Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty
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Posted by: Rita Molnar ®

02/17/2003, 00:27:54
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As promised, I'm sharing with you the "so far" results of the blepharoplasty I underwent earlier this year on the 13th of January.

Blepharoplasty is not a recommended treatment or remedy for BEB, but you might recall that I opted for it in the hopes that it might relieve some pressure on my lids and thereby ease what I believed to be one of my "triggers". My eyelid surgery was done by a plastic surgeon, who offered no guarantee of improvement for my BEB. Although he was aware of my Meige and BEB problem, I do not believe he did anything other than routine cosmetic surgery.

I am pleased to report that the procedure worked quite well for me--I DID get the desired results. At least, so far.

Prior to the surgery, unless I worked hard to keep them that way, my eyelids would "prefer" to be closed....so I spent much of my day with my eyes closed, opening them only when I needed to. Following surgery, and as quickly as the swelling went down around my eyes, my eyes seemed to "prefer" staying open. My eyes now feel somewhat like they did when I was using scotch tape to hold them open to drive.

Regarding the BEB and spasms ... Yes, I still have them...but they seem to be SIGNIFICANTLY LESS INTENSE than they were before, and, without the extra tissue around the eyes, and with the new "tightness" surrounding my eyes, the SPASMS ARE NOT QUITE AS TROUBLESOME. I am almost 4 weeks beyond what was my scheduled Botox injection date in January, and I still feel comfortable enough to go without them. This is a remarkable improvement for me, and I pray that things stay this way.

An added bonus--Cosmetically, I suppose I look a bit better than I did--at least that's what everyone is telling me. But more important than that, the success I've enjoyed thus far has given me renewed incentive to take better care of myself by dieting, and to begin some physical fitness activities. So, this should have an overall positive effect on me. Now, if all of this good stuff serves to reduce some of the stress I've been carrying around, that should help to relieve my BEB and Meige even more.

I remain cautious with my optimism, though--I know that BEB and Meige are very powerful conditions to fight. But for the moment, I am enjoying, REALLY enjoying what's happening.

Please understand, I'm reacting to experiences only one month post-op..it's really too early to know the long-term effects I might have, if any. I'm NOT suggesting that this procedure is a magic remedy for everyone with BEB, and I'm certainly NOT urging everyone to run out and get it done. BEB is not that simple. If it were, researchers would have certainly, by now, found its cause and cure. I'm sharing my experience with the BB only as one small piece of this large, agonizing puzzle of ours, and I'm hoping that the knowledge of my experience might help someone else out there.

Love and Hugs to all of you....

Rita in New Jersey...smiling a lot, lately !!!









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Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty
Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty -- Rita Molnar Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: June in Toronto ®

02/17/2003, 07:29:34
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Hi Rita, I can see you smiling and am so very pleased for you. You got the cosmetic results you hoped for and you certainly weren't expecting miracles to happen as far as your beb/meige were concerned. Enoy the booster this has given you and take each day at a time. Thanks for sharing.

June in Toronto who is very happy for Rita.







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Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty/rita
Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty -- Rita Molnar Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Kathy in Oregon ®

02/17/2003, 07:32:53
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That's absolutely wonderful Rita!!! I hope it continues to work for you and the exercise I know will help improve your spirits. Did you have alot of excess skin that had to be removed or tightened? it seems to me that any amount could be a stress on those with beb.






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Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty/Kathy
Re: Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty/rita -- Kathy in Oregon Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Rita Molnar ®

02/18/2003, 22:42:46
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Hi Kathy.....

Yes, I considered it to be a lot of excess skin, although others have told me they didn't think it was that much. When I pinched the skin on my eyelids, I could pull the pinched skin down to cover my eyelashes (doesn't that sound pretty????) But the skin didn't droop or anything like that, and the excess skin seemed to be more apparent to me than to others (maybe they were being kind). The lids just felt sort of thick and heavy, and so I wanted to keep my eyes closed all the time. Since the operation I feel like someone scotch-taped my eyelids up into a comfortable position, and it feels so perfectly natural for me to keep my eyes open. I still have some spasms, but with my newly-opened eyes, they don't feel as bad.

I saw my doctor today. I told him how wonderful I was feeling, and I asked him if he'd done anything extra for me knowing I had BEB. He told me he did not, but that with a blepharoplasty (because the skin and muscle are so closely connected) some muscle is also removed, and, that likely my nerve endings have not re-connected. My comment was "may they NEVER....". But I remember from my Botox injections, that nerves have a way of regenerating. I hope this won't happen in my case, but even if it does, I still have "now" !! I cherish it, and I intend to enjoy it for as long as I can.

Rita in New Jersey (out in the snow today, and loving it!!!)







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Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty
Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty -- Rita Molnar Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Barbara Molnar ®

02/17/2003, 09:45:23
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Hi Rita,

I'm so happy that you seem to be doing so well since the surgery. Hopefully things will continue to improve once your other stresses have eased.

Hugs,

Barbara







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Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty
Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty -- Rita Molnar Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: denise mckew ®

02/19/2003, 08:22:21
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Rita,

I'm happy that your surgery was a success for you. And that you have found some added bonuses in the process. It's nice to hear when someone takes a risk, and it pays off for them.

Enjoy!

Denise







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Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty
Re: Post-Op Report on Blepharoplasty -- Rita Molnar Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Joanne Matuzas ®

02/19/2003, 11:00:10
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Rita, thanks for the update. There are also one or two patients in

my support group who have had some success with this surgery as well.

The feedback is helpful in the decision making process for myself and

others considering the surgery. Hope the positive results continue

for you!! Joanne M. San Diego, CA






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