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Rorey

(8,513 posts)
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 10:19 AM Jul 2021

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)

My droopy eyelids were making me look sort of sad and tired all the time, and I found myself raising my eyebrows a lot. I was all set to have the surgery last year when the pandemic hit. Well, I finally got it yesterday.

I may be an oddity, but the only thing that mildly hurt was when the surgeon put in the eyedrops. It burned a little just for a second. I remember part of the procedure, but I must have been under too deeply for part of it because it felt like it took about 10 minutes. Then I was in recovery for about 45 minutes and my daughter took me home.

Sure, I look like something just terrible happened to me, but I feel great. One of my cats looked at me like I was visiting from Hell, and I told my daughter-in-law that it's best not to video chat with my granddaughter for awhile, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

My procedure was covered by my Medicare plan with $175 copay. I told the doctor that if he wanted to throw in a face lift while he was at, that would be fine with me.....as long as I didn't have to pay for it. I'm not that vain.

So, if anyone is thinking they might need this and are worried, I just want to say that for me it has been a positive experience so far.

32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) (Original Post) Rorey Jul 2021 OP
Cool - cilla4progress Jul 2021 #1
A couple of other annoyances Rorey Jul 2021 #10
My uncle had to have that surgery. SamKnause Jul 2021 #2
It does make a difference Rorey Jul 2021 #11
I've known six people, family and friends jimfields33 Jul 2021 #3
I already feel great. Rorey Jul 2021 #12
Stay out of the sun for a while. multigraincracker Jul 2021 #4
For a YEAR!!! Rorey Jul 2021 #7
It may have been a month or so multigraincracker Jul 2021 #21
That's just awful Rorey Jul 2021 #23
I need to get it done but have put it off because of the pandemic. DURHAM D Jul 2021 #5
I can definitely understand that Rorey Jul 2021 #13
Thanks for posting. I've been thinking about it. The droop is annoying. Shrike47 Jul 2021 #6
I can hardly wait Rorey Jul 2021 #14
This is one time in your life to get creative Warpy Jul 2021 #8
LOL, you remind me of my son Rorey Jul 2021 #15
Medicare will cover if droopy eyelids are interfering with eyesight. Not if it's cosmetic. CousinIT Jul 2021 #9
Yep Rorey Jul 2021 #17
Mine is scheduled for the 28th at Emory CurtEastPoint Jul 2021 #16
Yay you! Rorey Jul 2021 #18
Thank you. I am a little nervous about it CurtEastPoint Jul 2021 #19
For some reason I wasn't even nervous Rorey Jul 2021 #20
A little update, in case I forget before your procedure Rorey Jul 2021 #25
Thank you! I just realized it's 8/4. The 28 is the day I stop taking aspirin! D'oh!! CurtEastPoint Jul 2021 #26
LOL, well it's a good thing you realized it! Rorey Jul 2021 #27
Just got home from my follow-up Rorey Jul 2021 #28
When was your procedure? CurtEastPoint Jul 2021 #29
It was last Monday in the afternoon NT Rorey Jul 2021 #30
Note to secretary: bobnicewander Jul 2021 #22
It'd be the Bride of Frankenstein for me Rorey Jul 2021 #24
I got the $$ stuff from Emory just now. I swear... insurance. Look at this: CurtEastPoint Jul 2021 #31
Insane! NT Rorey Jul 2021 #32

cilla4progress

(25,968 posts)
1. Cool -
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 10:23 AM
Jul 2021

keep us posted!

I'm assuming Medicare covered it because it was affecting your vision? It has been recommended to my husband for this reason.

Glad it was positive for you!

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
10. A couple of other annoyances
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 11:31 AM
Jul 2021

You can't wash your face for 48 hours, so I'm REALLY looking forward to doing that tomorrow afternoon. Also, I have to sleep with my head elevated 30-45 degrees, so my night last night wasn't great. Then when I got up at 4 a.m., I picked up my phone to check the time it looked like I was looking through the thickest fog ever, but it went away in minutes. I've been putting in my artificial tears, and you're supposed to put ice on your eyes for 15 minutes out of every hour. It took me a bit to figure out the best way to do that. I was worried about getting the incision wet with condensation from my bag of ice water, but I finally figured out that if I put a paper towel around it and put some guaze pads on my eyes it works pretty good. It sure does feel good.

I don't think your husband will regret it if he decides to get it done.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
11. It does make a difference
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 11:34 AM
Jul 2021

I'm not going to lie - I tried to look as droopy as possible for the photo submitted to insurance.

jimfields33

(19,215 posts)
3. I've known six people, family and friends
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 10:32 AM
Jul 2021

And they love it. Changed their lives for the better. I remember hearing one say the drops burn a little. But in awhile even that will be forgotten.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
7. For a YEAR!!!
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 11:24 AM
Jul 2021

I'm sort of a sun-shunner anyway, but I'll for sure wear sunglasses any time I go out the door from now on.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
23. That's just awful
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 02:12 PM
Jul 2021

I have my dark glasses right by the door so I don't even go out to check the mail without putting them on. I may even start wearing a hat, just to be sure.

Warpy

(113,131 posts)
8. This is one time in your life to get creative
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 11:27 AM
Jul 2021

when people ask what happened to you.

Fought ten bikers in a bar when one of them sassed me.

Was taking a ride in a Piper Cub. Who knew you should approach those from the back when the engines start?

You know I;e had troubles with my eyesight, What I thought was the neighbor's cat turned out to be a badger. An angry one.

Plus the old standdby, you should see what the bear looks like.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
15. LOL, you remind me of my son
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 11:40 AM
Jul 2021

We were waiting in line so my kids and grandkids could go on this little train ride at our local park, and I noticed my daughter-in-law wasn't there. I asked where she was and my son said, "She didn't give the right answer. She's putting on makeup."

He jokes like that all the time, but he'd have to deal with me if he was the kind of guy who would do such a thing. He's a good guy.

CousinIT

(10,352 posts)
9. Medicare will cover if droopy eyelids are interfering with eyesight. Not if it's cosmetic.
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 11:27 AM
Jul 2021

I have family members who had it done.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
17. Yep
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 11:42 AM
Jul 2021

The surgeon said he could also to a brow lift, but Medicare wouldn't cover it. $6,000, so no thanks. Then at my last visit he said that if the blephorplasty didn't do everything it was supposed to do that Medicare would pay for the brow lift. So we'll see.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
18. Yay you!
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 11:47 AM
Jul 2021

One thing I thought was going to be weird was when he put the eye shields over my eyeballs, but it was fine. They were blue. The anesthesiologist told me I could imagine myself at the ocean.

The surgeon started all of his drawing on my eyelids while I was still fully awake. It all just seemed to go very fast. My most pleasant surprise was how great I felt afterwards. I mean, I was just a little less than normal when it came to alertness. I had versed once for a dental implant, and I had to take a nap when I got home, but with whatever this was, I didn't even need a nap. I still took it easy though.

Good luck!


Editing to add: I'm super sensitive about my eyes. Wearing contacts is something I always knew I couldn't do. I finally just mastered putting in drops. I used to have to have my husband do it for me, but he's history so I had to learn to do it on my own.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
20. For some reason I wasn't even nervous
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 11:58 AM
Jul 2021

I was kind of worried about how relaxed my attitude was. I was more worried about having everything I'd need afterwards. But, honestly, I feel like I could probably do just about anything, so I have to keep reminding myself not to do anything strenuous.

I'll be looking forward to hearing about your experience.

BTW, my paperwork said to use crushed ice in water for the ice bag. I just used a ziplock-type freezer bag and put a paper towel around it. I didn't go to the trouble to crush the ice, and it's just fine. Feels good.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
25. A little update, in case I forget before your procedure
Sun Jul 18, 2021, 10:30 AM
Jul 2021

I'm doing great. I never did have any pain. There was some swelling the first few days. I was told to sleep with my head elevated, and I did that the first night. I didn't the second night, but I should have. When I woke up that second morning, my eyes were very swollen. I continued to use cold packs for the first few days, and it definitely helped.

So here I am, Day 6, and I feel great. My surgeon used steri strips over the stitches, and they're still there, so I don't still don't look presentable. I've been following the instructions about not getting them wet. Hopefully the doctor will take them off at my follow-up appointment on Tuesday. The bruising is getting better every hour, and I honestly forget most of the time that I've even got anything going on with my eyelids. Everything feels normal.

My instructions said not to shower for 48 hours, but I very carefully did shower. At first I just avoided my head altogether, but after that first 48 hours I rigged up a cover for my eyes so I could wash my hair in the shower too. I feel like a big part of healing is feeling as good as possible, and I do better when I'm refreshed.

The next time I have any need to have cold packs, I'm going to set up some ziplock bags with crushed ice so they'll be ready to just grab and add water to them when I use them. It's very important to add water. Don't just use ice. I'm sure that'll be in your instructions.

I went to the grocery store yesterday with my sunglasses on to get some produce. It worked out well, except that my sunglasses fogged up a bit because I was wearing a mask too. It felt good to get out of the house for a bit.

Oh, and protect your eyelids from the sun after you get this done! My instructions said they'll be sensitive to sunlight for a year. Honestly, though, we should all be protecting our eyes from the sun anyway, so I'm hoping I can just always be in the habit of wearing sunglasses when outdoors from now on.

I'm looking forward to hearing how everything goes for you.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
27. LOL, well it's a good thing you realized it!
Sun Jul 18, 2021, 11:31 AM
Jul 2021

It would have sucked to show up on the 28th!

I had to stop NSAIDs 10 days prior. The only thing I normally take is my low-dose aspirin, so it wasn't too difficult to remember not to take anything.

What I kept almost forgetting was to not eat or drink after 6 a.m. on the day of the surgery. My procedure wasn't until 1:30, so I got to have that 6 a.m. cutoff time. I was happy I got to have my coffee, but I just didn't feel like eating that early. I made sure I was very hydrated the day before so I wouldn't feel too thirsty.

It was just all very easy!

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
28. Just got home from my follow-up
Tue Jul 20, 2021, 11:11 AM
Jul 2021

Everything is great. The doctor took off the steri tape, and I look much better. There's still a little bit of bruising and swelling. He commended me for keeping the steri tape dry.

I wanted to mention that I read this morning that another doctor recommended frozen peas for the cold packs because they're lighter than ice on the delicate eye tissue. I think if I had it to do over, I'd stick with the crushed ice in water. I'm almost wondering if the extra weight and the way it just sunk right down into my eyes helped the swelling.

The bottom line advice I can give is to follow the instructions to the letter. My doctor was impressed with my healing.

bobnicewander

(927 posts)
22. Note to secretary:
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 12:34 PM
Jul 2021

Congrats to Rorey.

Schedule for right before Halloween and order Frankenstein outfit. Make that 2, one to wear while one is being cleaned.

Rorey

(8,513 posts)
24. It'd be the Bride of Frankenstein for me
Tue Jul 13, 2021, 02:14 PM
Jul 2021

But great idea. I do, indeed, look frightening. Supposedly the worst bruising is the morning after the procedure, but I didn't have it done until about 2 p.m., and it has increased a little since I woke up.

Time for ice again.

CurtEastPoint

(19,207 posts)
31. I got the $$ stuff from Emory just now. I swear... insurance. Look at this:
Fri Jul 23, 2021, 01:00 PM
Jul 2021

What they want to get. What Aetna will pay. What Curt will owe. What a scam. Top row = surgeon, facility etc. 2nd row = anesthesia.


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