Jacqueline R. Carrasco, MD

I had the option of wait and watch or just get the mole removed and be done with it. The mole was on the inside of the eyelid (waterline) and seemed to have gotten a little bigger. So, I opted for removing it. I regret it. The removal affected my oil gland and I got a chalazion. Actually, several. They are ugly and uncomfortable. Tried warm compresses religiously which actually seemed to make them worse. My dr had a good plan but it took steroid injections and then surgery to get things back on track. I was considering blepharoplasty in the future, but I'm very leary of any ocular surgery after this experience. The dry eye has since reversed itself and I hope no further chalazion will pop up now that the infection and the gland is gone.

I'm 61, average height and weight. I take great care of my skin with my derm (20+ years of glycolic about peels) and I'm high energy so people think I'm younger...but eyes don't lie! I decided on an upper and lower blepharoplasty after trying fillers to address the bags under my eyes. Not enough bang for the buck. My surgeon, Jackie Carrasco, was recommended by my derm. She's terrific. Had the procedure done yesterday around 11 am under anesthesia in the hospital. I had some pain yesterday for which I took Vicodin but this morning no pain at all. Lids feel tight and irritated, but she also did a TCA peel on the lids so that might account for it. Swollen, bruised, but I expected that. So far so good! Got up, showered, made breakfast today.

Updated on 5 Apr 2018:


Updated on 6 Apr 2018:
No pain but my right eye looks a little hinky. More swollen than the left. I'm only concerned because it's Friday and the weekend is coming and I'm not seeing the doctor until next week... don't want to go to the ER over something that considered normal, just looks weird to me. I've got a call in to the office.

Updated on 7 Apr 2018:
Dr. Carrasco saw my photos and emailed back that while the swelling was better on my left side the right was still okay, so I'm happy. I realize that what I'm thinking is bruising is probably the chemical peel lower on my cheek. Wasn't expecting that but now I know. I feel absolutely terrific and it's only the irritated eyes and my gruesome visage keeping me from my normal routine. Still icing several times a day (but I made cookies yesterday).

Updated on 8 Apr 2018:
Continued improvement but the peel is annoying. Yesterday I went it for a drive wearing sunglasses and inadvertently made an illegal left turn on a red light. So I had to explain to the officers that I had had eye surgery (no, not LASIK), I wasn't taking pain meds, I was cleared to drive, and I was wearing shades to spare others. What I wanted to add was that MY PASSENGER HADN'T PUNCHED ME IN THE FACE, because that's just what it looked like. I got off with a warning and I'm not driving in shades again. Worst part was the officer looked in the back seat of my car and boy am I a slob.
But I digress. Swelling is better on Day 4 but the peeling, oy very. I'm going to coat my cheeks in Vaseline and wear mittens because I can't leave it alone. Very happy with results.

Updated on 19 Apr 2018:
I couldn't be happier. Still some bruising and my upper lid scars are bumpy but holy smokes these look good! Weird that my eyelids are numb; now that I can wear eye makeup, I can't put it on properly!

Updated on 9 Jul 2018:
Very happy with the results. No ill effects--no dropping, numbness is resolved, incisions healing beautifully. I don't look like a kid but I look good for 62 and that was my goal. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.