Upper & Lower Eye-lid (Bleph)/ Plus CO2 Laser to Tighten. Age 45, Tampa, FL

Have seen my upper eyelids droop and get wrinkly in last few years and was making me feel old. The skin on my face has gotten much more loose and crepey around the eyes and cheeks. Made an appt with Premiere Cosmetic for upper eye-lid consultation. Dr William J. Welsh suggested I have both upper and lower Blepharoplasty plus a CO2 laser to tighten the skin. He is well-reviewed, so figured he knows better than I would so went with his suggestion. Was able to schedule a surgery appt only one week later.

On the day of surgery I entered the building at 9AM and was already finished and in the car heading home at 11:45. Had gauze over my eyes until I got home where my friend removed it. Eyes were quite blurry and thought I still had tape over them. Friend wrote big notes for the antibiotics and pain-relievers I was supposed to take and I got into bed with a wedge, body pillow to keep my head elevated. Had prescription for nausea pills too but never needed them. Tried to sleep but was not tired. Two hours later my eyes had cleared up and I was using computer and making more Jello. Cooling eyes with a bag of frozen peas and cool wash-cloth often.

First few days I spent some time in bed resting. Was is great spirits and energetic even. Was still able to do light stretches and exercises, dishes and laundry. Taking pain meds on schedule and pain has never been higher than a 1-2 on scale of 1-10. Feels much more like tightness or a bad sunburn. No pain above eyes at all, mostly under where laser was used. Swelling was worst on day 3 when I had trouble eating. So keep lots of soft foods in house.

Day 3 went to doctor for check-up but did not remove stitches yet. The pics make me look aweful but I think maybe the purple color is more from a marker than bruising. It looked better when they cleaned up the area. Taking Arnica for bruising but I do not intend on leaving house until next week when bandages over laser burns start coming off.

Today was my 8th day after eye-lid surgery and had the stitches taken out today. One 5-second tug on the end and the nurse pulled out the whole line of stitches on each upper lid. Not painful. Lower lid did not have stitches.

Still have a little swelling and tightness in eye and cheek areas. Looks a little funny and wrinkly now but hopefully that will even out in the next few weeks. Definitely, have a lot more of more eye-lid showing now than before procedure. Excited about that.

They said it is best to leave the patches under eyes for as long as possible for best results. Have not left house this entire week except to go to doctor's office. I feel great and getting very bored. But don't want to go in public like this as it looks kind of scary. Must leave town Friday night so, will likely remove them before that.

So far, very happy with everyone at the doctor's office and my progress. But, will wait at least a couple weeks more before deciding whether procedure was worth it.