Upper & Lower Lid Blepharoplasty W/ Chemical Peel - Pismo Beach, CA

I have been reading the many success stories for eyelid surgery on this site, and the few complications, and I am going to go forward with surgery to remove the bags under my eyes.

I am 38 yrs. old, and, during my consultation on Wednesday, April 25, 2013, my oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Paul Stallman, suggested transconjuctival lower lid blepharoplasty along with a chemical peel to aid with what minimally loose skin remains that may wrinkle. I am extremely relieved that I was a candidate for this rather than transcutanious (through the outside, under the lash line) as I have fears about the disfigurement of my face due to a cosmetic procedure. However, I have had these "bags" all my life and they're slowly getting worse over time. I hate them, but I think to myself that they don't look too bad yet, and with makeup I can cover most of it just not that horrible "shadow effect" that makes them look bigger. I keep thinking that if something "went wrong", not out of lack of respect for my surgeon whom I feel very comfortable having do this surgery, I would probably go mad.

After reading so many of your experiences on here, I strongly believe that if one has the following "5 ingredients": a good solid surgeon, none of the risks that could complicate recovery (i.e. hypo/hyper thyroid, Graves disease, etc.), realistic ideas about the length of recovery, knowledge of what is normal during recovery, and proper pre and post op care one would most likely come through this particular version of blepharoplasty just fine. I want to thank Jill81 for her story, because it was hers that helped comfort me in my decision to go ahead with surgery. I have decided to share my journey and results with you, and, hopefully, be just as successful.

As Jill81 blogged, there aren't very many posts on here about lower eyelid surgery as most of you have had uppers done too. So, hopefully, my story will help those of you who plan to have lower blepharoplasty with a chemical peel in your decision. Please God let this be a positive experience for me, and to all of you wish me good healing!

PS: If anyone has had the same surgery I'm planning to have please message me with your experience, if you felt you too had the "5 ingredients" above to a successful surgery, so I can be further advised as to what to expect potentially. Thanks.

* UPDATE: As noted in the title now, and after thorough research and testimonials, I have decided to go ahead and get both upper and lower blepharoplasty. My fears have faded to excitement and my surgery has been moved forward one week to 5/9/13. I have also posted two before pictures. Wish me luck.

5/3/13 - I went to my pre-op appointment and got some great instructions. I will list them below, but I wanted to share one of the biggest reasons I've decided to go forward with blephoraplasty and that is my age. I do not mean to sound vain, and I'd hate to offend anybody reading this so please understand that this is my personal experience. I have decided to share it with all of you for two reasons: to gain knowledge and courage to have the surgery, and to give the same back to anyone considering having surgery.

As I mention above, I am 38 yrs. old, and I am rather self conscious at a fairly young age due specifically to under eye bags. As much as I don't like this about myself, I am not growing older gracefully or wearing each new wrinkle as a badge of honor, although, I wish I could. I will be 40 yrs. old in 1 1/2 yrs., which means that 50 yrs. old will just be 10 yrs. away. For me, now is the time to make some cosmetic revisions so that I can enjoy self confidence while I am relatively young. I don't want to feel like I wasted my youth feeling self conscious and looking much older than I actually am because that is what eye bags do to one's appearance and they only get worse over time with age. Therefore, I've decided to have surgery now to feel attractive now, and in 12 yrs. I can look into the mirror and think wow not bad for 50 yrs. old.

PRE-OP TIPS:

1. DO NOT take any blood thinning medications for 2 weeks prior to surgery or you can cause excessive bleeding behind the eyes, and may cause blindness. The doctor gave me a complete list of medications to avoid, which includes Aspirin, Ibuprofin/Advil, Pepto Bismol, some cold/flu medications, and many others including some homeopathic medications suck as Fish Oil, St. John's Wort, Vitamin E, Gingko, Ginseng, Garlic, and lots of others. Make sure you get this list as I have only listed some of them.

2. BE PREPARED - Pick up all necessary medications and items you need for post-op care prior to surgery. You will get prescriptions that must be filled and your pharmacist may need to special order some. There are a few other things, including over the counter (OTC) medications you should have all ready for you when you get out of surgery. You should get a list of these items at your pre-op appointment, but I will list what I was instructed to have:

POST-OP - MEDICATIONS & ITEMS

1. Arnica 30 mg tablets OTC - to swallow 4 pills 4x a day for 7 days = 112 pills. They come in a bottle of 250 for $10.99 at any health food store.
2. Bromalain 500 mg tablets OTC - to swallow 2 pills 4x a day = 56 pills (they come in a bottle of 60 for $19.99. NOTE: Do not buy the topical creme. I was instructed to start taking both the Arnica and Bromalain on the morning of surgery. NOTE: I was told that I would not benefit by eating Pineapple as I could not eat enough to attain a beneficial amount of the derivative (Bromalain).
3. Extra strength Tylenol OTC - for pain
4. Vicodin prescription - for pain
5. Bacitracin ointment prescription - for incision area to avoid infection.
6. Eye drops prescription - I cannot remember the name or for what purpose they are.
7. Eye drops OTC (yes, you need 2 types of eye drops) - Systane, or any other artificial tears for moisture to relieve dryness due to lack of natural tear development. Comes in a squeeze bottle for $8.99.
8. Halcyon prescription - a calming sedative during the procedure. I will be awake with only a local anesthetic.
9. Phenegren prescription - for nausea from local anasthetic
10. Frozen peas - I bought 5 large bags on sale $0.99. Frozen peas are great because they fall all around your eyes little creases and curves naturally and easily unlike big lumpy ice cubes. I was advised to "ice" for 45 min. on, 15 mins. only off, of every hour for 2 days. I was told I will be doing myself a huge favor by doing this for swelling/bruising/healing.
11. Plastic lunch baggies (2) - to put the peas in and place over each eye.
12. 4x4" gauze pads - put between peas and skin for comfort and protection.
13. Wedge pillow, lounge pillow, or at least 2-3 pillows of normal size to elevate your head above your waist. Nothing drastic, and I was told I do not have to sleep sitting up, only elevated by an additional pillow or 2. I was advised to do this for 4 days.

POST-OP - THINGS TO BE AWARE OF, OR AVOID

1. No bending over at waist, or straining causing blood to rush to head for 3-4 days.
2. Eye lids may feel stiff, tight, itchy, and you may feel the lids don't close all the way initially due to swelling and should resolve after stitches are removed.
3. Mild seepage of blood-tinged fluid may occur for 1-2 days and to add gentle to firm pressure to stop. If that doesn't stop it, or its more than mild occurrences call the doctor immediately.
4. Blurry or double vision for several hours after surgery is normal.

The doctor advised that the worst case scenario situations generally happen within hours after surgery, not days.

I hope that helps anyone preparing for this surgery. I know it soothes me to be prepared. Only 3 more days til surgery! Wish me good healing, and a wonderful result!