About My LASIK

Here I am 24+ hours post-surgery, just trying to get used to things. It really is going to be interesting.

I watched a video--on YouTube--of someone's LASIK surgery and, frankly, if I would have seen it before having mine done, I probably would NOT have done it. Anyone thinking of the surgery, just do your research and DO NOT watch any video of the procedure!

I got to the surgical center yesterday and checked in. After the paperwork, I was brought into an exam room. A surgical cap was put on my head, a name tag was put on my chest, and stickers were placed over my eyes--the stickers had the letter 'D' on them so that the doc would remember to only correct for distance vision. (K was with me in the room and I forbade him to take a picture of me--besides, he doesn't know HOW to take pictures with my phone, so I guess I was safe.) The doctor came in and did a little exam and answered any questions--of which I had none. (I did all of my research ahead of time, so I didn't need to ask anything.) He also gave me some ibuprofen and an Ativan--which was to curb any anxiety on my part. (Actually, I wish they would have given me the drugs WAY earlier--I think it only helped me sleep afterwards and didn't do a thing for anxiety.) Then I was brought into the operating room.

I was put in the chair and it was tilted backwards to the point where my feet were higher than my head. Very weird. Then I was given a stuffed bear dressed in surgical scrubs--something for me to hold because the chair didn't have arms. (I think it was good to have something to hold on to--it was a white-knuckle ride all the way for me.)

The doctor taped my right eye closed and began on my left one. I remember a LOT of drops being put into my eye during the operation--AND a lot of mopping up of the liquid. I remember when he put the clamp onto my eyelids to keep my eye open. I know when he cut the flap on my cornea and when he flipped it back. I know when the laser zapped me. (The smell of burning hair is something I will always associate with the lasering of my cornea.) He put the flap back, took off the clamp--all the while wetting and drying the eye--and then he went on to the right eye. I know that he lasered my right cornea for 25 seconds, but I'm not sure how long he did the left one. I had an abrasion--loose epithelial layer--on my left eye, so to protect it even more, the doctor put on a bandage contact. I really didn't notice it. Contrary to what you might see on the 'extreme makeover' shows, I DIDN'T have immediate 20/20 vision. I WAS able to see the chart that was on the wall, but it was quite wavy and blurry and cloudy. I was then brought into another room, had the goggles put on me, was given my post-op instructions, and escorted out of the facility. From getting to the center to being settled into the back seat of the Jimmy was less than two hours. Amazing. I slept all of the way home.

So far, if I had to do it again I would. There was no pain--everything was just very strange. Even post-op, I haven't had any pain. My eyes have felt a little gritty and I have had a headache, but nothing more. (The headache is because I haven't rested today--my own fault.) I had an appointment with my local eye doc today and he said everything was healing wonderfully. The bandage contact was removed, so the sight is much better in the eye than it was. I am amazed at how well I am seeing--I drove myself to the appointment. That is something I NEVER would have dreamed of doing without my glasses! It seems as if my sight is improving constantly--the doc said it will probably take a month for full improvement and can take up to three months. I am learning how to wear reading glasses and had to go out and buy sunglasses. I will have a collection of reading glasses and sunglasses like no one has ever seen by the time I'm done--I am planning on adding to my collection OFTEN. I am using four different eyedrops and still have to sleep wearing the stupid goggles, but this too shall pass. I would rather go through this inconvenience now and have excellent results rather than NOT do it and have bad complications. I am really excited to see how well my vision will be a week from now.

I think that just about covers it. So far, so good--and I hope it continues that way.