Plastic surgery holds an interesting niche in medicine, one in which science and art become one.

A thorough knowledge of human anatomy blends with finely honed dexterity and a well developed sense of aesthetics. Dr. Daniel Thimsen has practiced plastic and reconstructive surgery for over 24 years, at the Mayo Clinic and for the past 11 years serving patients in the Glenwood Springs area.

Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Thimsen keeps current with the latest developments in cosmetic surgery through his active involvement in The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. His Rocky Mountain Plastic Surgery practice offers a full spectrum of surgery for both men and women.

Among the most popular procedures nationally is eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty), which enhances the most notable aspect of a face - the eyes. It is given one of the highest satisfaction rates for patients post-surgically, according to national surveys, producing natural-looking improvement at a relatively low cost. The surgery removes fat, usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. It can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below the eyes.

Dr. Thimsen performs many eyelid surgeries in his private surgical suite. The results are impressive. Blepharoplasty restores a youthful appearance in a very natural way, eliminating eyelid bags and puffiness.

One of Dr. Thimsen patients, an attractive woman in her fifties, had always been less than satisfied with her eyelids. "My eyes always had a lot of fatty skin over my eyelids. As a teenager, I cried the first time I tried to put on mascara and the fatty tisue touched my lashes. At this phase in my life, I was looking tired - much more tired than I actually felt. I did some investigation with Dr. Thimsen and decided on the eyelid surgery - I treated myself."

Her satisfaction with the procedure is palpable. "There are no perceptible scars and the recovery was precisely as Dr. Thimsen had predicted. And I don’t look tired or angry any more. I look how I really feel."

According to Dr. Thimsen, the best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.

His surgical services also include facelifts, browlifts, breast augmentation, laser skin resurfacing, rhinoplasty (nasal surgery), breast uplift, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, otoplasty (ear surgery), reconstructive breast surgery, mole and skin cancer removal, and hand surgery. Further information on these procedures is available on Dr. Thimsen’s website at www.rockymountainplasticsurgery.com.

In addition to Rocky Mountain Plastic Surgery’s state of the art facility, Dr. Thimsen also offers medical skin treatments and products at his Medispa at Glenwood Meadows. He also peforms injectable treatments such as botox, Restylane and Juvederm at the Medispa office. Free Medispa consultations are available by calling 970.945.8390.

Dr. Thimsen offers free cosmetic surgery consultations at his Glenwood office, as well as his offices in Eagle, Edwards, and Rifle. To make an appointment, call 970.945.1144.

To improve one’s sight is to improve one’s quality of life.

The human eye consists of a series of lenses that refract (bend) light rays to focus light images on the retina. These images are then transferred via the optic nerve to the brain where we "see" them. The two primary focusing lenses of the eye are the cornea (outside lens of the eye) and the natural crystalline lens (inside lens of the eye).

A cataract occurs, usually gradually, as the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded or discolored. This clouding of the natural lens of the eye causes light entering the eye to scatter prior to reaching the retina, causing hazy or blurred vision. If left untreated cataracts can cause blindness. An estimated 20.5 million Americans older than age 40 have a cataract in either eye, and the total number of person who have a cataract is estimated to rise to 30.1 million by 2020.

Millions of Americans have taken charge of their eye health and undergone cataract surgery.

Take a minute to think about your eyesight. Is your vision as clear as you remember it to be?

Do you need more light to read than you used to? Do straight lines seem distorted? Are sunny days as bright? If you feel like your vision lacks precision, talk to your eye doctor - you may be suffering from cataracts.

In addition to replacing a cloudy lens, cataract surgery can correct astigmatism, which is an uneven curvature of the front of the eye. The newest lenses are incorporating some multi-focal capacity, which can reduce and sometimes eliminate even the need for reading glasses.

Humans rely on their eyesight more than any other sense. To improve one’s sight is to improve one’s quality of life. Hoffman Eye Care continues to be on the cutting edge of technology, using the latest developments in technology of multifocal implant lenses. These new techniques and devices make this a great time to be an ophthalmologist, and even better for patients needing cataract surgery.

The very best things in life are custom-fit, and today that includes laser vision correction.

Just like the tailoring of a fine suit or couture fashion, today’s LASIK procedure is 100% tailor-made for you, your vision and the unique characteristics of your eyes.

Spivack Western Slope LASIK located in Glenwood Springs at 20/20 EyeCare is proud to offer the new iLASIK^TM technology to the Roaring Fork Valley. The iLASIK procedure is one of the most precise medical procedures performed today. 3-D mapping technology, called Wavescan, provides precise measurements of your eye similar to a blueprint, allowing Dr. Spivack to then custom-fit the iLASIK procedure for each of your eyes. Combined with the use of the most advanced lasers available, the CustomVue Visx S4 IR and the blade-free Intralase Laser, differentiates the iLASIK^TM procedure from all others.

Renowned surgeon Dr. Lawrence Spivack, 20/20 EyeCare and their caring, professional staff are committed to providing better vision for your life. Their comprehensive, all inclusive package features pre and post-op care, 0% interest free financing, zero down, for one full year and state-of-the-art technology permanently located in Glenwood Springs. With the absolute best in LASIK right here in the valley, there’s no reason to spend time and money driving to Denver. If you’ve been thinking about iLASIK^TM to improve your active lifestyle now is the time to call Spivack Western Slope Lasik at 970- 928-9752 for a free evaluation and see life more clearly.