adds to the tired or sad impression that the eyes can give.

Surgery can be the answer for some of those problems. Blepharoplasty can removes skin folds, tighten skin, remove protruding fat pads, and add support to loose lids. Browlift can reduce forehead lines, raise overly low eyebrows, and decrease fullness of the upper, outer eye socket area. Laser peel can greatly improve skin texture, crinkling, wrinkling, crepiness. Some skin tightening is possible too. Lighter laser treatments are available that have shorter recovery times and don't need anesthesia.

Comprehensive treatment means more than surgery, and we have staff and experience with many other methods. Obagi Professional Skin Care is very helpful, particularly for pigmentation and surface texture concerns. Botox and Dysport are important to reduce excessive muscle motion in the squint & frown areas. Restylane and Juvaderm injectable fillers solve under-eye hollows and thin lower rims. We offer Latisse, the only FDA approved product to grow thicker, longer, darker lashes. We also offer lash and brow tinting or more permanent tattoo eyeliner or brow tint. Patients enjoy visits with out Skin Care Specialists and Nurse Practitioner. They enhance your results and enjoyment.

If you're interested in eyelid or other facial rejuvenation contact us by e-mail at info@expertplasticsurgeon.com or call 864-676-1707.

Nationally Accredited Office Cosmetic Surgical Suite

One of the benefits of our location on Halton Road, Greenville, SC is a clean, modern, spacious, and specially equipped Cosmetic Surgical Facility. It operates under the name Plastic Surgery Specialty Center, PA, and is overseen by Dr. Sutton Graham. The head nurse is Cathy Cole, RN, CPSN (registered nurse, certified plastic surgery nurse).

Our facility anesthesia is only delivered by Dr. Merritt Tolan, board-certified anesthesiologist with years of experience, and a wonderful caring manner. Tina Kraus, RN is our recovery nurse, and brings years of hospital recovery experience. Dr. Graham's surgical assistant is Terri Scott, CST (certified surgical technologist).

Our location features a specialized office surgical facility, with over 2,000 square feet that are designed and engineered to national accreditation standards. Our facility offers outstanding patient safety as well as comfort and privacy, and includes the following features:
Convenient and private entrance/exit
Sterility and infection control
Patient and blanket warming equipment
High-temperature in-house laundry facilities
Dedicated OR Nursing Director
Certified medical gas system
Experienced Anesthesiologist (physician)
Electronic patient monitoring equipment
Back-up power generator
High-efficiency OR air filtration system
Instrument processing and sterilization rooms
Monitored recovery spaces
Our Patients Experience the Difference
Unlike a typical hospital or multi-specialty surgery center, our facilities are used only for cosmetic surgery procedures. We do not have many different surgeons treating all types of unrelated procedures and diseases. Our accredited, on-site facilities are used only by cosmetic surgeon Sutton Graham, M.D., and each member of our staff really understands the unique needs and concerns of cosmetic surgery patients. Our specialized facilities and expertise helps ensure the quality and safety of each surgical procedure. In addition, we have carefully designed a number of protocols to optimize the postoperative recovery of each patient. Every patient is educated and given detailed information in advance.
To learn more about what sets our practice apart from others in Greenville, including our cosmetic plastic surgeon and nationally accredited facilities, please contact the Aesthetic Center for Breast and Cosmetic Surgery today.

Procedures performed include: Breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, nipple & areola corrections, replacement of breast implants, correction of implant problems, facelift, cheeklift, necklift, browlift, eyelid lift (blepharoplasty), chin implant, fat grafts for lips / cheels / nasolabial grooves, tummy tuck abdominoplasty, liposuction, thigh lifts, arm tucks (brachioplasty), and others.

Patients come to us from throughout our region and beyond. (North Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina). For example: Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Easley, Pickens, Seneca, Clemson, Pendleton, Piedmont, Tryon, Landrum, Greenwood, Hartwell, Newberry, Clinton, Asheville, Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Brevard, Highlands, Cashiers

Facial Aging & Blepharoplasty: Recent items in the media

Time Magazine ran an article in February with some very interesting observations on genetically identical twins and how environment makes us look younger or older. It reinforced recommendations that plastic surgeons have been making; that enhancing volume in the face makes one look more youthful. We use hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvaderm, Restylane, etc.) and Fat Graft Transfer to maintain full healthy cheeks, correct jawline thinning, and fill in under-eye grooves. Facelifting techniques elevate and restore sagging or lost healthy tissues. The article contains other thought provoking ideas.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1877717,00.html
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/injectables.html

More Magazine followed one woman through the process of blepharoplasty (eyelid lift). They show early post-op swelling, etc.
http://www.more.com/style/beauty/anti-aging/eyelift-one-womans-story/
http://www.expertplasticsurgeon.com/html/other-face.html#eyelid-surgery

Interest in Cosmetic Procedures in a Down Economy

In addition to general reporting on the US economy, many national media reports mention the impact on cosmetic surgery and cosmetic medical procedures.

Greenville and Upstate South Carolina appear to have several advantages. Our regional economy is stronger because of our exporting sector. We continue to have employers expanding and investing. We have not seen the dramatic home price inflation of other areas. Our region remains attractive to families moving from many parts of the country.

In our practice, as summer winds down, Skin Care clients return to continue their routines and minimize the effects of past sun exposure. Minimally invasive procedures (BotoxCosmetic, Restylane, Juvaderm, MicroLaserPeels, laser hair removal, etc.) continue being popular. Breast and facial cosmetic surgery procedures continue to be the most sought after, followed by body contouring (tummy tuck and liposuction). We expect to be busier as fall season approaches.

Botox, Browlift, Blepharoplasty: How Do I Choose?

How do I tell which procedure or combination will give me an improved appearance around my eyes? Well, during an in-person consultation, we would demonstrate on your face and help you decide, but here are some hints:

1. Frown lines and squint lines or crow's feet respond to Botox treatments. A browlift may give longer lasting improvement in frown lines, but more motion will usually remain. Only the Botox will reliably improve the squint lines.

2. Excessive active lines crossing the forehead do not go away with typical browlift. Instead the entire forehead unit moves up a little (gravity has pulled it down). Botox can diminish the lines, or make them go away if they're mild.

3. Be careful about using Botox for too much forehead treatment. You may have either no natural forehead expressions (people wonder about you) or you may have drooping brows (we use our forehead muscles to lift our brows).

4. If your eyebrows are slightly too low, a little Botox beneath the inner and outer corners can give a little lift, without surgery.

5. If your eyebrows and thick skin just under the brows closes-in around your eyes, that responds best to surgical browlift. In addition, that procedure may improve your upper eyelid appearance.

6. Hooding of the eyelid skin over the lid or lashes improves with blepharoplasty (eyelid lift, tuck)

7. Puffy, thick upper eyelid folds respond to blepharoplasty.

8. Finally, a laser peel can greatly improve the texture of the eyelid skin. Sometimes that would be enough, without skin removal.

Obviously, some or all of these techniques may work together to enhance your appearance.

Pick Your Recovery Time

One way to choose among the various options for facial rejuvenation procedures is tell your surgeon how long you have to recover. This will let him or her tailor your procedures to your desired "down-time." If you have no down-time: choose from Botox, Restylane of other fillers, Intense Pulsed Light photofacials, or non-ablative skin tightening. If you have one weekend: you may select the above and /or MicroLaser Peels or Periorbital resurfcing. When you have 1 week available: enhance you appearance with a endoscopic browlift or submental liposuction (under the chin). A 2 week recovery gives you plenty of options: you could have either eyelid blepharoplasty, short-scar facelift, or a combination of the above procedures. A three week recovery is best for: facelift, necklift, and combinations of procedures on several parts of the face. At our office we'll discuss these issues and the features you would like to improve, and make individual personal recommendations. Call if you're interested.