WOW. The last time I blogged was in 2010. Hahah.. anyway...
I felt like I needed to document my experience with my double eyelid surgery because when I was considering the surgery for myself, I conducted a lot of research and preferred to read about personal experiences so I thought I'd contribute mine too. It's going to be lengthy.
It all began when my best friend in the military got stationed in Korea. Her sister suggested that we go visit her and take a trip to other countries in Asia as well. In the back of my head, I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to get my eyelids done. After finally booking the plane tickets, I realized that my wishes might actually finally come true. I knew that Korea was mecca of plastic surgery. This post will solely feature everything I can think of pertaining to my double eyelid surgery.
The plan was this:
LA > Taipei > Kaohsiung > Seoul > Tokyo > Daegu > LA
We stuck Japan in there through a spontaneous decision while we were in Seoul.
Granted, almost everyone thought that I already had double eyelids (thanks to eyelashes and makeup) I never felt 100% comfortable with going out with at least a little bit of makeup.
PERSONAL REASONS FOR THE SURGERY:
I was about to get the surgery one year when I visited Taiwan, but due to poor planning I was unable to because I wouldn't be in the country long enough.
THE PLANNING:
The clinics that I had in mind were Banobagi, The LINE Plastic Surgery, and ID Plastic Surgery. After a little bit of online consulting and email exchanges, I mentally decided on The LINE. I read somewhere that ID was overpriced, and in one email when I seemed hesitant, the representative at LINE said something like...'I can assure you that we are one of the best clinics in Korea'. I think the fact that she was so certain about it, made me believe it. Plus I was kind of impressed that they seemed to have invested in SEO marketing (I'm in marketing). lol. Are those lame reasons? Whatever hahah.
I wanted to do the buried non-incisional double eyelid surgery method. The representative (she was really nice btw) said that she would let the doctor know.
THE COSTS (What I was quoted):
I had been told by a doctor in Taiwan through a quick consultation that I would need a fat graft because I didn't have enough fat in my eyelid to retain the double eyelid, which is why I inquired about a fat graft. I was interested in a Lateral Canthoplasty because I felt the length of my eyes might be too short.
PRE-OPERATION DAY(S):
"Omg, the surgery is in 5 days."
"Am I really doing this?"
"Darn, I can't drink alcohol anymore." (3 days prior to surgery)
I was frightened of the potential pain from the local anesthesia that I had read about. I was apprehensive about the results. What if something goes wrong? What if the anesthesia wears off mid-surgery? What if I'm not a suitable candidate for my preferred non-incisional method? What if it doesn't look good?
I couldn't even sleep. The same thoughts kept running through my head.
THE CONSULTATION / SURGERY DAY:
My consultation is 10:00 AM on January 6 2015. I take the metro with my best friend and walk through the glass doors, greeted by the front desk receptionists. They think I speak Chinese, but I tell them that English is my primary language. Han Hyee comes to my aid and we ascent to the next floor for my consultation. I am feeling a little nervous. She brings up the fact that I preferred non-incisional (cool, the rep over email actually notified them). The doctor arrives. His name is Dr. Pang. He looks barely over 30 and he is kind of attractive. He uses a thin prodding tool to begin slicing at different points of my eye to create temporary double eyelids to see if buried DES is suitable for me. He asks me if I have pictures of what I'd like my double eyelid to look like, but I didn't. I tell him to do what looks the best and what works with my eyes.
My left eye sucks. Due to that brow bone, he says that I might eventually get a triple eyelid. I knew it. I always liked my right eye more than my left. He really suggests that I get the full-incisional method. I tell them that I don't want to deal with the recovery time and scarring. I have to return to work. And they don't push for it. They tell me that if my double eyelid comes undone with the non-incisional within 1 year, then I can get a revision- free of charge. I'm okay with that.
I am starting to get even more nervous than before because it's starting to really hit me that it's happening. I text my bf and tell him that I'm scared. He replies, "Don't be. Remember that you wanted this." That brings me back down to Earth a little and makes me feel a little more at ease. It's true. I do want this and I have wanted this forever.
Next, I am escorted out and into the changing room to change into operation clothes and to wash my face and rid of all my jewelry. Once done, they take pictures of my face. Then, I wait.
Part 2 coming soon (with pictures. Yay!)
I felt like I needed to document my experience with my double eyelid surgery because when I was considering the surgery for myself, I conducted a lot of research and preferred to read about personal experiences so I thought I'd contribute mine too. It's going to be lengthy.
It all began when my best friend in the military got stationed in Korea. Her sister suggested that we go visit her and take a trip to other countries in Asia as well. In the back of my head, I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to get my eyelids done. After finally booking the plane tickets, I realized that my wishes might actually finally come true. I knew that Korea was mecca of plastic surgery. This post will solely feature everything I can think of pertaining to my double eyelid surgery.
The plan was this:
LA > Taipei > Kaohsiung > Seoul > Tokyo > Daegu > LA
We stuck Japan in there through a spontaneous decision while we were in Seoul.
Granted, almost everyone thought that I already had double eyelids (thanks to eyelashes and makeup) I never felt 100% comfortable with going out with at least a little bit of makeup.
PERSONAL REASONS FOR THE SURGERY:
- I had excess eyelid skin from wearing false eyelashes (not removing them with care), and probably from age. It made one eye look smaller.
- People would comment that I looked tired or mad when I didn't wear makeup (even sometimes when I did wear makeup as well -.-) and I had a general look of disinterest.
- I had no definition/dimension to my face.
- I didn't want to wear as much makeup anymore to look presentable (according to myself).
- I wanted to get this surgery for 15 years.
I was about to get the surgery one year when I visited Taiwan, but due to poor planning I was unable to because I wouldn't be in the country long enough.
THE PLANNING:
The clinics that I had in mind were Banobagi, The LINE Plastic Surgery, and ID Plastic Surgery. After a little bit of online consulting and email exchanges, I mentally decided on The LINE. I read somewhere that ID was overpriced, and in one email when I seemed hesitant, the representative at LINE said something like...'I can assure you that we are one of the best clinics in Korea'. I think the fact that she was so certain about it, made me believe it. Plus I was kind of impressed that they seemed to have invested in SEO marketing (I'm in marketing). lol. Are those lame reasons? Whatever hahah.
I wanted to do the buried non-incisional double eyelid surgery method. The representative (she was really nice btw) said that she would let the doctor know.
THE COSTS (What I was quoted):
- Non-incisional (Buried double eyelid surgery): 1,500,000 KRW (~$1,500 USD)
- Incisional method: 2,700,000 KRW (~$2,700 USD)
- Canthoplasty: 1,200,000 KRW (~$1,200 USD)
- Fat graft: 1,500,000 KRW (~$1,500 USD)
I had been told by a doctor in Taiwan through a quick consultation that I would need a fat graft because I didn't have enough fat in my eyelid to retain the double eyelid, which is why I inquired about a fat graft. I was interested in a Lateral Canthoplasty because I felt the length of my eyes might be too short.
PRE-OPERATION DAY(S):
"Omg, the surgery is in 5 days."
"Am I really doing this?"
"Darn, I can't drink alcohol anymore." (3 days prior to surgery)
I was frightened of the potential pain from the local anesthesia that I had read about. I was apprehensive about the results. What if something goes wrong? What if the anesthesia wears off mid-surgery? What if I'm not a suitable candidate for my preferred non-incisional method? What if it doesn't look good?
I couldn't even sleep. The same thoughts kept running through my head.
THE CONSULTATION / SURGERY DAY:
My consultation is 10:00 AM on January 6 2015. I take the metro with my best friend and walk through the glass doors, greeted by the front desk receptionists. They think I speak Chinese, but I tell them that English is my primary language. Han Hyee comes to my aid and we ascent to the next floor for my consultation. I am feeling a little nervous. She brings up the fact that I preferred non-incisional (cool, the rep over email actually notified them). The doctor arrives. His name is Dr. Pang. He looks barely over 30 and he is kind of attractive. He uses a thin prodding tool to begin slicing at different points of my eye to create temporary double eyelids to see if buried DES is suitable for me. He asks me if I have pictures of what I'd like my double eyelid to look like, but I didn't. I tell him to do what looks the best and what works with my eyes.
My left eye sucks. Due to that brow bone, he says that I might eventually get a triple eyelid. I knew it. I always liked my right eye more than my left. He really suggests that I get the full-incisional method. I tell them that I don't want to deal with the recovery time and scarring. I have to return to work. And they don't push for it. They tell me that if my double eyelid comes undone with the non-incisional within 1 year, then I can get a revision- free of charge. I'm okay with that.
I am starting to get even more nervous than before because it's starting to really hit me that it's happening. I text my bf and tell him that I'm scared. He replies, "Don't be. Remember that you wanted this." That brings me back down to Earth a little and makes me feel a little more at ease. It's true. I do want this and I have wanted this forever.
Next, I am escorted out and into the changing room to change into operation clothes and to wash my face and rid of all my jewelry. Once done, they take pictures of my face. Then, I wait.
Part 2 coming soon (with pictures. Yay!)
