Training and board certification
Source for all rows: source
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| College | University of Arizona; triple major in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, and East Asian Studies; graduated with honors |
| Medical school | Yale University School of Medicine; Howard Hughes Medical Institute research fellowship |
| Residency | Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine; chief resident and Clinical Instructor in the final year |
| Fellowship | Facial plastic surgery fellowship recognized by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
- Board certification as printed: "double board certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery as well as head and neck surgery."
- Section chief of head and neck surgery at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia.
- Medical licenses in New York and California; has lectured to surgical residents at Yale and the University of Rochester.
- Member: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery; Los Angeles County Medical Association; California State Medical Association.
- Member surgeon of Help Us Give Smiles (HUGS), which reconstructs facial birth defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate and microtia.
Eyelid surgery work
- Upper eyelid surgery. Dr. Chow numbs the upper eyelids and removes excess skin, muscle and/or fat, then closes the incisions. Anesthesia may be local, twilight sedation or general; sedation cases take place at an accredited facility with an anesthesiologist. The page states ptosis is corrected with a separate surgery before an eyelid lift, and an endoscopic brow lift can be combined with upper eyelid surgery (source).
- Lower eyelid surgery. The site names two approaches: transconjunctival, with or without skin pinch, which he prefers whenever possible, and transcutaneous, with the incision a couple of millimeters below the lashes, used when muscle must be removed or the cheek fat pad lifted. The procedure may include fat removal or repositioning and skin removal by excision, chemical peel or laser (source).
- Double eyelid (Asian blepharoplasty). The page describes suture ligation and incision methods; Dr. Chow prefers the incision technique in most cases. About two-thirds of his double eyelid cases are done with IV sedation and an anesthesiologist, and one-third awake under local anesthetic with oral medication (source).
- Brow lift. Most brow lifts are endoscopic; pre-trichial and direct brow lifts are used in specific cases (source).
Galleries name Dr. Chow as the surgeon:
- Blepharoplasty: upper, lower and Asian blepharoplasty cases (source).
- Brow lift: brow lift cases, listed with facelift and neck lift cases (source).
Other procedures
The site lists facelift, mini facelift, midface lift, neck lift, chin implant, cheek augmentation, lip lift, otoplasty, rhinoplasty, Asian rhinoplasty, threadlift, scar revision and nonsurgical injectables, lasers and skin care (chow.md).
Insurance and cost
- The eyelid FAQ states insurance covers eyelid surgery only when it is medically necessary; trouble seeing due to a droopy upper eyelid can qualify, while puffy eyes or fine lines do not (source).
- The lower eyelid FAQ answers whether insurance pays for lower blepharoplasty: "In almost all cases, no."
- Blepharoplasty cost depends on several factors and is given at consultation; the site publishes no prices.
Recovery
- Swelling around the eyes lasts one to three weeks; most people return to work within 10 to 14 days; the final result takes one to three months (source).
- Lower eyelid follow-up visits are often the day after, three days after, and one to two weeks after surgery.
- Double eyelid sutures may be permanent and buried, or removed after 5 to 7 days.
- Brow lift: dressing and drain removed the day after; light exercise after two weeks; all normal activity after three weeks.