ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Eye Issues => Topic started by: saralynn143 on August 11, 2008, 09:26:13 pm
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I saw Dr. Custer at Washington University today. He thinks I have three basic choices (other than not doing anything). First is taking some stitches at either corner of my eye to make the exposed surface area smaller. The second is a weight implant, which he does. The third is an eyelid spring. He considers only a handful of surgeons nationwide are competent to do the eyelid springs, and even they have a 25% complication rate within the first year.
He does not think stitching would be optimal for me. I have no desire to go elsewhere for any more surgery, so we focused on weights. Dr. Custer uses platinum weights exclusively because there are fewer complications with reactions to the metal. I asked about platinum chains. He said he would order one if I was insistent, but he does not think the benefits outweigh the increased cost. He also thought the design would make it harder to remove later on because tissue would grow into the spaces of the links.
He has an opening in his surgical schedule tomorrow afternoon, so I am going back to have the procedure. He said I could expect to be sore for a couple of days, and black and blue for up to a month.
Risks are infection, shifting after insertion, and extrusion through the eyelid. He says I have thin skin so I will be at increased risk for extrusion, but he will place it as far down as possible to minimize the risk.
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight, so I'd better go down a tumbler of water. It is outpatient surgery and I will not be unconscious, but will be sedated.
I'll let you know how things go, probably Wednesday.
Sara
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Best wishes for you procedure, Sara, I hope it goes well.
Steve
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Good luck Sara! Please keep us updated on how things go!
Phyl
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Good luck Sara. I will be thinking of you.
Keep us posted.
Michelle ;)
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Good Luck Sara!
I have NO FEELING on the AN side, but I have head several of these surgeries done and find them to be no problem. Get you some bags of peas to freeze and rotate them out as ice bags - they fit the space of your eye better!
K
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Good luck Sara. I was two days away from the surgery when the opthamologist told me I didn't need it. Keep us posted.
David
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I'm back home. Waited and waited and waited at the surgery center, then once we got in it took maybe ten minutes. I'm not black and blue yet but Dr. Custer promises I will be.
I'm really glad I took the opening today because the nurse says he usually has a 6 to 8 week waiting list.
I'm fading fast and think I will go get ready for bed.
Sara
P.S. David, congratulations on being able to avoid the surgery. I am nowhere near not needing it, and I can already tell I'm glad to have it.
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Sara~
I think it was the single most wonderful I did to help simplify my life - hope you feel the same! I bruised horrible (I'm a bruiser anyway) the 1st 2 times I had it and WANTED to bruise the next time b/c it was right at Halloween - wouldn't you know I hardly bruised at all? LOL!!! Crazy...
K
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Sara-
So excited to hear about your weight! Post more details when you can - and maybe a picture?
I am starting to develop sensitivity to the BlinkEze adhesive, so may end up getting a surgically implanted gold or platinum weight at some point if my eye still doesn't blink. I'm very curious to know more about it, just in case...
Get lots of rest and enjoy your blink!
Debbi
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Debbi -- I e-mailed you some information that the MedDev customer service guy sent me when I was having problems with my BlinkEze. Let me know if you do not get it.
Sara
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Hi Sara,
I would love it, if you don't mind, if you would email me that as well...please. Thanks. My Blinkeze has been a bit of a challange because of my heavy lids and the fact that my weight was not the right on but I am determined to try again. So any help would be totally awesome.
Thanks
Michelle ;D
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Michelle, your e-mail is hidden. If you will either e-mail me or give me your address in a private message I'll get that right out to you.
By the way, I am pretty sure MedDev will let you exchange your weight if it is the wrong size.
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Thanks Sara, I emailed you my email address.
;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D :o :P