Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER CO2RE Intima REVIEWS

Co2 for Wrinkles Under Eyes. Lebanon, TN

ORIGINAL POST

For several years I've wanted to improve my under...

User Avatar
tabithanash
WORTH IT$1,000
For several years I've wanted to improve my under eye area. I first noticed pronounced hollowing under eyes around 2010. After much reading on this site and on the advice of friends who've had filler under eyes, I decided to try it. I went to a very reputable oculoplastic surgeon here in Nashville. We discussed options and agreed that filler was least invasive solution at the time. The area was numbed and I noticed more time was spent under right eye. There seemed to be very little filler remaining in syringe to put under left eye. Sure enough, it was obvious to me by looking in mirror that left eye barely had any filler compared to right eye. The doctor said ok if you think left eye needs more, I will add more. After the treatment he said something to the effect of "did you notice that I didn't charge you for the additional filler?" I was thinking well, if the first dose had been more evenly distributed between left and right eye, this would be a non-issue, but whatever.. gee thanks!!
The filler was done in late 2012. I did experience a little bit of blue discoloration, but I was able to cover it up, and the handful of people I told about it thought the filler looked good. Although I could still see that one eye had a little more filler, and that the placement was not in the exact same location under each eye, overall I was pleased with the results. I was told the filler would last 6 months to one year.
Fast forward to early 2015. A majority of the filler had indeed dissolved, except a small amount in tear trough under left eye and a small amount just above cheekbone under right eye. The rest of the area under both eyes was wrinkled, like a deflated balloon. Some mornings I would wake up with swelling under both eyes, but the swelling under left eye would be in tear trough and under right eye the swelling would be above cheekbone, in what I believe is called Malar bag area (I may be using wrong terminology but I think you will understand). Swelling in different areas under each eye. So the swelling bothered me and when there was no swelling, it was the sagging wrinkly bags. Not a good look. I decided it might be time for a lower bleph, as I didn't want to do filler again.
I had consultations with 5 plastic surgeons here in Nashville, including the one who originally did the filler. The consensus among all of them was some sort of surgery, although several different surgeries were suggested depending on who I was consulting with. I heard everything from upper and lower bleph with browlift to just lower bleph with browlift to lower canthopexy with browlift. Oh and several different types of browlifts were recommended, endoscopic with endotines, endoscopic with screws or self dissolving sutures, coronal, temporal.... Many different opinions of what I needed, but all were surgical and all were thousands of dollars.
Then I remembered that a lady I used to work with had mentioned having her upper eyes done in a nearby town called Lebanon. Here's were bad enough that insurance paid for it, but she had really natural results because I wouldn't have noticed unless she told me. So I decided to do a consult with the doctor she used. And keep in mind, Nashville is much larger and you would just expect the better plastic surgeons to be here, not down the road in Lebanon.
On the day of my consult, the first thing the doctor in Lebanon said was "you are far too young for blepharolasty and browlift." He said he had a laser that could tighten the skin under my eyes and the cost was less than $1,000. One of his assistants had recently had it done and she looked great!! I was so relieved to hear that I didn't need surgery ( and this was coming from a surgeon!!!) I felt very comfortable with him and he was very nice and down to earth, unlike many doctors of any kind. I scheduled for May 22, 2015.
On the day of procedure I was given a mild sedative and numbing cream was applied. I was in and out in less than 3 hours and the entire staff was wonderful!!!
I was still concerned about the small amount of filler under eyes, but he said lets do the Core (Co2re Co2 laser) and see how it looks. Then if you still want the filler dissolved, we can do that after you heal.
Long story short, here are the pictures of beginning to right now. I'm beyond thrilled with results and glad I didn't have any surgeries!!!

tabithanash's provider

tabithanash

tabithanash ratings

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Everything was great. He was down to earth and his staff was wonderful!!

Replies (24)

User Avatar
June 2, 2015

Thank you for sharing your experience along with photos - your results look great.

User Avatar
June 2, 2015
Eva, it was $1,000, but I also had Fraxed on my chest. I've tried to update the cost, but apparently I'm no good at updating things after I've posted them to this site :-)
User Avatar
June 3, 2015

Hi tabithanash, I have gone ahead and updated the cost for you. For future reference here is a link to our help section that will guide you through updating your review. 

User Avatar
June 2, 2015
Looks great. What did it cost? Hope the sunny summer does not hurt final results.
User Avatar
June 2, 2015
It was $1,000 but I also had Fraxel on my chest. Yes, I'm going to be very careful with sun this summer!!! High SPF, hat and sunglasses for sure!!
June 3, 2015
Can you tell me your doctor's name. I too had filler for exact thing, mine look just like yours. It's been over a year and my filler is lessening and getting the fine wrinkles. Would love to consult with him!!
June 16, 2015
I've been thinking about getting this done for the fine lines and under my eyes. I've checked Gold skin care and also a place in clarksville. my question is how long was your recovery? I am flying to a big reunion on July 19th and wonder if I do this in a week will I be healed by then? thank you
User Avatar
June 20, 2015
Well, I'd be hesitant to say. Everyone heals differently. I had a fractionation co2, so the type of co2 you are having would also affect healing time. Your doctor should be able to answer this better than I could. Let us know how it turns out. I really like Dr. Gold, but have never had an elective procedure there, just skin checks. Do you know which co2 laser he uses??
UPDATED FROM tabithanash
1 month post

Update on Co2 laser under eyes

User Avatar
tabithanash
Ok, so as promised, here's what's been going on since my initial review. Remember I said that in 2012 I got filler under both eyes. Well it was still there when I went in for consult for the Co2, and doctor seemed like he either didn't believe filler could last that long (almost 3 years), or if there was any small amount of filler, the laser might resolve it (I'm not sure how that was supposed to happen) so I trusted him and the filler was not dissolved prior to Co2.

As you can see from the pictures in my initial review, especially the last one I posted, my results looked AMAZING!!!! I was hoping and praying it would stay that way and I was so pleased.

Well, after the swelling from laser began to go down more each week, that darn filler started popping back out. See pic with my hair in a pink towel. It was popping out more on right side than left.

So I contacted the doctor who did the Co2 and went to let him look at my face and he concluded it was still "swelling" from the laser. Come back in 2 weeks.

I know with absolute certainty that the filler (Restylane) is still there under my eyes, just beneath the skin. But I'm also a little scared to have the Vitrase because I've read that it can eat away the filler AND you skin, so not sure i want to try that...

Anyway, here are updated pics showing filler popped out under right eye and a pic from front to show how eyes looked after all visible swelling went down. I can still see the filler under eyes, and if I eat salty food, it's really bad!! So the saga continues... But I really do think of the filler had been addressed before Co2 laser, my results would have been 100% great.

Sooo, I'm going to try and get fillers removed somehow, then do the Co2 again in the fall. Because I know it works, my problem was just the filler being there.

Replies (15)

User Avatar
June 26, 2015
wow you sure got your money' worth out of that filler ! sorry it lasted so long
June 27, 2015
Hi tabitha. Do not dissolved the filler with hyaluronidase. I have it done and it completely ruined my lower eyelids. They are uneven, blue, swollen. I have indentations on my right eye. i look terrible and i am only 26, i dont know what to do. You Can maybe try infrared laser, have heard that this Can melt the filler away
User Avatar
June 27, 2015
I know!! I'm afraid of that too!! I've had such bad luck that I'm sure it would end up terrible :-( But I do like the doctor who did the co2, and like I said, I'm having it done again in the fall. One thing I've read, from doctors on this site in the Q and A and in medical journals, is that if filler is superficial, some doctors just "Nick" or "puncture" and squeeze it out. That sounds barbaric, but it makes sense?? And I'm more afraid of the vitrase and ending up lumpy. Sorry for your bad experience, but thanks for the warning!! This site has been SO helpful and full of information from real women who've had real experience with plastic surgeons. It amazes me how there are so many BAD outcomes!!! How do those bad PS stay in business?? Surely not repeat customers!! And a common theme is that they all will say "what?? You don't think this looks good?" to the people they've botched!!! They KNOW when a patient doesn't look right!!! It's so unethical!! Surely there are some good PS out there somewhere??!! Most likely they are all in New York or LA. Please let me know if you find someone to fix your lower eyes. I know that's hard to deal with every day!!
June 27, 2015
Thank you and yes it is, i am actually beside of my selv right now. I Will let you know if i find something there Can help. Please tell if you find something to
User Avatar
June 28, 2015
I sure will. Hang in there... one product that's helped me a lot with the pigment issue is glo minerals camouflage concealer. Good coverage without being cakey. I order it from Amazon. It lasts a long time cuz a little goes a long way. What city are you in? Have you posted pics and the question "how can this be fixed?" in the Q and A section of this site??
June 28, 2015
I cant even cover this up. My eyes is to swollen and uneven so its makes it worse, and you Can se it more that way. I have posted In here with pictures, no one Can help me any kind a way. There is to much damage i Think. I Can try laser but i May not do it yet, there has to go a year and even with the laser i dont Think it will be pretty because of my uneven hollows and indentations. I really dont no what to do. If you see something or hear something Like my situation so please contact me. I live In Denmark. I Think you should try infrared laser and see if this melt the filler away. Let me know if you do that and if its help. I have seen a lot of post were its worked
January 23, 2016
Hey Tabitha, how long were you red for? I'm 2.5 weeks post and can barely wear makeup because my skin is so sensitive and red. Your results look great!
User Avatar
January 25, 2016
I was red for about 6 months. Bright red for about 6 or 8 weeks, then it faded to pink, and was pink for months!! But it did totally fade, so hang in there!!!
January 26, 2016
Thanks. Makes me feel better :)
February 23, 2016
So jealous of your nice results. I ended up with scars. Congrats to your doc :)
User Avatar
February 23, 2016
I'm so sorry to hear that!!! Are you sure they are permanent?? Are they hypo or hyper (light or dark)?? How far out from the co2 are you?? Was it fractional or totally ablative?? Maybe the scars are not permanent depending on many factors, especially how much time has passed. Can you please let me know the answers?? I'm always trying to learn more about skin procedures. Hang in there. I know easier said than done, but there are lots of remedies that docs don't always tell us about.
April 12, 2016
Hey sorry for the late reply. Hypertrophic raised scars. Haven't noticed any light and dark areas. It was fully ablative. I didn't have a good doctor, so I'm sure you'd be fine if you go back to the same doctor who gave you nice results the first time.
January 27, 2016
Thank you for sharing this! I've experienced exactly what you have with getting the filler several years ago and now being left with puffiness underneath my eyes on my cheekbone. Especially on the left side. The puffy areas have a darker tint as well. I recently saw a plastic surgeon and she suggested the Co2 laser as well, but like you, I'm concerned that it will be great for the fine lines, but not sure it will take care of the puffiness from filler. If you get a procedure that dissolves the filler, I would love to hear an update! Thanks for sharing!
User Avatar
November 8, 2017
Hi. Do you have any updates on your last co2 treatment? How did the residual filler work out?
January 25, 2020
I had filler removed from a nasal fold; a little shot and it was gone.