POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery REVIEWS
55 Years Old, Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty
ORIGINAL POST
I was tired of my eyes looking tired! I'd begun to...
whybrownNovember 7, 2016
WORTH IT
I was tired of my eyes looking tired! I'd begun to realize that they felt always felt tired even when I was completely rested. They felt heavy even. I've always had under eye bags but as I aged they got worse. Cover up didn't cover the dark circles.
I decided to have both upper and lower done and even though it was rough the first week or so, it wasn't unbearable and was so worth it! I think the hardest part was at first my eyes were so dry and felt gritty and gunky, even when I could tell they were going to look good once healed. Seeing myself after surgery was pretty shocking too--I hadn't seen any pictures of anyone with as much bruising and stitches as I had! However, the bruising improved quickly even though it didn't disappear completely for quite some time, which I expected since I bruise easily and hang on to my bruises normally.
I could quickly see that it would make a big difference and that I'd look more rested and youthful. But after several weeks I saw a picture of another woman my age who had the same procedure and had beautiful results. I noticed she was wearing eyeliner which was very flattering and thought I'd try some myself. I hadn't been able to wear it for years--well I COULD, but it would transfer onto my upper lids almost immediately, so why bother? To my surprise, I was not only able to use eyeliner (thought it felt very weird to apply), it stayed on all day, even after a grueling workout! I've even noticed my eyelashes seem much longer. So a few benefits I didn't expect , in addition to the ones I hoped for.
I decided to have both upper and lower done and even though it was rough the first week or so, it wasn't unbearable and was so worth it! I think the hardest part was at first my eyes were so dry and felt gritty and gunky, even when I could tell they were going to look good once healed. Seeing myself after surgery was pretty shocking too--I hadn't seen any pictures of anyone with as much bruising and stitches as I had! However, the bruising improved quickly even though it didn't disappear completely for quite some time, which I expected since I bruise easily and hang on to my bruises normally.
I could quickly see that it would make a big difference and that I'd look more rested and youthful. But after several weeks I saw a picture of another woman my age who had the same procedure and had beautiful results. I noticed she was wearing eyeliner which was very flattering and thought I'd try some myself. I hadn't been able to wear it for years--well I COULD, but it would transfer onto my upper lids almost immediately, so why bother? To my surprise, I was not only able to use eyeliner (thought it felt very weird to apply), it stayed on all day, even after a grueling workout! I've even noticed my eyelashes seem much longer. So a few benefits I didn't expect , in addition to the ones I hoped for.
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Replies (21)
November 10, 2016
I had an upper bleph last June so I'm 5 months post. Being able to wear eye makeup successfully for the first time in my life has been the most fun! Enjoy :)
November 10, 2016
I know, I'm really enjoying it! I would wear it before but it never showed, or in the case of eyeliner, didn't stay put. The only thing is how weird it feels to take it off! Does the weird "numb" feeling get better or go away? Maybe it's not numb but not sure how else to describe it. It feels odd both upper and lower lids to put eyeliner on but worse to take off.
November 10, 2016
My "before eyes" were very similar to your befores so I had the exact same experience with makeup and eyeliner. Now I love putting it on! I have read many people here on RS have had lingering numbness after bleph surgery but strangely enough I never experienced it. But I have watched my incision lines get lighter and lighter so you have lots of good healing ahead :)
November 10, 2016
Good to know about the lines! I figured they would. One is a little lumpy so I wonder if that one needs to be revised, will ask my doc on Friday.
December 4, 2016
You look great! Would you mind sharing if you had fat re positioning or removal for the lower lids?
December 4, 2016
Fat removal on the lower but more importantly, quite a bit of skin removed there. Are you considering an upper and lower?
December 4, 2016
For some reason I'm not seeing my "afters" (the recent ones, final results) on my review? I know I posted them.
December 5, 2016
Thanks. I want to do both but not at the same time. I keep going back and forth about which to do first. I am leaning toward lowers first as it bothers me the most. Most of the surgeons I have seen for consults, recommend the fat re-positioning.
December 5, 2016
I couldn't imagine doing uppers and lowers separately. Why do you want to do to two surgeries?
December 6, 2016
A few reasons. Part financial and part because I'm not sure I could handle both at the same time. I read your eyes can swell shut and although that is temporary, I think I would need extra time to heal from 2 procedures before going back to work. My uppers can wait, they are not that bad at this point. I thought if I do lowers on a Friday, I could go back to work the following Monday which would give me 9 days to get back to semi normal.
December 6, 2016
Ah. Well 9 days should be plenty for uppers. Mine swelled a considerable amount but not completely closed. They were very uncomfortable and dry but those I've spoken with who had uppers only haven't had that degree of swelling. The bruising is worse from lowers too. I had a tiny bit left at 3 weeks but easy to cover by then. Again, the worst was from lowers.
May 7, 2017
Wow! Your first paragraph is identical to how I describe my eye bags. I have to say you do not look 55 post surgery, you do however look fanbloodytastic! A massive credit to your surgeon.
May 8, 2017
Thank you, stronjae! I love the "fanbloodytastic" description! My doctor is amazing. He did my husband's eyes almost 2 weeks ago, and they look even better. Scars healed more quickly and totally undetectable. He needed uppers done due to vision issues, and had the lowers done as well. He's not the type to have cosmetic surgery--a real man's man type-so super thrilled to have it look so natural.
May 8, 2017
You're welcome!
Again credit to your surgeon that your husband loved his work so much he to has had his eyes done.
Again credit to your surgeon that your husband loved his work so much he to has had his eyes done.
UPDATED FROM whybrown
1 month post
A few afters
whybrownNovember 8, 2016
Will post the rest of my recovery pictures tonight! Here's a few afters though, so you can see that it all turns out ok in the end!
Replies (13)
November 9, 2016
Wow - what an improvement. I'm scheduled for a consult Monday. How long were the stitches in? How long until you felt you could go out in public? I'm local, but am seeing a guy at Shiley. Am nervous -- eyes can make you look really weird if things go badly, right!?! How was the procedure? Did you have local or general anesthesia? Thanks so much for posting pictures...
November 9, 2016
Hi there, are you local San Diego? Yes I agree, I saw some scary stuff where eyes didn't come out looking natural. I was really anxious about hat despite knowing that my doc does an amazing job. I had general anesthesia because I also had some lipo at the same time. I went out in public I think on day 3--with sunglasses. Just to a local cafe we go to regularly. They probably wondered why I was wearing the sunglasses! Lol. Day 5 I went to my work with glasses after most stitches were out. I looked less scary. I got kinda tired of the glasses eventually and ended up going out without them, though I wasn't out shopping at the mall. I still have some pics to post and fix the ones I already did--they're out of order. My bruises lasted a long time I thought. They were hard/impossible to hide. I wanted to share with others because I wasn't really prepared for how bad they looked at first and thinking it might help others to know they might not look amazing right away. Most stitches came out day 5--what was left didn't look too scary. Then the rest on day 7 I think. I had 3 weeks off of work which worked fine as I could hide the small bruises that were left--kinda.
November 9, 2016
Thank you! Yes, I'm here in San Diego. I think there are a number of good docs (but, equally bad ones). I wear contacts (ha - I do have glasses that are super thick and NOT magnifying - might be a good thing for once in my life!). I bruise super badly, so I've seen some amazing bad things even with fillers on my face... so I expect to look like a beaten wife (ha - poor hubby!)... so I'll be anxious to see your photos. You liked your doc and his office staff? What did he say regarding exercise? I'm always outdoors, so doing this when the days are short are my only hope (and before I chicken out). I'm just so sick of looking 10 years older than I am! Thanks!!!!
November 10, 2016
Love love love my doc and his staff! He did my tummy tuck a year ago as well. I definitely looked like a victim of domestic abuse ! When I went out, say to my dr appointments the first week or so, my husband would say "don't forget to spell my name right" as in, when the police question who punched me in the face! Yes I bruise easily anyway so expected it, but it was still shocking. Exercise: my doc seems to be pretty open to me exercising asap, I start asking him right away how soon I can start! After my tt, I went back to the gym at 4 weeks! With the eye life and lipo, he allowed me after a week and a few days. More for the eyes than the lipo, but I will say the lipo made it more uncomfortable than the eyes. That'll be up to your doc, but I've always been very open to mine about I need to get back to training or I go crazy. It's wise to do this procedure during the fall/winter, less sun exposure as well. (Protect scars from sun) I was tired of looking tired. Not sure it took any years off of me, but I definitely look and feel more awake! I've had the drooping eye lids for many years, I just didn't notice how bad it was in my younger years. Don't chicken out, it's easier than you think! Just curious why you're going out of town? Have you thought of going for a consult in town? I'd highly recommend a consult with Dr Edelson in La Jolla near UTC (no cost)! I live in El Cajon and went to a few consults between here and La Jolla and Dr E was the clear choice hands down..
November 10, 2016
Thanks! Shiley isn't out of town... It's by UCSD. I may see Dr. e after your excellent recommendations! I'm tired of looking older than I am-- you know, when older people include you in their age group and in your head you are thinking WHAAAT?!!!
November 10, 2016
Yep, I know the feeling! You look around and wonder who they're talking about! Hey I'M not old. It is such a subtle change that some people at work couldn't figure out what was different just that I looked rested ("did you go on a relaxing vacation?"). My husband was worried I wouldn't look like myself but he now sees that it didn't change me at all (other than I feel more rested and I'm much happier with my look--happy wife,happy life!). Hope you do see dr Edelson, it's a good idea to get several consults regardless of who you end up going to. Tell them Yvette referred you. Let me know how your consult goes!
November 10, 2016
I'm definitely going to make an appt with him. Lots of good reviews here - although Korn is the one I have the appt with, I'll see them both and compare notes. :) I think they are both pretty excellent. THANK YOU again for your encouragement. I really hate looking so much older than I am! I'm pretty OK with looking my age (ha!)... So -- 3 weeks off work! I work P/T with computers, but I'm hoping 1.5-2 weeks would be enough time. I've seen other reviews where people say the physical recovery is hard. Did you have lipo reinjected? I'm wondering if that's the way to go... but I really don't want a forever recovery. I'd like to look somewhat normal by Christmas... gulp....
November 11, 2016
You could be fine at 2 weeks back to work, with makeup or you may not bruise as badly as I did! But it was worth it. No I didn't have any fat reinjected anywhere. Are you thinking you need some injected somewhere? The physical recovery of the blepharoplasties was harder than I expected, but only for a few days. It was just the extreme dry, gritty, gunky swollen feeling and had a hard time reading and seeing clearly for the first few days. Then once that went away the discomfort was not a problem.
November 16, 2016
Ok, so I made my surgery date! I also had a consult with B. Korn at Shiley who showed me a bunch of surgeries gone bad that he's fixed... Korn said he would only do uppers, so I'm a little nervous about doing both BUT it seems like E has a good handle on the procedure. THANK YOU for your recommendation. They were like "how do you know Yvette?"! :) Kindrid spirits!
November 17, 2016
So you're having Dr E do your surgery? That's awesome! When's the big day? The funny thing is, you were probably there the day I was for my follow up (Friday), Kristina said a friend of mine was supposed to have an appt around that time and I thought of all the people I've referred to him--thought it was someone else but later she said it wasn't her. If you were there, I would have never recognized you!! Lol
November 17, 2016
Yes! She said you just left!! Too funny! I love the staff. Thanks again for encouraging me to go!
UPDATED FROM whybrown
1 month post
A few more after pictures
whybrownDecember 1, 2016
Things continue to go well, scars aren't invisible, but Dr says they will flatten and improve more over time. If by chance they don't, he will do a small scar revision, so I'm not concerned. I am so pleased with my results, my eyes feel more alert, lighter somehow, and I don't look as tired and sad as I did. I feel it's taken years off of my face and have been told that numerous times. Didn't expect to look 30 afterwards and I don't, so no surprise there ???? I do still have quite a bit of odd numbness and they feel strange when I raise my eyebrows and open my eyes wide, but that seems a small price to pay and should improve with time. Still loving that I can wear eye make up and it lasts all day without eyeliner transferring to upper lid. Oh another unexpected benefit--my previously "short" eyelashes have transformed into some decent ones. Are they really longer or do they just seem longer because my lids are more exposed?
Replies (8)
December 7, 2016
I notice the exact same thing about my eyelashes! I thought they had thinned out with age, but here I am, 3 weeks later and mascara is my friend again! My lashes are back! Love it. You look great. Good to know about the scars at 8 weeks. Your eyes look great!
December 8, 2016
Thank you, j9chris! You look fantastic also. It's such a small thing but makes such a big difference!
January 11, 2017
Thank you for sharing your experience with the community! Were your lower stitches on the outside of your eyelids? I'm very concerned about dry or irritated eyes from a lower bleph, as these are already problems for me. Thank you so much!
January 12, 2017
Lower stitches--yes, they are right under my eyelashes and a little "wing" extends downward toward my cheekbones. The under eyelash part hardly showed at all but the part that extends out does show for longer.
I also have very dry eyes for years since I had lasik done. Had tear duct plugs for awhile and used restasis for a few years. Especially at night--I get up several times at night for drops. They were worse for awhile after surgery, but soon were back to my "usual dry". That was worse than the pain--that gritty feeling, yuck! In my pictures, I look just miserable, and that's why! But I survived and it was well worth the discomfort to me.
Have you already spoke to a plastic surgeon?
March 3, 2017
Wow you look great, big difference! I need mine done as well. How long did all 4 eyes take?
How was the surgery for you? I heard the worst part is the injections.
May 8, 2017
Hi liveyoursream, the surgery takes 1 hour approximately for all 4 lids. My husband and I both had the surgery under general anesthesia--me because I also had a little Lipo done, my husband because he would have never let anyone come near his eyes with a needle, much less a knife! If you consult with a doctor, ask about having general anesthesia, it wasn't that much more, and worth it in my husbands case.
The procedure is SO worth it and makes a HUGE difference.
May 8, 2017
You look great. I've been thinking about this surgery since fillers doesn't seem to work in my favor.
May 8, 2017
MsFP, thanks you! I encourage you to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Why not have one procedure done instead of continuously having to have fillers redone? The difference it makes will be well worth it!
You can try removing all your pictures and reposting but it doesn't always work! Sorry!