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Posted by: Rita Molnar ® 01/21/2003, 16:07:21 Author Profile Mail author |
Hi, everyone.... Thanks so much for your hugs, prayers & well wishes prior to my eyelid surgery on the 13th. I'm back, and although not 100% yet (just got my stitches out this afternoon), I'm feeling quite well, despite puffy, sore, black, red, blue and yellow eyes. (Lucky me...I now have eyes to match any outfit I decide to wear.) The blood pressure stayed at a reasonable level this time around, so the surgery was able to be completed without incident. You might recall my personal hopes for this surgery. Although not considered a treatment for BEB, I decided to have blepharoplasty because I felt that the excessive tissue around my eyes was one of the triggers to the blinking and squinting, and that once removed, I might experience some improvement. It is a little too soon to evaluate the effects, since I still have a bit of healing to do...but I do have one interesting observation I'd like to share....While I still continue to react to bright sunlight and to movement, I do not have to work as hard to keep my eyelids open (I now feel much like I did when I scotch-taped my eyes open to drive) If this is the only relief I get from the surgery, I will still have considered it worthwhile, even though the BEB is still with me. I will keep you all apprised of any progress or regression. Right now, I'm looking at 7 days of bulletin board postings I need to catch up on, but not today, because my eyes are getting real tired. Again...thanks to all of you for keeping me in your prayers. Love...Rita in a freezing New Jersey.... |
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Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty -- Rita Molnar Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Joanne Matuzas ®
01/23/2003, 17:49:48
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Rita, Thanks for keeping us abreast of your surgery and I'm really glad
to hear the blood pressure was stable. I might consider the blepharoplasty somewhere down the line as my lids are getting heavier as well. A few folks in my local support group have had it also. I wondered if you had botox injections shortly before the surgery or what was the procedure in that regard? If you told us, I've forgotten..:<)My folks live in NJ and I know the temps have been really cold...
I encourage them to stay in since they are elderly but who can tell if
they listen to me!!! Role reversal.....Good healing, God Bless and take care til we hear from you again.
Joanne M. San Diego, CA
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Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty Re: Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty -- Joanne Matuzas Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Rita Molnar ®
01/24/2003, 23:36:46
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Hi Joanne....As I was planning my first attempt at the surgery back in September, I specifically asked both my neuro-opth and the plastic surgeon if Botox would have any effect on the site, and if I should hold off on them until afterwards. They both shrugged their shoulders and said that they did not feel it mattered, so it probably doesn't. But maybe I should have dug a little deeper an asked them if they'd had experience with people on Botox who were opting for Blepharoplasty.
It was my own decision to distance the Botox injections from the surgery because I felt safer doing it that way. I had my surgery almost 3 months after my last Botox injections. My surgery was on the 13th, and I would have been getting the Botox on the 17th. I cancelled that appointment, of course, because I didn't need anyone going near my eyes that first week. Right now, I'm "on hold", ready to re-schedule the shots, but feeling like I don't need them just yet. This is quite remarkable, I think, since I've already gone a week beyond the usual interval.
While I am not claiming a cure, the surgery seems to have helped to a large degree. Even though I continue to feel spasms, they have less effect, to the point where I am able to drive and function quite well so far without my eyes slamming shut. I don't know if this will be long-lasting, but right now, I'm very pleased with my decision to have gone ahead with this of surgery. It's even given me some incentive for a "new beginning".... I started a diet, and am working on a fitness program.
I'm sure your folks are just fine...It has been dreadfully cold, but it bites you the moment you open your door and an arctic blast hits you in the face. Not much chance they'd wander too far from home without bundling up well. Heck, even I've been bundling up...something I'm not used to doing at all.
Thanks for caring....the surgery was a little more than I bargained for, and last week was quite uncomfortable...so your note really felt good!!
Rita (with wide-opened eyes) from a very cold New Jersey...
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Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty -- Rita Molnar Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Jeannie Day ®
01/23/2003, 19:33:19
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Rita, my insurance paid for blepharoplasty because it was done in conjunction with the limited myectomy. Dr. Burns, Columbus,OH, got preapproval. I still got a bill rejecting that part, probably because someone at the insurance company just looked at the words, "blepharoplasty" and thought it was not covered. It was straightened out and the insurance co. did pay. Dr. Burns said it was necessary in order to improve my vision. Couldn't your doctor have made a case for it?Jeannie from frigid Ohio.
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Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty Re: Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty -- Jeannie Day Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Rita Molnar ®
01/24/2003, 23:47:38
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Hi Jeannie...I felt that my insurance company would have covered it if the doctors were willing to make a case...but they apparently did not feel as though it would be possible, so they simply did not want to try. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that no myectomy was involved, or maybe they just didn't want to go to battle for me...I don't know. Actually, I might be to blame for not pushing a little harder...but I was so anxious to have it done, and that blood-pressure problem took up a lot of my energies, that I didn't have much steam to do anything else.
I'm not sure if I could do anything about it now, but if you don't mind, I'm making a copy of your note to wave in front of them on my next visit.
While I know that blepharoplasty is not an approved treatment for BEB, if it offers some relief, and if it helps to improve your vision, why shouldn't it be covered???
Thanks for your note....I'm going to "rattle some cages" around here, even though it is "after-the-fact"....
Stay warm....
Rita in New Jersey
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Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty Re: Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty -- Rita Molnar Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Ann Doyle ®
01/25/2003, 08:31:26
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Even with a myectomy ,part of the procedure is considered cosmetic and the insurance company won't pay for the part they consider cosmetic. Ann Doyle
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Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty -- Rita Molnar Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Jeannie Day ®
01/25/2003, 18:35:03
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But Ann, I didn't have to pay anything at all. It probably depends on the insurance company AND how the doctor writes it. My company at that time was Aetna. I remember Dr. Burns saying, "That's a difficult company to deal with." But, he was successful.Dr. Burns is an excellent doctor. Here's another example: I travel 50 miles to Columbus, Ohio for my injections. Last year, I decided to take a personal day from teaching to my injections early(8 a.m.) and then go to observe a special education class (similar to mine) for the rest of the day. Well, when I got to his office the receptionist said the referral wasn't in yet so he couldn't give me the shots. She wanted me to make another appt. I told her it was too difficult since I had to take a day off to do it. I said I would just have to call after I got home. When I did get home late that afternoon, there was a message on my voicemail from Dr. Burns. He apologized and said that if someone had told him I was there he would have given me the injections anyway. He told me that I could come in late afternoon on whatever day would work for me. Normally, he is done about 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and doesn't give the injections on other days. Well, I went the next day at 3:30 p.m.
Jeannie from Ohio where we are having a "heat wave" of 26 degrees F.
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Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty Re: Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty -- Jeannie Day Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Marlyn ®
01/26/2003, 17:12:53
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I had the surgery three years ago. They cauterized my tear ducts, removed excess skin and tightened the muscles in my upper eyelids at the same time. We have BC/BS and the doctor submitted a picture and a letter prior to my surgery. Our insurance company paid the whole bill. I was thrilled. It did help with the BEB but not completely. I still have the Botox every three months. When I was having the surgery my doctor wanted the Botox to wear off quite a bit before surgery. It has helped the most with the dry eyes. I was using drops all the time. Now I only use them three or four time a day. Plus, I do use the ointment at night to sleep.Marlyn from NE PA where it has been snowing all day. Tomorrow we are suppose to reach a high of 5. WHERE IS SPRING???
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Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty Re: Re: Back from my Blepharoplasty -- Ann Doyle Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Rita Molnar ®
01/25/2003, 19:55:07
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That's exactly what my doctor told me, Ann... But after reading Jeannie's note, it appears there's not much consistency in the way they pay. Interesting to note, I have Aetna insurance as well...That's why I'm going to check on it. Probably not much I can do after the fact, but I am curious....Rita in New Jersey
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