For the past two week I have been seeing 20/20 without the aid of my glasses or contacts. It is such a miracle!
I've always wanted to get laser eye surgery, as I have worn glasses or contacts full time since I've been 8 years old. However, wanting to do it now was due to a combination of factors, from reading an article about a gal about my age who recently got it done in Mexico for a great price and my friend mentioning to me that she was going to get hers done. Also, Ben was a great encouragement to me, asking me "why would you wait any longer?" The final straw though, was that I only had 3 weeks of contacts left and I really didn't want to go through the process of ordering new ones in Mexico. How silly is that? I'd rather go through laser eye surgery than order contacts!
I asked around for recommendations of an English speaking eye doctor here in San Pedro and went into my initial appointment just wanting more information: price, recovery, procedure, etc. I walked out of that appointment knowing that I was a perfect candidate for the procedure and so excited that the cost was about 1/4 of what it would cost in America. Two days later I had another appointment to run a couple more tests to make sure that it would be a safe procedure for me (it was!) and at end of it the doctor asked when I would want the surgery done, saying he could do it anytime I wanted. So, I made the appointment for two weeks later.
October 29, Ben came home early from work, we picked the boys up from school together and headed to the building where the procedure would take place. Overall, I think the craziest part of the surgery was the language barrier. While we can communicate a little bit, we're still not comfortable fully speaking and listening in Spanish. But here I was, where everyone in the clinic except the doctor, only spoke Spanish. Which meant I walked into a room and got all prepped for the surgery, with basically only understanding when the nurse said "open and close your eyes." At least had the presence of mind to ask her to repeat what the two pills she was handing me were for (dolar and tranquilo...pain and calmness). So I swallowed the pills, thinking what a crazy act of faith this was and walked into the operating room with no idea what to expect.
Medical stuff is not my strong point, but I have to say, although the surgery is very weird and kind of gross, it's super quick. I was in the operating room maybe 10 minutes. It was uncomfortable, but never super painful. I just kept thinking the whole time what a miracle it was! I couldn't believe that I would actually be able to see without glasses for the first time in 24 years. (If anyone wanting the gory details of the procedure, I'll be happy to tell you, but I'll spare those who don't want to hear it).
In total, counting check-in and probably even parking, we were at the clinic for maybe 45 minutes. When I walked out, the world was blurry with patches of clearness. My eyes were sensitive to light, sore and scratchy. When we went home, I laid in bed for a couple hours dozing and listening to a book on CD. The procedure was at 4, and I helped make dinner at 6:30 with somewhat clear vision, but still preferred to have my eyes closed. By 9:30 that evening, I could see the TV from across the room. The next morning, I could see almost 20/20, I could pick the boys up from school that afternoon, and my sight is still getting better every day. Now the only nuisance is that I have some blurriness around lights when they are contrasted with pitch black, and some rainbows around light bulbs. I think those should clear up within the next week or so.
I think that my favorite thing about no longer having contacts is nighttime. I love not having to take out my contacts and switch into my glasses. I love being able to see when the lights are out. I love not having to fumble around for my glasses when its dark and I want to go check on the boys in the middle of the night. I also love that I don't have to pack glasses and a contact case and solution when we travel anymore. It's just so awesome!
So, to wrap up my boring medical review post, I would totally recommend laser eye surgery to anyone who is thinking about it! I had a great experience and and daily feel like it's a miracle that I can see without aid! Please email me questions if you have any...and know that you're always welcome to come stay with our family here in Monterrey for a week if you want the procedure done at a discount :) (We welcome any visitors at any time!)
Trying to take artistic "last night with glasses shots."
Taking pictures of yourself is so awkward.
In the waiting room for my surgery...last moments with glasses. Seth, of course, was lamenting that he'd never get to see me wear my glasses again. I will never lament that fact! (Sam, Seth)
Post surgery: looking cool in my protective eye wear and headphones, listening to Harry Potter and soaking in the "forced rest time."
In total, counting check-in and probably even parking, we were at the clinic for maybe 45 minutes. When I walked out, the world was blurry with patches of clearness. My eyes were sensitive to light, sore and scratchy. When we went home, I laid in bed for a couple hours dozing and listening to a book on CD. The procedure was at 4, and I helped make dinner at 6:30 with somewhat clear vision, but still preferred to have my eyes closed. By 9:30 that evening, I could see the TV from across the room. The next morning, I could see almost 20/20, I could pick the boys up from school that afternoon, and my sight is still getting better every day. Now the only nuisance is that I have some blurriness around lights when they are contrasted with pitch black, and some rainbows around light bulbs. I think those should clear up within the next week or so.
I think that my favorite thing about no longer having contacts is nighttime. I love not having to take out my contacts and switch into my glasses. I love being able to see when the lights are out. I love not having to fumble around for my glasses when its dark and I want to go check on the boys in the middle of the night. I also love that I don't have to pack glasses and a contact case and solution when we travel anymore. It's just so awesome!
So, to wrap up my boring medical review post, I would totally recommend laser eye surgery to anyone who is thinking about it! I had a great experience and and daily feel like it's a miracle that I can see without aid! Please email me questions if you have any...and know that you're always welcome to come stay with our family here in Monterrey for a week if you want the procedure done at a discount :) (We welcome any visitors at any time!)
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