Eyelid Surgery - My Story

by John Ryan - MYA Chairman

I arrived at the Manchester hospital at 7.30am Monday morning feeling reasonably relaxed. Having been in cosmetic surgery since the mid-1970s I was embarking on my first cosmetic treatment some 33 years later. Throughout my career in cosmetic surgery I have remained rather shame-faced when saying I have had nothing done at all. At least I can now answer positively that I have had a blepharoplasty, which is an operation to move the excessive skin over my upper eyelids. The receptionist was very bright and cheery and gave me a form to fill in with my basic details. After reading the paper for a few minutes I was taken to room. I was first seen by the lady from the kitchen and ordered food that I could eat later in the day. Then I was seen by a very pleasant nurse who took my blood pressure. She remarked with that reading that I must be feeling very relaxed to say I was about to undergo an operation. Well, I’ve have total confidence in the surgeon and the anesthetist who I have known and worked with for many years. The nurse checked all my details and gave me a gown to put on with some silly paper knickers. Eventually in came my anesthetist and I said to him, basically just put me out knowing its only sedation. An injection in the back of the hand and it was a case of putting me out for the count, particularly with it being an eye operation, and you have to keep very still. I had complete confidence in him. The surgeon, Mr Mahdi, then arrived and marked up around my eyes for treatment and asked if I was looking forward to it? In a strange way I was, and I was then taken down to the operating room. The next thing I knew was that I was waking up in my hospital room and being told that I had two nice black eyes and would have some swelling for a few days. I felt fine and they gave me some painkillers but amazingly I have not needed any. I was glad to receive my meal as I had starved since midnight the night before. I was told I would be a day case and there would be no overnight stay. I got Sue, my PA, to pick me up at hospital and drive me home and felt absolutely fine, although when I did look in the mirror I did look as though I had gone two rounds with Frank Bruno. I took it easy the rest of the day and slept normally. I couldn’t believe how little pain there was associated with the operation although I did look a little worse for wear. The next day I woke to find the swelling had increased although I was in no discomfort. A week later the swelling was barely noticeable and it was back to business as usual. I couldn’t believe how easy it was.

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