Met with my ocular surgeon yesterday for my 3 month check up. Overall, he was pleased with the placement of the eyes, but he remarked that the scarring on my face was a less than desirable outcome, as was the sag on my upper eyelids. He would like me to consider an upper eyelid surgery this spring, as well as some botox around the eye to speed and improve the healing around my scars…..I’ll post some photos later today when my camera shows up! LOL!
I’m torn about the botox. First of all, it’s not covered by insurance, and costs about $20 a unit. He is suggesting 20 units total, so that’s $400. Second of all, its botox….a second cousin to botulism. Also, I’ve seen many an actress who has had a few too many units of this stuff (like Nicole Kidman) and they look like they are devoid of any kind of personality.
The upper lid surgery will probably happen, though. But I’m not making any decisions until January. I want to enjoy my holidays without thinking about my next surgery, thank you very much!
Hi Beth .you and your family hae a good thanks giving . we do have a lot to be thankfull for right now .
shur are a lot of folks being out of work and losing there homes . how unfair . Ti
I have just found your website, and I am at work, i haven’t had a chance to read it all. It’s so nice to even see that there are other people out there like me, this is so scary. I have had the decompression surgery and the stitches are still healing, not looking too great yet. Dr. said they will be fine but, I feel like frankenstein. I used to be kinda cute, now I am just plane old and ugly. It took 6 years to get diagnosed which is beyond crazy. meanwhile I was on prednizone for too long and I have gained 60lbs. Now, my right eye keeps tearing constantly, dr. wanted to do eye lid surgery, i don’t understand that, it doesn’t make since. I forgot to ask him where the stitches will be at, do you know?? He said I would only miss a day of work. But, I doubt that is true, if I look like a monster, I can’t go to work, it scares people. Do you understand the eye lid surgery?
Linda;
Here is a link that describes the surgery with some photos:
http://www.klapperplasticsurgery.com/treat_gravessurgery.html
I have to admit that I’ve done little to no research yet, as the holidays are upon me, and I’m planning on jumping in sometime after Christmas. I plan to blog and photo the process from beginning, middle end as I did with the ODS.
I really understand your feelings regarding your appearance. It is hard for us ladies to undergo such drastic facial/body changes. I don’t have the benefit of photos of you, but I just know that you are your own worst critic, and it is doubtful that anyone else feels that you look monstrous…..seriously.
I have, however, found that I wear make-up more liberally than I used to, and I’ve found that applying an under eye conceler to my eyes and setting it with a loose powder before applying a mixture of 50/50 facial moisturizer to foundation seems to give enough coverage to camoflage the scars. If you are not familiar with make-up, I suggest you take a trip to your nearest M.A.C. counter….they have the best line makeup without mica, which deposits too much shine to the face. Let them show you how to best apply foundation, a little bit of eye liner and mascara…..you’ll be amazed how much better you look and feel about yourself! Do it for yourself…you needn’t buy anything if you can’t afford it, but let them show you how to apply it and then take off for Rite-Aid to by the knock off stuff!!
And, yes, I’m fighting with the weight thing to. I have been enjoying walks and working out on a regular basis to keep the weight from creeping up…you needn’t join a gym….just start with 15 minutes of walking a day and work up from there. Baby steps, Linda.
Most of all, realize that you are not alone. There are many online groups, just search through Google or Facebook….it would be nice for you to have a supportive community of people who know exactly how you feel.
Good Luck, and come back whenever!!
I really want this surgery too.. It is my dream.. I hate my enlarged eyes… I hide them behind sunglasses everyday….that is my ritual.. Graves disease really can destroy a person’s appearance… In today’s vain society being different isn’t always beneficial.. I love your website… keep up the writing…