Monday, June 13, 2016

Three Months After Eyelid Surgery

Last week I hit the three month recovery mark for my upper blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery.  This was significant to me as my surgeon said that it would take about three months for everything to completely heal up as well as for the swelling to go away.  I had a couple of tiny spots on my incisions that weren't quite healed at my three week follow up visit, along with one spot that seemed a little thicker than the rest of the incision, which Dr. Durairaj said was scar tissue.  He seemed confident that it would disappear, but reassured me that he could take care of it if need be.

Except for taking progress pictures at the one and two month marks (I wrote a reminder on my calendar to do this; otherwise, I totally would have forgotten), I pretty much moved on with life and didn't think about how my eyelids were coming along.  I did buy some eye shadow and had fun playing with makeup; it was great to actually see it on my eyelids instead of having it disappear, but I also realized that I'm not very adept with the application process so there were times when I looked like a pre-teen experimenting with her mother's makeup for the first time:
Two month progress picture...and a little heavy-handed with the eye shadow.
Three month progress picture...getting better with the eye shadow application, but I'm looking forward to seeing my niece in a couple of months - she'll show me how to do this properly, I'm sure.

While I didn't doubt my surgeon's assurances that I'd heal completely, there were times when I wondered if I would be the exception to the norm, or if it would take a lot longer.  However, as I discovered last week when I realized it had been three months since the surgery, my incisions have healed and are pretty much invisible.  And that scar tissue spot?  Smoothed out!  Everything did what it was supposed to do, and I feel like the old me again:
No more squinchy eyes!  

Along with having eyelids that no longer cover most of my eyelashes, they are also firmer to the touch, which I probably only noticed because I wear contacts - there's not as much skin to pull up when I put my contacts in.

Having this surgery was something that I'd wanted for quite a while; it took me a long time to build up the courage to have a consultation and then schedule the operation as I don't go into any kind of surgical procedure lightly.  I didn't have any desire to take 20 years off of my face; I didn't want to not look like myself - I just wanted to recognize myself in the mirror once more.  And now I do. 

24 comments:

  1. Like I said before, I didn't even realize this type of surgery was a thing. The lucky part is that since it is where it is, it can be easily covered up during the healing process. I am seeing a surgeon this month about a scar on my face which was always something I could never cover up, not even with the best make-up.

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    1. I hope you can get what you want with your surgeon regarding the scar - it will be interesting to see what is suggested. I hope you'll share it on your blog!

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  2. Isn't the healing process amazing? It's also funny how we don't trust the doctors giving the timeline and how everything is normal :D

    I am so glad the surgery gave you the results you wanted. You look great!

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    1. LOL, like how does the doctor know about this three month thing? Oh. ;)

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  3. I am so happy for you that the surgery turned out the way you wanted it too. Your pictures are very nice especially the last one. You have a great smile.

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    1. Thanks - I was pleased with the last shot (but not especially fond of the 15 before it - thank god for digital cameras, haha).

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  4. You look beautiful!

    So happy that everything healed perfectly after surgery and you are happy you did it.

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  5. You look great--I love your hair in that last picture. Now I want to grow my bangs out! Its also really generous of you to share this information with others.

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    1. Thanks! My hair was doing good that day but I swear, I'm about 60/40 with good hair days...not sure what is going on. Probably need a change of venue, LOL.

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  6. You look fantastic. Your eyeshadow work isn't all that bad but I'm sure you can get some great tips from a teen!

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    1. That's what I'm thinking - she was already good with makeup two years ago, so I'm holding out hope for some good lessons soon!

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  7. You look so happy in the pictures....sometimes taking the leap and doing something we fear brings such utter happiness....and the eyes look great also!!!

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    1. Well thank you! I am pretty happy in general. :)

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  8. You look beautiful! I am the same way with makeup, which is why I hardly ever wear any :D

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    1. It would figure that now that I'm ready to play more with make up, I can't see close up to apply it nicely...sighhhhhhhhhh.

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  9. Looks great, Shelley! You look happy and rested and ready to take on the world!

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    1. Tan, Rested, and Ready - no wait, that was the Nixon '88 campaign slogan. But thanks - I feel pretty good! :)

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  10. That is a REALLY nice photo of you. Isn't' it nice when something actually goes the way you want it to? ;)

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  11. You look beautiful! (not that you didn't before....)

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  12. Aww, yay! I am happy things healed on schedule as planned and that you are happy you did it! I totally do not get eye shadow either and need someone to teach me! I think yours looks good though!

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    1. Thanks - I'm still working on the eye shadow deal...it's fun when I make the effort to get it somewhat right. :)

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