I recently had a lower blepharoplasty to remove undereye bags; this is my journey.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

I did something for myself last month; I had surgery to address my undereye bags and dark circles.

Over the years, I have tried everything to reduce their appearance, but because I had fat pads underneath my eyes, surgery was the only option.

After extensive research, I set up a consultation with Dr. Sean Paul, an oculofacial plastic surgeon with Austin Face & Body.

I liked him right away.

He recommended a lower blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure that goes behind the lower eyelid to remove fat and fix dark circles, paired with Halo laser to my neck and face.

The Halo is an intense laser treatment used to tighten the skin, minimize pores, fade sun spots and soften lines and wrinkles.

And on Tuesday, July 15, I had both procedures.

I’m sharing my journey for others who might be thinking about eyelid surgery.

The total cost: $9,081 cash pay. (It’s 3% higher if using a credit card.)

SURGERY DAY

I arrived at Austin Face & Body about 8:30 a.m., an hour before my scheduled surgery.

I met with the surgery nurse, anesthesia nurse and Dr. Paul before I was taken back.

They answered all of my questions and put me right at ease (although my nerves were a little shaky).

I was told that the entire procedure would take about 1 ½ hours and that I would wake up feeling like I had a really bad sunburn.

They weren’t lying.

When I came to, I was wearing a cooling mask, but it did little to put out the flame that had become my face.

It was intense.

I immediately asked for pain and nausea medication.

By 11:30 I was in the car with my daughter and heading back to our condo.

The burning from the Halo lasted about two hours and the surgery left my eyes feeling heavy and dry, but there was very little discomfort.

I ate a light lunch, took another pain pill and a long nap.

Day 2: The morning after my surgery.

DAY 2 POST-OP

I slept ok on the first night after surgery. The biggest problem was the fact that I had to sleep slightly elevated and on my back.

That’s hard for a side-sleeper who likes a really flat pillow.

I woke up about 2 a.m. to put a cold compress and ointment on my eyes and take a pain pill.

I wasn’t hurting, but my eyes felt heavy and I thought the pain med would help me go back to sleep.

I woke up to swelling, nothing too horrible, and very light bruising.

I felt pretty good.

Day 3: This was the worst day by far.

DAY 3 POST-OP

I was told this would be the worst day in terms of swelling and that was true.

I woke up with eyes that were almost completely swollen shut.

The bruising was slightly darker and I had a purple ring around my right eye.

I looked like a prize fighter.

My eyes were very sensitive to light so I stayed indoors with the blinds pulled down.

My face and neck were swollen from the Halo and covered with brown spots called MENDs (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris), which translates to dead skin tissue. 

My skin was as dry as the Sahara Desert and I pickled myself in Alastin Skin Nectar and recovery balm to get some relief.

As unpleasant as it was, there was zero pain and I was happy that I had gone through with the procedure.

I just needed time to heal, so I listened to a book on Audible and rested.

Day 4: I felt way better than I looked.

DAY 4 POST-OP

It’s now Friday (I had the procedure done on Tuesday) and I am starting to feel restless.

The swelling is slowly getting better, I finished the antibiotic and I’m no longer taking pain meds.

I feel waaaay better than I look.

My eyes are still weirdly shaped and I look a little cross-eyed. The skin on my face and neck is completely covered in brown spots and feels rough to the touch.

But with a long, hot shower and clean hair, I am feeling human again.

The Husband and I even joined friends for a short happy hour.

It was the first time I have ever worn sunglasses indoors.

One week later: I still can't wear makeup, but I am beginning to see improvement.

ONE WEEK POST-OP

My face is almost healed and I am beginning to see the benefits of the Halo – new, clearer soft skin.

I’m going to love this.

My eyes are still healing and I am randomly struck with a sharp pain in my eye that lasts a few seconds.

Reading, watching TV or working on my computer is impossible for long periods of time.

The bruising is gone, but the undereye puffiness still exists.

I still can’t wear any makeup or engage in strenuous activity.

TWO WEEKS POST-OP

I have finally been released to exercise and wear makeup.

I still have some residual undereye swelling, which is most prominent in the morning.

My eyes still tire easily, but it’s much, much better.

I am absolutely thrilled with my results.

Three weeks later: I will be dealing with ongoing swelling for the next several months, but it's much better!

THREE WEEKS POST-OP

I still wake up every morning with slight swelling in my upper cheeks, but by mid-day it’s mostly gone.

I am back to my old self and the bags have, well, disappeared.

Dr. Paul says my eyes and face will continue to improve over the next few months and I can’t wait to see the final results.

He calls the lower bleph “the magic eraser,” and it is.

Fixing my undereye bags took years off my face and the money I spent was worth every penny.

If you are thinking about doing an upper or lower bleph, do your research. It was important to me that I use an oculofacial plastic surgeon that specializes in eyes.

Dr. Paul has an amazing bedside manner and his team of caregivers at Austin Face & Body was top notch.

My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.