Nick Koutroumanos blepharoplasty surgeon

Choosing the Right Blepharoplasty Surgeon: A Surgeon’s Advice

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift surgery, is a very precise procedure that takes both skill, and an eye for beauty. In the hands of an experienced surgeon, a blepharoplasty can restore youthfulness and symmetry, while leaving no signs of surgery and zero risk to your eyes or eyesight.

On that note, Dr. Nick Koutroumanos, a top Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic surgeon based in London here at Clinic LOOP, has five questions you should ask when looking for the right surgeon to perform your blepharoplasty.

1. Is the surgeon GMC registered?

Blepharoplasty surgery should only be performed by a qualified doctor. You can check that your surgeon is a qualified doctor by searching on the General Medical Council (GMC) medical register.

Ideally, your blepharoplasty should also be on the GMC Specialist Register for Ophthalmology – a specialty that deals with all conditions affecting the eyes and eyelids. This ensures that they have completed rigorous postgraduate specialist training in this field.

 2. What training have they received in eyelid surgery?

You might be surprised to learn that there is no standard training pathway for blepharoplasty surgery. Some surgeons may complete training that lasts only a few weeks, while others may train for several years perfecting their skills.

For Oculoplastic Surgeons like Dr Koutroumanos, the training starts with seven years of residency in Ophthalmology.

“During my Ophthalmology training at Moorfields Eye Hospital, I became interested in Oculoplastics. It provided for a wide range of different techniques to fix problems that are not necessarily eye related, but more systemic [conditions that affect the body as a whole]. By operating on the eye, skin, muscle, and bone, you can deal with all kinds of imperfections around the eye and upper face that can develop due to ageing, injuries, chronic illnesses or cancers.”

Dr Koutroumanos pursued three scholarship-funded fellowships specifically for Oculoplastic surgery to further expand his expertise in this highly specialised field. During these fellowships, he had the privilege of learning surgical techniques from distinguished surgeons in both the UK and Canada.

As a result of this extensive training, Dr. Koutroumanos has developed impressive mastery of eyelid surgery.

An absolutely amazing surgeon. He immediately puts you at ease. I have had a life changing result with my perfect painless upper lid blepharoplasty. Absolutely symmetrical result !I am an Optometrist myself and I will most definitely always recommend Nick. (FA Verified patient at topdoctors.co.uk)

Related article: How successful is eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty)?

3. What other types of surgery does your blepharoplasty surgeon perform?

Practice makes perfect, therefore the more time your surgeon spends operating on other parts of the body, the less time they have available to perfect their blepharoplasty techniques.

“Because Oculoplastic Surgeons solely work on the upper face, we have the techniques and tools to be extremely precise. We can operate on patients in millimetres, while general plastic surgeons operate in centimetres,” explains Dr Nick.

Dr Koutroumanos tells us that Oculoplastic Surgeons exclusively operate on the eyes and eyelids throughout their career, both in the NHS and in the private sector. Because of this small area of focus, they are able to accumulate an extensive wealth of experience and expertise in these procedures.

4. What do former patients say about the blepharoplasty surgeon or the clinic?

In today’s world, it’s easy to find reviews for almost any product or service, including medical procedures. By reading through testimonials from real patients, you can gain insight into a surgeon’s approach.

According to Dr. Koutroumanos, “Our patients say that we listen, are friendly and approachable, and don’t rush them. We’re always with them throughout the process and make things easy.”

As he explains, “We call patients afterward to see how they are doing. The surgeries—whether it be upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or an eyebrow lift—are exclusively carried out by me. And I’m with them throughout the journey as opposed to a patient seeing someone different pre or post op.” 

Dr. Koutroumanos’ London clinic takes a personal and responsive approach, working closely with each patient to ensure that they are happy with the results of their blepharoplasty.

5. What is the consultation process for blepharoplasty surgery like?

Dr Koutroumanos advises patients to look for a surgeon who really takes their time in the initial consultation to truly understand your goals with a blepharoplasty.

“I used to work with someone who said that mistakes happen in the clinic and not in the operating room. And that’s because some doctors may take a “cookie cutter” approach. They may believe they have delivered a perfect result, but unless this is what the patient actually wants, then this is not the perfect result.”

In order to fully understand what a patient is looking for, Dr. Koutroumanos takes a meticulous approach during the first consultation for blepharoplasty. This involves examining past photos, conducting precise measurements under high magnification, performing a full eye examination, and actively listening to the patient’s specific concerns. 

However, the consultation process does not end with the initial visit.

Dr. Koutroumanos always recommends another conversation before scheduling the operation, either in-person or virtually, to ensure that any remaining questions are answered and expectations are aligned. He believes that at least two consultations are necessary to provide the best possible outcome.

‘I researched online to find someone who combined ophthalmology with plastic surgery. From past skin cancer I realised that the tiny carcinoma next to my tear gland might have spread widely. I envisaged ending up with a large hole in my cheek.

Literally the moment I found Dr Koutroumanos a weight lifted from my shoulders. From our initial consultation I felt supported and he explained in honest detail what the two-part operation would entail. 

His work was so intricate and skilled that friends and family were amazed at how good my appearance was after only a matter of days. By week six it is already remarkable how little cosmetic difference there is between both eyes, scars have almost disappeared and the new tear duct functions. 

Nick is not only a master in his field but warm, reassuring and approachable. I wholeheartedly recommend him.

Maureen

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right blepharoplasty surgeon is crucial for achieving natural-looking, safe and successful results. Dr. Nick Koutroumanos, an Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic surgeon practising at Clinic LOOP in London, hopes that by following these guidelines, patients can feel confident that they are in good hands with a skilled and experienced surgeon.

 

Read next: Can eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) make you look less tired?


About Dr Nick Koutroumanos

Dr. Koutroumanos is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London where he serves as head of the NHS Oculoplastic service. Dr Koutroumanos also has a private practice for both general Ophthalmology and Oculoplastic surgery with locations at The Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth in St John’s Wood.

He has undergone extensive training in eye health and eyelid surgery. Dr Koutroumanos completed a 7-year training program in Ophthalmology, primarily at the esteemed Moorfields Eye Hospital. He then received additional scholarship-funded Oculoplastic fellowships in London, Vancouver, New York, and San Francisco. This extensive training has given him a wide range of expertise in various eyelid surgery techniques allowing him to consistently achieve natural-looking results for his patients.

 Highly recommend!! Very knowledgeable / experienced, took time to listen to my concerns, explained the proposed care plan to me, ensuring I understood what was happening at each step in the process. His staff are also fantastic & super helpful/responsive

CC. Verified patient from topdoctors.co.uk

View more verified patient testimonials on Top Doctors.

All surgical procedures come with risks and should only be done after a thorough assessment by a qualified surgeon. To find out whether you’re suitable for this type of operation, please contact the clinic for an appointment with Dr Koutroumanos.