Cosmetic Surgery: Vanity Has Its Limits

A few years ago, my 50^th high school reunion loomed a few months out.  As it is for so many others, that event reminded me of my advancing years and wrinkles.  The worst for me was my eyes.  A television ad appeared at just the right time for a company performing facelifts on aging faces.  I telephoned them the very next morning.

A week later, I sat in their office watching a video showing the “before” and “after” of numerous procedures.  Of course, I was interested!  That is, until I heard the $7,600 price tag on this “miracle.”  I settled on having my upper eyelids “fixed.”

This procedure, officially called a blepharoplasty, was quick and painless.  The physician used some kind of pen to mark the areas on each eyelid where slices would be made.  Then he made tiny, painless injections of a numbing agent all around the upper eyelids.  There must not be many nerve endings in that area, because it really didn’t hurt.  I was offered a tranquilizer, but I refused it. I told the doctor I wanted to watch but he laughed at me.

A short time later, I was in the car headed home.  We even stopped for a fast-food lunch along the way – sunglasses securely in place to hide the damage.  I was so pleased with the surgery and healing process that I considered taking the next step – a “lift” to tighten my neck.

Two weeks after the eyes were “done,” I visited the medical office for a final check-up, expecting to see the doctor.  Instead, an over-worked tech came in, took one look, and pronounced me healed.

I had questions.  I wanted to know the truth about recovering from a full facelift.  The video I had previously watched and the sales rep with whom I spoke made it sound like recovery would only be a few days and would be very simple and painless.

Good thing I cornered this tech, because I learned that for 7 days, I would be trussed up like a turkey with a bandage wrapped around my head and neck, covering my ears.  For someone with severe claustrophobia, this was not good news;  but at least I had an honest answer.

My newly-tightened eyelids – mostly paid for by insurance – and I made our way home, content with the results and the decision made:  I will grow old gracefully, wrinkles and all!

For anyone considering the upper eyelid surgery, here is a photo to give you an idea of the recovery process and final result…WARNING! It isn’t pretty!

One look in the mirror, and I was certain I had been maimed for life.   It really was a scary sight!  A few days later, the redness was fading, and I was left with the yellowing from the bruising under the skin.  By my high school 50th reunion two months later, all was well.  There were no after-effects, no concerns.  I just wish the wrinkles and crow’s feet beneath the eyes could be taken care of as easily.