Paul T. Stallman, MD

Dr. Stallman is the best anesthetic and cosmetic medicine on the Central Coast in my opinion. He is incredibly talented, has excellent bedside manner, and really cares about his patients. I highly recommend him and his practice!

I was feeling like I could use an eye lift. All of a sudden I couldn't wear eye makeup because my upper lids were drooping. I could feel my lids with my lashes when I opened my eyes. It was bugging me! I knew Dr. Stallman was the best because I had had my lower lids done years ago. Took years off my look! I was totally confident in Dr. Stallman's abilities and his staff are the best! I got in when I wanted and the procedure took less than an hour. You're awake the whole time. It was pretty easy. The healing took a good 10 days of bruising and swelling but that's to be expected. It's been 3 months now and I'm back to wearing whatever makeup I want and it looks great! I'm super grateful to Dr. Stallman and wouldn't choose anyone else. He's a real perfectionist.

I have been Dr. Stallman's patient for 15 years and I am finally writing a long overdue testimonial. I drive from out of the area to see him whenever I feel my age is starting to show. I have access to plenty of plastic surgeons and dermatologist where I live but prefer to see him. Dr. Stallman has consistently given me great results making me look and feel younger. I always look natural and never appear overdone. I would highly recommend him to anyone interested in facial surgery, Botox or fillers.

Under eye bags on the outer portion of my eyes that were driving me crazy. Dr. Stallman did an amazing job and it's been 5 yrs. I still have the best result. Dr. Stallman performed the procedure in office with a sedative. It was great! Easy breezy and very little down time. I was looking good right away after a little swelling. I usually swell a lot! I would recommend him. I think he keeps you looking natural. He's very professional and originally from NY.
Updated on 7 Mar 2015:
Consult with Dr. Stallman is free which is so nice. He really paid attention to my concerns and gave me intelligent feedback. He's very easy to talk to. I was nervous but his credentials were so great and I liked that he is from NY as the surgeons there tend to be well educated and perfectionists.
I was given a Daladid and lied down on the in office surgery table. I was then unable to move but was awake. He and his staff were so nice, warm and sweet. I felt like family. The surgery went really fast and I felt nothing. I was then able to walk out and had someone drive me home. Healing was a breeze. Very little swelling and no pain! I usually swell like crazy. I took no pain meds and was able to just put a little makeup on and go about my life. The incision is under the eye so you don't see anything. I have since had 2 chemical peels from eyelash to eyelash as well as a couple of retinoid booster peels since and my eye skin is amazing! I have no issues! It's been 4 yrs. since my surgery and I have no eye bags. Even if I have sodium there is no swelling of my eyes.

I have been reading the many success stories for eyelid surgery on this site, and the few complications, and I am going to go forward with surgery to remove the bags under my eyes.

I am 38 yrs. old, and, during my consultation on Wednesday, April 25, 2013, my oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Paul Stallman, suggested transconjuctival lower lid blepharoplasty along with a chemical peel to aid with what minimally loose skin remains that may wrinkle. I am extremely relieved that I was a candidate for this rather than transcutanious (through the outside, under the lash line) as I have fears about the disfigurement of my face due to a cosmetic procedure. However, I have had these "bags" all my life and they're slowly getting worse over time. I hate them, but I think to myself that they don't look too bad yet, and with makeup I can cover most of it just not that horrible "shadow effect" that makes them look bigger. I keep thinking that if something "went wrong", not out of lack of respect for my surgeon whom I feel very comfortable having do this surgery, I would probably go mad.

After reading so many of your experiences on here, I strongly believe that if one has the following "5 ingredients": a good solid surgeon, none of the risks that could complicate recovery (i.e. hypo/hyper thyroid, Graves disease, etc.), realistic ideas about the length of recovery, knowledge of what is normal during recovery, and proper pre and post op care one would most likely come through this particular version of blepharoplasty just fine. I want to thank Jill81 for her story, because it was hers that helped comfort me in my decision to go ahead with surgery. I have decided to share my journey and results with you, and, hopefully, be just as successful.

As Jill81 blogged, there aren't very many posts on here about lower eyelid surgery as most of you have had uppers done too. So, hopefully, my story will help those of you who plan to have lower blepharoplasty with a chemical peel in your decision. Please God let this be a positive experience for me, and to all of you wish me good healing!

PS: If anyone has had the same surgery I'm planning to have please message me with your experience, if you felt you too had the "5 ingredients" above to a successful surgery, so I can be further advised as to what to expect potentially. Thanks.

Updated on 1 May 2013:
* UPDATE: As noted in the title now, and after thorough research and testimonials, I have decided to go ahead and get both upper and lower blepharoplasty. My fears have faded to excitement and my surgery has been moved forward one week to 5/9/13. I have also posted two before pictures. Wish me luck.

Updated on 6 May 2013:
5/3/13 - I went to my pre-op appointment and got some great instructions. I will list them below, but I wanted to share one of the biggest reasons I've decided to go forward with blephoraplasty and that is my age. I do not mean to sound vain, and I'd hate to offend anybody reading this so please understand that this is my personal experience. I have decided to share it with all of you for two reasons: to gain knowledge and courage to have the surgery, and to give the same back to anyone considering having surgery.

As I mention above, I am 38 yrs. old, and I am rather self conscious at a fairly young age due specifically to under eye bags. As much as I don't like this about myself, I am not growing older gracefully or wearing each new wrinkle as a badge of honor, although, I wish I could. I will be 40 yrs. old in 1 1/2 yrs., which means that 50 yrs. old will just be 10 yrs. away. For me, now is the time to make some cosmetic revisions so that I can enjoy self confidence while I am relatively young. I don't want to feel like I wasted my youth feeling self conscious and looking much older than I actually am because that is what eye bags do to one's appearance and they only get worse over time with age. Therefore, I've decided to have surgery now to feel attractive now, and in 12 yrs. I can look into the mirror and think wow not bad for 50 yrs. old.

PRE-OP TIPS:

1. DO NOT take any blood thinning medications for 2 weeks prior to surgery or you can cause excessive bleeding behind the eyes, and may cause blindness. The doctor gave me a complete list of medications to avoid, which includes Aspirin, Ibuprofin/Advil, Pepto Bismol, some cold/flu medications, and many others including some homeopathic medications suck as Fish Oil, St. John's Wort, Vitamin E, Gingko, Ginseng, Garlic, and lots of others. Make sure you get this list as I have only listed some of them.

2. BE PREPARED - Pick up all necessary medications and items you need for post-op care prior to surgery. You will get prescriptions that must be filled and your pharmacist may need to special order some. There are a few other things, including over the counter (OTC) medications you should have all ready for you when you get out of surgery. You should get a list of these items at your pre-op appointment, but I will list what I was instructed to have:

POST-OP - MEDICATIONS & ITEMS

1. Arnica 30 mg tablets OTC - to swallow 4 pills 4x a day for 7 days = 112 pills. They come in a bottle of 250 for $10.99 at any health food store.
2. Bromalain 500 mg tablets OTC - to swallow 2 pills 4x a day = 56 pills (they come in a bottle of 60 for $19.99. NOTE: Do not buy the topical creme. I was instructed to start taking both the Arnica and Bromalain on the morning of surgery. NOTE: I was told that I would not benefit by eating Pineapple as I could not eat enough to attain a beneficial amount of the derivative (Bromalain).
3. Extra strength Tylenol OTC - for pain
4. Vicodin prescription - for pain
5. Bacitracin ointment prescription - for incision area to avoid infection.
6. Eye drops prescription - I cannot remember the name or for what purpose they are.
7. Eye drops OTC (yes, you need 2 types of eye drops) - Systane, or any other artificial tears for moisture to relieve dryness due to lack of natural tear development. Comes in a squeeze bottle for $8.99.
8. Halcyon prescription - a calming sedative during the procedure. I will be awake with only a local anesthetic.
9. Phenegren prescription - for nausea from local anasthetic
10. Frozen peas - I bought 5 large bags on sale $0.99. Frozen peas are great because they fall all around your eyes little creases and curves naturally and easily unlike big lumpy ice cubes. I was advised to "ice" for 45 min. on, 15 mins. only off, of every hour for 2 days. I was told I will be doing myself a huge favor by doing this for swelling/bruising/healing.
11. Plastic lunch baggies (2) - to put the peas in and place over each eye.
12. 4x4" gauze pads - put between peas and skin for comfort and protection.
13. Wedge pillow, lounge pillow, or at least 2-3 pillows of normal size to elevate your head above your waist. Nothing drastic, and I was told I do not have to sleep sitting up, only elevated by an additional pillow or 2. I was advised to do this for 4 days.

POST-OP - THINGS TO BE AWARE OF, OR AVOID

1. No bending over at waist, or straining causing blood to rush to head for 3-4 days.
2. Eye lids may feel stiff, tight, itchy, and you may feel the lids don't close all the way initially due to swelling and should resolve after stitches are removed.
3. Mild seepage of blood-tinged fluid may occur for 1-2 days and to add gentle to firm pressure to stop. If that doesn't stop it, or its more than mild occurrences call the doctor immediately.
4. Blurry or double vision for several hours after surgery is normal.

The doctor advised that the worst case scenario situations generally happen within hours after surgery, not days.

I hope that helps anyone preparing for this surgery. I know it soothes me to be prepared. Only 3 more days til surgery! Wish me good healing, and a wonderful result!

Updated on 8 May 2013:
Going in for surgery in the morning at 9:15 a.m. I did a little more preparing for this and due to not being able to watch TV for 2 days I found a great free online audio "ebook" website: www.podiobooks.com. All I have to do is hit the play button and a narrator with a soothing voice will read me an entire book, one right after the other. I've already picked out my line up. I can't wait.

Updated on 9 May 2013:
Sugery looks to be a great success! No problems during, or with the results thus far. I took 2 sets of photos today: one within 30 minutes after surgery, then the 2nd about 3 hours after surgery and after icing most of that time. The first set look worse, more bruising, but the second set look much better. I guess I'll post both sets. I can tell so far that I'm going to be thrilled with the results! Oh please let this goes as smoothly as it is so far. Obviously, not much paid as the anasthesia is still wearing off, no nausea, but I took the phenagren for that. the whole procedure was fine and I did feel slight pressure but it wasn't weird at all. I felt just fine through the whole thing, still do, but eyes are a little achy. I'm taking Tylenol now, but tomorrow I'll probably take some Vicodin if it gets worse, which I anticipate it will. This surgery is well worth the time, money, and it's all true about the feeling only light pain. Here are the pics, now back to bed with ice packs I go. Wish me good healing.

Updated on 9 May 2013:
POST SURGERY:

DAY 1 - As noted above surgery looks successful, and no complications so far. Minimal bleeding at incisions has stopped. It's now been 6 hours post op (4:20 p.m.), and a lot of the numbing anesthesia medication has worn off. I don't think that Tylenol is enough. I was prescribed Vicodin, but only given 6 to take 1 every 6 hours, which isn't going to be enough so I will ask for more when I go back to see Dr. Stallman in the morning. The pain isn't unbearable by any means, but my eyes are aching. If it were really bad, I'd call the doctor now, but with the Vicodin I'm really doing pretty good. The swelling is visible, still as it looks in the photos, but bruising hasn't really set in yet. Neither has any redness from the chemical peel. I'm sure tomorrow will be different. I've been in bed, propped up listening to these very boring audio ebooks and dozing all day. I'm keeping the iced peas packs over 4 by 4 gauze pads on (wrapped with a long gauze, but not too tight, to hold them in place for comfort) for 45 min. out of each hour, and I'm taking my meds as directed. I think I look pretty good, and I am very pleased with the surgery so far. I do think that the crepiness (wrinkles) under my eyes is weird looking tho, and it feels like the chemical peel wasn't even done, but I'm not worrying because I was warned about the crepe/wrinkle look due to the chemical peel, therefore, it is all going along normally.I will update you all tomorrow. I'm going to lay down again.

Updated on 10 May 2013:
I had one scare during the evening of surgery. I was in the mirror to add eye drops and a tear drop size of blood leaked out of the outer corner of my right eye. My first thought was that I was about to have a complication: excessive bleeding behind the eye, which if not treated immediately can cause blindness. So, as per my post op instructions, I replaced the cold compress (peas) and added pressure with my hands for several minutes to stop the bleeding. This was successful, and things returned to normal.

I decided to continue icing through the night, and I think it was worth it. I slept in my very comfy lazy boy recliner with my regular pillow. I found it easier to ice my eyes with the frozen peas by wrapping a long gauze roll around my head to hold them in place, and with the Vicodin and my regular Rx for xanax (I have panic attacks/anxitey) I slept quite peacefully.

I set my alarm for 2:00 a.m. to take more pain medication as I did not want to wake the next morning feeling like I'd been hit by a truck, as well as swapped out the defrosted peas for frozen peas. I went right back to sleep.

DAY 2

I posted Day 2 photos taken at 7:00 a.m. I feel great, and I am extremely happy with the results thus far. So glad I did this, and I've had no problems. I think it helped icing and taking pain meds last night, because I didn't wake up feeling or looking much worse. My upper eyelids have gotten darker red, but the swelling/bruising hasn't changed much.

I went in for my post op checkup at 10:00 a.m. and Dr. Stallman was pleased with my results. He said he thought I was going to do just fine. I told him about my scare with the blood that teared out and he said that was completely normal. Then he pressed on my lower lids, which was minimally painful, and more bloody fluid came out. He indicated this may last a day or so, but not to worry. Then he checked my vision by reading lines of letters, and I did very well. Still a little blurry vision, but the double vision disappeared within an hour after surgery yesterday. The blurriness is due to the ointments and swelling, but I can see fine. Finally, he reminded me to use Cortisone on the under eye lids where he'd done the chemical peel, which I'd forgotten as I was pretty out of it yesterday. I'm seeing the effects of the chemical peel more now and the skin looks wrinkled and swollen. It looks as if I still have bags under my eyes, but they are much lower now. This is because he re-positioned the fat into my tear trough and it is swollen. I can tell it's going to look just how I wanted, wonderful, once it all heals. Well, I'm going to lay down and ice again. I haven't been reading any of your posts as I don't want to be on the computer too much, not icing these first 2 days. I will read your reply's/posts tomorrow. Thanks everyone!

Updated on 10 May 2013:
Having some trouble with nausea this afternoon. I took another phenegren (for nausea/dizziness) along with some motion sickness medicine, but that didn't seem to help. I didn't vomit, although I felt I might, and I was pretty scared I might. So I let my daughter know asking her to stay in the room with me so I could sleep it off without asphyxiation, but I slept just fine for an hour. I just woke and it has subsided mostly, but I still feel slightly nauseated. I don't think I have the flu and I know I didn't eat anything bad as I've only eaten a good protein cereal with vanilla soy milk and a couple Special K Protein bars so it may be all the pain medication and acemetaphin with minimal food. I hope this subsides as it's not real fun.

As far as the pain goes, it seems to have lessened and I'm not as achy. My surgeon Stallman said I could trade out the Tylenol/Vicodin for Advil/Ibuprofin tomorrow and this may help with the aching. If this is as bad as it gets (other than the nausea) I can definately deal with this. I do highly recommend staying immobile and allowing someone to tend to you (bring you water, fresh ice packs, food, etc.) and stay off your feet as moving around during the first 2 days (all I've been through so far) could cause more swelling/bruising and since I have stayed stationary I believe I've kept it all at a minimum. The bridge of my nose is rather swollen too and causing a bit of webbing at the inner corners of my eyes, but this will settle and I'm sure it will all look just as I'd hoped for.

TIPS FOR DOWNTIME / POST OP ACTIVITIES:

1. Forget Ebooks on Podiocast.com as I mentioned before as they are very boring and it is quite annoying listening to a man narrate in a women's voice. I tried 4 books - all horrible even though they had great reviews. Maybe just not for me. I'd much rather have my daughter read a book I'd enjoy to me.

2. Listen to Stand-Up Comedy - listen to stand-up comedy, because you don't have to see it (usually), and it's quite uplifting and entertaining while you lay in bed, or sit in your lazy boy chair hour after hour for 2-3 days. I have Streaming www.Netflix.com, but you can find it on www.Youtube.com as well or search the web for free stand up comedy audio books or videos. Well back to bed. Still feeling a bit nauseated, and I want to keep the ice on as directed. I hope my journey is helpful as well as my hints/tips. Thanks everyone!

Updated on 11 May 2013:
Day 3

My surgeon instructed me to stop icing today (Day 3) and switch to heating with warm wash clothes about 3 times a day. The pain has lessened and I'm back on Tylenol without Vicodin. I was also advised by the doc that I could begin using Advil/Ibuprofin today, which acts as an anti-inflammatory/pain reliever. I feel I can do more on my own today, but I am making myself stay down as I don't want to over do it and cause more swelling/bruising. I feel pretty lucky so far without much bruising, but I am prepared for more at anytime. I'm super happy to be able to watch TV again. My eyes feel a little strange under the lower lid area as if there is a stitch in there. It isn't too bothersome and not painful. My doc assured me that I was fine. I get my stitches out in less than a week (Wed. 5/15/13) and I'm looking forward to that as I've heard a lot of the swelling goes down soon after stitches come out. I've said this each day, but I really am very happy so far. No problems at all, and I can tell I will love the results. My upper lids look great as far as the amount of skin removed and shape, but my lower lids area still look as if I have super wrinkly fat bags. However, I know that is what fat repositioning with a chemical peel is supposed to do to the under eye skin and that will all smooth out and look great once the dead skin peels off and the swelling goes down. I am so glad I did my research otherwise I'd probably be quite nervous right now. I am trying to be patient, which I am, but I really want to see the end result! Thanks everyone!

Updated on 11 May 2013:
It is still day 3, but I thought I should comment about the nausea I'm feeling. It was worse yesterday (Day 2), but comes and goes today still. I don't have the flu because I don't feel achy, feverish, and I haven't thrown up, but slightly nauseated. I have a few prescribed phenegren left so I have taken some to lessen the nausea. I've moved around a little more today and that may also be a factor so I'm going to stay in bed the rest of the day. I haven't been too active, but I've been getting up and down to eat or take meds. The pain is nearly gone, only mild pain along tear trough/upper cheek bone, which was really the only place that has caused me pain anyway. Quite sore to the touch, but when left alone (as it should be) it's very mild. My vision is great, but slightly blurry due to eye drops and ointments. The swelling has stayed about the same. Bruising and redness is minimal, but the chemical peel looks a little worse each day. Well, back to bed with a warm compress, then a movie.

Updated on 12 May 2013:
HELPFUL TIP:

HEATING PAD - for a warm compress after switching from cold compress. The warm wet wash cloths in plastic lunch baggies I've been using cool off way too fast, and are difficult to hold in place. If I would have known, I would have added this to the list above.

Day 4

Wow, I was so happy to wake up this morning feeling great and finding that I've already begun to look better. Swelling is down all around (eyelids, bridge of nose, chipmunk cheeks), and the bruising is already turning yellow which is the last color in the stage of healing (red to purple to yellow, I think I skipped the purple all together). Hopefully I will continue to heal at this faster pace. The only thing left is for the chemical peel to slough or peel off. I'm told my "new" skin underneath with be a bright pink color for about 1 month, which is perfect timing for summer around here. I live in Pismo Beach, Ca, (central California halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles), and we get our summers a little later than most usually from July through September. I just might be ready to hit the sand in my new bikini come July (I won't forget my sunscreen though).

I have continued to follow post op instructions to the T, taking all meds on time, icing for the first 2 days 45 min. of each hour, then switching to warm compresses 4 times a day for about 15 min., sleeping with my head elevated in a comfy recliner chair, low salt diet, no TV for the first 2 days, and only maybe an hour of TV on day 3 and again today, day 4.

NOTE: I am a smoker. I spoke to my surgeon about this and he indicated that smoking makes it difficult for oxygen to circulate through your blood, which slows the healing process down. I asked him if it would help at all if I cut back on the amount of cigarettes I smoke each day, and he said yes it would, anything would be helpful if I quit completely, which is ideal of course, but not required for this surgery. Normally, I smoke 3/4 pack a day (15 cigarettes), but I decided to cut back as much as I could 2 weeks prior to surgery. I have been smoking a little over 1/4 of a pack (5 -8 cigs) a day. I figured I should mention this as part of my story as it does have to do with the healing process via oxygen/circulation.

Thanks again everyone for walking with me through this journey as you have all been so helpful and given me much needed support. I am hoping that each day will get better and better as I have now hit Day 4, which is supposed to be the beginning of the down slope. Yay!

Updated on 13 May 2013:
REWIND - Day 3 was the day I was able to replace the constant cold compresses (peas) over my eyes with warm compresses 3-4 times a day. So, now my eyes were open for most of the day, and I began to feel a grittiness in my eyes under my eye lids. It wasn't painful, and I couldn't see anything in my eyes, but it was a bit of a nuisance. The only relief I found was to close my eyes, and I also used the warm compresses. I don't know whether it was from the 2 different eye drops I was using, or a bit of Dry Eye but closing them with warm compress helped tremendously.

DAY 5

Today has been the best so far - not much pain so I'm only taking 1 Tylenol every 6 hours as my orbital bone (upper cheek bone) is still tender. All of the bruising has now turned yellow, so they should be gone soon. Swelling has subsided a lot. I suppose I was lucky that my bruising never got too bad. Everyone heals differently though. So far, I don't feel the grittiness today, nor do I feel the "stitch" under both lower lids anymore. Hopefully, that has all resolved, or dissolved.

I am so happy I went ahead with this surgery. I continue to see improvement every day and I could tell from Day 1 that the results were going to be pleasing. I don't want to jinx myself, but I'm pretty sure this is going to turn out great!

NOTE (POST OP CARE INSTRUCTIONS #6 EYE DROPS NAME/USE):

In my Post Op List above I listed all the medications I was prescribed or to pick up over the counter I couldn't remember the name or use of the eye drops prescribed so I wanted to let you know that they were Corticosteroid Eye Drops by the name of FML 1% (or Fluorometholone), which is a steroid drop. Throughout my research, I've read that this drop is prescribed to patients at the onset of any problem post op; however, my doc includes this medication as part of regular post op medication/care.

Updated on 14 May 2013:
Day 6

Very happy the chemical peel has peeled off on both sides today. Skin doesn't look too pink, but may tomorrow. I don't know. I'm getting my stitches out tomorrow afternoon. Super happy about that as I hear swelling goes down pretty quickly after that. I'm a bit worried some of the wrinkles from the loose skin where the fat was aren't completely gone. I'm hoping everything will smooth out. I am happy so far, but today was a little bit of a let down due to that. I got out and about today and did some shopping with large sunglasses on, which felt good after being cooped up, propped up, and strange looking for 5 days.

Updated on 16 May 2013:
Day 7 (1 week post op)

I had my 1 week post op appointment today with stitch removal. Everything is going great. My doc says I'm healing wonderfully, and I can see that I am as well,

NOTE: As you know, I had the fat that was in the under eye bag repositioned into the tear trough (crease), however, the newly positioned fat is a bit hard like a lump, which he had me feel. The doc said that was normal and will probably get a bit harder before it softens up and smooths out as intended. I cannot see this bump, only feel it at this point. I hadn't read anything about this part of the healing process so I thought I'd mention it to anyone researching this procedure.

Stitch removal: I had my stitches out, and it was fairly painless.

Medications: I was instructed not ignore the pharmacist's instruction printed on the medications dispensed prior to surgery, and only follow my doctor's instruction. Some medications instructed only 5 days of use (bacitracin), however, each doctor's visit I am given new instructions (lesser intervals, swap cold compress to warm, etc.).

Makeup: I was instructed to wait another week (2 weeks post op) before I wear any makeup on the incisions. Reason being I'm to keep that area clean so as not to get anything in the incision or it could cause blackheads, or millia (whiteheads), which may go away on their own, or need to be removed by the doc. I don't wear eye shadow, but I do where foundation on my eyelids. I will have to be patient, which I am not real good at.

Swelling: I have been healing very fast with little bruising, but I have had swelling, but I've reached the one week mark and I am already getting anxious. I've known all along that it'll take about 2 months to look "normal" again with the final results being about 6 mos. away, but I really wish I could see what those results will be. I read that people tend to get "The Blues" after about 1 month due to this (realizing how long it actually takes to heal completely), and I feel like I may get them a little earlier than that just because I'm healing at such a quick pace. I am still very happy with the results, and I will try to patient, which as noted above will be tough.

Updated on 16 May 2013:
Day 8 - I feel great and I'm happy as usual with the surgery. One eye is always different than the other, healing differently, which I was aware would happen.

NOTE: Just to mention to anyone who has noticed, my left eyebrow (right in photos) has always been higher than the other. This is not due to surgery, as you can see in my before photo. I may have that evened out in the future with another procedure, but I think I'll let this one sink in first, as this was my first cosmetic procedure.

QUESTION?: Yesterday, I mentioned the fat that had be repositioned into my tear trough was a bit hard like a lump that wasn't visible, but only to touch, and the doc said that was normal and it was soften and smooth with time. I think I can see them now and it's a little worrisome. I trust my doc, and believe him when he says they'll smooth out, but has anyone else had this happen? If so, how long did it take to soften up and smooth out?

Updated on 17 May 2013:
Day 9

TINY SCARE: I woke up this morning though and the sclera (clear layer over eyeball) was bubbled out in the corner of my right eye. I thought something was in my eye upon waking, and went to the mirror and saw that the sclera was raised up like a blister, but clear. I used my corticosteroid eye drops and it immediately went back down. Scared me for a minute, but I'd done my research and new this happens sometimes, and that my sclera was just a bit swollen. I was happy it went right away, or I would have called the doctor.

Otherwise, healing is coming along great. The fat repositioned under my left eye has already softened up quite a bit, but it is still a little harder under the right eye. My incision lines across my upper lids look good. They are a bit red and bumpy, as was expected, and I know this will fade and soften over time. I'm not worried about it at all as it really isn't bad now to begin with. I have heard it can get thicker, bumpier up to 1 month though before it begins to improve so I am hopeful it doesn't. Only the remnants of yellowish bruising left now and a red line bruise remains at the outer corner of my left eye due to my lower lid being pulled down and held during surgery. I had them in both corners initially. I am feeling better everyday. I still have some swelling under both eyes directly, but the areas where the fat bags were looks great. I also have some swelling on both upper lids but too little to know where and what. I'm sure they will improve. My eyeballs still feel a bit heavy I guess is how I'd describe it due to swelling all around them, which isn't very bothersome.

I've been very happy from day 1 with my results. I could tell I'd made a good choice, and each day confirms this. I only have a few more days until I can wear make-up. I am looking forward to going out with friends next weekend, hopefully. I want to get ready makeup and all. I haven't gone anywhere fun since before surgery, because I wanted to take really good care of myself so I wouldn't disturb the healing process.

I will probably update my photos weekly now. I doubt there will be much improvement seen through photos day to day. I will continue to update with my progress as it changes.

Updated on 18 May 2013:
Day 10 - I decided to go ahead and post photos today, because most of my bruising is gone. I see traces of yellowness still, but I thought it would be helpful for those researching to see me through to this stage.

I'm still feeling great about this surgery. I have some residual swelling as expected, more under eye than upper eye, but it's not very noticeable to others. I can see it though, and feel it as my eyeballs feel heavy, and when I look down it feels a bit strange, because I can feel the swelling. You sort of have to experience it to know what I'm talking about, but it's not scary or debilitating. Also, I've been advised that the wrinkling under eye due to this minimal, residual swelling will go away about 2 weeks after the swelling goes down, which is extremely relieving! I was very scared that I'd gone through all of this to rid myself of the under eye bags only to have wrinkling replace it. All others who've had this procedure have experienced the same thing, and they've advised me to be patient as it will subside. I am so happy!

I am going to post 2 photos at some point, probably at the end of the visibly noticeable healing process. The 1st photo will be of me dressed and ready with makeup and hair done, before the surgery, and then another of the same, but taken after the surgery. I think you will all be surprised at what I really look like, as the photos of one's eyes alone don't show you what a person looks like. I know I'm curious when I look at all the profiles on here so I thought you might enjoy that. Plus, I have looked less than attractive so far from before surgery with bags through bruising and swelling, and I'd like to show you.

Updated on 19 May 2013:
Day 11 - Well ladies, and gentlemen, I experienced my first very small issue late last night on Day 10. I've been so good following all instructions and then some staying down, relaxed, and pampering myself for over a weeks, but I was getting stir crazy not getting ready and going out to see friends. So, yesterday, Saturday, was such a beautiful day here on the Central Coast so I decided to get about. I showered and got ready very carefully putting makeup on so as not to get any makeup on my incision scar (no concealer, foundation, eyeliner, nada). Before applying any makeup, I applied SPF 50 sunscreen to my eye area (noted as a "must have" item below), and with sunglasses in tote I headed out. First to Wal-mart to grab Vanilla Soy Milk & Green Chai Tea for home-made Vanilla Soy Chai Lattes (chilled and delicious), where I walked across the parking lot without sunglasses on, but, due to the wind/sun, I returned to my car wearing them. Then, on to a friends place where I stayed inside most of the time. We periodically sat outside on her exotically decorated deck. I sat in an area shaded with in thin, pale drapery, but after awhile I noticed the wind was stirring up a bit of dust and dirt. I hadn't been wearing my sunglasses as I had on my 50 SPF, but decided to put them on. I was gone about 4 hours (1-5 pm). I returned home and relaxed for awhile, and around 8 pm I watered my lawn and retired for the evening satisfied that I hadn't "over-done it". Around 11 pm I felt like something was in my left eye. Fairly sure it was another sclera "bubble" that would resolve with one steroid eye drop, I went to the mirror to see. No sclera swelling, no sunburn (my sunscreen worked wonderfully), but the rims of my eyelids were a bit red and slightly irritated. My swelling seemed normal, and I saw nothing too alarming so I used my corticosteroid eye drops, took 4 Arnica pills (I'm out of Bromalain now), used some Cortisone under eye then added some Real Tears eye drops; however, I could not shake the "gritty" feeling in my eyes, the left especially. After awhile, I looked again, this time behind my eyelids, without pulling them open too much, for a stray eyelash, or possibly a "lost" stitch, but I'd only had 3 stitches: 1 straight across each upper eyelid, and 1 at each tear trough, and all 3 came out in 1 piece smoothly so I wasn't expecting that), and that's when I saw an enlarged pore just below the rim inside my eye's conjunctiva. I'd noticed this poor a couple years prior when it turned into a blackhead, and I couldn't squeeze it then either due to it's position, and had to just wait for it to resolve itself, which it did after about a week. How weird is that having a pore/blackhead on the rim of your eyelid? I thought it had gone away, or, at least, shrunk small enough to not be an issue again, but there it was, and it was probably enlarged due to swelling. I thought maybe a bit of dirt had gotten inside it from being out in the elements without my sunglasses, but it was probably just the enlarged pore itself rubbing against my eyeball that was causing the bothersome feeling. I washed my hands to attempt to clear the pore out just in case something was inside that needed to come out to allow the pore to settle knowing from previous experience that probably wouldn't be fruitful, and I pushed lightly at each side just once with my clean fingernail. A tiny bit of blood came out and I immediately stopped hoping anything that may have been inside came out with the tiny bit of blood. It was late on a Saturday night so I didn't call my doctor. I then flushed my eyes with my simulated tear drops, and I added a dot of the Bacitracin ointment directly onto the pore. Bacitracin is a anti-fungal/antibiotic, and I'd read it can be applied directly to the eyeball in the included pamphlet from the drug store. I tried sleeping, keeping my eyes closed, hoping it would resolve itself by morning; however, it was extremely hard to sleep as the gritty feeling was maddening. I took a sleep aid and eventually drifted off to sleep. I awoke this morning feeling much better, no gritty feeling, and the poor smoothed down and just looks like a tiny red line instead of a round pore now and I'm so glad. What a pain in @#$%! I believe that, because I wasn't meticulous about wearing my sunglasses (because I had this great SPF sunscreen), the wind allowed dust, dirt, and allergens inside my eyes irritating the pore, which was probably already enlarged from swelling.

So the moral of the story is WEAR YOUR SUNGLASSES! They don't just protect your eyes from the sun they protect them from wind, dust, dirt, allergens, and whatever else the wind may carry on it's journey...into your eye!

MUST HAVE THIS PRODUCT: Sunscreen: "Dab-On Spot Stick" by Ocean Potion with SPF 50+, and 80 minute Water Resistant. This product is amazing, because it's clear, drys immediately, non-greasy, and it doesn't sting due to it being Fragrance, Oxybenzone, & Paraben Free with Vitamin D3! It doesn't feel like you have anything on at all so you can apply it under makeup without notice. It's fabulous! It's in a small tube you can keep in your pocket, and it's only $3.95 at Wal-mart. All you do is press the flat cloth covered top with your fingertip and a small amount comes out clear, and just dab it on the "new" skin (if you've had a chemical peel), and along any incision scar.

NOTE: Always use sunscreen on any scar for at least 6 months. The sun causes a scar to stay red and raised, and disallows it to heal properly.

Other than that little incident, which actually happened on Day 10, Day 11 is going very well. I'm staying in today to ensure the pore heals, and I am going to relax. I've added 2 new photos, but you cannot see the pore; however, some greenish bruising developed around that eye today probably from me messing with it. The pore now just looks like a tiny red line, not a pore/tiny hole, and I'm hopeful it will stay that way and never bother me again.

BE PATIENT - EYES ARE SENSITIVE I've learned to be patient again. I am only 1 1/2 weeks out, and just because my eyes looked pretty normal with just minimal swelling they are still healing with a long way to go. The eyes are extremely sensitive, but I've never worn glasses/contacts, or had many issues with them so I forget this, and surgery is very invasive so I have to take care of them for a lot longer than 1 1/2 weeks! Take care everyone.

Updated on 23 May 2013:
It's been exactly 2 weeks since surgery and everyone is saying I look "normal" again (if I ever really looked normal, lol), and great, but I still see slight swelling, and mostly slight wrinkling under eye, but that is also subsiding now, thankfully. I was more than happy to get ready yesterday with makeup and hair as the doc instructed "no makeup" on the incisions for 2 weeks, as noted above, so I post new pics above. The last pic is a full face pic of me before surgery, as by the eyes alone it's hard to tell what a person really looks like. I will post a full "after" shot when I've healed comfortably and have no wrinkling/swelling so it will be a true final results shot. Sorry about the bangs! I don't have many current photos showing both eyes.

NOTE: BROMALAIN IS GREAT! I bought more Bromalain as suggested by a fellow bleph patient KFRNP. I finished my first bottle and it's not cheap at $20/bottle, and I hadn't been instructed by the doctor to continue on any longer (he isn't a man of many words, but I do not want to slander him in anyway). However, I began to see purple/red bruising at the corner upper lid on Sunday. I don't believe any longer that it was due to the pore incident I wrote about above, as it was the other eye, lol. It may have been some of that "deep" bruising that comes to the surface unexpectedly after a couple weeks, or who knows. Anyway, I bought more Bromalain and spent the $20 and now I swear by this stuff! Everyone was saying that Arnica was the fabulous herb/flower (whatever), but Bromalain surpasses Arnica two-fold in the bruising department. BUT Arnica may be playing a big roll in the swelling so I don't want to discredit it, I just don't know.

As you can see by my photos, I had hardly any bruising only slight green under eye for about 2 hours day of surgery, then 2 days of a red upper eyelid, and then immediately the bruising turned yellow (last stage of a bruise), which last several days as I believe the Bromalain lessened the severity of the bruising, just not the longevity, as well as the severity of swelling. I cannot tell whether the Arnica had anything to do with that, but I do know that within 2 days of not taking Bromalain, but still taking Arnica, I developed a red/purple bruise at the corner of my upper eye lid on Sunday. I started back on the Bromalain on Tuesday afternoon and the bruising subsided fairly quickly skipping the whole fading process once again: red, the dark purple, then red and purple speckling surrounded by green then onto yellow. I was hardly even yellow, if at all. Who knows, I suppose, as I did have red eye lids on Days 2 & 3 then went straight to yellow before, and if this were a deep bruise surfacing then it did the same thing, although the Arnica didn't seem to be working on it as quickly as the first time. It could be coincidence that I bought the Bromalain on the 3rd day and it was going to begin to subside anyway with the Arnica. At any rate, either Bromalain or Arnica, the moral of the story is it's wonderful! I'm looking into herbalism for sure.

NEED (ADJUST TO POST OP CARE LIST): Bromalain comes in 2 bottles: a small with only 30 pills; a larger with 60 pills. I highly recommend you purchase 2 larger 60 pill bottles and continue to take the Bromalain for I'm guessing per patient KFRNP, 3 weeks. After the first week of taking the Bromalain in doses of 2 pills every 4 hours you will finish the first bottle of 60 pills, then reduce the dose to 2 pills 2x day and that will extend your 2nd bottle out the 3 weeks. Don't worry about the Arnica as it's inexpensive at $9/bottle and comes with 250 pills, which should last you a long time.

Updated on 27 May 2013:
I'm only at 2 1/2 weeks post op I know, but I'm getting a bit worried...I think my surgeon may have been a bit too conservative either with the chemical peel strength as it was a very low percent, or, alternatively, he may have performed the more conservative blephoraplasy procedure and should have removed some lower eyelid skin via the transcutaneous method. The transconjunctival method was recommended for me with a chemical peel as the doc said no extra skin needed to be removed and the chemical peel would take care of tightening up any left over loose skin, but my under eyelids do not look smooth and "bag" free yet.

At first that skin was wrinkling due to swelling subsiding before skin's elasticity was reshaping, which worried me but a few others assured me that would resolve due to skin elasticity and it has somewhat, but now I feel like the remaining skin didn't "tighten up" enough and maybe should have been removed as it looks like a "bag", just not as severe as the original fat bag. Either it's loose skin, or, remaining fat, or, I'm not being as patient as I should be as it has only been 2 1/2 weeks (I know this is a wait, and then wait some more situation) and I'm hoping that is the case.

In addition to that worrisome issue, just in my right eye (left in photo), I'm afraid the newly positioned fat isn't positioned correctly in the tear trough. It doesn't feel as though it is truly placed along the tear trough in it's entirety - on down to the lowest point of the tear trough. It only feels like the outer-most edge of the fat strip is touching on the outer-most edge of the tear trough, and the bulk of the fat strip is resting just above the bottom area of the tear trough. Therefore, the deep tear trough I had before remains in the lower region. However, the right eye's repositioned fat lump has always been harder than that in the left eye (that issue was noted above and the hardened lump is a normal issue that resolve/smooths down over time). I'm hoping the fat really is covering the whole tear trough and this will become apparent when the hardness subsides and everything will smooth out. I have posted some new photos.

My left eye gives me hope, because it looks good to me although the wrinkling is still apparent when I smile (possibly elasticity, possibly some skin needed to be removed). The repositioned fat never hardened into as big of a lump as it did in the right eye, and it appears to be nice and even, smoother, without signs of a bag or deep tear trough. Therefore, I am hopeful that the right eye will look as good as I heal, as each eye has healed at a different pace.

I am aware that I am only at 2 1/2 weeks post op, but this is causing me too worry a bit that my under eyes aren't going to look as I'd hoped. Has anyone else experience this, or something similar that changed as you healed?

Updated on 30 May 2013:
I cannot post pics as my battery died. Will do that later. I'm feeling more confident about my healing process mainly because of all the positive feedback telling me it's quite normal. My eyes do look different after just a few days (since last photo's taken) so that makes it easier to believe they will smooth out again as they were around Day 8 while still swollen, but smooth. For those following my review to gain knowledge (or courage) to get this procedure I would like to say that I am still happy I did this and in no way do I feel the doctor messed up. I still think he did a great, if conservative (yet to be determined) job. I am still happy and everyone I see face to face (who knows) is giving me reassurance saying I look great.

You all should enjoy this one...I woke from an afternoon nap yesterday and a friend strolled up to visit. After a few minutes I mentioned my eyes and she was like "oh! My gosh I'm sorry I totally forgot. I just thought you looked well rested from your nap"! I bet none of us ever got told how well rested we looked before, huh?

I will take photos again when my camera charges up. Thanks everyone for your comments, questions, and support! It's been really helpful to have something to do through all of this, and a positive journey thankfully. This site is an excellent forum for anyone planning surgery to discuss and de-stress.

Updated on 31 May 2013:
I just got back from a visit with Dr. Stallman. We discussed the hardened fat lumps (transpositioned fat) and he prescribed me to massage them rather hard (press down directly on the fat lump firmly and jiggle my finger slightly) for about 10 seconds 3x a day. OMG! When he did it I felt light headed and slightly nauseous for a little while after. My anxiety level rose. It wasnt too painful just shocking I guess. He said that this was common and that it usually goes down on it's own, but it begins to form some scar tissue and that I could help decrease it. I feel sick just explaining it. I'm gonna put my big girl pants on and do it though, because this is my face (eyes) we're talking about. KFRNP, you were right!

I also showed him the pore on the rim of my left eye and he said we have pores all along this area and to put heat on the eye then massage upward to push out any oils that gather there.

Otherwise, things are healing good.

PS: I would have photos for you today, but as noted above I had to charge the battery in my camera, and it would have helped if I'd plugged the charging dock in too...I will post pics asap.

Updated on 2 Jun 2013:
I've added the photos now. But I wanted to update on the repositioned fat (transpositioned fat). At my doctor's appointment Friday I was instructed to massage the lumps firmly as scar tissue was begining to form and I was told it was not only ok, but that I needed to press and slightly jiggle my finger on top of the lump to press it down into place. I've done that now for 2 days at 3 times a day and I am noticing a difference. Thank you, thank you. The wrinkles are still evedent under my eyes and I'm staying patient

Updated on 2 Jun 2013:


Updated on 2 Jun 2013:


Updated on 5 Jun 2013:
Tomorrow will be 4 weeks - Last Friday at my 2nd post op appointment the doc suggested I massage the hardened transposed fat that was growing scar tissue and forming a lump so I've been doing that and it's working. I posted new pics to show. It hasn't been as hard as the first time when I became nauseated from the shock of the doc pressing down on the lump as I suppose I was prepared after that, and knowing I had to do it for my face/appearance.

My incision lines were cut very symmetrically (not perfect, but very good), and they are healing very well. I haven't had any problems or changes with them. They continue each day to improve.

DISSOLVING STITCHES VS. REGULAR STITCHES (BEST IN MY OPINION): Most sutures leave little holes in the skin along the sides of the incision that eventually smooth out as you heal. A family member of mine had the dissolvable sutures, but they did not dissolve and the skin healed around them. We removed them upon noticing the area was irritated and red. This left those holes open for dirt and oil collection. They became "pores" even 11 yrs. later, and the impurities, if not properly cleansed become blackheads and then pimples. Some surgeons use these "dissolvable" sutures during blephoraplasty. My doctor explained that different areas of the body heal faster and he uses dissolving sutures on the inside of the eye (conjunctiva) to hold the transposed fat in place. He said it shouldn't be a problem because that area was not seen on the outside skin; however, I asked him to use the removable sutures instead (the two blue stitches below my eyes in my 1st week post op photos). This may be something to discuss with your surgeon if you are planning on having surgery. I'm mentioning this now, because my suture "holes" are still healing and they are a bit indented still, and the other night, after washing my face, some black eyeliner remained in the holes at the outer edges of each incision on my upper eyelids, and I thought they'd become blackheads. Luckily, it was just that I needed to wash the makeup out of them again with a wash cloth. The removable suture holes fill in as they heal and there is a small dot scar, but it's closed and cannot fill up with impurities that cause blackheads and that is my preference.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE NOW! I can look people directly in the eye without makeup on. I realized I hadn't been able to do that before after this surgery. I wouldn't have considered myself unconfident before, but over the last week I have felt real confidence when interacting with the public and it feels good.

I AM SO GLAD I HAD BLEPHORAPLASTY. As vain as it may sound, it's difficult for me to accept the aging process, and having had these under eye bags for years, knowing they were getting worse with time, this procedure has given me, at least, 10 yrs back.

Updated on 16 Jun 2013:
I have been out enjoying my appearance for a couple of weeks now. I am very happy at this point with my blephoraplasty results. After pressing on the hardened lump as instructed for approximately 4 days the lump went down and looked even with my lower lids so I stopped. I haven't spent much time in the mirror inspecting, only getting ready as usual so that helped me get used to my eyes at a normal distance and how other people would view my eyes. I love my results. My lower lids have evened out.

As far as the wrinkling goes there are about 3 wrinkle lines that I didn't notice I had before, but they aren't very visible any longer. Although they are now present due to the under eye "bag" being gone the wrinkles aren't as deep as they were when my skin was still "stretched" out after swelling and the under eye bag was gone. I am very pleased at my doctor being conservative as the results thus far seem to be as good as it gets. I believe that I did not have enough under eyelid skin to have any removed so that was a very good judgement call on my doctor's part. If anything needs to be done after I'm done healing I believe I may need another chemical peel to soften out the minimal wrinkling that may remain. I do not want, nor do I need, to go the botox route in regards to the wrinkles, which was mentioned. I am fine the it is now, however, I would be interested in another chemical peel if the doctor feels that would decrease the depth of the wrinkles that remain. The only reason I will proceed with another chem peel, if it will, in fact, help, is because I paid $4,900 to have great looking eyes and I am so very close to being extremely happy with the results. I took some photos that I will attach in a moment.

I feel very thankful right now that I look so much better, and there were no complications. This experience has given me back my confidence. I feel great!

Updated on 16 Jun 2013:


Updated on 13 Jul 2013:
I have posted updated, up close, photos as well as an updated full makeup/hair photo. My eyes have improved slightly since the last post at 5 1/2 weeks post op. I am very happy that I had blephoraplasty, however, I now have wrinkles under my eyes that I don't believe will smooth out any further. They are nothing frightening looking, and very natural, but I just spent $4,900 for ten years to be taken off my eyes appearance and I am not ready to settle for wrinkles replacing fat bags. The wrinkles are natural due to my age, and the fat that formed under the skin, and I believe its the loose skin (bags that developed around protruding fat) that remain, because I did not have any skin removed during blephoraplasty. I don't believe I would have the wrinkles if I'd had some skin removed (subcutaneous blephoraplasty), rather than just fat (transconjunctival blephoraplasty). The doctor suggested a chemical peel rather than removal of any skin: however, I don't believe it was a very strong percentage of chemical as I had no pinkness or redness after the peel came off. This was a sign to me that it may not have been strong enough. I've just discussed all of this with the nurse who indicated that I had a couple of options: botox (which I do not want, it is too expensive and doesn't last plus in my mind why would I want that after paying for bleph surgery), or a second chemical peel, which I will do if the doctor thinks it will improve the wrinkling, but the nurse didn't seem to think it would make much of a difference indicating they were smile lines and would be there when smiling anyway. I scheduled an appointment to see Dr. Stallman this Monday to discuss my options, and I'm hopeful that it won't cost me much. This is disheartening to me, and I question whether I should have had a small amount of skin removed, but then I tell myself that it could be much much worse. Having a doctor who was a bit too conservative is much better than the alternative as nothing bad happened, I didn't receive a botched surgery by any means, and my eyes do look better. I tell myself that I should be happy that I no longer have the bulging fat. The wrinkles only deepen enough for others to notice when I smile, as you can see in the new photos I've posted, but I smile all the time. I've posted several photos taken today of myself not smiling, smiling, both sides, and eyes closed to show you. When I'm not smiling, my under eyes look very good with only light wrinkle lines that only I notice and makeup covers pretty well (at this point, with age that probably will change sooner than later if I'd had skin removed); smiling, there are about 3 deeper wrinkles under each eye. I suppose that I should wait and see what the doctor says. All in all, if there is nothing I can do to be rid of these new wrinkles, I will go away from this experience happier than I was before. I will not be angry at the doctor for being too conservative, and I will be thankful that he did the best job anyone could have done without removing skin and I will accept that his judgement was fair and honest. I will not pay for skin to be removed at this point, but consider it an option in the future and I will definitely go back to Dr. Stallman to do the procedure as I trust his experience, and believe he would do a great job.

Updated on 16 Oct 2013:
All the wrinkling is gone, smoothed down and no weird indentations. I talked to my surgeon a couple months ago about a chem peel but put it off due to money and I'm so thankful I did. I was jumping the gun. It's so true that patience is a virtue when it comes to a surgery that had no signs of problems (big problems). I look 10 years younger, my eyes are bright and beautiful and I love it!!! I've added some pics, but as I warned before you can only see one eye. I wasn't planning this update so I just grabbed a couple recent photos, but I'm 39 yrs old and due to my surgery I don't look that close to 40 yrs. Hope you all have enjoyed the review.

Updated on 25 Sep 2014:
It's been a little over one year since I had the procedures and I look HORRIBLE!

As noted above, after I first noticed the wrinkling under both eyes that I did not have before the procedures as well as the lump where he had repositioned the fat that had created another "bag" under my right eye (left in photos), I scheduled an appointment to address it Dr. Stallman. The doctor offered only to charge me a few hundred dollars for Botox injections to freeze the muscles in my face so they wouldn't move and that would take care of the wrinkle problem under my eyes. He advised that the Botox would only be temporary and that I could continue to pay for these Botox injections every few months to keep the muscles frozen and wrinkles relaxed. That was completely unacceptable to me, and I told him I could not afford that. I asked him whether I had any type of revision options with him. Dr. Stallman then said no that I would have to pay for any procedure he did for me. I was rather upset, but polite, but I did say that I felt like I looked horrible and older than I was. Dr. Stallman then suggested that it would take a year or more for the final results and that my eyes should continue to look better as time went by and not to worry. I left hopeful that I hadn't just spent $5,000 to look worse than I did before the blepharoplasty. There was a short period of time when the swelling had not subsided and the under eye skin looked nice and smooth and I could not see the wrongly repositioned fat and I was happy, but that was short lived!

It's been over a year and my under eyes have only gotten worse, much worse. Both eyes look terrible. So I have now had second opinions and have been told that my eyes were definitely not considered satisfactory results for the procedures I had, and that I would definitely need revision surgery to fill in the tear trough, remove the wrongly repositioned fat in the right eye (left in photos), and several options regarding the terrible wrinkling. I was also told that the wrinkling may be so severe due to having the co2 laser resurfacing at the same time as the blepharoplasty procedure as my skin had already had been traumatized from laser surgery from the blepharoplasty (upper and lower transconjunctival).

It has been suggested that I do not pay for any revisions and that I do have recourse. I will contact Dr. Stallman immediately and express my concerns, remind him I tried to discuss revisions and my dissatisfaction, and advise him that I plan to initiate recourse. I will see how he responds to my proactive approach to this situation and hope for an agreeable outcome.

I want what I paid for, and I certainly did not want to look worse as $5,000 is a hefty fee for me. I went in with just under eye bags that weren't extreme and deep tear troughs, and I came out with both as well as severe wrinkling and I look much older whereas I only looked unrested before.

So, I wanted to come back on Real Self to rectify the positive review I gave initially, although I do note all these issues in my review along the way/over the months. I felt it was only right to let anyone reading my review know the final outcome and to post photos to show the final results.

Updated on 26 Sep 2014:
Thank you everyone for the condolences. A RealSelf.com friend commented this morning that she could see the poor results and gave her condolences, which were much appreciated. She also pointed out that it was such as shame as I had really done a thorough job in my research, planning, preparation, and following instructions to the "T". I agreed and I am so thankful for this site. I came to Realself.com to get information. I wanted, needed, to learn as much as I could before making a life changing decision to "go under the knife" as they say. I got that through the experiences of others and all of the helpful tips, and so did all of you who've interacted with me on my review. That was what prompted me to join in and be of assistance too by giving a detailed account of my experience. Therefore, I am going to continue with this review until I've reached a point that I can no longer share any new experience in hopes that anyone else who may be experiencing similar issues might find my information useful.

As far as I could tell Dr. Stallman was a great candidate to perform my 3 procedures: upper and lower blepharoplasty and CO2 laser resurfacing under both eyes, because he was an occuloplastic surgeon (eye specialist) with many, many years of experience; however, there was almost nothing about him online. The only reviews I found about him were on his website, but I assumed (you know what they say about assuming..) that because I could not find any bad reviews or complaints that there were none. You know the old saying: you have a good experience and you tell your friends, you have a bad experience and you tell everyone. As a matter of fact, I clearly recall Dr. Stallman being the one to tell me that old saying...hmmm.

So I was feeling as good as one can about the surgeon I'd chosen. However, last year that same Real Self online friend (KRFNP) I mentioned earlier pushed me to go with my gut feeling last year after I mentioned that I felt rushed through the consultation appointment suggesting I had every right to get more consultation time in with the doctor, but I did not ask for it. This time, I am going to push the envelope, and do things differently. I will listen to my gut, as more consultation time would have allowed me to do more research, and possibly something may have triggered me, maybe even during the potential second meeting with the doctor, to discuss the subject I was recently made aware of by this last “second opinion” surgeon who said he would not have performed the CO2 laser resurfacing (I refer to it as the chemical peel above) at the same time as the blepharoplasty due to too much laser (burning) to my delicate eye area at once. Maybe that would have changed the outcome I experienced who knows. Therefore, I am going down a different path in my quest for rectification.

I am very hesitant to go back to Dr. Stallman for revision surgery, if he does end up offering it or if it is offered by other means. We are all human, and, although I do not hold a grudge against a customer who comes to me with a complaint (I own and operate a business myself), and I am always more than happy to rectify the situation as fairly as possible, I get the gut feeling Dr. Stallman would be irritated by me. The doctor made it clear, when I asked him to amend the problems with the procedures as they began to appear, that he would not do anything for me as a courtesy (free of further charge), but instead would charge me for a completely different procedure. That is why I know that, at the very least, he does not want to try to correct the problems to ensure client satisfaction, and I was not asking for petty revisions. A courtesy revision would have been the right thing to do, and if he would have offered that the first time I would feel much more comfortable allowing him to perform revisions.

I have worked in law (defense in fact so I see from the doctor's side too), and, as you c