POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery REVIEWS
49y/o - Enough of Bulging Eyelids - Australia
ORIGINAL POST
I really had enough of bulging eyelids, pressing...
WORTH IT$6,000
I really had enough of bulging eyelids, pressing on my eyelashes (needless to say make up is a distant memory) and interfering with my vision. If I had a good cry, they puffed up so I could hardly see. I admit I had a good case of 'crease envy' because I did not have an eyelid crease, just a bulging curve.
UPDATED FROM BeeColl
6 days post
So far, so good
In Australia, there is a very small rebate on costs for upper blepharoplasty if done for medically indicated reasons (upper lids obscuring vision). Ideally I would have liked to have the lower lids done too because I have some tired looking puffy bags, but that is purely cosmetic (not functional) and would have cost much more than I could manage.
The procedure was in theatres in a day stay hospital. I saw my Dr and RN before the surgery. Despite not planning a general anaesthetic, I was fasted just in case local and sedation were insufficient. The anaesthetist was reassuring/professional and I was comfortable, even cosy, rather reluctant to wake up from a rather delightful experience, completely unaware of any discomfort at any stage.
No pain at all, and you can see the whiteness in the first photos from the local infiltration. I came home with a script for strong pain killers but only needed paracetamol once, the first evening for a slight headache and mild stinging above the eyes as the local lost effect.
I used the ice packs immediately post op (took my own in to hospital) to relieve pain and swelling, and as advised 15 mins per hour whilst awake, first few days. The Therabeads/BodyAssisted bead brands of hot/cold packs kept in freezer were perfect for soft moulding over eyes, one each side.
I used Chloromycetin ointment on the wounds to keep them soft and clean, preventing infection or drying/tightening. The first night my vision was truly blurry and obscured by the initial slathering of ointment in theatre, inevitably making its way into my eyes.
Swelling and bruising kicked in properly on day 2 and 3, making it difficult to keep the eyes open, cannot look up. No pain. Using ice packs and keeping head elevated day and night.
Day 4 – Huge watery bags under eyes, bruising subsiding. Mothers day, tried to keep a low profile and stayed home. Cared for beautifully by family.
Day 5 – Bruises yellowing and upper lids less swollen, gravity has caused the oedema to move down below eyes.
Day 6 – Pretty desperate to have sutures removed. Appointment in 2 days time. Reassured by Dr Ben’s lovely RN. Eyes more mobile, restricted but improving.
The procedure was in theatres in a day stay hospital. I saw my Dr and RN before the surgery. Despite not planning a general anaesthetic, I was fasted just in case local and sedation were insufficient. The anaesthetist was reassuring/professional and I was comfortable, even cosy, rather reluctant to wake up from a rather delightful experience, completely unaware of any discomfort at any stage.
No pain at all, and you can see the whiteness in the first photos from the local infiltration. I came home with a script for strong pain killers but only needed paracetamol once, the first evening for a slight headache and mild stinging above the eyes as the local lost effect.
I used the ice packs immediately post op (took my own in to hospital) to relieve pain and swelling, and as advised 15 mins per hour whilst awake, first few days. The Therabeads/BodyAssisted bead brands of hot/cold packs kept in freezer were perfect for soft moulding over eyes, one each side.
I used Chloromycetin ointment on the wounds to keep them soft and clean, preventing infection or drying/tightening. The first night my vision was truly blurry and obscured by the initial slathering of ointment in theatre, inevitably making its way into my eyes.
Swelling and bruising kicked in properly on day 2 and 3, making it difficult to keep the eyes open, cannot look up. No pain. Using ice packs and keeping head elevated day and night.
Day 4 – Huge watery bags under eyes, bruising subsiding. Mothers day, tried to keep a low profile and stayed home. Cared for beautifully by family.
Day 5 – Bruises yellowing and upper lids less swollen, gravity has caused the oedema to move down below eyes.
Day 6 – Pretty desperate to have sutures removed. Appointment in 2 days time. Reassured by Dr Ben’s lovely RN. Eyes more mobile, restricted but improving.
Replies (6)
May 14, 2014
Hi ...how are you now...your photo after 6 days looks great.
May 14, 2014
Last photo above is from today ... Stitches out on 36 hours, but who's counting? I feel like my shoelaces are too tight and I can't wait to get my boots off! .. Figuratively speaking, that is.
May 14, 2014
You will be a new woman when they come out. Best of luck and follow doctors orders first, then check here on RS for other questions you have that are important to you but may seem minor or simple or stupid. They are not!
May 17, 2014
They really do look like they will be great from how they looked immediately post op before the bruising and swelling started. I read somewhere that us fair haired people bruise far more easily too. You can already see your eyelashes which is different from before. Happy healing with your fab new peepers :)
UPDATED FROM BeeColl
13 days post
Sutures out, slow progress
Day 7- Eyes feel like shoelaces done up too tight and I want to get my boots off. Tight restriction of movement in eyelids. Feel like I have fixed stare. Up all night coughing
Day 8 - Removal of sutures by Dr's Associate, was expecting immediate relief but still feels very stiff and tight. Due to swelling I expect. Still using Chloro ointment until day 10.
Day 9 - Coughing all day and night, not good for reducing facial congestion and swelling
Day 10-13 - Started using Hydrochlor eye ointment on scars and eyelids, to reduce redness, swelling and inflammation. Scars still puckered, really hoping unevenness will be less apparent when swelling goes. Restriction of eyelid mobility continues. I know some muscle was removed, so I hope it is not going to leave me with permanent fixed stare due to reduced eyelid mobility.
Day 8 - Removal of sutures by Dr's Associate, was expecting immediate relief but still feels very stiff and tight. Due to swelling I expect. Still using Chloro ointment until day 10.
Day 9 - Coughing all day and night, not good for reducing facial congestion and swelling
Day 10-13 - Started using Hydrochlor eye ointment on scars and eyelids, to reduce redness, swelling and inflammation. Scars still puckered, really hoping unevenness will be less apparent when swelling goes. Restriction of eyelid mobility continues. I know some muscle was removed, so I hope it is not going to leave me with permanent fixed stare due to reduced eyelid mobility.
Replies (5)