Steven Covici's Schools

• University of Pennsylvania , Class of 1989 Bachelors in Biology

Steven Covici's Affiliations

• American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

• The Massachusetts Medical Society

• The American Academy of Ophthalmology

Steven Covici's Publications

• Preparing for Surgery, Dr. Steven Covici December, 2010 As the weeks before your surgery become days, hours, and minutes, it is natural to experience nervousness. Preparedness helps alleviate stress and worry, allowing you to focus on life after the procedure. Follow our advice to make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for your operation. Note that you should always talk to your doctor before applying these or any other pieces of advice. —Check with your doctor to find what common household medications such as headache medicine and anti-inflammatory drugs you are allowed to take before surgery. Your doctor should be able to provide you with a list of over-the-counter medications that interfere with surgeries. —Following surgery you will be unable to perform common household chores such as cleaning and straightening. Before surgery, make sure your home is in order as it will be one less thing to concern yourself with once you come home from the hospital. —Smoking increases the risks of complication during surgery. If you smoke stop smoking at least two to three weeks before your scheduled procedure. Do not smoke during your recovery, either. —Most surgeries will leave you with varying amounts of pain and discomfort during early stages of recovery. Ask your doctor if you will need assistance after surgery, and if you will, how long. Schedule care arrangements with a friend or family member so you have someone to help with tasks such as cleaning, pet sitting, and other tasks you will not be able to do during recovery. —If you will be staying in the hospital for a little while after surgery, make a checklist of items to bring for your stay. Common items include: cosmetics, extra clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, books, and portable electronics. —Prepare meals for your recovery so you do not have to worry about cooking and baking after surgery. Quick meals such as soup and sandwiches are best. —The night before your surgery, take some time for yourself. Engage in a favorite activity, or draw a warm bath and relax your mind and body. Make sure to get plenty of sleep and heed any instructions from your doctor such as not eating a certain number of hours before surgery. !eyelid.jpg

• Dr. Steven Covici Explains Thyroid Eye Disease, Dr. Steven Covici June, 2011 When patients come to my office complaining about the uncomfortable and often disconcerting symptoms of thyroid eye disease, I immediately reassure them that there are a number of excellent procedures to reduce or even eliminate these problems. Believed to be caused by an autoimmune disorder, thyroid eye disease causes the body to respond to the fatty tissue and muscles that surround the eye as if they were foreign substances invading the body. The symptoms of thyroid eye disease are varied, ranging from dry to watery eyes and including such effects as the appearance of redness and bulging. Some patients seem to be constantly staring because the condition makes it difficult for them to close their eyes. Vision problems, challenges with eye focus, and double vision sometimes manifest themselves in patients who suffer from this disease. In many cases, an endocrinologist or primary care physician diagnoses the condition based on a patient’s abnormal levels of thyroid hormone. Some people, however, endure the disease even if their hormone levels seem normal. If the thyroid gland exhibits signs of overactivity, doctors often recommend ablation of the gland. Underactive thyroid glands are sometimes treated with medication. None of the treatments, however, universally guarantee that a patient’s eye problems with dissipate or disappear. While lubrication methods such as ointment or eye drops are sometimes used to lessen the effects of watery or dry eyes, the atypical immune reaction also causes issues such as swelling in the eyelid tissues and those that surround the orbit. This swelling often results in a feeling of persistent pressure that can be uncomfortable. Swelling sometimes triggers the look of sagging eyelids, which can be corrected with surgery to achieve a more natural appearance. In those patients who experience the effects of “startled” eyes with too much of the white showing, muscles in the eyes contract and pull the lids away from the eye. Surgery proves to be an excellent option for many people with this problem. Failing to address these concerns in a timely manner sometimes leads to further deterioration of the eyes. I recommend that anyone who exhibits symptoms of thyroid eye disease visit my office to determine the cause of the problem and establish a course of treatment. About the author: An Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Steven Covici concentrates on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids and face. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where he received his Bachelor of Arts, Dr. Covici completed his Doctor of Medicine at Northwestern University. He is a fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

• The Ophthalmologic History of Botox and Dermal Fillers, Dr. Steven Covici July, 2011 by Dr. Steven Covici As an oculofacial surgeon, Dr. Steven Covici performs a number of cosmetic eye procedures at his practice. Dr. Steven Covici offers injectables for cosmetic enhancement. While Botox and dermal fillers such as Juvederm are best known for their cosmetic applications, they have their roots in ophthalmology. An ophthalmologist named Dr. Allan Scott used botulinum toxin (Botox) to treat strabismus (crossed eyes) more than 30 years ago. It continues to have many therapeutic ophthalmologic uses for the temporary relief of eye problems, including blepharospasm (eyelid spasms), nystagmus (involuntary shaking of the eyes), and double vision caused by misalignment of the eyes. Botox works in many of these cases because it temporarily paralyzes the muscles, allowing the eyes to assume a neutral position. The effects last about three to four months. In the 1990s, an ophthalmologist named Jean Carruthers noticed that Botox also seemed to diminish the signs of wrinkles. Dr. Carruthers and her dermatologist husband began documenting its benefits in reducing frown lines. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body, providing volume to the skin and eyes, as well as joint cushioning and lubrication. Physicians use hyaluronic acid during eye surgery for cataract removal, retina repair, and cornea transplants. The cosmetic dermal filler Juvederm contains hyaluronic acid, making it less likely than other fillers to cause an allergic reaction. It plumps the skin to lessen the appearance of lines and wrinkles. For more information about Dr. Steven Covici and cosmetic injectables, visit the website www.drstevencovici.com.

• A Brief Overview of Cheek Lifts, Dr. Steven Covici August, 2011 by Dr. Steven Covici An oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Steven Covici regularly performs a range of procedures on the face and eyes, including cheek lifts. Also known as a mid-facelift, a cheek lift is designed to restore fullness to the cheeks, softening the nasolabial folds and raising the outer edge of the eyebrow. This gives the face a more young and vibrant appearance. The cheek lift is performed either as a single procedure or in concert with other facial surgeries as part of a more comprehensive rejuvenation. A cheek lift takes between one and a half and two hours to perform. During this time, the patient is put under general anesthesia and the surgeon makes two incisions on each side of the face. The flesh in the cheek and under-eye area is repositioned at a slightly higher level, which restores a youthful and full appearance to the face. This procedure can overcorrect the cheek temporarily, raising it higher than originally intended, but over time, it will settle down into the desired position. Some patients may experience temporary dimpling in each cheek. After the surgery, patients should expect moderate discomfort, for which they will receive prescription pain medications. Most people have trouble puckering their upper lips for a while after surgery, which may result in slight difficulty drinking liquids. If swelling and bruising around the eyes occurs, it can be held in check with cold compresses and by keeping the head elevated. Patients are usually able to return to their regular activities within a few weeks, but complete healing may take as much as four months. Generally, results last between five and seven years.

• Dr. Steven Covici on John Steinbeck , Dr. Steven Covici's Blog on Bigsight August, 2011 Ophthalmologist Dr. Steven Covici enjoys spending his free time reading. He particularly enjoys the works of Herman Hesse, Philip Roth, Saul Bellow, and John Steinbeck. Most people have heard of John Steinbeck, famous for his epic tome, The Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck wrote 27 books, which include fiction, non-fiction, and short story collections. John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, the son of German and Irish immigrants. After he graduated high school, Steinbeck earned acceptance into the esteemed Stanford University, but he left before acquiring a degree to pursue a career as a writer in New York City. After failing to publish anything, he returned to California, where he got married. He spent the Great Depression living in a cottage and focusing on honing his writing skills, thanks to the financial and emotional support of his father. John Steinbeck managed to publish his first successful novel, Tortilla Flat, in 1935, and he moved out of the cottage into a ranch home he had built. Steinbeck then traveled around the Gulf of California and wrote a book detailing his experiences, which he called The Log from the Sea of Cortez. He also visited the Soviet Union many times, ultimately writing a book called A Russian Journal. Steinbeck also authored several books focusing on Californians during the Great Depression. The most famous of these were Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck won the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 for The Grapes of Wrath. He also wrote The Moon is Down, which was inspired by his time as a World War II correspondent. On November 20, 1968, John Steinbeck died in New York City of heart disease and congestive heart failure. His body was cremated, and his ashes were buried in Salinas next to his parents and grandparents. John Steinbeck posted by filedby.com

• Saul Bellow, by Steven Covici , Dr. Steven Covici's Blog on Bigsight October, 2011 Saul Bellow (1915-2005), one of my favorite authors, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1976. He was born near Montreal but was raised in Chicago. After graduating from Northwestern University and doing graduate work at the University of Wisconsin, Bellow served in the Merchant Marine in World War II. After the war he wrote two novels, Dangling Man (1944) and The Victim (1947). His third novel, The Adventures of Augie March, won the National Book Award in 1954. A series of novels followed over the next two decades, including Herzog (1964) and Mr. Sammler’s Planet (1970), which also won the National Book Award. Humboldt’s Gift (1975) earned Bellow the Pulitzer Prize. A Nobel Prize press release praised Bellow for his colorful characters and well-described settings and motivations. Bellow then turned his attention to non-fiction, penning To Jerusalem and Back, an account of his journey through Israel in 1975. Later books included The Dean’s December (1982) and his final work, Ravelstein (2000). Saul Bellow Wikimedia Creative Commons license About the author: Dr. Steven Covici is in private practice as a plastic surgeon in New England.

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