I inherited my Nana’s eye bags
This is the first of a series about my blepharoplasty. I wanted to share my experience with those who might secretly want to take the step, but are afraid because…well, it’s surgery and it’s plastic surgery and it feels like there’s no middle ground with the subject. I was on the “Don’t Do It” side of the fence, but something changed. It’s funny. When you’re young with no wrinkles and not a spare ounce of fat on you, you swear that you’ll NEVER be one of those women who gets plastic surgery. And yet, here I am at 70 years old and I’m eating those words. The funny thing is that for the past almost 20 years, I’ve been obsessed with the bags under my eyes which seemed to get bigger and baggier, needing more and more expertise in putting on concealer (which, by the way – draws more attention to them, but I kept trying).
I would have rather inherited her jewelry.
To make matters worse, I have dark circles, making the bags stand out even more. FYI, I’ve had dark circles since I was a child. that are a part of who I am, plus they are manageable with a good concealer (isn’t that what cosmetics are for?). But, the heavy bags, and the constant feeling of puffiness that made me look perpetually exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep, bothered me. Every time I looked into the mirror I saw my Nana staring back at me. In my memories, she’s old (and a little scary).
I went to a medspa to have some stuff injected under my eyes and was sent away with a “WE CAN’T HELP YOU” with that, you need surgery. But, after having so many necessary surgeries (I had seven just to be able to walk again after an accident 17 years ago), I was a little scared. What would I look like? What if something went wrong? I’ve had so much anesthesia, would I be walking a fine line having it again? Am I just being vain?
The turning point came during a video call with a friend. We were catching up, but all I could focus on was the image staring back at me on the screen. The bags under my eyes seemed to dominate my entire face. It was a wake-up call.
Research and Reassurance
My quest for information began. I devoured articles, watched countless YouTube videos (both helpful and horrifying), and talked to friends who’d had the procedure. I saw the difference it made in not only their looks but their confidence as well. Hmmm, I was starting to turn around my old way of thinking. I might just be interested, but there was still a lot of work to be done.
Finding Dr. Bassin: Expertise
The jitters, however, were a persistent companion. The thought of someone wielding a scalpel near my eyes kept flashing in my head. That’s why choosing the right surgeon was paramount.
Enter Dr. Bassin of Bassin Plastic Surgery. If you know ANYTHING about how I find doctors, you know that if they didn’t go to a school in the northeast or a prestigious university, they were OUT. My sister-in-law.once walked into a doctor’s office and told him that she had an entire dossier on him. I knew that I needed to do the same before making an appointment. So, I began to search.
A quick look online (thank you Google), I learned that Dr. Bassin went to George Washington University, graduated Magna Cum Laude, and Phi Beta Kappa, and was accepted into the George Washington University medical school as part of their Early Selection program – ✔️. He’s board-certified by the American Board of Oculofacial Plastic Surgery, fellowship-trained, and a member of numerous prestigious medical societies -✔️. He passed my first test with flying colors.
I knew that if I Had Trepidations so Did Others
As I said, I’d talked to a few friends who’d had a blepharoplasty. All of them were writers like me, but none had written about their experience. Did they not want others to know that they had plastic surgery? Is it a taboo subject? If I had fears, questions, etc., I knew that others did too (I’ve since learned from my Facebook posts that a LOT of people have questions). I decided that if I were going to do this, I’d completely out myself. The good, the bad, and the ugly (scroll down to be horrified).
In the car ready to walk in to have my surgery
This Was About to Get Real
I made the appointment. I still had a lot of questions. During my consultation, Dr. Bassin wasn’t just informative; he was empathetic. He listened to my concerns, addressed my fears head-on, and explained the procedure in a way that was clear and reassuring. He pulled my bags to the side to show me what I would look like after. He addressed my fear over the anesthesia, it turns out that 85% of his patients have the procedure under local anesthesia (much like when you have dental work done).
- The worst part – I’d feel that pinch of the numbing injection
- The best part – I’d look younger (his words, not mine)
The Decision to Finally Do It
Empowered by knowledge and trust in Dr. Bassin, I took the plunge. Scheduling the surgery felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders. It was a decision not just about aesthetics, but about self-care and reclaiming myself. Was I nervous? Heck yeah. But, I knew that those butterflies in my stomach were nothing compared to the eventual outcome.
Grateful Dead songs were playing during my surgery. Photo by Herb Greene – Billboard, page 9, 5 December 1970
The Blepharoplasty Experience
The day of the surgery arrived, and I confess, it was more than just a flicker of anxiety about doing it. I walked into the office, signed the papers, and took something to calm my nerves (he prescribed a mild sedative – much milder than I take to sleep). I kicked off my shoes and put on the hospital gown. Numbing drops were put into my eyes. The first of the anesthesia injections felt like a light pinch. I’ll admit that once he started the injections around the second eye, I stiffened up with anticipation (which made me feel it more). The contacts were placed (which strangely I had been obsessing over). I expected them to feel heavy and was weirdly anxious about not being able to see through them, but they weren’t uncomfortable and I could see the lights in the room around the perimeter of the lens (which oddly made me feel better).
I relaxed and listened to the Grateful Dead channel playing in the room. It was helpful that we have the same taste in music, although I kept wondering when Uncle John’s Band would play. My mind was not on the surgery. There was a nurse on either side of me to hold my hand (thank you Julie) if I needed it, and they used distraction during the procedure by tapping the back of my hand and chest. Each time I felt the taps, my mind went to that hand or my chest and away from those “what is he doing?” thoughts.
The entire procedure took under 30 minutes – 10 minutes for each eye with a 5-minute break in between. While I wouldn’t call it a spa day, it was far less daunting than I had anticipated.
Immediately after surgery – I looked like I was in a fight (and lost)
Recovery: The Not-So-Glamorous Side
The first few days post-surgery weren’t as rough as I had expected with a few exceptions.
- I looked like I’d just lost a fight with the champ with all of the bruising, and swelling. I left the office with bruises so purple that you’d think they were this year’s Pantone color of the year.
- Surprisingly there was no real pain. Dr. Bassin prescribed a pain reliever which remains FULL in my medicine chest. I did take Tylenol for the swelling, cold compresses became my constant companion, and oversized sunglasses became my new fashion statement.
- I had to sleep with my head elevated. If I could choose the ONE THING THAT WAS BAD about this whole journey, it would be that. I am a side sleeper, and not a very good one (understatement – I have menopausal insomnia). I opted to sleep on my husband’s ugly gray recliner. I was a terrible, horrible, no-good, cranky, achy, not-very-nice person for a few days (apologies to Alexander). Yes, I said it – THE WORST PART OF HAVING A LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY WAS HAVING TO SLEEP ON MY BACK WITH MY HEAD ELEVATED. Saying that makes me happy to get it off my chest and while it sounds absolutely ridiculous, it’s my truth.
- I couldn’t get water directly on my eyes for a bit, so I learned how to take relaxing baths, something I hadn’t done in 40+ years. I’ve kept that up.
- As the swelling subsided, I started to see a glimpse of the results, but don’t expect them overnight. I was told that the full recovery can take 6 months to a year.
One week post surgery – Frankeneyes
The Follow Ups
I knew there would be multiple follow-ups and while the thought of having to drive back and forth (I live an hour away) was a little inconvenient, knowing that everything was progressing the way it should was comforting. Follow-ups were at one week, two weeks, one month and I’ve got my next coming in three months. I also had to snap photos of myself and text them to the nurse (as well as phone calls checking on me). Knowing that they focus on after-care was the cherry on top for me.
2 weeks post surgery – WOW
The Reveal: Relief and Delight
It took about two weeks for the bruising to fully disappear. It’s now just shy of two months since my lower blepharoplasty and while there are still a few scars at the corners of my eyes, most have faded. But the transformation has been undeniable. My eyes look more awake, and somehow the clock has been turned back on my entire face. The puffiness that had haunted me for years is gone, replaced by a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Instead of being obsessed with bags when I look in the mirror, I’m obsessed with how happy I am at the results.
Candid photo, that’s when I really notice the difference.
Beyond Aesthetics: A Confidence Boost
The most surprising aspect of the entire experience wasn’t just the visible change, but the internal shift it triggered. I felt a surge of confidence I hadn’t experienced in years. It wasn’t just about looking younger; it was about feeling like the best version of myself.
6 weeks post surgery – I’m so happy with the results
Was it Worth It? A Resounding Yes
Looking back, I can’t believe I let fear hold me back for so long. Having a blepharoplasty was an investment in myself, in my well-being, and in my confidence. If you’re considering blepharoplasty and are wrestling with fear, you can always give Dr. Bassin a call and make an appointment. He has 5 locations here in Florida, but his patients come from all over because they want to be in the best, most capable hands. Let him know that Zippy sent you 😉
If you have any questions from the patient’s perspective, feel free to email me.
- You’ll find Dr. Bassin at The Bassin Center for Plastic Surgery
- I’ll be following up with another post in a month or so to show off the final results (yeah, I’m a show-off).
