Training and board certification
Source for all rows: Meet Dr. Gardner
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| College | B.S. in Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee |
| Medical school | M.D., University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile; Alpha Omega Alpha |
| Residency | Surgical residency, Baptist Health Systems, Birmingham; Hugh Linder Award as chief resident |
| Fellowship | Cosmetic surgery fellowship, Southern Surgical Arts (facial and body aesthetic procedures) |
- Certifications as listed: American Board of Surgery; American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (recertified in 2022); American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine. The site calls him "triple-board-certified."
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
- Faculty member of SSA's American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship Program since 2015; oral board examiner for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.
- Featured speaker at American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery annual meetings.
- Over 20 years of surgical experience, beginning in general and bariatric surgery.
Eyelid surgery work
- Upper eyelid surgery. For drooping upper lids that may interfere with vision; the incision is hidden in the natural upper eyelid crease.
- Lower eyelid surgery. For puffiness, bags and sagging skin; the incision runs along the lower lash line, or occasionally inside the lower lid.
- Combined upper and lower surgery is often recommended for several concerns at once.
- The surgeon tightens and repairs the muscles around the eyes and removes excess fat or loose skin. Surgery takes 1 to 2 hours under sedation or general anesthesia, as an outpatient procedure.
- Eyelid surgery is combined with brow lift or facelift, or with BOTOX and fillers. Pro-Nox inhaled pain relief is offered for in-office procedures.
- Brow lift. The page describes open (coronal), endoscopic, trichophytic and limited incision techniques. The limited incision lift can use the upper eyelid incisions when both are done together. Brow lift is outpatient under general anesthesia, 1 to 2 hours (brow lift).
Galleries: the practice's eyelid surgery and brow lift galleries label every case "Surgeon: Dr. James Koehler." The site has no gallery cases attributed to Dr. Gardner. His bio lists body contouring after weight loss, breast surgery, tummy tuck, liposuction and NeoGraft hair restoration under "Some of the most popular procedures he performs."
Other procedures
The site lists facelift, neck lift, rhinoplasty, otoplasty, cheek and chin surgery, fat grafting and lip augmentation; breast and body surgery; and med spa, injectable, laser and vein treatments (easternshoreplasticsurgery.com).
Insurance and cost
- "Some insurance plans may cover all or part of the cost of eyelid surgery if it is deemed medically necessary, such as to restore proper vision." Patients are directed to call their insurer (eyelid surgery).
- No prices are published. The pricing page asks patients to call for pricing and lists financing options (pricing).
Recovery
- Bruising and dry eyes should fade in about a week; after sutures are removed, makeup can cover residual bruising.
- Cold compresses for the first 48 hours and head elevation reduce bruising and swelling.
- Return to work and social activities: 1 to 2 weeks.
- No strenuous exercise, heavy lifting or bending forward for at least 2 weeks; no contact lenses or eye makeup for at least 2 weeks.
- Initial results in 1 to 2 weeks; final outcome in 2 to 3 months. A revision may be needed around 5 to 7 years later.