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POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery REVIEWS

53 years old, tired of lower bags, surgery scheduled, little scared - Winston Salem, NC

ORIGINAL POST

I have had prominent bags underneath my eyes for...

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HollyjoMarch 17, 2014
WORTH IT$2,800
I have had prominent bags underneath my eyes for several years and FINALLY am going to just "go for it" and have lower lid bleph. Since I am a 53, a little concerned about healing taking longer and also the fact that my doctor is going to use outside stitches which will scar. He did mention it if didn't fade as much as I'd like, he would laser it at no additional charge later, which I thought was very nice. Also, some have suggested arnica/bromelain supplements........the doctor didn't mention these. Are they worth it? I am posting my "before" shots and will be posting "afters" in about 5 weeks!!!!

Hollyjo's provider

James T Thompson

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Hollyjo

Hollyjo rating for Dr. Thompson:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
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Replies (42)

JADE58
March 21, 2014
Good luck! We look forward to your after pictures :)
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Riverafambam
March 21, 2014
Good luck wishing u the bestni hear arnica is great!!
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colleensmail
March 21, 2014

i cant wait to see your progress.i am sure you will be just beautiful

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Hollyjo
March 21, 2014
Having MAJOR issues trying to get consultation with another doctor within the same practice, Wake Forest Baptist Hospital Plastic Surgery in Winston Salem, NC. They are REALLY giving me the run around. I have decided I'd like another opinion and willing to pay the consultation fee but they are not working with me, won't acknowledge emails, return phone calls, etc. If something isn't resolved, I will lose my deposit. I AM NOT HAPPY AT ALL WITH THEM RIGHT NOW. This is a real red flag.
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colleensmail
March 24, 2014

get out of there

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colleensmail
March 24, 2014

i should have trusted my gut instinct but i leaned on my husband for guidance and he pushed me to go with the person i had doubts about.now i am mutilated and am with someone who is not capable of really loving me but am grateful i have him anyways because he does not care what i look like anyways.as long as i pay the bills and cook and clean that is all that matters.and i am ugly now

Denver888
March 21, 2014
First of all I think you look great the way you are. I'm 5 months out from lower blepharoplasty and it has been the worst experience of my life! Everyday I suffer physically from dry eye, pain, blurred vision and having to look in the mirror at my "fake" asymetrical appearing eyes. The first 2 to 3 months were absolute torture. I attribute much of this to my poor choice of a dishonest ocular plastic surgeon in the Denver area. I had 4 separate meetings with him before the surgery so I would now exactly what procedures he would perform. After he gained my trust which equals $ to him, he performed a lateral strip canthoplasty. I won't go into detail on this but it's essentially a functional procedure performed on the elderly. I'm only 43. Google the youtube video by Dr. Frank Meronk to learn more about this terrible procedure PS are using on their patients. Now in order to fix the damage he created, I'm told by several of the best ocular plastic surgeons in the world that I have to get a mid face lift, and they will have to harvest spacer grafts from the roof of my mouth to surgically implant in my lower eyelids to improve the retraction I have. One of the best ocular plastic surgeons in the world has stated that lower blepharoplasty is a high risk surgery for a low gain. I wish someone would have taken the time to inform me about some of these issues. My goal now is to educate as many people as possible so they can educate themselves and not have to suffer as I do and so many others out there are. Just read some of the "not worth it" reviews on this site.
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Hollyjo
March 21, 2014
Wow, that is HORRIBLE. I haven't heard of canthoplasty. What did your surgeon say about your dissatisfaction? What were his reasons for doing it that way? I am really really sorry to hear this. I can imagine how horrible it is to look in the mirror and be unhappy with your results. That's one reason I am choosing to get TWO consultations from the practice I am dealing with. Please let me know what you decide to do. Sending prayers your way.
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colleensmail
March 21, 2014
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Hollyjo
March 21, 2014
He does NOT sound like a good doctor at all. Have you considered filing a complaint about your dissatisfaction or contacting the medical board? I wouldn't drop this.
Denver888
March 22, 2014
The procedure was a lateral strip canthoplasty. It's the "dirty little secret" that I've come to find out the many ocular plastic surgeons use without telling there patients. The top surgeons don't routinely do this because first, they know better, and second they just flat out have better skills and experience and don't need to employee a procedure as a short cut and convenience for themselves that is well known for it's complications and high risk for a poor results. If you want the "surgical look" ask you surgeon to perform a lateral strip canthoplasty. If you want a natural result, make sure your surgeon does not victimize you unless your condition needs it (elderly, functional issues). I would get a least 5 consultations from different doctors and ask each doctor who they recommend. Most lower eye patients haven't heard of canthoplasty (I sure didn't) and many of them won't even know they were the victims of such a procedure mostly for the fact that there surgeons don't tell them. I only found out because I kept asking why I had sutures on the outside of my eyes and such pain and other complications. I also got requested a copy of my surgery transcript. Another fun fact is the procedure does not last and is documented for relaxing over time giving you retraction (droopy) eyelids. It may take months, it may take years. In my case it's months.
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Hollyjo
March 22, 2014
That is HORRIBLE. The need for "outside incision" is what got me to wondering and seeking another opinion. I mean, these are my EYES and I want the best possible outcome. I am really and truly sorry this happened to you but I would not just leave it alone. I would consider suing.
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colleensmail
March 24, 2014
denver,why dont you post photos,i am interested to see if you had the same thing happen to you as what happened to me.it would only be helping others in the same situation as yourself.
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Eyedidit
March 24, 2014
it would be good to know who the surgeon was too so others can avoid him.
Denver888
March 24, 2014
Yes is has been horrible. The "outside incision" are on the outside corner of eye due to the canthoplasty. Incision under the eyelashes would be from a different procedure such a trancutaneous procedure which also should be avoided in my opinion. The tranconjunctival (from the inside of the lower eyelid) is the best and causes the least damage and future rounding of the eye. Yes, I do have a legal team assembled. Suing for plastic surgery is very difficult in Colorado. It is going to be very expensive but it will be worth it to me.
Denver888
March 24, 2014
Hi colleensmail and PreciousPug, For the moment, because of the biased legal environment that allows PS to get away with victimizing many unlucky patients I've been advised my legal counsel not to post pictures or disclose his name publicly. The lobbying group that is supported by the medical community is much stronger and better financed than any lobby group that protects patient rights especially when it comes to elective plastic surgery. There is a woman who is the victim of a plastic surgeon who had blepharoplasty and cannot close her eyes at all. She is at risk of losing her vision. She sued and was only award $100,000. This amount is first a joke, and second no amount of money can fix her situation. I would love to post his name all over the web but I have to wait for the moment. I will disclose it privately.
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Eyedidit
March 24, 2014
i get it. good luck in your pursuit. you have to hold it all in until the time is right. it won't do any good messing up your case just so you can get your frustration out. hold on and hopefully soon you will be able to spill the beans!
Denver888
March 24, 2014
Thanks! I appreciate it! Again I wish I knew now before hand. Wish I had a time machine :)
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mely
March 24, 2014
You sound like u went to the same experience I went throu. I didn't know about the canthoplasty until I request my surgery transcript that's when I found out I had a canthoplasty performed without my consent or knowledge. I also request for the form "I signed" where they were letting me know I could end up with ectropion scleral show or scleral pulling down, n guess what??? No form was signed by me, to prove, I knew about the scleral show ectropion because if I knew about how bad i could look after surgery, I wouldn't accept to get quad blepharoplasty surgery, I only wanted the upperlid surgery because I didn't have lower lid bags at all, pictures talk by themselves. So since then I have that "SURGICAL LOOK" it's a nightmare since then. So Im very happy for u that u will b able to sue this "surgeon" that did this mess to u withou ur consent! Good for u denver888
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Eyedidit
March 25, 2014
I know what you are saying. There have been times I wish I had a time machine too. I'm praying I don't have any regrets. I am pretty confident in my surgeon. I chant believe there are ocular plastic surgeons out there that ruin eyes though. That is horrible. It would be easier to accept if they were boob surgeons doing eyes.
UPDATED FROM Hollyjo
17 days pre

Surgeon change, feeling MUCH BETTER about upcoming procedure

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HollyjoMarch 25, 2014
I met today for the second opinion regarding whether I required outside stitching and "pinch". The surgeon I saw today, Dr. James Thompson, was very very professional, patient and understanding. I feel a load has been lifted. He practices both styles of lower bleph. and agreed I have no loose skin underneath and am a perfect candidate for the transconjunctival procedure. He also explained that due to the hollowness near the outside corners of each eye, that he would recommend a small fat transfer to eliminate the "hollow" look. He left that decision totally up to me but I am choosing to do it. I don't want a "sunken look" . My surgery should be scheduled within a few days, the sooner the better! I wasn't required to pay for another consultation, yaaay. I am so very very happy I went through the trouble and red tape this involved to get another opinion within the practice. : ) I will post my new surgery date when I get it and the countdown will begin!!!!!

Replies (17)

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Eyedidit
March 25, 2014
good for you, so exciting. glad you're getting the less invasive surgery, i didn't think it looked to me like you have loose skin either. my surgery is next week, i had my pre op exam today. in massachusetts you need an exam no more than 30 days old plus an ekg if you are over 50. how about NC?
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Hollyjo
March 26, 2014
Wow, I am excited for you! Time is flying by. I have really appreciated your comments here. Yes, I also have to do a pre-op visit that includes bloodwork to determine my clotting ability and EKG also. I was originally scheduled for my pre-op tomorrow but since changing surgeons, I am waiting for a new pre-op and surgery date.
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Eyedidit
March 26, 2014
maybe your new date will be sooner, if i had to wait longer than i did i think my review page would read like a book, lol. i'm so obsessed about the whole process i keep going online to check things out. hahaha
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Hollyjo
March 26, 2014
I know EXACTLY what you mean. I am now searching for Arnica, my local Rite Aide doesn't have it. The surgeon didn't mention it but several here have recommended it so I am going to give it a try. I hope the date isn't too soon as I have to taper off some meds. 2 weeks prior to surgery and 1 week following due to the possibility of it thinning blood/constricting vessels. I cannot wait to see your "after" pictures!
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Eyedidit
March 26, 2014
i got my arnica on amazon because i'm too lazy to check out the stores. i think the prices are the same but maybe you have to pay shipping. i think mine came to $7 or $8 with shipping.
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Eyedidit
March 26, 2014
here it is - less than $8 total http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006NYI7C/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Eyedidit
March 26, 2014
lucky you only need lowers, your recovery will be swift, especially with no stitches. lower pics don't look bad at all, even the day after surgery.
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Hollyjo
March 26, 2014
Thanks so much, will order some now! Really appreciate this.
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Ncnetshopper
March 27, 2014
I am so glad you found someone that does the less invasive procedure. As for arnica, I found it at Whole Foods. Check out drmeronk.com. His website tells you everything you ever wanted to know about blepharoplasty. If I'd seen this website five months ago, I could have saved myself all kinds of anxiety! Maybe not, I probably would have found something else to angst about. I need a hobby:)
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Hollyjo
March 27, 2014
Ordered mine today. Thank you so much, you have helped me so much! I cannot wait to see your results!
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Hollyjo
March 27, 2014
I visited drmeronk.com site.....WOW! I am much more informed but some of it does sound a little scary. I have NEVER had any cosmetic surgery other than occasional Botox and Deka Dot laser resurfacing so this is a huge step for me.
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Mybagsaregone
March 27, 2014
This was my first experience with plastic surgery too. It sounds like you are doing your research which is great. When I was researching blepharoplasty surgery I stumbled across Dr. Meronk's website as well. Knowledge is power, but don't let it overwhelm you. Each surgeon does things a little differently and every patient is unique. :)
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Eyedidit
March 27, 2014
Haha, hobbies help but it depends if it's a mindless one like jewelry making or something, you can still think about eyelids. The hobby needs to be one you need to give thought to like making a slide show or researching your family tree. I have lots of hobbies but still keep reverting back to my eyelids. Hopefully it gets better after surgery. From what I see here it seems to get worse, oh boy.
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Eyedidit
March 27, 2014
Mybagsaregone...Thank you for that bit of insight.
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Eyedidit
March 27, 2014
Reading that website can make someone feel as though something is not quite right with their surgeon but as you said, each surgeon and patient is a little different so don't think your surgery will be done word for word like that particular doctor who wrote the website suggests.
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Hollyjo
April 2, 2014
Tomorrow is your big day! Good luck; I look forward to following your recovery. You will be beautiful!
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Eyedidit
April 2, 2014
Thank you, I will update frequently. After all there's not much else I can do, nothing strenuous at least. I'll be checking your progress soon too!
UPDATED FROM Hollyjo
10 days pre

Awaiting appointment with Dr. Thompson

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HollyjoMarch 31, 2014
My consultation with Dr. Thompson was a week ago today. I am still waiting to be scheduled for my history and physical and surgery with him. I have emailed this morning and am hoping to hear something soon. I feel it is the scheduler's lack of efficiency and intend to address this with the surgeon if I don't hear something very soon.

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