The healing continues...

As I headed into day 4 of my ptosis surgery recovery, I was starting to get restless. I hadn't been out of the house in days, hadn't been able to lift anything heavier than five pounds and was getting tired of watching cable, surfing the internet and reading books. Still, it wasn't like I could go out to dinner or go for a run. I couldn't work out for another couple of weeks and I would have my stitches for a few more days.

The swelling was finally starting to go down. I would use the frozen gel packs a few times a day still, even though I wasn't required to. I figured it couldn't hurt with the healing. The bruising on my eyelids remained the same but I did start to notice the bruises had developed under my eyes as well.

After staying with family for the first four days, I went home to my own apartment on the fifth day. I was on my own and had to be careful to remember not to lift heavy items or bend over. One challenge that I did not anticipate was the washing machine. When clothes get stuck in the back, I was tempted to reach down for them. Instead, I used a spatula to fish the clothes out of the washing machine. It was a quick fix but it worked.

There wasn't much that was new in the next few days. I was just hoping for a rapid healing.

Day 4

Day 5

 

Day 6

Days 2 & 3 of Ptosis Surgery

After the first day and night of ptosis surgery, I was exhausted from a lack of sleep. I couldn't sleep for long because I had to keep using the frozen gel packs every 30 minutes. And I had difficulty getting comfortable. The first few nights I tried sleeping in a recliner but I found that be really uncomfortable. Then I tried laying in a bed with three pillows, also uncomfortable. I finally tried sleeping on the couch, which was the most comfortable. Still, I was operating on maybe two or three hours of sleep a night. 

The bleeding and oozing had stopped by the second day, but the swelling was getting worse. It was all normal, according to the surgeon, and the frozen gel packs were keeping it from getting worse.

I was able to shower, albeit very carefully. It's tough to wash your entire body when you can't bend over.

Day 2 of ptosis surgery recovery

On Day 3, the swelling was about the same but now it was time for the bruising to begin. The bruising started on my eyelids all around the sutures. My eyelids looked like cooked bacon at this point.

Day 3 of ptosis surgery recovery

Day 3 closed

But I was feeling better. In fact, I even had a few visitors on the third evening after surgery. We had a few appetizers and some wine. It might have been too much sodium for me though because my eyes seemed a great deal puffier the next morning.

Day of Ptosis Surgery

About two weeks prior to my ptosis surgery, I visited Dr. Maale's office for a pre-op appointment. I was given a sheet of instructions about the surgery and my recovery period, including how to care for the sutures, when I could shower, how to sleep, etc. I couldn't lift anything more than 5 pounds or bend over for two weeks (I would have to bend at the knees instead). I could shower the day after surgery. I couldn't wear eye makeup or contacts for a week. I had to sleep on two or three pillows for at least a week. Then, I visited the surgery center where they took blood and checked my vitals.

The day of surgery I arrived at the surgery center around 8 a.m. I was taken into a waiting room where people kept coming in to check my vitals, give me an IV, change my bed, etc. Before I knew it, I was whisked into the operating room by the anesthesiologist. They were cracking jokes and putting me at ease before they sent me off to sleep. 

The next thing I know I was awakened in the operating room and Dr. Maale was working away on my eyelids. It took me a few seconds but soon I was alert and well aware of what was going on in the operating room. Still I felt pretty calm for the most part. I couldn't feel a thing but I did notice that Dr. Maale was cauterizing at times. Kind of strange but it didn't hurt. I just kept breathing deeply to remain calm.

Dr. Maale gave me specific instructions to look down or close my eyes. Her assistant was asking me questions about my job, which diverted my attention from the operation. Dr. Maale had me sit up a couple of times to look in a mirror and see her progress. At one point I noticed that one eyelid seemed lower than the other. She agreed and said she would fix it. Soon, I was sent back to sleep. 

The next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room. I remember feeling alert almost immediately. I was in that room for a very short time, maybe five or 10 minutes. Then I was wheeled into post-recovery. After a trip to the restroom, I was given some water and crackers before being told it was time to go home.

I felt a bit woozy when I got home, probably from the anesthesia and from not eating for so long (it was about 12:30 p.m. at this point). I started to get hungry late in the afternoon and was starving by the evening.

My sutures began to bleed, ooze and swell as soon as I got home from surgery. I was given two gel packs, which were frozen and placed on my eyes between a piece of gauze. For the next 48 hours, I placed the gel packs on my eyes in 30-minute intervals - 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off. This helped to reduce swelling and bruising. 

I wasn't able to sleep much that night, partly because I needed to keep using the gel packs and also because I had to sleep elevated. Here is my photo from my first night. It's not pretty, I know.

First night after ptosis surgery

My Ptosis Diagnosis

I always knew I had droopy eyelids and as the years went on, my eyelids seemed to droop more and more. In the summer of 2011, I visited my optometrist and she mentioned that my eyelids looked significantly worse and heavier than the previous year. She gave me a few referrals of doctors who could help with my ptosis condition but she said Dr. Kim Maale was the best.

Soon after, I called Dr. Maale's office and scheduled a consultation. All of the staff in Dr. Maale's office were kind, helpful and professional, and they all talked about how Dr. Maale was an artist who created a natural look. Dr. Maale herself was professional and sharp. She immediately comes in and starts assessing your eyes but yet she has a gentle nature.

Once my insurance approved the surgery, I was ready to schedule the surgery. Just one problem: my deductible was $3,000, something I was unaware of. I wasn't ready to pay that kind of money, so I postponed the surgery until I could come up with the cash. Then a month later, I received a new job with a much better insurance plan.

In the spring of 2011, I contacted Dr. Maale's office and started the process once again. Once my new insurance approved everything, I scheduled my ptosis surgery for July 18, 2012.

My before and after images