Training and board certification
Source for all rows: source
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| College | Anderson University, Anderson, Indiana; B.A. in Biology and Chemistry, summa cum laude, 1982 |
| Medical school | Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; M.D. with honors, 1986; Alpha Omega Alpha 1985 |
| Internship | General surgery, Michigan State University/Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, 1986-1987 |
| Residency | Integrated general/plastic surgery, Michigan State University/Butterworth Hospital, 1987-1989 |
| Residency | Plastic and reconstructive surgery, Grand Rapids Area Medical Education Center, 1989-1991 |
| Fellowship | Oncology and microvascular reconstruction, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 1992-1993 |
- Certification as listed on the CV: "American Board of Plastic Surgery 1995 to Present," with recertification in 2005, 2015 and 2025.
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons, 1997 to present.
- Member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Michigan Academy of Plastic Surgeons.
- Private practice in Grand Rapids since 1991; founder of New Vista Surgical Suites (2018).
- Two Tiffany Awards from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2009 for research and exhibit work on breast implants.
Eyelid surgery work
The eyelid page describes blepharoplasty for the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both: removing sagging upper eyelid skin, tightening lower eyelids and reducing bags under the eyes (blepharoplasty). The page lists four approaches:
- An incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid, where fat may be redistributed or removed and excess skin reduced.
- An incision inside the lower eyelid, through which fat may be reduced, grafted or redistributed to improve hollows.
- An incision at or below the lower lash line to reduce sagging skin and correct bags.
- An incision beyond the outer corner of the eye to tighten the eyelid tendons for a down-turned look.
The page states that patients whose sagging upper lids obstructed their vision often find their visual field improves. Surgery is done under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia, and scars generally sit in the eyelid crease. A separate page covers eyelid surgery for men with the same techniques (source).
The blepharoplasty gallery holds about 35 before-and-after cases (source). Individual cases name the surgeon: some credit Dr. Bradley Bengtson (for example a mini facelift with upper blepharoplasty), others credit Dr. David Alfonso. The site has no brow lift gallery page.
Other procedures
The brow lift page describes an endoscopic technique through several 1 cm incisions in the scalp, with temple or eyelid-crease incisions as alternatives, and Ultherapy or BOTOX as nonsurgical brow options (source). The site also lists facelift, short-incision facelift, neck lift, rhinoplasty, ear surgery, facial fat transfer, breast and body surgery, and med spa treatments. Dr. Bengtson's CV centers on breast implant research and breast revision surgery.
Insurance and cost
The site publishes no eyelid surgery prices and makes no statement about insurance or Medicare coverage. The financing page states that patients commonly pay by cash, debit or credit card and that PatientFi monthly payment plans are offered (financing).
Recovery
- Swelling and bruising: usually resolve in 7 to 10 days (blepharoplasty).
- Activity: light, normal activity may resume the day after the procedure.
- Aftercare: a capable adult must stay with the patient for 24 hours after release.
- Brow lift: recovery ranges from a few days to one week; full results may take several weeks (source).