With 30 years and more than 10,000 eyelid surgeries under his belt, Dr. Jeffrey Popp has more experience performing the nation’s top procedure than anyone else in the arena – And he’s on track for another record-setting year.
According to a recent global survey conducted by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the last four years have shown an increase of 42.5% in the number of cosmetic surgical procedures performed worldwide. The accessibility of care and the safety of all procedures continues to improve, leading more people to embrace surgical options and take steps to improve their confidence and comfort in the skin they’re in.
One statistic you may find surprising is that eyelid surgery is, for the first time, the most common aesthetic surgical procedure being sought. That has replaced liposuction as the leading procedure, and surpassed the rate of breast augmentation, scar revision, and rhinoplasty.
Do You Really Need an Eye Expert?
Not all plastic surgeons follow the same training path toward their ultimate career. You may find one with an extensive history in ENT, general surgery, or even orthopedics. While board certification is required regardless of background, the type of surgery you’re seeking may inform your decision to choose someone with a more specific expertise. And when the subject matter is as delicate as the human eye, precision and mastery are non-negotiable.
“No matter what kind of service you’re looking for, a lawyer or a mechanic, I think there’s almost too much specialization in the world.” Popp said. “But that specialization is what a lot of people are seeking, specifically in medicine. Personally, if I’m getting a knee replaced, I don’t want a wrist specialist. I’ll find a knee surgeon, and if possible, even more specific to the type of injury I’ve sustained or one with the most experience with the type of replacement knee I’ll be receiving. Some people are perfectly comfortable working with a primary care physician or their family doctor for everything from a stomach ache to a bad hip – and they will get a fine result and be very happy with that. But a lot of what we do in healthcare is about probability. What is the probability of infection? Of a positive outcome? Of a complication that someone who isn’t intimately familiar with this procedure might not know how to manage?”
And when the procedure involves your eyes, not only how you look but how you see is on the line, aren’t you going to place the best bet you can? Eyelid surgery addresses a host of complaints, including:
- Genetic heaviness of the upper lid
- Bagging under the eye
- Tired or aged appearance
- Impaired vision from sagging lids
- Post-surgical complications in need of revision
Dr. Popp has a rich history not only addressing the specific concerns his patients have with their appearance, but with anticipating complications before they’ve had a chance to develop. But that knowledge was intentionally sought and earned over decades of education and experience.
A Winding Road That Led Straight to the Top
Most Omahans know Dr. Jeffrey Popp as a leading plastic surgeon, but what many don’t realize is that he was an ophthalmologic expert before he ever lifted a scalpel.
“Ophthalmology was my first course of training. Once I completed that, I went to oculofacial plastic surgery, then got board certified in general cosmetic surgery.” But his understanding of the human face was so intimate that he went on not only to specialize in the sculpting of faces, but in educating others. “For 25 years I taught head and neck anatomy at Stanford, specifically of the eye socket and lid. Doctors would come from all around the world for these lectures.”
Not only are eyes among the first place we start to see age, they’re also where we see a lot of genetic sagging and heaviness. While Dr. Popp sees thousands of patients who are trying to erase years from their appearance, he also sees many patients (some as young as in their teens) hoping to address the drooping appearance that’s keeping them from looking and seeing their very best.
A Compassionate Approach to Cosmetic Confidence
Cosmetic surgery exists within a broad cultural conversation, and unrealistic beauty standards can be brutal.
“Half of the patients who come into my office bring photos of other people saying “I want to look like this person,” not realizing that the person in the image has not only had numerous procedures, but that they’ve then filtered or altered the picture. More than their appearance, I wish I could change the way they feel about how they look.”
Instead, he challenges each patient to honestly reflect on their appearance, and understand not what they see in the world, but what they see in themselves.
“Every consultation includes a moment where we look in the mirror together and talk openly about what the patient sees, and what they want to see. My job isn’t to impose any standard of beauty, but to help people achieve a version of themselves they feel confident in.”
Re-Visionist
“I’ve been in practice for more than 30 years, and have done well over 10,000 eyelid surgeries alone. That’s more than anyone in the state. That level of trust is something I take very seriously.”
And while Dr. Popp is the first stop for those who understand his history and how he earned his reputation, he’s the last stop for those who have gone somewhere else for the procedure and left unsatisfied.
“I see a fair number of people in after they’ve seen someone else and they aren’t happy with the outcome, or who have developed post-surgical complications. I do more eyelid surgeries than anyone else, but I also do more revisions than anyone else.”
Dr. Popp is patient and graceful with patients who are in need of a surgical repair, and doesn’t back down from the challenge.
“It’s very delicate work. The skin around your eye is incredible fragile, and we see a lot of scarring, which can cause the lid to hang down onto the cheek. Sometimes I’m doing revisions to repair a surgical mistake, or to remove infection or scarring, and sometimes performing grafting when too much skin has been taken.”
Popp in For a Consultation
Whether you’re seeing Dr. Popp for eye surgery because your vision is impaired by sagging lids (in which case, you may be able to have your procedure covered by insurance) or are simply hoping for a lighter, brighter, more youthful appearance, trust the expert with unmatched experience and unbeatable patient care. Request a consultation today, or call (402) 391-4558 for more information about how eyelid surgery might improve your outlook!
