Upper and Lower Eye Lid Surgery Diary Day to Day- Blepharoplasty

I am sharing my experience with upper and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) in hopes of helping those of you who are in the place I was about a month ago leading up to my surgery date.
I am a 55 year old female. I did extensive research so I could be prepared mentally, emotionally and physically for this daunting surgery. After all, we are talking about our EYES. They not only represent one of our most important senses but they are also the windows to the soul - the focal point of our faces. We can't afford to have "issues" with them from surgery.
I am also writing this because I couldn't find too many posts or youtube journey's from someone having BOTH upper and lower bleph. Just having one or the other is a different experience than having both at the same time.
Ok, so I will begin trying to be as thorough as possible so all of your questions can be addressed.
FINDING A SURGEON:
I looked all over locally for a surgeon focusing on facial plastic surgeons, not a surgeon who performs a lot of procedures. I made that mistake with my face lift. I chose a surgeon who did head to toe surgeries and although he had EXCELLENT reviews and I asked all the right questions during the consult I was overall happy with my results BUT there was nerve damage from the eyebrow lift and one eyebrow won't raise up. Tragic, yes, but much less tragic if I just don't make it a habit to raise my eyebrows all the time. Funny thing is, is that I had a grandmother who said you should never raise your eyebrows like when you are applying mascara because it will cause wrinkling in your forehead. So, I never go into the habit of raising my eyebrows. It really doesn't bother me and if it did I can get botox in that evens out my the movement in my eyebrows. My point is, I learned to go to a specialist for what it is I am doing. My surgeon was "popular" with boob jobs, meaning, he had more experience doing that. I also learned that if things aren't going to smoothly during the consult, find someone else. I learned a valuable lesson that applies to all situations. You see, when I was asking questions he began to get annoyed with me and told me he didn't think I was the right patient for him. I apologized and explained that I just wanted to do my due diligence and become clear about the possible complications, I just wanted to clearly understand the choice I was preparing to make. I changed his mind and he accepted me as his patient. Knowing what I know now, this "partnership" was proving not to yield the very best results.
Go with a specialist and this time I did! I consulted with 3 surgeons. One specialized in faces but he was oddly changing his opinion about what procedures he advised. First he said I needed a facelift, which I don't, and when I addressed my eyes (hooded upper lids and bags under my eyes that even good lighting couldn't conceal) he suggested an eyebrow lift instead even though he knew about my botched eyebrow surgery. THEN, he told me I don't need anything. Like I said, you could see my heavy bags no matter the lighting and my upper eyelids were resting on my eye lash line! I think he felt a lack of confidence is what I chalked his strange, constantly changing opinions up to.
The second surgeon also had EXCELLENT reviews but when after waiting 5-6 months at least for a consult I contracted the flu and had to reschedule. It was annoying how they said I would have to wait at least 8 months to reschedule and they could't help me by squeezing me in earlier. And after I waited so long! I told them I not only have a bad flu I don't want to get anyone sick by showing up! I also discovered that this surgeon was big on general anesthesia (no thanks) and nose jobs seemed to be his speciality. The fact that things weren't "gelling" was kind of like a sign. I moved on.
I found an oculoplastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon (only does eyes). Her reviews were great and even doctors were recommending their clients to her. What I noticed about here before and afters that I DIDN'T see in others was the correction of before asymmetrical eyes to after symmetrical eyes. Also, she was conservative making sure you can close your eyelids BUT not so conservative you can't see much of any difference as I noticed in other doctor's before and afters.
When I met with her I asked how many complications she's had with her patients and what could go wrong and what could be done about it. No "mishaps" with clients only satisfaction and I could tell she was honest. She was happy and patient answering all my questions. I could tell she was very serious about getting good results and was humble yet very sure and confident of her abilities and 20 plus years of experience. This was a smooth consult, unlike the others. This is a sign of a good fit. She also had a waiting list of at least 12 months and because I was erroneously told I was on a cancellation waiting list, they accommodated me early due to giving me "wrong" information. I see that as a company taking responsibility for their errors and caring about the potential patient. I got pushed up in line by 7 months! I hope my FINDING A SURGEON segment has been helpful for you!
A week or two before surgery:
1. Started taking Arnica for bruising - good call.
2. Researched as many bleph diaries I could. Here and on YouTube. One thing I noticed was after surgery and the days following, each person had radically different reactions to the surgery. Some bruised heavily and others like they didn't even have surgery. So, where you fit in (or I in my case) when it comes to recovering, is so individual and hard to predict, however, perhaps there are things you (I) can do to make it as smooth as possible...So, I started looking into how I could prepare by researching what to refrain, such as diet, and things I could do.
I looked at pre-op information because my doctor gave me little if not any information about preparing for surgery. Other than, stop taking certain meds, there wasn't much else. When I researched online what others suggested I because terribly confused! There was advice such as no alcohol or salty foods up to a month before surgery, for instance, and removing certain supplements from one's diet up to a month before hand. I saw so many variations from different doctors it just left me totally confused and unable to choose which action to take. I mean, again, my doctor had no restrictions even on alcohol. I am not a habitual drinker so that didn't matter. I chose to rest, exercise, limit socializing and no drinking for one month, but that was just my personal preference. I was also burned out from work so this was a rest, rejuvenate period mentally, emotionally AND physically, hence the eyelid surgery.
I took time off work for nearly a month (after all, I hadn't had much down time for 10 years) and rested A LOT and pushed myself to exercise because I believed that would help with my surgery being as healthy as possible. I ate a lot of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and very low carbs. Eating whole foots was fueling and preparing my body for the surgery to follow and the healing from there.
So, go by your doctors instructions and also follow your own intuition and listen to your body.
3. I was a bit nervous and excited day of surgery and I kept reassuring myself that i was in good hands and why I believed that. Initially I was VERY NERVOUS about having twilight sedation. I imagined me under twilight feeling relaxed and then quickly shifting into terror and panic as soon as I see knives coming at my eyes! However, general sedation is NOT appealing. I've heard such bad things about it and the additional risks are a bit concerning. I new my facelift was performed under profofal however i didn't know at the time that that was considered twilight sedation so when my eye surgeon told me it would be performed with profofal I felt I could handle it because when I had my lower facelift I was totally "out", or so it seemed.
Before surgery I was told they changed from profofal to another sedation and I didn't know why. I was nervous because they said it was lighter than profofal. I was too far in to resist. I trusted and went with it. I walked into the operation room wide awake, no sedation at all other than a nerve blocker and tylenol that they had given me. I laid down relaxed and closed my eyes. I could hear the doctor and nurse chit chatting, light conversation I don'r remember the details, then the doctor asked me to tell her about my work. I felt I gave her an elevator pitch about it for 10 minutes and then I heard, "Ok, we are all done!" I thought, "WHAT??" It's only been 10 minutes!" LOL!
That's how painless, quick and perfect it was.
Next, went home and felt great! Relaxed and felt emotionally serene. I was also pleased my eyes moved normally and I wasn't blind. I know, I am a bit of a worst case scenario person after having that not so great eyebrow lift experience. I never knew there were some things that couldn't be corrected.
Now, when taking a risk, I like to make informed decisions and calculated risks. So, my imagination would conjure up horrible possibilities but I reminded myself they were exceptions to the rule. That I had an experienced specialist who had an excellent track record and those who had complications may have been in the hands of a less experienced surgeon and other factors I don't know of. Maybe they weren't good candidates but were told they were. I know my surgeon is booked out a year in advance. She's not desperate for the work and taking on someone she doesn't feel totally confident about getting excellent results is something she wouldn't or need not do. It could destroy her reputation, her career.
Day 1 (surgery day):
Came home and chose to not look at myself. This would help support the patience I needed and besides there is nothing to see. My mom was my mirror and described things to me such as "not much bruising". Rested about an hour after and then was up on my feet hanging out and talking with my mom. I felt absolutely fine! I had no pain but was taking the pain pills just in case. I also took them because I thought it would help me sleep since I am a stomach sleeper and I had to learn to sleep on my back upright. FYI: no you don't have to sit straight up like some people do. Just a couple of pillows will elevate you enough. having your head, not torso, elevated is enough as well. Just remember this: keep your head above your heart. That is the most important thing to remember. If it is, then you are good. NOW! This was REALLY most helpful: A TRAVEL PILLOW. Sleeping with the travel pillow was a life saver! I tried to practice sleeping on my back before surgery and just couldn't do it! I don't know what it is but the travel pillow made all the difference. Be sure to get one! I was warned of temporary dry eye but never developed it at all.
Day 2:
I thought I wouldn't be able to read or check my emails/phone. In fact, a lot of what I read is that you won't be able to do anything with your eyes for a few days and it is advised for you not to. This was not true for me. In fact, one surgeon on youtube recommended and urged her patients to use their eyes in the initial days. Again, so much contradictory information out there! Best to follow your surgeons advice. It's based on what they have seen works for the best outcomes.
Day 3: NOTE: I stopped taking pain pills in the evening of day two. I didn't think I needed them and felt they were making me too happy when I caught myself dancing to no music! Haha! However, when I awoke on Day 3 I felt heavy anxiety and depression. I felt trapped in my state and time was going by sooooooo slowly it was as if I would never get through this healing phase. I couldn't understand my irrational feelings. I looked up the pain medicine (tramadol) and discovered it was also for anxiety and depression so I decided to take one. I felt much better and wondered if the pain pills were meant to treat the mental state that can accompany surgery. The anxiety could be the body alarming the mind there is something "wrong" because of the physical trauma of surgery. Had a couple of girlfriends over in the evening and I cooked dinner for all four of us. That was the last day I felt I needed to take pain med for emotional reasons. I share this because no one talks about how they feel while going through this healing process. In my case, I wasn't emotionally upset due to my thoughts or beliefs. I believe it was triggered by the physical trauma of surgery and the way the body communicates to the mind. The mind can also congers up a distressing thought and cause anxiety to be created in the body. Anxiety is simply high stress.
Day 4: Not much to report. Accidentally saw myself in the bathroom when I flipped on the light. Before I used the toiled with no light other than what was bleeding through the other room. I noticed my eyes did not look even close to anyone else's stitched eyes and I combed the internet for as many day by day I could which is why I am posting my experience. I found they didn't satisfy my questions and there wasn't much on upper AND lower surgery. Not seeing any real advancements of healing. It's like ground hog day! Not only did I never get dry eye but I never got itchy stitches like so many complained about. One woman said she wanted to claw her eyes it was so bad. NOPE. never had a bit of dry eye, discomfort, or itchy eyes.
Day 5: The continuation of ground hog day, basically. Noticed that there was some yellow bruising developing under eyes. Other than that the red small bruises was all I had. I figured they would turn colors: red, purple/black, brown, green, yellow.....but no. As time went by the red bruises shrunk and lightened to pink before vanishing. The yellow just faded. This is unlike anything I have experienced before or saw in other fellow bleph-mates.
Day 6: Just costing along and eating too much food! That is something no one shares with you. You become bored. You never realize how much you rely on your eyes. Yes, you can use your eyes, but you don't want to focus or strain them. They tire easily. So use them sparingly. So what else is there to do but talk and eat! Haha! You can only lie down and listen to audiobooks and music for so long. No one warned me that I'd be gaining weight! Ha! However, after a few days of eating, I no longer wanted to eat alike that and stopped snacking and focused on fruits, vegetables after a few days of cookies and chips and salsa and other "bad" foods that I never normally eat, ever!
Day 7: Too hot to walk around much except at night. This was good experience. Again, not much else to report.
Day 8: Sent a photo to my doctors assistant and he said I am healing better than 80% of their patients! Whoo hoooo!! Why is that? All I can say is that I always drank TONS OF WATER and peed A LOT, haha. I followed instructions and put everything on timers; arnica, ointment, compresses, eye drops, etc.I was on top of things. Slept quite well too. Went out for the first time. First time I felt like it. Trip to grocery store with my very dark sunglasses.
Day 9: Noticed the last four days I would get tired and need to lie down. Light napping but mostly resting. Listened to my body. Did NOT push for my healing.
Day 10: Made huge progress in the last few days. I read that most of your swelling would be gone in the first few days. Not so at all for me. Rapid swelling disappearing in the last couple of days and bruises almost completely gone.
Tomorrow I get my stitches out and will talk with the doctor to get last minute questions answered. Stitches out on day 11. Most unusual when others get them out approximately at 7 days but it won't affect the outcome and I think once stitches are out my eyes will relax and change even more quickly over the next few days. I think I"ll be good to go right on time: day 14: MAKE UP DAYYYYYAAA!!! Dressing up my "corrected" eyes will be fun.
A friend warned me that bleph surgery causes dry eye. Not true. Only in 28% of cases and most older people develop dry eye regardless AND a big percentage of people who get eyelid surgery are older, so maybe getting dry eye was just a timing thing for them? I don't really know.
I still have about 2.5 weeks to go before I really start to see close to the final results and sometimes I keep myself inspired by looking at how wonderful my doctors patients looks afterward. I am confident I will be just as pleased.
Good luck with everything on your eye-lift journey. I truly hope this helps you have the surgery experience you wish for! REMEMBER: everyone's healing experience can and will vary dramatically! It really is an individual experience and no amount of research will help predict how your healing will go, but keep the faith and BE PATIENT! Having faith in who you select for your surgery goes a long way, so choose carefully.
Leave questions and I'll try to help further.