About Us

Oculofacial plastic surgery is also known as oculoplastic surgery, or eye plastic surgery, is a surgical sub-specialty of ophthalmology that deals with the medical and surgical management of abnormalities of the eyelids, lacrimal (tear) system, orbit (bony eye socket) and the surrounding areas of the face.An oculofacial plastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon and medical doctor) who has completed additional advanced training in plastic surgery as it relates to the eyes and surrounding structures of the face.Plastic surgery is surgery that forms, molds, or reconstructs parts of the human body. Oculofacial plastic surgery is plastic surgery as it pertains to the area around the eyes. The eyelids and surrounding areas are extremely delicate and complex structures that are vital to the preservation of vision and are important features of a normal facial appearance. Since surgery in this area can affect the health of your eyes and your ability to see, oculofacial plastic surgeons are uniquely qualified to perform this delicate surgery and to provide the medical care that the eye itself may need.

After college and four years of medical school, an oculofacial plastic surgeon must complete a one-year internship and a three-year residency in ophthalmology. After completing residency, two additional years are spent in advanced fellowship training in oculofacial plastic, orbital, and reconstructive surgery. Board certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology is required in order to complete fellowship training.

It is worth noting that the majority of general plastic surgeons complete five years of residency training, only two of which are devoted to plastic surgery. During these two years the general plastic surgery resident must acquire skill in plastic and reconstructive surgery on all parts of the body. By contrast, oculofacial plastic surgeons spend two years concentrating only on the eyelids, orbit and surrounding areas of the face. This gives the oculofacial plastic surgeon an unparalleled level of training and experience to deal with the complex issues involved in plastic surgery around the eyes and surrounding areas of the face.

As defined by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, cosmetic surgery is a sub-specialty of medicine and surgery that uniquely restricts itself to the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques. It is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it. A cosmetic surgeon is a doctor who has completed their specialty in a particular area (i.e. ophthalmology) and has gone on to receive additional continuing medical education in the emerging specialty of cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgeons are dedicated to the art of cosmetic surgery. Their strong knowledge base, high level of training, and practical experience make them among the most qualified to perform safe and proper cosmetic procedures.

While some procedures may be performed in the office, Dr. Lewen also goes to a number of outpatient ambulatory surgery centers, where the majority of his surgeries take place. In most cases, patients will be able to go home the same day as surgery. Pre-operative medical clearance is required to visit an ambulatory surgery center, and these requirements will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation. Dr. Lewen only uses facilities that adhere to the highest standards of quality and safety which include:

• Medicare Certification
• Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)-Licensure
• Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)-Accreditation

The centers that he most commonly utilizes include:

• Hallandale Outpatient Surgical Center: 306 East Hallandale Beach Blvd. Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Phone: (954) 458-1689
• Biscayne Plaza Surgery Center: 3475 Sheridan Street, Suite 104, Hollywood, FL 33201. Phone: (754) 888-5867
• North Miami Beach Surgical Center: 120 NE 167th St. North Miami Beach, FL 33162. Phone: (305) 952-2000

Dr. Lewen is also on staff at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, FL.

Depending on the surgery that you are having and your medical history, you may require different levels of anesthesia for your surgery. All surgical procedures that Dr. Lewen performs will require some degree of local anesthetic injections delicately placed in the specific area to be treated. When procedures are performed in the office setting, Dr. Lewen may give you a small dose of an oral sedative or anxiolytic medication to help you relax, but you will not be given a dose to put you to sleep. In an outpatient ambulatory surgery center, a board-certified MD Anesthesiologist is present at all times to administer your sedation and to monitor you. Most cosmetic surgery patients will receive some form of IV sedation or “twilight sedation,” that does not require them to go all the way to sleep. However, depending on your surgery and various medical conditions, you may be given general anesthesia for your procedure if it is determined that this would be the safest option for you.

As a board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Lewen’s philosophy is that the health and safety of your eyes and vision must remain a top concern at all times while pursuing cosmetic surgery and treatments. A complete ophthalmic examination, including a dilated fundus exam within the last six months, must be completed by your regular eye care professional (general ophthalmologist or optometrist) prior to proceeding with any cosmetic oculofacial plastic surgery, and this is a pre-operative requirement before any surgery will be performed.

Although generally rare, every surgery has some risks associated with it. Major risks, such as infection, bleeding, and loss of vision are very rare, and every possible precaution is taken to avoid any of these from occurring. Some of the more common risks (still relatively rare) include such things as scarring, the possible need for additional surgeries, graft failures, bruising, swelling, pain, and temporary blurry vision.The most common side effect that is seen following any surgery involving the area around the eyes is dry eyes. Most of the time, dry or irritated eyes can be treated with over the counter artificial tear drops and ointment. Sometimes, additional medications may be required to effectively treat a dry eye condition. Dry eye conditions are common in the general population, whether or not people have had any eye or eyelid surgery in the past. Dry eye conditions that result after surgery will frequently improve quickly in the days and weeks after surgery. Rarely, dry eye conditions can persist for extended periods of time. Dr. Lewen will be happy to discuss any of these risks in more detail with you if you have any questions regarding your specific surgery.

Absolutely! Dr. Lewen and his staff regard all patients as lifelong clients of the practice. We have several patients who are more than happy to speak with you about the procedure you are considering. Often times, speaking with a patient that has previously undergone a similar procedure to the one that you are considering will help to calm your fears and to address concerns that you may not have thought about asking Dr. Lewen. Please let us know if you would like to speak with one of our patients regarding a previous surgical experience. All communication is strictly confidential in order to protect patient privacy.

Dr. Lewen and his staff are committed to helping you throughout the healing process! We manage your healing together as a team working towards a common goal. We want you to heal just as fast and as well as you possibly can. Average healing times for various procedures will always be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Lewen, but it is very important to remember that all patients heal differently. For most procedures you will have sutures (stitches) in place for at least one week following your surgery. During your consultation process Dr. Lewen will take into account your recommended surgery, your history, your current health, any medical issues, your medication, and your skin type to provide you with his best estimate of the healing time associated with your recommended treatment plan.Now, how do we get you there? We will provide you with an extensive surgical packet that includes written and detailed instructions about how to approach the days before your procedure, the day of your procedure and the days/weeks following your procedure. Dr. Lewen and his staff will make certain to help you understand each and every stage of the healing process. Your attitude and your degree of compliance regarding these instructions is very important in order to assure that you attain your best results. It is also very important to remember that each and every patient heals differently, and what may be the norm for you might not be the same as for other family members or friends. Be kind to yourself and allow your body to heal. If you have concerns, please contact our office at any time!

Although friends and family may be trying to help you, the truth is that they do not always know what is “normal” and/or appropriate for you with regard to your healing. Dr. Lewen and his staff are extensively trained in the field of oculofacial plastic surgery, and we are accustomed to handling many of the concerns that patients will address during the healing process. While you may be concerned that you might not be healing as fast or as well as possible, we may tell you that you are healing beautifully. Trust us! Please remember, our goal is the same as yours. We want you to have the best results possible!