Have any of you had blepharoplasty surgery?

[Ronni]

My upper lids have sagged to the point that it’s starting to affect my vision. It’s like trying to see above the brim of a baseball cap.

For those who aren’t familiar, the procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. While blepharoplasty is often a cosmetic procedure, in my case it will improve my vision because my sagging eyelids obstruct my field of vision.

When I had my glaucoma and cataract surgery, my eye doc suggested it was time to address the problem. He suggested waiting one more year to ensure that my insurance would cover it as a necessary medical procedure rather than a cosmetic one.

You can’t see my eyelashes any more and I unconsciously tilt my head back a bit to see better.

Have any of you had this procedure done?

 

[JustDave]

I knew a guy who had it done. I went to visit him a day or two after the surgery not knowing he had the surgery or that there even was such a thing. He came to the door looking like he had been in a bar brawl and lost. He had it to fix his vision like you. It was worth it. A week later he looked normal.

 

[MountainRa]

I had the surgery for the exact same reasons you are needing it. I felt like there was always a shadow hanging over my eyes. My insurance paid for it. The surgery was fairly simple but you will not want to leave the house for about a week due to looking like you’ve been in a terrible fight.
The surgery definitely helped my vision.

i have glaucoma as well.

 

[George1959]

Is the procedure done with local anesthesia or does it require general anesthesia?

 

[jujube]

No, but I need it! My upper lids are really saggy.

 

[GoodEnuff]

Yes, I have had it. About 15 years ago. It was performed under what is termed "conscious sedation", not general anesthesia. They want you to be awake enough to follow directions such as "open your eyes", to see what they are doing. I remember only one instance of that while in the OR. They may have also used a local anesthetic (bupivicaine or lidocaine?). I don't remember anything after leaving the pre-op area until "waking up" in the OR when they asked me to open my eyes; the surgeon was standing at the foot of the table checking to make sure the lids were "even".

At the same time, they shortened the upper lid muscles, a more complicated procedure. I was off work for about a week, mainly because my work involved being exposed to potential contamination of the wounds. I do not remember any pain post-operatively. I was glad and am still glad I had it done. Know, however, that gravity continues forever and now, they are starting to sag a bit again.

I worked in the OR as an ophthalmology nurse so I knew the surgeon quite well, had worked with her for several years. You want an ophthalmology surgeon who is also certified in plastic surgery for eyes.

Yes, the insurance paid for it. Also, the insurance was through the hospital in which I worked so that was a definite advantage. It is a day surgery, no overnight hospital stay. I would do it again if it was necessary.

 

[Jules]

One thing to discuss is the inability to totally close your eyes while sleeping. I was told this when enquiring about my one eye which has major problems.

 

[Jace]

One thing to discuss is the inability to totally close your eyes while sleeping. I was told this when enquiring about my one eye which has major problems.

Yes,.good advive

 

[oldman]

Yes, I had it done in 1990. I had both eyes fixed. I had the fat pockets under both eyes removed. Because it was cosmetic, I had to pay the bill. Afterwards, it appeared that I went a round with Ali. Both eyes were black and blue, so I wore sunglasses, no matter what the weather was or the time of day. After about 2 weeks most of it had cleared up. I was very much satisfied with the outcome.

 

[Teacher Terry]

A friend of mine paid to have it done and she also had the bags beneath her eyes removed and she looked 10 years younger afterwards. The insurance didn’t pay because her top lids weren’t falling enough when she had the surgery done.

 

[Jace]

Hi!.Ronni...I empathize ..while waiting for surgery..
A Temporary 'fix's ..when out&about..could be
double sided eye tape to hold up lid.
might give it a try
or consult doctor about
Good Luck!

 

[Ronni]

Is the procedure done with local anesthesia or does it require general anesthesia?

I don’t know for sure. I haven’t had that conversation with my doc yet. But I’ve done a lot of research on the procedure, and it appears that it is typically done with a combination of local anesthesia and light sedation so that you’re awake during the surgery and can respond to the doctors instructions.

Seems like it’s similar sedation to what I had when I had the cataract and glaucoma surgery.

 

[Ronni]

One thing to discuss is the inability to totally close your eyes while sleeping. I was told this when enquiring about my one eye which has major problems.

Yeah I’ve read about this too! A definite talking point with my doc when I’m ready to have this done!

 

[oldman]

Is the procedure done with local anesthesia or does it require general anesthesia?

When I had my eyes done, I went to sleep. The doctor said it’s safer for me to go to sleep because if I should make a quick move, he could stick me in the eye if I was awake. They use Propofol, which is kind to wake up from.