In summary, the consultation is the patient's opportunity to sit down with Dr. Portuese and discuss mutual goals and aspirations with regard to changing the eyelids for better fit and balance with the face. Dr. Portuese will examine the upper and lower eyelids during the consultation. He will also take photographs of the eyelids and computer imaging can be performed at the eyelid consultation. The computer imaging is not a guarantee of how patients will look, but it is a communication tool that gives an idea of what to expect. This is also an excellent opportunity for patients to talk about what they expect from a blepharoplasty surgery and to make sure that the expectations are reasonable and that Dr. Portuese can deliver the patients' reasonable goals. During the consultation, Dr. Portuese also reviews with patients an entire book of before and after blepharoplasties that he has personally performed. These are also available on our website, www.eyelids.com. Dr. Portuese will also review the visual field obstruction test if it is performed prior to the examination by an ophthalmologist. If there is a significant visual field obstruction, usually over 30? in primary gaze, a patient's insurance may cover a portion of the surgery. This will be determined by the visual field obstruction test. Dr. Portuese will review the visual field obstruction test, will take pictures, and will submit a physical examination, all for preauthorization with the patient's medical insurance prior to any insurance-related blepharoplasty work being done.
COST OF A BLEPHAROPLASTY
After the consultation and physical exam, Dr. Portuese will make a judgment on which is the best blepharoplasty surgical technique to use to achieve the goals of the patient and the surgeon. This is done after a thorough review of the patient's medical history, physical exam, and the patient's needs, wants, and concerns, regarding their eyelids. At the end of the consultation, the patient coordinator will then discuss the costs and scheduling for a blepharoplasty. The cost for an upper blepharoplasty or a lower blepharoplasty is $3058 and the cost for upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty is $4782. These costs include the operating room, surgeon's fee, and anesthesia fee and also include all of the preoperative care and the postoperative care for one year. Any touch-up procedures that may be done in the first year would also be covered. There is less than a 5% chance that any touch-ups need to be done in the first year after the surgery and this is typically a minor adjustment to the eyelids. Payment options for surgery at the Seattle Eyelid and Blepharoplasty Center and Dr. Portuese's office include checks, cash, Visa, and MasterCard, and third-party financing, available through Care Credit.
In summary, the consultation is the patient's opportunity to sit down with Dr. Portuese and discuss mutual goals and aspirations with regard to changing the eyelids for better fit and balance with the face. Dr. Portuese will examine the upper and lower eyelids during the consultation. He will also take photographs of the eyelids and computer imaging can be performed at the eyelid consultation. The computer imaging is not a guarantee of how patients will look, but it is a communication tool that gives an idea of what to expect. This is also an excellent opportunity for patients to talk about what they expect from a blepharoplasty surgery and to make sure that the expectations are reasonable and that Dr. Portuese can deliver the patients' reasonable goals. During the consultation, Dr. Portuese also reviews with patients an entire book of before and after blepharoplasties that he has personally performed. These are also available on our website,