I had hooded eyelids by the way. Otherwise known as 内双 in Mandarin.
So, I bought another brand of eyelid stickers that were advertised as having a super strong holding and that's just what I needed! It's called D.UP Wonder Eyelid Tape, and it comes in different styles (double sided stickers, one sided stickers etc). It's more pricey compared to the 3M eyelid stickers, but I loved the effect of the double sided eyelid stickers. However, the stickers will lose its hold at the end of my work shift, which pisses me off. Sometimes it even fell off halfway while I was walking. And it's just ugly! BUT! I'd still recommend it cause it's the best eyelid sticker I've used. Just not for long wearing.
I usually use both stickers and glue at the same time, in hope that my crease will hold on longer.
At the end of my Macau employment in May, I started doing research on double eyelid surgeries in Hong Kong and Taiwan. I was specifically looking at a non-incision method called 韩式订书机双眼皮手术, which directly translates to 'Korean stapler style double eyelid surgery'.
It's a method where no incisions will be made on your lid, instead they'll just make 3 tiny holes and thread through them to create the crease. The surgery time and recovery time is much shorter compared to the traditional incision method.
But there are some concerns regarding the said method, where I read that some of their creases disappears after 2-3 years etc. Plus not everyone is suitable for that procedure.
Anyway, after considering and reconsidering, I've decided to postpone my eyelid surgery until I end my Europe trip in June.
In mid July, I started my research on double eyelid surgeries in Malaysia. I wanted to go to Rachel Chew as recommended by my friend, but she's based in Selangor and my parents are worried about me spending the recovery period alone.
Hence I FINALLY settled for Dr. Ng Hian Chan, who is based in Penang Adventist Hospital. I Googled about eyelid surgeries in Penang and Dr. Ng appeared in one of the recommended sites. I read his profile and decided to email the Adventist's Reconstructive Center.
We scheduled an appointment with Dr. Ng on 17th July, 10am.
17th July - Consultation
I met up with Dr. Ng in his office and explained that I'd like to undergo double eyelid surgery. He pulled out a PowerPoint presentation to explain about the structure of the eyelids and what causes the formation of double eyelids.
He then proceeded to explain his technique on performing double eyelid surgery, which is the incision method. From his explanation, he developed his very own technique after many rounds of surgeries on different patients. I'm just glad I found him after he perfected his skills.
Lastly, he analyzed my eyelids and told me mine was an easy case. There shouldn't be any problem with the surgery. He just have to remove some excess tissues and fats to create the crease.
Once everything is explained clearly, he said I could make an appointment for the surgery with the nurses. He also checked his schedule and told me he has an empty slot on 19th July, which is 2 days later.
The nurse gave me a copy of 'Informed Consent - Blepharoplasty Surgery' to read through at home. My mum and I sat at the waiting room and briefly looked at the consent paper. We decided to get the surgery done soon, so we immediately booked for the surgery to be carried out on 19th July.
We proceeded to pay deposit RM560 for the surgery, as there's a non-refundable policy within 7 days of the surgery appointment. On top of that, we paid another RM95.40 for consultation fee.
Even though incision method isn't my first choice, but at that point I just want to get it done, incision or not, I'm done with all the endless researches.
19th July - Surgery
So this is what happened that day:
1. Signed the informed consent paper and paid for the full procedure.
2. Measured my blood pressure and body temperature.
3. Slip on surgery gown without having to take off own garments.
4. Nurse brought me to surgery room and insert cannula to the back of my right hand (hurts a bit).
https://matopat.de/produkte-view/transparenter-kanulen-fixierverband-mit-vliesheftpflaster/
6. Nurse woke me up and took me back to the surgery room. Dr. Ng and nurse measured the distance between my eye and my brows.
7. Decide on the height of my crease that suits me so that it will look more natural (I believe my crease was set at 7mm).
8. Dr. Ng uses a blunt stick to lightly create crease on my eyes to predict the result of the surgery. Doctor drew on my eyelids to indicate the area for incision.
9. Laid down and the nurse secured my wrists with velcro straps to prevent me from hitting the doctor unconsciously during the surgery.
10. General anesthesia was injected through the cannula. A heavy sensation was felt on my hand and I drifted to sleep within 10 seconds.
11. Apparently local anesthesia was applied on my eyes area while I was unconscious.
12. Regain consciousness when Dr. Ng is halfway performing on the right eyelid.
13. Follow doctor's instruction to open and close eyes.
14. No pain was felt during the surgery.
15. Surgery was completed within 1.5 hours. Doctor asked to sit up and showed my stitches with a mirror.
16. Nurse held on to me and walked to the post-surgery room together.
17. Nurse placed gauze dressing and cold pack on my eyes.
18. Dozed off for 2-3 hours while nurse constantly changing cold packs for me. I have to be monitored for a few hours after surgery to make sure my vitals are stable after the anesthesia.
19. Nurse contacted my mum to pick me up around 1pm. My bro brought sunglasses for me to cover my eyes from strangers' stares.
20. Nurse gave me the cold pack that I bought from them and also the medicines needed for the week.
21. Continued cold pack in the car and at home for the entire day.
Anyway, on this surgery day we paid for:
RM51.50 Pharmacy - Medicines
RM422.40 Reconstructive / Surgery Supplies
RM1839.84 Procedure Fee (excl deposit RM560, which means the procedure fee is RM2399.84 in total)
There are certain things to keep in mind during the first week with the stitches on.
1. Wash eyelids 3 times a day with regular soap / face wash and water.
2. Apply the antibiotic ointment given over stitches after washing face.
3. Apply cold pack with gauze dressing for the first 2-3 days, and then warm compress everyday after.
4. Consume the medication prescribed to you strictly. However, you don't have to take the pain killer if your wound doesn't hurt.
5. Don't bend over to the extent that your head will be lower than your heart.
2nd day
I went back for a follow up with Dr. Ng which only lasted 5 minutes HAHAHA. He examined my eyelids to see if there's any infections or anything wrong with it.
We paid RM63.60 for consultation fee.
I could feel that my eyelids were very tight for the first few days.
3rd Day
5th day
7th Day
8th Day - Remove Stitches
I followed the nurse to a treatment room and was asked to lie down. Dr. Ng then came with a pair of magnifying glasses, head torch and some clippers.
No anesthesia is given because the doctor will just cut off the stitches one by one. I felt a slight twitch with every snip of the clippers, but it did not hurt much.
After the stitches are removed, Dr. Ng asked if I want a scar gel to aid the healing of my wound. It's not necessary, but I still got it anyway. The nurse told me to just apply a thin layer on the wound every day.
We paid:
RM 101 Dermatix Ultra Scar Gel 15g
RM 5 Surgical Supplies
RM 63.60 Consultation Fee
15th Day
23rd Day
50th Day
After and Before
I went back to Dr. Ng on 29th August for my 1 month post follow up and that costs RM63.60 for consultation as well.
My wounds are still healing. If you stand close enough to me, you could still see redness and an obvious gash on my eyelids. It didn't bother me much though, but it does look swollen on pictures.
Below shows my total expenditure for the surgery.
A year later
20 July 2018
That's not an issue to me at all because people don't see it, I couldn't see it in the mirror as well. It's only when I take a picture and looked closely that it popped out to me.
Was the eyelid surgery worth it? Hell yes. It's one of the greatest decisions I've made in my life.
Will it stay with me forever? I hope so. The crease is very pronounced so I don't think it will collapse over time.
By the way, Penang Adventist Hospital was recently awarded as the Cosmetic Surgery Provider of the Year 2018 in Asia Pacific! Well, they deserve it. Dr Ng and the nurses are really friendly and helpful throughout my surgery and follow-ups, so they deserve every recognition they could get.
Cosmetic & Reconstructive Center
Monday to Thursday
8am - 5.30pm
Friday
8am - 2.30pm
Saturday & Sunday CLOSED
Tel: (6)04-2281554 / 2227761
email: [email protected]