Yes, I Got My Eyes Done. Here's Why...
It’s Friyay! Whoot Whoot! Today we are talking ALLLLL about eyes. Products I use for anti aging and yes….the anticipated blog post about my Eye Lid surgery. I am giving all the details and even some gross pictures to follow because if you haven’t noticed yet, I have no shame regarding these types of things most of the time.
For those of you that have been following me awhile now, you know that my eyelids were something that really bothered me as of a couple of years ago. Having hooded eyelids is definitely 100% hereditary. If one of your parents has it, there is a good chance you are going to have it. I inherited this lovely gene from my dad’s side of the family. A few years ago he had the surgery and my uncle had it also so when I saw their results I was blown away! The surgical term for this type of surgery is called an Upper Blepharoplasty (aka “Upper Bleph”). I always knew that type of surgery was probably going to be in the cards for me but always figured it would be way later in life. I used so many different eye creams to slow down the inevitable but found 2 that I absolutely love! I love Revision Skincare’s DEJ Eye Cream which I use on my lower lids and then Revision Skincare’s Teamine Eye Cream for my upper lids. I have linked them here for you.
Although my eye creams definitely helped the appearance of my eyes, they still really bothered me, especially in pictures. I could see how heavy they looked and I even had a couple of people as me if I was high a few times. Hahahaha! So embarrassing. One day when I went to visit my eye doctor at Marietta Eye Clinic, they were running some non related tests and kept asking me to try and open my eyes wider because my eye lids were starting to block a small portion of my pupils so they weren’t getting a good reading. Hearing them tell me that reassured me that I wasn’t crazy and that my lids were indeed hanging lower than normal. After all of my tests were complete my doctor, Dr. Charles Ho came in the room and informed me that they had a plastic surgeon on staff and to have him take a look at my eye lids to see if I was a candidate for surgery. A few months went by and I finally decided enough was enough and I scheduled a consultation to see Dr. Byron Long. Dr. Long is a Certified Oculoplastics surgeon. When it came to my eyes I knew I wanted someone who specialized in this.
When I first arrived they had me complete a field vision test. This test is where they cover one eye at a time and you press a button every time you see a small light flash. The lights could be right in front of your or even further out in your peripheral vision. After I completed one round per eye, they then taped back my eye lids and have me go again. I couldn’t believe how much more I could see from every direction. After my test I went into the examination room where I met Dr. Long and he observed my eye lids and confirmed I was a great candidate for the surgery but the big question was “Will insurance pay for it?” They took some pictures of me and of my eyes and told me they would file Dr. Long’s notes, the photos and the results of my Field Vision Test to insurance and will let me know if they approved it or not. (The surgery without insurance coverage can range anywhere from $3k-$5k). A few weeks later I get a call that my insurance approved my surgery and deemed it a “medically necessary”. I was so excited and went ahead and scheduled it. Although you can get an Upper Bleph under local, my surgeon chose for me to have general anesthesia so he could really do his thing so to speak. Before I headed back he drew on my eyelids and I remember Steve saying “Whoa! She really has that much skin to takeoff?” I laughed and said “Told you!” (This picture is horrifying! Can’t believe I am posting it but…I just want to be honest, right?)
The surgery lasted about 45 minutes and after 20-30 minutes in recovery I was able to go home. I wasn’t in too much pain and my recovery is fairly easy. The recovery process definitely looks much more painful than it actually is and although I just looked like I got in a bar fight, I could already tell a difference. (True Story: Steve made me wear sunglasses around the house because he said my face “hurt him”, LOL). I couldn’t wear eye makeup for 2 weeks (to keep the incision area clean) and my bruising took about 3-4 weeks. I am now 3 months out and completely healed! You can’t even see a scar at all. My makeup goes on better now, my photos look better and so many of my girlfriends and family have said I look like “me” again! This is something that is no nice to hear. PHOTOS Left to Right: 1.) Day of Surgery, 2.) 2 Days Post Op, 3.) 1 Week Post Op
Once I was healed I knew the importance of keeping my eyes youthful looking so that is why I turned to ColorScience to help me achieve my anti-aging goals. I decided to purchase the Total Eye Restore Regimen. I love this product so much you guys (not just saying it) because it literally comes with EVERYTHING you need to protect your eyes and really slow down the aging process. It comes with 1 Renewal Therapy (I always put this on the tops of my eye lids as it has SPF and is tinted), 1 Concentrate (I always put this on my upper and lower lids before bedtime), and Hydragel Treatment Masks (I put these on under my eyes before bed, after the concentrate). It’s a little pricey but the whole system works great! I promise.
Pictured:
I hope I was able to give you guys a basic idea of what my experience was like receiving this surgery. If you have any questions, ESPECIALLY about this kind of stuff you know you can ALWAYS reach out to me! Until next time, (which hopefully won’t be so long anymore)……