Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty and CO2 Laser Resurfacing
I just had the surgery 2 days ago, so I don't know...
I just had the surgery 2 days ago, so I don't know yet if it is worth it or not! However, the first day (right after the surgery) my eyes looked great other than the redness and stitches showing! I was excited. Then, the swelling set in and now I am really swollen and the lasered skin under my eyes is very red and oozing. Gross, but I know this is to be expected. I went to a very experienced facial plastic surgeon and have confidence in him but I'm still nervous, as you aren't gauranteed specific results.
I'm 40 years old (almost 41) and had virtually no visible upper eyelid before the surgery, with my eyes open and the bags under my eyes really bothered me too. The wrinkles weren't too bad, but I had crepey skin there and some crows feet.
I THINK I'm going to be very pleased ultimately, with the results, but I know it could be a month or so before things start looking good. The redness will probably be longer than that. I'll post more when I have more to share!
Ann Kennedy's provider
It is now Day 8 after surgery and I'm looking much...
It is now Day 8 after surgery and I'm looking much better. I have experienced some dry eyes and my plastic surgeon recommended I start using Restasis (perscription that cost $280 without insurance! Yikes! There is no generic) and that has helped a lot. The Restasis helps your eyes produce more of their own natural tears. So, I'm using that twice a day and the Refresh tears about 6-8 times a day. The redness is more pink now and most of the skin is all healed over (FINALLY). The main issue with the lasered areas is itchiness, due to the healing.
I think by Friday it is going to be OK to wear make-up (doc said it was ok by then). Today is my last day of wearing Aquaphor all over my eyes, so I'll be glad to finish that up. It's so annoying having your hair stick to your face and get all gross. Ick.
I also have to warn you if you have an office job where you are on the computer a lot you should take frequent breaks. My eyes get very tired looking at the computer for most of the day. The doctor told me that I should expect this. My conjunctiva is swollen and that is why I have the dry eye and the tired eyes.
I'm already very glad I did this and I think the most important thing is to find a very good and experienced FACIAL or occouplastic surgeon. My surgery was not inexpensive by any means but think how much it could cost you if you are not pleased with the results and there are problems and you have to go to another surgeon to fix them? I read that your best opportunity for an optimal outcome is your FIRST surgery. It becomes more complex and risky with subsequent surgeries.
Thank you to all of you who have written comments. I appreciate it and thanks for the nice things some of you said! :)
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Hi! I am still pleased with the results and it has...
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Congrats on your results!
I am deciding between two doctors. One is a board certified otolaryngologist trained in facial plastic surgery; the other is a board certified ophthalmologist with plastics and aesthetic specialties.
Most of my concerns are about the laser resurfacing. I just don't know much about it and there is so much negative posted here about people ending up with grid marks, etc. But then I see gorgeous results by others. And the doctors rave about it. It seems that after each consult, I research and THEN have a million questions. I wish I could think of these Qs on the spot during the consults. But I would not have known to ask "will I have lingering dot/grid marks?"
Anyway, my question for you is, you said you had your procedures done by a "facial plastic surgeon". What were the doctor's credentials? I keep reading Dr postings which say: "be sure it's a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon" but frankly, all my consults with BCPSs ended up with transcutaneous (external lower incision) bleph recommendations, and after researching, I don't want that. And the Board Certified PSs mostly do breasts and tummy tucks. I think having a face/eye expert makes sense.
What was your doctor? Did he have you do any facial regimen preparation before being "lasered"? Did you have an obvious line of demarcation from the lasered eye area to the lower face? Thanks!
I REALLY do wish I had done the full face CO2 because while you are hiding from everyone and healing you might as well go for it! The laser was the hardest thing to recover from because it oozed, looked gross and the glop you wear on your face while it heals is messy (everything sticks to it). I recommend using Aquaphor on your lasered skin while it is healing. DO NOT let it dry out or it will tear and ooze/bleed more and then take longer to heal. It is very crucial that you keep it moist during the healing period.
I also had Fraxel on my face in the past. It was just a big of a mess and it didn't last as long. I'd go for the CO2 if I were you.
My doctor is "double board certified facial plastic surgeon" in Marietta, GA. If you are logged into Real Self, you can look in my above review to see his name and contact information. He is good. I don't know which doctor you should go to without knowing more about them but the second one sounds better to me from what you shared. Ask to see a lot of their "before" and "after" shots.
Remember, that plastic surgery results are never gauranteed. It is a risk to have procedures performed. Things don't always turn out perfectly, but if you go to a very good doctor, you should be able to minimize the risk. That's why I paid so much for this procedure and I don't regret it. Lastly, I would suggest you taking Arnica Montana to minimize swelling and bruising for a week or so before the procedure (it is a natural supplement. You can get it at a health food store or maybe your doctor's office carries it). I also used a topical skincare product from their office, which bleached the rest of the skin on my face prior to the procedure so there wouldn't be too much of a difference between the skin that was lasered and the skin that was not. In time that has changed though...my hyperpigmentation is very stubborn. Good luck!
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