My Eyelid Surgery Adventure

Let me start with a joke I once heard:

A middle-aged woman has a heart attack, and it leads to a near death experience while she’s on the operating table. As she suddenly sees God, she asks: “Is this it?”

God says: “No. You have another 30-40 years to live, my child.”

She recovers and decides to stay in the hospital and have a face lift, some liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tuck and have her hair dyed. She figures since she’s got another 30 or 40 years she might as well make the most of it.

She walks out of the hospital after the last operation and immediately gets hit by an ambulance and dies.

She arrives in front of God and asks: “I thought you said I had another 30 or 40 years?”

God replies: “Oh, sorry, I didn’t recognize you!”

This Joke Was Funny--Until it Became Frightening

This joke came to mind recently as I prepared for my own procedure—a blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery. Unlike the woman in the joke, I was not aiming for a new identity, but rather to regain clearer vision. My peripheral vision was compromised, and my excess eyelid skin was nearly covering the top of my eyes.

However, I’ll admit I hesitated—not just because of the joke but also at the thought of looking in the mirror and seeing myself as the latest addition to a Google search for “botched cosmetic surgery.”

Why Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty can be medically necessary for various reasons, including sagging upper eyelids that obstruct vision. In my case, these "meaty" upper eyelids made it difficult to see out of the corners of my eyes—troublesome both on and off the golf course. For others, the obstruction can even impact straight-ahead vision.

After years of consideration and discussions with my wife, I decided to proceed with upper eyelid Blepharoplasty, especially since Medicare, supplemented with an insurance policy, would cover the procedure 100%. Sagging eyelids only worsen with age, and it felt like now or never.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

With a referral from my ophthalmologist (or as I affectionately call him, my "I doc") and my own research, I landed on Dr. Nicholas Ramey, an Ophthalmologist and Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Roanoke. Dr. Ramey’s solid reputation and fully booked schedule gave me comfort—this was not going to be a rushed ordeal.

Or so I thought.

Tomorrow? Seriously?

On October 3rd, the day of my 6-month eye exam, I doc submitted the referral. That same afternoon, Dr. Ramey’s office called and asked, “Can you come in for a consultation tomorrow?” I tried every delay tactic in the book, but after understanding the limited availability, I reluctantly accepted.

The situation escalated quickly. Two patients had canceled their November surgeries, due to the post-op bruising that makes social appearances tricky during the holiday season (more on that later). This opened a rare window for me: November 13th. Otherwise, I would have to wait until March or even June.

The Procedure

On the day of surgery, Dr. Ramey made precise incisions in the natural crease of my upper eyelid, removed excess skin and fat, and then closed the incisions. The whole thing took about 30 minutes.

To my surprise, I felt no pain. I was awake, with an IV and numbing eye drops, and the procedure was over before I knew it. Here are the six steps I experienced of the upper blepharoplasty.

Post-Surgery: A Raccoon in the Mirror

The bruising, as expected, has been the most noticeable part of recovery. Here is a typical timeline for upper blepharoplasty:

1. Initial Bruising and Swelling:
   • Of course, immediately after surgery, you look fine.

• Swelling is often at its peak during the first 48-72 hours and gradually subsides.

• Bruising is most noticeable during the first 7-10 days after surgery.

1. Improvement:
   • Most visible bruising fades by the 2-week mark, allowing patients to resume social activities.
• Mild residual discoloration or swelling can persist for up to 3-4 weeks, depending on your body's healing process.
2. Complete Healing:
   • It may take 6-12 weeks for all residual swelling and any subtle bruising to fully disappear.

Kudos to Dr. Ramey and Vistar Eye Center

Here’s to Dr. Nicholas Ramey and the outstanding team at Vistar Eye Center. Dr. Ramey’s expertise as a surgeon showed not only through his surgical precision but also in his attentive and approachable demeanor. From the initial consultation to post-operative follow-up, he ensured I felt comfortable, valued, and well-informed every step of the way. His team provided exceptional support, professionalism, and genuine care. Together, they delivered a truly remarkable patient experience.

Looking Ahead

I did not get hit in the parking lot by an ambulance as the young lady in the joke, and I did not look in the mirror and see Joan Rivers. With the holidays, family gatherings, clients, and golf outings on the horizon, I am eager for the bruising to retreat. Stay tuned for Part 2 in next Tuesday’s update, where I will share how the healing progresses—and whether my vision and golf game have improved!