A Complete Guide To Eyelid Surgery©copywrited William Portuese MD, 2007/8

FINDING THECOSMETIC SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN ANESTHESIOLOGIST

It is important that the facial plastic surgeon performing a blepharoplasty procedure has performed thousands of them. Dr. Portuese is board certified in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery) and board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery. His expertise is extensive with eyelid surgery. The surgery center where the procedures are performed is The Seattle Eyelid and Blepharoplasty Center and is a Medicare Certified Surgery Center located at 1101 Madison Street, Suite 1280, adjacent to Swedish Medical Center. Medicare certification for an ambulatory surgery center is one of the highest quality accreditations available. The surgical team consists of four registered nurses, who have been performing facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for 30+ years combined. The anesthesia that is used for this type of surgery is a general anesthesia performed by individually board certified physician anesthesiologists from Swedish Medical Center.

PATIENTS TRAVELING FROM OUT OF THE AREA

When patients are coming in from out of town to have their blepharoplasty performed at the Seattle Eyelid and Blepharoplasty Center, there are four hotels located within two blocks of the office. Our office administrator can give patients assistance with hotel reservations. We do recommend that patients stay in town for at least four or five days to one week for their postoperative care.

The Baroness Hotel (206)624-0787	The Inn at Virginia Mason (206)583-6453
The Silver Cloud Hotel (206)325-1400	The Sorrento Hotel (206)353-6156

YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

The consultation is important face-to-face time with Dr. Portuese. This is an opportunity for patients to ask questions and to discover what an eyelid procedure can and cannot do for them. At the Seattle Eyelid and Blepharoplasty Center, there is a charge of $75 for a consultation. This consult will last approximately 30 minutes with Dr. Portuese and 30 minutes with the administrative staff. During the consultation, patients will fill out medical history forms and undergo a physical examination of the eyelids by Dr. Portuese. Often, additional time will be spent with the office manager and patient coordinator and nurses discussing fees, scheduling, and reviewing computer imaging. During the consultation, some of the topics that are discussed are as follows:

• Patients will have the opportunity to express what they would like to change about their eyelids.
• Realistic expectations will be reviewed.
• Patient's physical examination.
• Patient's medical history.
• The technique of upper and/or lower blepharoplasty explained.
• General anesthesia.
• The Seattle Eyelid and Blepharoplasty Center.
• Pre- and postoperative care instructions.
• Common risks, alternatives, and relative expectations.
• Followup visits, costs, and scheduling.
• All previous operative notes, records, and any past medical history that is pertinent from an anesthesia standpoint.
• Visual field obstruction test performed at an ophthalmologist's office for any insurance-related visual obstruction.
• Any recent or past injuries to the eyelids.
• Allergies to any medications.
• Prescription medications and herbal supplements.

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