POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery Reviews
Bags Under my Eyes - Eyelid Surgery Ruined my Life - Rockport, IL
UPDATED FROM Vickisue
This is latest photo.
WORTH IT$5,000
It has been 5 years since upper lid revision, that included lateral mid facelift. I have been very fortunate that some fat as remained in upper lids, and facelift helped so much as well. Pulling it lateral helped recreate the almond eyes, but not to the extreme they look pulled and too cat like.
I am also fortunate to have good tone, skin and a younger appearance. I always have and why the original surgery was to devastating. It raped all of that and getting it back to a point of acceptance is more than words can express. My advise is the same, do not give up, and with new techniques evolving annually, there is hope for all.
I am also fortunate to have good tone, skin and a younger appearance. I always have and why the original surgery was to devastating. It raped all of that and getting it back to a point of acceptance is more than words can express. My advise is the same, do not give up, and with new techniques evolving annually, there is hope for all.
Vickisue's provider
UPDATED FROM Vickisue
Still going Strong !
It has now been 4 years since eye surgery revision by Dr. J. Weiskopf , Rockford, Il.. I am still very pleased with the outcome He is a very skilled Plastic/Reconstruction Surgeon. My original surgery by Victoria Vitale- Lewis , of Melbourne, Florida, devastated me and created severe, Emotional, Mental Health issues. Deep depression and raped my genetic identiy. But I found the light and strength, pursued revision and founda GREAT doctor, that helped change what Vitale /Lewis created, into something soft, and recognizable and pleasing. Please beware of whom you allow to cut into your face. It can change your life.
Replies (5)
April 30, 2014
Wow, Vickie Sue! You are looking wonderful. Glad you had the strength, foresight and ( money) to find another surgeon, who COULD do something to your appearance to make you feel more like your old self. My surgery is getting to be a thing of the past, but the eyes hurt every day. I can NOT go into the bright daylight without extreme pain ( and sunglasses) and they are crunchy...I have to massage them with oil or cream constantly, use drops, have a hard, hard time wearing one contact ..it's always going behind my eye for days because the lid is so tight. They close now,with tons of pulling and massage...the surgeon who has all the credentials for eyes is now ON this site. He sues anyone who threatens his business of eye revisions. I pray daily that the Lord does something to STOP him from ruining thousands of more lives. I don't know how the class action law suit is going against him. GLAD you found another surgeon and got better results. You look lovely.
April 30, 2014
Thank you so much. And I am so sorry that this surgeon has found away too ban bad opinions. This was such a good resource for that purpose.
Don't give up ! A woman in N.Y. won a suit against her P.S. for eye issues after surgery. Basically the same complaints that are generally associated with aggressive eye lid surgery. The Jury actually could see from photo he's neglect and unskilled practice. With before and after photos, statements from others at revision consultations, I would not let a threat of suit, by a doctor that destroyed my physical appearance, intimidate me. I think I would love the Challenge to show it too a jury, let them decide. Freedom of Speech.
As far as costs, my revision cost little over $5,000. That included a Mid-facelift. A good Plastic Surgeon, is not all Bling, with fancy over-head, and higher cost to you. With no guarantee's. I'd be leary of them.
Good skillful P.S. have nice offices with comfort, but not all the Bling, and are totally dedicated to improving a woman appearance, not making the Bank. Plastic Surgeons are turned out by the Thousands annually .Not all know what they are doing. Even after years in practice. It is probably the most protected from Malpractice, because it is elective, but those views are changing. I for one can't wait to see them held accountable.
It leads to so many mental health issues, low self esteem, Loss of indenity, depression, guilt, and emotional roller coaster one goes through for years. It took me almost 9 years to find the right doctor for revision. That is painful as well.
But I've learned to read past the [RS bleep], by educating self. As stated before, so many of them, are probably the most arrogant, pompous people you'll ever meet. Never admitting there wrong. So as far as integrity, it doesn't exists with most.
I wish you well, with my blessings. New procedures are coming along each year. We are all individuals with individual revision needs. Some will never be fixed, and some made worse. If there has been to much tissue removed, and fat, you may never have them revised. Massage and time helps. Plastic Surgeons know this, but many will take your money anyway. I went to at least 10-11 consult, before chosing my doctor this time. A good one will either admit he cannot help and be honest. They are far and few between.
Your in
My Prayers,
Vickisue
May 30, 2014
Ahhhh...the MAIN complaint is not the way the eyes look. There is the FACT that one looks bigger than the other. The problem was I could NOT shut my eyes and they were DRYING out and the surgeon could NOT be bothered to tell me to MASSAGE them with OIL or to BUY THE EXTRA OILY DROPS (Sometimes held BEHIND The pharmacy counter) to keep them MOIST and not have to pour the regular saline he GAVE me on to the eyes every three minutes for a MOMENT of clear vision. WITHOUT drops I could NOT see at all. They hurt then, they hurt now. NOT yet three years later, I can barely wear ONE contact. EYE lids are TOO tight on the contact and take the contact WAY back into my eyeball, all the time. I can NOT go outside AT ALL without dark shades on. The SUN makes my eyes hurt and tear so bad I can NOT SEE. I have a hard time protecting my eyes, as they do NOT close instantly when something dangerous comes up against them ( kleenex, tree branch, bug, etc). I also would have HAD to have them done, as my grandmother and her sisters, as the eyelids would have drooped INTO my eye, obscuring vision in a few more years, if not by now.
The WORST part was he would not call me back ,email or text me back and just left me terrified for days ...not being able to see NOT KNOWING that the eyelids were too SHORT. Other surgeons do NOT want to see you within a certain amount of time from the surgery. They SAY YOU ARE the first SURGEON's medical responsibility, and go back to him. I DID go back to him. HE did nothing, didn't EVEN tell me about massaging the eye lids OR that they MAKE extra extra oily drops for these problems. I FOUND Them BEHIND the pharmacist's counter ONLY because I went to LOMA LINDA where profit and revision were NOT on the mind of the awesome eye surgeon I spoke to. FIXING My problem as fast as he could (EYES drying out and possible BLINDNESS was his first concern)..he had me massaging hourly OR he was going to SEW the LIDS shut for a few days. NOW that was horrifying. I massaged and massaged, and PULLED on them gently to stretch them. MR. original eye surgeon too busy to tell me I could do that and spare my eyesight. Anyway, I can see. Everyone thinks I look BETTER. I just wish the surgeon didn't make ONE eye different than the other and cause me to not be able to SEE for weeks and almost dried my eyes out and that could have led to blindness. The lids are STILL TIGHT TIGHT and not long enough. I massage them a lot. Grateful to God that I can still see and do not want to see that original surgeon, his fancy coffee machine or parking validation again.
April 30, 2014
The major difference I see between the before any surgery and the after first surgery is that in the after your eyebrows are much much higher from your lashline than in the before. Since eyelid surgery cannot raise your eyebrows at all it must be that you are raising them in that photo yourself which greatly exaggerates the open (hollowness) of the eyelid. The difference between the photo right before revision and after doesn't appear to be all that different considering that you can voluntarily raise your brows creating more or less eyelid show. If the brows were held in a constant position then there would be relatively little difference between the before fat and the later photos once some of the fat is gone and all of the swelling. To characterize your first PS as a butcher is a little over the top, isn't it? grace
April 30, 2014
Sorry you feel my photo was altered. Yes, eye brows raise automatically. With facial expression. I did not lose mobiltiy in brows. My eyes today have a destinct latteral affect. More Almond in appearance as they were before first surgery. This done through revision. And FYI, there is a big positive improvement in appearance. I realize there will always be those to say negative things. All I know is I look, feel and happy with my look today. So to be quite frank,. you opinion means nothing..
May 21, 2014
Grace60, I have to disagree with you. When my eyes were hollow, it looked as if my eyebrows were raised permanently. My eye
shape ended up having a rounded appearance. Before the treatment that resulted in my hollowed eyes, my eyes were more of a catlike, elongated shape. People used to compliment me all the time on my pretty eyes. The doctor who used the laser on me ruined my face. And although he did not cut me with a scalpel, he BUTCHERED me with a laser. No, calling a spade a spade is not over the top. And no, someone who butchers your appearance is a butcher!
January 25, 2015
Amen! BTW, Vickisue...I have the same "doll eye" appearance as you previously did...but since (May 2013) I let an oculoplastic surgeon attempt to correct thus rounded look...I now have retraction of lower lids as well. I have manually pulled (taken my fingers and pulled the skin up and back) the skin at the temple area and it does improve the shape of the eye. Are you still happy with your results? You look beautiful !
April 30, 2014
Wow!! You look fabulous & very happy! I went back to your first post & read your age & could not believe it, you seriously look 20 years younger than you are. You went through a great deal & I am so happy that it was able to be fixed.
April 30, 2014
Thank you so much. It was worth it in the end. But I did not always feel that way. I suffered with emotions that were very bad at times. Being able to vent on Realself, was my saving grace.
What a unskilled Plastic Surgeon is allowed to do, with no accountability, is something I will fight forever.. It can cause deep and life threatening depression and guilt. Just the opposite of what was promised.
I wish what I went through on no one, and why it is so important to do your homework. This is not the only Site that you can get opinions on Doctors. Look them up, if they are not skilled, have many botched procedures, you'll find them. Main stream media is too big.
Thank you again. I feel 100% better today. And hope all others keep searching for there revision specialist, they do exist.
May 5, 2014
I had a traditional blepharoplasty around eight years ago and am suffering the same effects you had.....rounded, hollowed out eyes. My eyes are sinking back into their orbits as well which as you might guess is not a youthful, beautiful look. I agree with all you say except that I feel the real problem is the surgery itself. I had no "complications" from the surgery but I am still living with two hollowed out, sunken eyes. The removal of the fat is what causes the hollowness. The removal of the fat is what causes the recession of the eyes back into their orbits. Not even the best of the best surgeons can have a beautiful long-term outcome if the surgery itself is flawed and not aesthetically pleasing. The youthful eye has volume around it, not hollows. By removing the fat, it instantaneously ages the eye. The eyebrows fall, the eyes droop laterally and become rounder in shape. I was never given this information prior to signing consent or I would NEVER have agreed to this surgery. I was told I would look the same just refreshed...what BS that was. I am effected by this surgery every day of my life, some days worse than others & no one addresses the psychological effects either. Their is a very cavalier attitude regarding plastic surgery & it is wrong. There are very real consequences to surgically altering your face...especially when the outcome is not pleasing. I hope someone will read this and decide to leave their eyes just the way they are...I wish I had :(
May 5, 2014
I couldn't agree with you more. And it is true that the fat, and tissue removed is what causes the round, sunken hollowed eye socket. It will receed. It is Traumatizing and should be mentioned. But P.S. will never admit that there eye work has Flaws, or RISK. The negative affects you can receive. They would lose business, money and ego.
Although I realize everyone is different in there needs of revision, there are those, such as myself that have had some revision, and can live with that outcome. Any restoration of softness to my eyes, and making them more full is a blessing. So do not give up.
And I too know the pain, and psychological effects from botched surgery. The American Medical Association is whom needs to understand and recognize it as well.
I stated before, I would be interested in statistics involving those that have had mental health issues behind these surgeries plus suicide. It is that devastating. It certainly changed me for many years. No woman/man should have to go through, and Counseling available, FREE... This Site is one that people can vent, Good or Bad. It is a source of information and maybe a tool in getting our voices heard. Plastic Surgeons that have aggressively changed a persons appearance to a negative affect and it is visible to family, friends and self, should be held Accountable, or Close the Doors. There are many, many good skilled P.S. , so lets make sure the bad ones are run out of business.
Start Suing Them !!! Some are actually winning
May 8, 2014
Vickisue, thanks for your review. I can say that your eyes are very nice and a vast improvement from the doll eyed look that the blepharoplasty resulted in. You did your homework and your patience has to be admired because it's easy to rush in and create a bigger disaster. The 7 years you waited couldn't have been easy. Especially when you are in so much pain emotionally from a bad procedure. I had a revision to my face work about 2 1/2 years ago and it lead to further disaster. I was anxious and desperate at the time and paid for the whole thing with credit cards - what a mistake! Your face is always worth waiting for. I had almond eyes with full lids VERY similar to yours and they were pulled down and rounded by a superficially placed fat graft. I want to restore the look of my eyes, including the canthal tilt. You say you had a mid facelift - I assume that helped the eye shape to come back? Either way, you are a very attractive lady with great features and the eye revision has made you look youthful and vibrant again.
May 29, 2014
It sure looks like your pictures on dr massrys revision photos. That's strange. Maybe just a look alike.
Replies (5)
April 20, 2011
I am so sorry what you have been through - it sounded like a nightmare!! You look so beautiful now!!
April 20, 2011
Thank you Madison5269, it has been a nightmare that I would not wish on anyone. That is why it is so important to choose the right, skilled P.S.
Some efforts for those having a botched P.S. was gained this month when a woman was awarded money because her eyes do not close. I know too well how that feels, and an experienced P.S. should as well.
Only those that are unskilled and aggressive in there approach leave a consumer with that nightmare.
My issues are on going and more fat will need to be applied to upper lids.
My original surgery was so aggressively, unskillfully and carelessly preformed, that she did not leave much tissue or fat to work with. My eyes did not close and only became more hollowed and sunken with time.
But in time I will be happy as each application of fat, more remains in my upper lid.
I write my story to warn others, and also a form of therapy for me. Only until one experiences this horror, can you possibly relate to the trauma it leaves behind.
I am much happier today, have a softness and a resemblance of my genetic self.
I can only hope more careless aggressive unskilled Plastic Surgeons will be held accountable, until that day all I can do is warn you, and others of the Surgeon that caused me so much physical and emotional pain.
Some efforts for those having a botched P.S. was gained this month when a woman was awarded money because her eyes do not close. I know too well how that feels, and an experienced P.S. should as well.
Only those that are unskilled and aggressive in there approach leave a consumer with that nightmare.
My issues are on going and more fat will need to be applied to upper lids.
My original surgery was so aggressively, unskillfully and carelessly preformed, that she did not leave much tissue or fat to work with. My eyes did not close and only became more hollowed and sunken with time.
But in time I will be happy as each application of fat, more remains in my upper lid.
I write my story to warn others, and also a form of therapy for me. Only until one experiences this horror, can you possibly relate to the trauma it leaves behind.
I am much happier today, have a softness and a resemblance of my genetic self.
I can only hope more careless aggressive unskilled Plastic Surgeons will be held accountable, until that day all I can do is warn you, and others of the Surgeon that caused me so much physical and emotional pain.
May 16, 2011
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am so happy you are doing so well!! You look wonderful, from your eyes to your mid-face lift results and even your hair color. You look nowhere near your age and deserve nothing but good fortune from here on out.
I am just 40yo and am pondering eye surgery for extra loose skin on my upper lids. I've had allergies that remained virtually uncontrolled for 20 years even with allergy shots and meds. I've finally discovered I have food allergies that was leading to my eyelid swelling and eczema. Now I am left with all this extra skin that makes my eyes look older and tired. I'm not sure if I should risk the surgery or not after reading some of the nightmare posts on this site.
At any rate thanks again for being brave enough to post pics and updates of your entire experience. It's so helpful for those of us who need to see real world stories.... good and bad. Warmest of wishes to you.
I am just 40yo and am pondering eye surgery for extra loose skin on my upper lids. I've had allergies that remained virtually uncontrolled for 20 years even with allergy shots and meds. I've finally discovered I have food allergies that was leading to my eyelid swelling and eczema. Now I am left with all this extra skin that makes my eyes look older and tired. I'm not sure if I should risk the surgery or not after reading some of the nightmare posts on this site.
At any rate thanks again for being brave enough to post pics and updates of your entire experience. It's so helpful for those of us who need to see real world stories.... good and bad. Warmest of wishes to you.
July 29, 2011
Go to an oculoplastic reconstructive plastic surgeon. They know eye anatomy the best! I went to a general plastic surgeon and he cut my levator eye muscle then tried to fix it and my eye wouldn't shut afterwards. I went to the specialist for a revision six weeks later. Smartest move I ever made. Besides, my blepharoplasty and brow lift the general plastic surgeon did doesn't even show after 6 months except for more asymmetry. These docs have great websites and screen out anything less than five star!
October 29, 2011
Vickisue, I too had overly aggressive upper and lower bletharoplasty. I am new to Realself just this evening and I posted a bad review of the Plastic surgeon. I have just begun to fight per se and become proactive. I've been severely depressed. I don't have a lot to say this evening as my eyes hurt and I'm tired. But I've been reading your story. You are an inspiration to me. I feel optimistic now. Not totally but I have some hope. If you were here I'd give you a big hug!! ♥ Kim
January 13, 2012
Hello, I would not have it done. There are just too many things that can go wrong - and look at all the stories here. I also had a bad upper bleth and I have not met many people who are happy afterwards. My advice is to leave it alone and love yourself and accept yourself for who you are and what you look like, nothing is worth the problems that you can have afterwards and these are the only pair of eyelids you will ever have. Be thankful that you have eyelids, I only have 1 1/2 eyelids after a bleth and it is something that I have to live with for the rest of my life.
May 16, 2011
Clt4290, for as many nightmare stories out here, there are as many success. I am a big Advocate of P.S. and with a skilled and experienced surgeon, it can change your life into a positive experience. Finding the "Right Surgeon", is key.
First, I'd give your situation enough time, to see all has healed on it's own. Then listen, as stated before if there is a good P.S. in your town or near it, you will hear about them. Word of mouth is a great beginning. Experience with others whom have used the surgeon. Internet another, know your procedure and what to look for, questions to ask.
If a doctor has a bad rep. such as the one whom changed me so negatively, you will hear about them. This is only one of many sights that rates doctors. When a doctors name starts to pop up, and they are not from happy consumers, with negative outcomes, it helps you in your search, and those of us that did not have those tools available.I can now warn others.
Good Luck, you'll make the correct choice and decision when the time is right.
First, I'd give your situation enough time, to see all has healed on it's own. Then listen, as stated before if there is a good P.S. in your town or near it, you will hear about them. Word of mouth is a great beginning. Experience with others whom have used the surgeon. Internet another, know your procedure and what to look for, questions to ask.
If a doctor has a bad rep. such as the one whom changed me so negatively, you will hear about them. This is only one of many sights that rates doctors. When a doctors name starts to pop up, and they are not from happy consumers, with negative outcomes, it helps you in your search, and those of us that did not have those tools available.I can now warn others.
Good Luck, you'll make the correct choice and decision when the time is right.
July 21, 2011
Orlando obviously works for VICTORIA VITALE LEWIS. Vickisue ignore the bashing from this twit, your photos speak for themselves. I know I believe every word you have written and am grateful for your valuable insight.
Replies (5)
I am glad you found a solution....and you had the strength to take us through your journey.
I am happy you are finally at peace and pleased with your eyes and looking and feeling like yourself again.
I am looking into updating my eyes from past
Eye surgery. I have rounding and HOLLOWING
From the surgery over 10 years ago plus the increased aging .
What exactly did the doctor do speciically for your eyes? I know you mentioned mid facelift and pearl fat grafting to upper eyelids. How did he recreate the eyelid crease? Did you have any revision type of eye surgery?
Good luck and hope this helped..
I wish you well in your search, and don't give up. It took me 9 years to find a surgeon I trusted and believed could help, without charging me the price of a new home. Stir clear of them, cause cost doesn't guarantee you one thing.
Your in my thoughts and prayers.
I’ve been to so many consults I’m broke from their consultation fees..
They all want to do something different!
I’m doing my research, reading reading and reading till my ugly burning eyes are killing me.
I’ve heard Drs try to stay away from fat grafting?
I couldn’t read exactly what the name was of yours? Besides mid face lift, is there a name for the fat grafting? I’m actually thinking about flying to Rockford,Ill and possibly making an appt with your Dr.-
Your eyes looked very similar to mine - you did lose your identity- so did I . But I just love how your eyes came out this time around! Congratulations! That’s huge Vickisue!!
I am so sorry. Eye -lid surgery is tricky thing, and not all Plastic Surgeons know how. Ectropion is something I did not experience. I had the aggressive, to much fat taken out which left a hollow, sunken socket. It is the typical result from and aggressive, in-experienced or lack of knowledge surgent. Yes, it does change your entire appearance, and you nor people you've known entire life recognize you. I know your pain, and the depression. It did ultimately ruin my marriage and If I could Sue, I'd do it today. My life was never the same for 9 years after my elective eye surgery.
As I've stated in other conversations, as unique as each eye lid surgery is to patients, so is revision, if at all. My under eye lid wasn't as badly affected as the uppers. They are what totally changed my appearance into hard, cold and quont Doll eye's with that hard stare, no softness. I couldn't close them at night, and have had several emergency room visits from scratched cornea's. It was a living hell, so yes, I feel I am due compensation for years of discomfort, mental and physical. But again, it was elective, yet no one deserves the outcome.
For me, a mid face lift, with more of a lateral pull to the sides, helped greatly. Dr. W then gave me what he called Fat Grafting, where he lays a thin layer of fat over upper lid. It is suppos to take and regenerate better than injections. It did last longer, but it's been almost 10 years since last revision, so of course nothing lasts forever. Any face-life has a shelf life of 10 years. And I'm starting to see fine lines once again, lack of volume mostly. I have high cheekbones, but gravity does it's job. THough about fillers, but haven't had great experience with longevity for the cost.Some of the fat is still present on upper lids. And my eye do stay shut while sleeping. But I have found wearing false eyelashes helps. I'm older today, ( 72) so must say for my age, I'm still holding up pretty well. Most importantly I like myself a whole lot better than I did 16-17 years ago. I'd post a new photo, but do not see place for up-load on here. Yes, Dr Weiskopf, in my book is the best. He's been around along time but more importantly, he will be honest. He is also not trying to price gough as many have in the past. Some with costs that were laughable, like I'm a Kardashian or something. I'm like most, just a woman that made a very poor choice that ruined my appearance and wanted a fix. They hear revision, and they hear desperate. Many will take advantage, and outraged most. That alone is turn off. They are hopefully skilled physicians, but not god. I highly recommend him, but cannot guarantee he'd be able to revise your issues. A consultation is recommended, and sometimes they can be done over computer with skype. He needs to see a clear picture of facial expressions. Their may still be charge, but can save on a plane ticket.
Please let me know if their is anything else I can answer. Although I am pleased with myself more today, I will never get back what was cut away aggressively or the crying, depression, sleepless nights and guilt I went through. Scares that will never heal from memory. Good Luck !