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POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery REVIEWS

Upper Lid Bleph Scheduled...QUESTIONS??? - Wall, NJ

ORIGINAL POST

I just turned 49 and am seeing the small changes...

Jerseyjill
$3,600
I just turned 49 and am seeing the small changes related to aging almost everyday, and boy, does it suck!!! I've had several non-surgical procedures over the years, but never surgery. My eyes have been bothering me for a while, and I just decided to take the plunge and do something about it. I'm also looking for support...for someone who's had this done and only needed mild correction in the first place. There is that TINY voice inside me telling me it might be too early, and that's another reason I'm posting. However, it is bothering me enough so that I want to do something about it now, while it's not so noticeable. The thing is...it takes me soooo long to get ready in the morning to try and camouflage my small lids with an ever disappearing crease. I also noticed small fat pads in the corner of my eyes closest to my nose, and I'm starting to see my mother in my mirror! The combination of small lids with a high brow has made me start to sag in the outer corners as well. I will post pics soon, but would LOVE to hear people's stories regarding eyelid surgeries. I'm also scheduled to have laser done on my lower eyelids to tighten, since my doctor says I'm not a candidate for surgery there.

Jerseyjill's provider

Anthony Sparano, MD

Anthony Sparano, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Replies (21)

October 20, 2014
Upper eye lift is easy, has a quick recovery, and makes a lot of difference in appearance IF YOU have a clear vision (no pun intended) of what shape you want your upper lid to look like. And it is extremely important to take pictures of that ideal to your consult. It is also helpful to have pictures of what you DO NOT want your lid shape to look like~ not the absurdly horrible results but acceptable ones that just don't seem aesthetically pleasing to you. Your PS and you must be on the same page on what constitutes a beautiful shaped eye and he must be able to show you results to prove he routinely achieves that shape/look. If he can't, please continue your search....best wishes, grace
October 20, 2014
Thanks Grace...I have my pre/op November 6th and will be sure to bring many pictures. I really didn't think about it changing the shape of my eye...rather just making it a younger version of my own!!!
October 20, 2014
Yeah, that's what the patient always asks for and what the PS says he'll do. But they actually have in their minds an aesthetic sense of what makes the eye look younger. Few manage to make the eye look like a younger version altho you would be wise to blow up an eyes-only pic of your younger eyes if that is what you're going for. If you always had little lid showing and want more ~ that is where the greatest chance for mis-communication can happen. The only way to make absolutely clear what you want is thru pictures. Just remember that doesn't guarantee that he has the skill to deliver. That's where his b4/afters will show you whether he EVER produces the look you want. If not, there's a reason....grace
October 21, 2014
I am also 49 and just had this done 3 weeks ago. My cousin convinced me to do the lower lids as well, and that I would regret it if I did not . I listened to her. I went back to work after 10 full days, including weekends. Fortunately, I wear glasses, so it hid some of the still present swelling. I thought it best to do it now, instead of later, when my face really needed it, and it would look obvious. Noone thought I needed the upper and lower lid surgery until after. They could tell the diffeence. I don't ;ook as tired as I did every day. Funny enough, doing the lower lids is what gave me the "refreshed look." Don't think about it too much and do it!!! The upper lids was $3,000 and when I told the doctor I had changed my mind, and also wanted the lower lids done, it was only $1,000 more. Well worth the price. A week before the surgery, I was in the waiting room, I heard lots of talk about JUVEDERM. I had no idea what this was. I also had JUVEDERM in the small folds around the mouth and nose. I could not believe the difference that made!!! This was all before the surgery. I am very happy with the results. Great success...
October 21, 2014
So happy to hear from you Katia and so glad you got a great result. I am not happy with my lower lids either, but now I have another consultation scheduled, so that I can get another opinion. I want it done yesterday( you know that feeling when you make up your mind to do something and want instant gratification!!!) but I need to be as informed as I can, and I think that just means talking with more doctors. I've only spoken to two. I think 49 is the PERFECT age to do this. Just want to look refreshed!!! Again, thanks for your helpful post!!!
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October 22, 2014
You'll love the results Dr Sparano will give you. This is coming from someone who had blepharoplasty done by him :-) I had the same thoughts that maybe I was getting this done too soon... Until I saw the results and the years it erased from my face. Be prepared to look like an alien for a few days. But make sure you document the days in pictures. You'll look back on them and wonder why you didn't have it done sooner!
October 23, 2014
I had mine done (upper and lower) in June and it has changed my life. I was not good for about 5 weeks but that was mostly lower lid bruising. I am 47. I saw my surgeon yesterday and he said that it's most likely to last me my lifetime. Rare to need another operation on lids. Good luck and I'm sure you'll be happy with the result.
October 23, 2014
Thanks so much Flatrock...I know that I will be so happy that I did this, but my nerves are getting the best of me right now. Its so nice to hear from people who are around my age who had it done, because a part of me thinks I am being too vain. I can't wait to see the world with new eyes!!!
October 24, 2014
Don't feel vain at all. You will be so pleased and as you are only getting your upper lids done, it will be a lot quicker recovery for you. Just get some sunglasses.
October 24, 2014
Thanks flatrock...it's so hard because when the procedure is good, it's very good and when it's bad, it's awful. So much to navigate...
October 24, 2014
If you have a good surgeon which is sounds like you do, you'll be fine.
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October 30, 2014
Your major upper eyelid issue is actually upper eyelid ptosis. Correcting this will allow your eyebrows to relax to a more natural position. You also do need a small amount of skin trimmed from the upper eyelid fold. Your challenge is that many eyelid surgeons miss the upper eyelid ptosis and over resect the upper eyelid fold. You need to make certain that the surgeon will preserve as much of the fold as possible. Study Renee Zellweger's pictures. She had too much upper eyelid skin removed ( having the forehead over hammered with Botox does not help. Study my before and afters and compare them to your surgeons before and after images. If there is a mismatch, you need to ask your surgeon more questions.
November 2, 2014
Thank you Dr. Steinsapir...your answer gave me a LOT to think about. My surgeon said that I don't have ptosis, which is weird, but I'm assuming there's a difference between the lid and the UPPER lid from your reply. Thank you again for giving me that information...that was so thoughtful of you to respond.
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November 2, 2014
No, the issue is the type of training of your surgeon. If they are not a fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeon, they may not know how to diagnosis upper eyelid ptosis. You might consider some local consultations with oculoplastic surgeons before going forward with eyelid surgery. Everything is related and to get the best possible result one has factor everything into consideration.
November 2, 2014
Thank you again for your advice and guidance...I will definitely look for an oculoplastic surgeon...hope you have a great day!!
December 17, 2014
Hello Dr Steinsapir...how does a doctor know if you have ptosis in your lid?? I had upper lid surgery maybe 4 years ago and my doctor (who was an oculoplastic surgeon) didn't say that I had ptosis and I immediately noticed after the surgery that my right eye was still hooding. The doctor went back (a year later) and removed just a little more skin but it still looks bad.
UPDATED FROM Jerseyjill
1 month pre

Another close up pic!!

Jerseyjill

Replies (4)

October 20, 2014
Is it possible to create more of a crease??? I always hated my small lids and would LOVE them to be a LITTLE bigger...but how much does that alter your appearance??! Thanks so much Grace for all your useful information!!
October 21, 2014
Yes you can create a higher positioned crease up to a point depending on the eye lid anatomy. But it is very tricky to ensure that the new crease does not create a remarkable different shape. Your eye would look very nice with a uniform margin from inner to outer corner ( not raised higher in the mid/medial area or any position closer to the inner eye. The least attractive, to me, is when they lift the middle more than the outer and it forms an inverted u-shape with the outer 1/3 turning downward. Look at the RS post op Eyedidit. Her surgeon is in Boston, did a beautiful lift across the entire eye and the lateral 1/3 is near perfect. His total fees are totally reasonable for what he did. See what you think...grace
October 21, 2014
Grace...you are a wealth of information...thanks so much!!!
October 23, 2014
Trying to get better pictures and accidentally removing some!!
UPDATED FROM Jerseyjill
27 days pre

Better pics!!

Jerseyjill
Trying to post photos without makeup. When I put makeup on, I THINK I can camouflage it...cheating, I know!!! I think we should all cheat a little!!!

Replies (10)

October 23, 2014
Eyelid surgery has its risks, and the lower lid is a very unforgiving area. The smallest irregularity and mistake can create asymmetry and the down time is months for recovery with bruising and often due to the swelling you won't see results till 6 months, which I think can be quite a traumatic waiting period in itself....sometimes in our quest for perfection, we are often disappointed with the results. I honestly don't think your eyes need surgery even without the make-up. If you do go ahead with the procedure, research carefully. I am only cautioning you because a facial destroyed my under eye area and I have hemosiderin staining even 10 months after. I would do anything to turn back time and go back to what I used to look like. So please be careful and good luck with everything.
October 23, 2014
I am so sorry for what has happened to you, and I appreciate your words of caution. I am still on the fence about this, so I may not go ahead with the procedure. I am an esthetician...was it a regular facial that caused this? Are you using sunscreen religiously everyday so that it doesn't get darker? I hope things will resolve for you, and I am not taking your advice lightly. Thank you for posting. Blessings, Jill
October 23, 2014
Well I can't imagine better timing as Renee Zellweger has just revealed her "new look". Most important for you will be to see her "eye lift" and to ask yourself If you like the change. The fat and tissue has been removed from her upper eyelids and so her brow has moved down or the lack of bulk has made it appear so. This, along with the removal of so much tissue, has made her eyes look sunken and if they look this way at 45 imagine how much this will be exaggerated by the time she is 55 or 60! IMHO she had too much removed but at least her PS didn't elevate the tissue removal and crease placement in the center leaving that inverted "U" I mentioned before. At any rate, again make certain that you have a surgeon who understands the significant way in which even minor changes can alter the eye AND make sure that when you and he agree on the aesthetics that he can show you pictures of when who had exactly your "issue" and pics that demonstrate the kind of result you want to live with for a very long time. Btw....I think Ms Zellweger is just beginning the very long walk down a path from which she can never turn back. The upper eyes are easy to do from a surgical standpoint but if not done to an aesthetically pleasing result they are nearly impossible to correct the mistake. Think long and hard and put this off until you have found the perfect surgeon...grace
October 24, 2014
Thanks Grace...you made an excellent point with Renee Zellweger...she was known for her eyes, and now she looks completely different...I certainly don't want to go down that path. Thinking long and hard about leaving this alone.
October 24, 2014
Jerseyjill. Leave your eyelids alone. You look beautiful now and there are NO guarantees you won't have issues! Wish I never had it done. Try a laser on upper lids and maybe some Botox. Do not get cut. Seen some beautiful results but the ones that aren't so great can be devastating.
October 25, 2014
Thanks Molly...I think you are just what the doctor ordered. I am going to cancel my procedure because I know I just need a small improvement and the risks are just not worth it. I have had Botox and get it regularly, and I'm sticking to that for now. Thanks again for your comment!!!
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December 9, 2014
I am 4 weeks post op. I had upper and lower done by my eye doctor who specializes in this and other eye surgeries. I'm still healing so the final result is still a fee months off but I am thrilled with the results. I'm 61 so there is that age difference between me and you. Bit I made the decision that was right for me. I wish you the best and if you feel you're not ready it this isn't the right time for you, then you need tO go with your gut. Good luck!
December 9, 2014
Thank you so much for your advice and I'm so glad you are getting the results you want. I don't think I'm ready quite yet...I think I'll know when I am. Definitely going with my gut...
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December 9, 2014
Going with your gut is always a good thing. You'll know when you're ready. When I was your age, I wasn't even thinking of surgery for this. But as I got older it was impeding my vision besides making me look tired and old (to put it simply). I can now see the world so much more since this surgery has lifted the weight of my lids and make up doesn't smudge, which is something I'm just noticing. Again, good luck!
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December 24, 2014

Hello :) We would love an update since your last post. Hope you are well and enjoying the holiday season!