moved to Florida 7 years ago. I was 55 then, and looking somewhat tired, with bags under eyes. I went to my Dr. to improve my appearance and look somewhat younger again.
I have always had pretty eyes, almond in shape and told I looked like Sophia Loren. My upper weren't that bad, but thought the removal of some fat, (never over 3 mil) wouldn't hurt. I remember stating to her the evening of my surgery, “please don't mess up my eyes, they are the window to your soul and my best feature.” She smiled with confidence.
My oldest daughter picked me up from the surgery, and immediately knew something was wrong. My eyes were surely swollen, and bursed, more than any photos she had seen regarding upper and lower eyelid surgery. One week later my eyes were still swollen shut and bruised. The Dr. put me on Steroids and that reduced the effects.
Weeks after the surgery, my eyes would not stay closed entire night during sleep. My daughter again was the one to notice, along with the altered appearance this surgery produced. My eyes were no longer almond, they were round and very wide. I looked like I was scared by something all the time. I have hollow eye sockets now and they still stay open when I sleep.
My entire appearance was changed to a negative effect, and with every visit I made to my Dr.'s office, I heard the same thing, "GIVE IT TIME". It became apparent after the 4-5th visit, she did not know what to do for corrections, nor was she going to admit any error. After conferring with another surgeon, I found out that she cut access tissue from my eyes, leaving a hollow socket. Too much fat was taken out as well, and leaving little skin, or muscle strength, to close eyes for the entire night. I can blink, thank god.
Since my eyes are wide and hollow, it has also changed my facial features. They are also hollowed in appearance, making face longer in appearance and my once high cheek bones adding to my skeleton look. My family back home did not recognize me when they first saw me. Only my voice indicated who I was. I have gone shopping in stores while visiting my hometown, running into old friends as they pass me by. I do not even resemble who I once looked like and too embarrassed and ashamed of what I look like now. I too, have looked in the mirror everyday and have a stranger looking back for the past 7 years.
Although I seek for some reversion type of treatment, they are more expensive than the original, and I could ever afford. I did have my own collagen injected into my upper lid, but only 20% stays while the rest is absorbed, so lasting effect was temporary. I've looked at Strip fat grafting, again the cost is too great and no guarantee this would work. I've heard all the statements, “why was I so vain,” and “I should of left my appearance alone“.
I remember over hearing my son say one day, “it must be hard for mom, she was once so beautiful and let that doctor butcher her face.” I've cried, thought what did I do to deserve this? Woman everyday have surgery done and it leaves a positive effect. I would not recommend this doctor for my dog. She maybe good at some work, but for eye lid surgery she ruined my life, and appearance.
Little can be done legally with elective surgery, and unless your left horribly disfigured, juries don't feel for you, and attorneys even less. I may still go blind one day from my eyes not completely closing at night. I have scratched my cornea during sleep at night, and have had to receive medical treatment for it.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK !!!! Do not assume because a doctor is Board Certified they know what they are doing. These postings are a great source of information. If I had pictures I'd up-load ,so everyone could see my “before and after“. I stopped taking pictures of myself 7 years ago. I rarely go out in public when visiting home. Not that I'll be recognized, but the mental and emotional effects are too difficult to deal with as time goes by, and little hope is left for any correction. Beware, of what this doctor performs on you. There are something’s in life, we may never recover from. For me this is one of them.
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First thing is to have a consult, write down all your concerns and address them at that time. Ask to see photos specific to your problem, if he has any.Bring photos of what you looked like before the surgery your trying to correct, if possible. This doctor sounds credible, but none are GOD so enter with realistic expectations, and rather focus on what you use to look like, focus on what truly needs repair and softening.I'm sure this P.S. has some bad reviews like most all do, but if they are only a few, and it is repairable, don't let that deter you. He sounds like he knows his stuff, been around a long time, and experienced. Good Luck
MGM1
Thank you for your warm wishes and yes, it is an on going Journey, but there is hope.
I agree this Web-sight has been a place of venting, knowledge and healing. Also to know there are others still in pain, and the support given is outstanding.
Best wishes for you as well.
Other people have said you must have mental problems for being upset about this for all these years... I think you would have to be crazy NOT to be upset! Of course you're going to be upset when somebody permanently maims your face, especially as a woman. Its not right that there are plastic surgeons out there who ruin peoples faces and lives without ever having to pay any consequences. There should be some sort of law put in place - that if a doctor disfigures you in anyway, and cannot fix what he/she has done, a full refund of your money should be given, PLUS the extra money it would take to fix what went wrong in the first place. Its just not right that the victim is the one who has to pay for the damages.
Anyway, I'm just glad that your story has a happy ending. You look truly stunning after the revision surgery.
I've been wearing glasses more and just talking to friends and reading various forums to cope. It's been 4 months since my revision surgery. I don't know if I should get it fixed or just let it droop to go back to it's natural state.
Granted I know my case is not the same as yours but I wanted to thank you for your post. Right now, I'm having a hard time looking at myself or doing makeup since my eyes are impacted there. I regret it everyday but feel hope in the sense of community we have here.
First, I'd give your situation enough time, to see all has healed on it's own. Then listen, as stated before if there is a good P.S. in your town or near it, you will hear about them. Word of mouth is a great beginning. Experience with others whom have used the surgeon. Internet another, know your procedure and what to look for, questions to ask.
If a doctor has a bad rep. such as the one whom changed me so negatively, you will hear about them. This is only one of many sights that rates doctors. When a doctors name starts to pop up, and they are not from happy consumers, with negative outcomes, it helps you in your search, and those of us that did not have those tools available.I can now warn others.
Good Luck, you'll make the correct choice and decision when the time is right.
Some efforts for those having a botched P.S. was gained this month when a woman was awarded money because her eyes do not close. I know too well how that feels, and an experienced P.S. should as well.
Only those that are unskilled and aggressive in there approach leave a consumer with that nightmare.
My issues are on going and more fat will need to be applied to upper lids.
My original surgery was so aggressively, unskillfully and carelessly preformed, that she did not leave much tissue or fat to work with. My eyes did not close and only became more hollowed and sunken with time.
But in time I will be happy as each application of fat, more remains in my upper lid.
I write my story to warn others, and also a form of therapy for me. Only until one experiences this horror, can you possibly relate to the trauma it leaves behind.
I am much happier today, have a softness and a resemblance of my genetic self.
I can only hope more careless aggressive unskilled Plastic Surgeons will be held accountable, until that day all I can do is warn you, and others of the Surgeon that caused me so much physical and emotional pain.
I am just 40yo and am pondering eye surgery for extra loose skin on my upper lids. I've had allergies that remained virtually uncontrolled for 20 years even with allergy shots and meds. I've finally discovered I have food allergies that was leading to my eyelid swelling and eczema. Now I am left with all this extra skin that makes my eyes look older and tired. I'm not sure if I should risk the surgery or not after reading some of the nightmare posts on this site.
At any rate thanks again for being brave enough to post pics and updates of your entire experience. It's so helpful for those of us who need to see real world stories.... good and bad. Warmest of wishes to you.