A Lower Bleph Journey... - Boulder, CO

OK. Here goes! I’m just over a week before my transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty surgery, and I wanted to document it because if you’re anything like me, you’re obsessively searching for real experiences in order to convince yourself to do the surgery or give yourself a definitive reason not to do it! I can only hope that my story will be a positive one and create other positive ones for those of you out there who are going through the same thing! I plan to post regular updates here.

I’m 37, and my under eye area started bothering me when I was 25. Back then, I went to see a doctor who wanted to inject filler on the spot using a needle stuck through my inside upper lip and all the way up to my tear trough area. Uh… no thanks! Fast forward more than 10 years, and although I regularly feel as though I look like an extra in The Walking Dead, I often don’t think I look too bad, but alas, I think I’m ready. I’ve tried everything from creams to eye exercises; I mind my sleep, eat well, drink a ton of water, and stay in shape. I don’t smoke, and I rarely drink… god help my under eyes if I didn’t do those things!

I am quite nervous about the surgery. Scratch that… I am incredibly nervous, and that is sure to only escalate until the surgery is over, and fingers crossed that it will all go all right.

So far, I've made a long list of things I plan to (er... hope to) do while I'm holed up after the surgery, as I hear it is frowned upon to tool around the neighborhood and frighten passersby, especially during holiday season. I know it's not possible to predict recovery, but darned if I'm not going to try to be the single person who's fully healed after 5 days. I've always been an overachiever. Please don't burst my bubble too much or I'll chicken out entirely.

Thanks to the link provided above and much independent research, I've been a regular shopper at Amazon and Whole Foods. Here's what I now have on hand: arnica tablets, arnica gel, pineapple juice, extra strength tylenol, saline, gauze, artificial tears, neck pillow, gel eye masks, blackout eye masks, little bags of frozen peas... I think that's it? I'll be stocking up on food and making myself a nice little nest on the couch. I know my husband will help me with whatever I need, but since he already thinks I'm bonkers for doing the surgery in the first place, I'd like to be superwoman and make it seem like no big deal.

Sorry for the lack of update! I was so nervous all throughout this week, that I sequestered myself from the internet. I had done so much research and read so many things... All that was left was finding a reason not to go through with the surgery. Anyway, I did it as nervous as I was... Just one foot in front of the other. Here are some thoughts on my immediate experiences for those that can be helped by them.
First, supplies. Two things have proved most helpful in this first day: 1. A neck pillow. 2. Gel eye masks. I got a 2 pack from amazon; they also came with two blackout masks. I tried bags of peas; didn't really work for me. But the masks I like. Keep one in the freezer. Take out the other and tape gauze around it (see pic) before wearing for 20 mins.
Second, the procedure itself. I was under general anesthesia. The 1.5 hours of surgery prep was the worst, and I just wanted it to get over with as quickly as possible. Nothing like the song "Don't Fear the Reaper" playing in the operating room when they wheeled me in. But, hey, if it helps the dr. do a good job, go for it. From time in to time out, I was there for four hours. I'll post the doctor name and my perspective on him after my post-op.
Third, how I feel. I feel decent. I would not say there is no pain. My eyes feel sore and I have a pretty good headache, but I figure/hope the headache is mostly from the anesthesia, a lack of coffee, and a wonky sleeping position that has made my neck hurt. The area below my eyes feels really tight and I can't imagine putting in contacts or wearing makeup ever again!
Okay, so long enough post from me now. Thanks for all the positive words and for reading this!