Lower eyelid surgery (transconjunctival blepharoplasty) - Dr. Michael Neimkin

I have my lower transconjunctival blepharoplasty scheduled with Dr. Michael Neimkin for 11-20-2019. I have thought about this procedure for years and would have had it done sooner had my alarplasty/tip plasty not turned out so poorly. That entire experience made me very fearful and distrustful of plastic surgeons. I thought as time passed I would regain confidence in surgeons again but that doesn't appear to be the case. I think if I want to have this done I'll have to bite the bullet and just do it, as the anxiety is not going to go away. I am hoping for the best result without any complications. That's really about all I can say at this point as I won't have much to report until after the procedure. Fingers and toes crossed for me friends.

I feel really nervous. I had my annual eye exam yesterday, which is not a requirement, but I just wanted to be totally sure that my eyes were perfectly healthy before moving forward as well. It'll be an in-office procedure under local anesthesia and I plan to just lay around for the rest of the day. I've been taking arnica and eating pineapple in hopes that it will help with the bruising and swelling. I got prior approval from the nurse that arnica was ok to start 2 days before surgery and to continue 5 days after. I will post an update afterward.

So, I'll start with the actual surgery. I arrived at the office at 7am, my surgery was scheduled for 7:30am. I got checked in and Tynae, Dr. Neimkin's surgical assistant gave me a triazolam pill and water and I completed my paperwork. I had the surgery under local anesthesia and was given control of a nitrous oxide valve to use during the procedure. This was interesting to me as I read the surgery instructions. It all worked out well, however.

I was taken back to the surgery suite and Dr. Neimkin gave me the numbing injections. He explained everything he was doing every step of the way and asked me to let him know if at any time I felt any discomfort at all. I did not fall asleep during the procedure but I was fairly loopy and I remember chatting up a storm with Dr. Neimkin and Tynae. At one point I did feel a little something and I must have winced as Dr. Neimkin asked me was it painful. I remember telling him, it wasn't but I could feel something. He stopped and numbed the area again and then continued. Anytime I felt any sensation at all I just took a deep breath of the nitrous oxide and it kicked in instantly.

I have read that people complain about the smell of the laser cutting the flesh and how disgusting it smells......I recall saying it smelled like a Hibachi Grill, LOL. I am not 100% sure how long everything took, but I was told the surgery would take about 1.5 hours, which I believe it did, but I didn't leave the office until around 10:30. I was held a bit longer because afterward, I started to feel a little nauseous. They gave me Sprite and kept me for an extra hour or so. I was wheeled out in a wheelchair and had gauze and a cold pack placed over my eyes

I was prescribed Oxycodon - Acetaminophen for any pain and an eye ointment called Erythromycin. I was also told to use Refresh Plus eyedrops 4 - 6 times a day as needed to keep my eyes from becoming dry.
Dr. Neimkin also placed 2 bolsters on the outside of my cheeks to hold the repositioned fat in place. I can say that I have actually never been in any pain. My eyes felt very very tight early on and it was hard to look around. I had to move my head to look left and right or up and down. Today they almost feel totally normal again, and I don't really have to move my head to look around, I can move my eyes normally without any tightness or pulling sensation. I have taken 4 of the Oxycodone pills, but not because I was in pain. I had more of what felt like an almost throbbing headache around my eyes and particularly at night when my eyes seemed like they were tired from the day. I haven't needed to take anything since day 3 though.

Dr. Neimkin told me that I could experience very bad bruising or not much at all, it depends on the individual. I did not have bad bruising, but my right eye did go almost 100% bloodshot by day 2. It's only about 25% bloodshot now, so it seems to be resolving pretty quickly. The swelling around my eyes is going down gradually and it seems it has moved down into my cheeks. I didn't expect that and never say anyone mention this happening, but all seems fine.

I have text with Dr. Neimkin pretty much every day besides today and he has asked for photos each day to check progress and ensure everything looks normal. I am scheduled to have my bolsters taken out on Wednesday the 27th and am really anxious to see what I look like once all of the swelling has subsided. I think I was on my feet a little bit too much yesterday as the swelling seems to be a little stagnant today. I felt almost totally normal yesterday and cooked breakfast, dinner and did several chores throughout the day. I also had a meal that was higher in sodium so I am taking it easy today and drinking plenty of water and avoiding salt.