If you don't want to know about my eye surgery or see ugly photos, you can skip this one...
During Russ' last year of life I gave up on make-up. I cried too often and the make-up would drip down my cheeks - not the intended look. Then my eye lids began to droop significantly. I had always thought of facial surgery as vain, but with my vision deteriorating I decided to check out the removal of excess skin in my eye lid. I had to 'pass' certain tests to prove it was for visual problems and not for vanity reasons. My doctor, Eric Meyer, said I passed with flying colors...great!
The Medicare office picture that got sent as proof was so scary that my office response was OH MY GOD! (and likely heard in the adjoining exam room). Believe me... it was truly an old saggy woman looking back at me. Could that really be me? What happened to smooth, glossy skin, youth, and a clear complexion? Staring back at me on the screen was a tired, unfortunate creature. Would surgery help?
Here is a blow by blow of surgery day:
- John came by to pick me up.
- Arriving at Animas Surgical Center he had to come in with me to 'prove' I didn't drive myself. (they won't even let you take a taxi) He had to give his phone number so they could call him when it was time to pick me up and they had him sign paperwork. Then there was the Covid temperature check. Thankfully, we both passed the temp test!
- John left and I was taken to the pre-surgery room. I dawned the lovely surgery garb... hospital gown, Covid mask, and the very beautiful hair net. A stunning look to be sure; no vanity visible in this room!
- I was draped in a heated blanket
- The nurse asked a zillion question, and no... I have only had one puff on a cigarette when I was about 20. When I threw up I figured it was an omen that I shouldn't smoke.
- Blood pressure was next. It took three tries to get an acceptable one. I was pretty teary about not having Russ by my side as well as being a tad nervous about heading to OR. After laying quiet for a few minutes, I passed the test.
- Then the Covid test....now there was a nervous moment. I felt fine, but so many people are walking around asymptomatic... Negative, phew!
- Next came the IV. My hand vein was not cooperating so they used my 'Cubital' in the bend of my arm and in rushers the calm drug.
- Eric comes in and added another level of calm. I had/have complete faith in his abilities so this just added more calm... the human calm added to the drug calm slipping into my arm and I was ready for my ride to OR.
- Now came the anesthesiologist and more explanations.
- Finally the nurse who would wheel me into the OR... down corridors, and around corners, all with me staring at the ceiling wizzing overhead. Into the OR, cool and quiet.
- An opioid drip was started, a short term boost to help me get through all the shots Eric would give me around my eyes. I have no clue if that was 2 or 6... I didn't feel a thing thank God. I am vey squeamish about shots and the thought of shots around my eyes, cutting skin away and stitches was intimidating. "Thank you, yes...I will take the opioid drip".
- Eric then drew a line on my eye lid where one cut would be. Next he used little pincers to lift skin and figure out where the second line should be, how much extra skin was there. Ready to go, each eye had two cut lines for the skin that would be removed.
- The excess skin was cut away. Seriously, I felt absolutely nothing. I did hear scissor snips when he began working on my left eye, but nothing else.
- Then 10 (?) stitches over each eye.
- Each lid took about a half hour
- I was wheeled back to recovery, John was called to come get me, I was given recovery instructions and iced while I waited for John to arrive.
Poor John, he had to sit through all the instructions as though he would be there to help.
These are really embarrassing photos, which translates into being vain and I'm showing them even though I don't think of myself as vain. I decided to post them because several folks have asked about the surgery. I decided to post them to live openly into my own mantra: lead by example. I need to be real and show those around me I am who I am and not hide my own reality. Hopefully, my 'look' will improve as the days go by.
And there you have the adventure of a blepharoplasty. Start to finish 3 hours. Once in surgery, a half hour for each eye. Eric said I had quite a bit of excess skin and that it was thick. Sigh. Now I have 2 days of icing 20 minutes of every hour. I have an icing 'station' set up... ice packets, gauze pads, dish towels to wrap around ice packs and a timer... 20 minutes on 40 minutes off. Three times a day I am taking Arnica Montana 200 CK (helps temporarily relieve muscle pain, stiffness, swelling & discoloration). Then on to the same routine with heat for 2 days.
I am looking forward to better vision... a medical miracle in the hands of Dr. Eric Meyer.
Today, May 22, three months later, my new look.
When the healing of the stitches was complete, Joslyn gave me a Scar Oil (rosehip seed oil, vitamin E oil, helichrysum, carrot seed, petitgrain essential oils). The best news is that my vision is vastly improved and I am ever grateful. Thank you Eric.