All doctors go through varied stages of training. Except for specialties like pediatrics, most start in internal medicine, the field of adult health care.
After that, they may spend a year or more in a fellowship for their specialties. Most spend their careers in those specialties, which can include gastroenterology, neurology and cardiology.
Start with eye surgery
“When I was done, I did oculofacial plastic surgery, which is facial specialty plastic or reconstructive surgery around the mid-face,” said Dr. Popp. “I work everywhere around the eyes, but not in the eye itself.”
He focuses on eyelid problems that require surgery or things outside the eyeball. Dr. Popp said whether it’s a cosmetic procedure for baggy eyelids or the creation of a new or partially new eyelid due to skin cancer, this is his area of expertise.
He said there is another eyelid specialist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a third about to retire in Lincoln. That’s all for Nebraska.
Equally rewarding
Dr. Popp treats a 16-year-old girl who was in a bad car accident a couple years ago. Her face was smashed in, her eyelids are malformed and her upper lid won’t open.
He worked with her this past year and said it will take several more years to resolve all her concerns.
“She wears her hair in bangs so that no one can see her eyes. She’s got scars over her face, but the left side is far worse than the right,” he said.
“Right now, she’s my biggest challenge and someone I would love to get back to normal. I want her to be happy enough with how she looks so she doesn’t cover her face with her hair anymore.
“This teen-ager didn’t choose to have this kind of surgery,” Dr. Popp said. “It’s very rewarding to help her.”
But he said it’s equally rewarding to make someone 65 look like they’re 45 again with a face-lift.
“There’s a lot of pleasure in both,” he said.
Have a cosmetic issue you want to address? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Popp today at 402-391-4558.
