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Original poster

Has anyone had an upper blepharoplasty and regretted it?

87 replies

uppereyewobble · 02/11/2020 17:00

I am about to have an upper blepharoplasty on Wednesday (I think it's also known as an eye lift or upper eyelid surgery) and I'm having a major wobble (as my changed username says!) about the whole thing - am seriously considering backing out or at least postponing it.

If there's anyone who's had this procedure and regretted doing it would you be able to tell me why that was. My main concern is scarring and not looking like me. Added to that I bruise easily and I worry that I will look as though I've been in the boxing ring - and lost for several weeks to come!

I have found a very reputable surgeon but I'm just feeling very apprehensive about it all. Did anyone else feel the same?

And any tips to help a good recovery would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
uppereyewobble · 04/11/2020 07:08

It’s been moved to tomorrow, so one more day to wait....have decided to definitely go ahead with it.

I was told to avoid alcohol the week before and during recovery - was anyone else told this? It would’ve been nice to have a glass of wine to calm my nerves but stuck to fizzy water!

OP posts:
KatharinaRosalie · 04/11/2020 12:23

I had a glass or two the previous evening

trumpisaflump · 04/11/2020 15:33

I had a drink the night I got it done.

Summery1 · 04/11/2020 15:58

Best of luck wobble - and I'd love to know how you are getting on.

Bookaholic73 · 06/11/2020 17:55

I hope you’re doing well @uppereyewobble
Sending you lots of healing thoughts!

Original poster
uppereyewobble · 06/11/2020 22:02

Thank you! Healing thoughts are gratefully received Smile

Am back home, it was actually done this am in the end and can say in all honesty I’ve had hardly any pain, more a feeling of discomfort from general swelling and bluriness from the ointment. My eye lids are turning a very dark shade of purple and I think that might well travel downwards soon. I’ve been very careful to stay upright, not bending over and drinking lots of water. My right eye feels ever so slightly sore on the outermost corner but I think if I keep using my eye mask (which freezes) and some witch hazel pads (kept cool in the fridge) that will hopefully help. The consultant did say eyes always heal asymmetrically so there’s bound to be differences. I’ve got some antibiotic ointment to use too.

The stitches come out in a week’s time and I’ll see the consultant a week after that. Have been very fortunate to have a wonderful DP who has been looking after me, couldn’t have managed things without him! I’ve invested in a V pillow and am going to attempt to sleep sitting up! Fingers crossedSmile

OP posts:
Summery1 · 07/11/2020 22:43

That's gret wobble - though I was a bit Shock at 'heal asymmetrically'

musicalfrog · 08/11/2020 08:18

Could I ask how much this costs, just a ball park figure please?

trumpisaflump · 08/11/2020 10:57

@musicalfrog mine cost £1200 but I'm in Scotland so will be cheaper than the South.

Original poster
uppereyewobble · 08/11/2020 12:02

I think what the surgeon meant when he said eyes heal asymmetrically is that rather than having one area to heal you’re dealing with two by the very nature of the fact they’re eyes! I suppose the same would apply for a breast augmentation as opposed to let’s say a tummy tuck.

Am feeling good today, not as much bruising as I had expected just a feeling of tightness and there is some swelling which goes down if I ice it regularly.

Mine was £3500 but I am in London and it was done at a highly regarded clinic - not to say that means a guaranteed good result and only time will tell if I’ve made the right decision.

OP posts:
TabbyStar · 08/11/2020 12:24

Thanks for this OP, I'm hoping to get mine done on the NHS, I'm constantly lifting up one eyebrow to be able to see, which has caused pain across one side of my face and head, and limits how long I can concentrate on my computer to work. It twitches all the time too. I "failed" NHS tests the first time because they didn't explain what they were doing, so I was lifting my eyebrow up as normal so it wasn't affecting my vision. They're letting me have a second go though in a hospital with better measuring equipment. Normally at this stage I would have given up and paid, but my savings are disappearing because of covid so I can't this time. Any surgery is a bit scary though, so it's good to hear other people's experiences, glad yours seems to be okay.

caringcarer · 08/11/2020 12:51

Lockdown is a good time to get it done as any bruises will be gone once we can go out again. You will be stepping out looking years younger.

catmadcaz · 08/11/2020 16:24

I had both eyes done NHS in August this year. I had a fair amount of bruising and swelling. I found that ice packs were my friends at this time. My stitches were in for 2 weeks and on my left eye I had keloid scar tissue which formed around the stitches.

After having the stitches removed I continued to have the keloid scaring. I got a tube of kelo-kote gel for this type of scaring, and after a few weeks it made the bumps disappear.

My scars are still red but are healing well now, but my eyes are still sensitive to wind and bright lights. I have just had a eye test and passed the peripheral test this time!

musicalfrog · 08/11/2020 20:07

This is great, thanks for the info ladies x

princessTiasmum · 08/11/2020 21:51

I had mine done a long time ago, but no pain and some bruising,
Last July i had my left one done on the NHSas i had bells palsy a few years ago and it left my left eyelid a bit droopy
The surgeon a lady did really good job and classed it as a forehead lift, as it was my forehead that had dropped a bit
I am really pleased with it,as it made a big difference
It was done with no scarring and the stitches were somehow concealed under my skin, dissolving stitches,so only had to go back for a checkup,
I was told if it dropped again i could go back and have it done again,
Hardly any bruising,and was so pleased as had been saving up to have it done privately
I was referred through my optician initially and had to have peripheral eye tests, but thrilled with it
You will not regret it op

WaltzingBetty · 08/11/2020 22:16

[quote trumpisaflump]@musicalfrog mine cost £1200 but I'm in Scotland so will be cheaper than the South. [/quote]
Whereabouts in Scotland?do you have a recommendation please?

trumpisaflump · 08/11/2020 22:25

@WaltzingBetty I went to Miss Strick at BMI Carrick Glen in Ayr.

RuthTopp · 17/11/2020 09:09

How's your bruising, all gone or going hopefully ?
Are you seeing the change yet

Chuchyduck · 17/11/2020 12:50

My Mum had both upper and lower done and is delighted, several years on. Her upper lids look so much better, she looks great.

165EatonPlace · 17/11/2020 13:26

I had mine done 10 years ago in Manchester. No regrets. Cost £2000.
I have a friend had itdone on the NHS. The Consultant did one eye whilst her Registrar did the other. She said she is able to tell the difference.

Original poster
uppereyewobble · 17/11/2020 21:23

Hello! I am so pleased I went through with it, I’ve been very lucky I think - I can’t believe that it was only 11 days ago. I also think my surgeon was really good! Plus taking things very easy as he advised (no bending/lifting heavy things/icing my eyes/sleeping upright and resting). And wearing sunglasses when outside - what with that and my face mask you wouldn’t know meSmile

I had the stitches out after a week (pretty painless) and to my surprise there was hardly any bruising, if any. There was quite a bit of swelling, probably more noticeable after the stitches were removed because the dressings had hidden it to an extent. But I’ve been religiously applying cooling witch hazel eye pads and it seems to have really helped - I think it will take time for the swelling to fully disappear but it’s only me who really can feel/see it. I also iced my eyes frequently for the first 72 hours and slept upright. But now there’s hardly anything to show what I’ve had done - the scars are there but you can’t see them unless you get really close as my eyelid fold hides them. I haven’t worn any makeup yet as I want to make sure they’re totally healed. And I look so much more awake and refreshed, it’s superseded all my expectations.

One thing I would say is I barely used the circular gel ice pads and eye mask I bought - the best thing I found was small bags of frozen petit pois as they fitted my eyes perfectly and molded themselves to my eye shape.

OP posts:
gkfsi · 19/02/2021 09:41

hey, I am joining this post a little late. But am due to have upper Blepharoplasty in a couple of weeks and so nervous. How are your eyelids now OP? Are you still pleased you went ahead with it. Any reassurance appreciated. Also open to hearing about bad results to get a balanced view.

poopyface · 21/02/2021 09:16

Also just adding to thread - am saving up and researching at the mo.

pinkyredrose · 21/02/2021 09:54

I'm interested in this too. Does anyone know who are the best surgeons for this in London/South East?

poopyface · 21/02/2021 12:28

I’m in south west if anyone has recommendations for bath/Bristol