My Cataract Surgery Experience
Happy Fashion Friday, friends! I am now prepared to write a review of my cataract surgery experience!
Simply put, my cataract surgery experience has been awesome…surprising…and refreshing…all rolled into one!
After a recent foot surgery debacle, I confess that the words “cataract surgery” had be very nervous.
The thought of surgery on my eyes was a little frightening at first…even though so many here said that it was a piece of cake.
You were right…it really was a piece of cake.
That surprised me so much…in fact…I would rather do cataract surgery than go to the dentist. Seriously!
Because even with numbing pain killing treatments at the dentist, it is still uncomfortable at times and afterwards can be painful for awhile.
But, there was no discomfort with my cataract surgery and no pain afterwards…I was a very good girl and followed instructions and still following instructions now.
I have one more follow up in two weeks with my eye doctor and until then will continue one of the eye drops. (One nurse told me to keep them in the refrigerator for a cooler drop and it does feel better to do that)
But, I have been cleared for regular activity…and my vision tested 20/20…with the need for 2.0 readers for my phone and smaller prints. I was also tested for reader strength.
It is so amazing that this can be done.
When I walked out of the doctor’s office two days ago, I was smiling…the air was cool and refreshing…and church bells were actually ringing. No joke…it was a moment! A thankful one.
Three days ago, I walked into the kitchen…flipped on the lights…and asked Mr. B if he had changed a few light bulbs.
He looked at me confused and said…NO. But, the room was so much brighter than it had been, I just felt like the bulbs were changed…when it was my eyes that changed.
The veil has been lifted.
MY CATARACT SURGERY EXPERIENCE: NOW WHAT?
Now, I know this is vanity, vanity…but I have worn glasses for so long, I am struggling with how I look without them.
It will take some getting accustomed to once again.
These are a pair of old glasses from years back, but they are still too strong for me to wear.
My hair appointment is today, but I just could not sit still.
So, yesterday I put on one of my favorite colors from last year in my spring palette…the Chico’s color dried roses…I sure hope it comes back.
And I headed out to look at readers. My doctor discussed the importance of good lenses and really is not a big fan of what you see in the big box stores, gas stations, or drug stores.
So, I stepped into a place near me that makes the readers in one day.
I did find several there that I liked. There are many places like this in Abilene that I can share with you later.
I came home with a couple of them that I will have for tomorrow and to get me started.
One confirmation I received from this initial trip out is that I do look best with color.
I tried a neutral tan and a simple gold and looked washed out in both.
Glasses and sunglasses are now a huge new accessory for me so I do want to have some fun.
But it was this red and pink stripe pair of sunglasses that really caught my eye.
The woman helping me, Kayla, and I both agreed that these sunglasses were for me.
All of my current sunglasses were prescription glasses and of no use now.
I will wear these for you soon…just wanted to get them in a picture with my hair done.
So, today is the hair…and this weekend I hope to organize the closet now that I can look at the colors with new eyes.
Then next week…my return to the gym at the Y.
When I say that cataract surgery has been refreshing what I mean is that it is a new uplifting experience for someone in their 70s.
I feel younger and healthier….and a little revitalized.
I relate to having a fresh start every now and then, and have been surprised that cataract surgery would be a part of that…but it is….a huge part.
Thank you, ladies for all of the prayers and encouragement for my cataract surgery experience. You were really the team that settled me as I went to the first one.
I hope we are able to take good pictures this weekend and show off the new me!
Until then…
EMBRACE TODAY & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
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I wonder what Tux would look like with glasses?
I am so pleased that everything went well with your cataract surgeries.I could understand your apprehension and any sort of surgery should not be taken lightly. I also felt “naked” without my multifocals and my solution was to have bifocals that I could wear for most of the day, except when driving. My glasses are clear at the top and have a little magnification for reading, which I do a lot of. I find this works really well for me.
I love the sunglasses you chose and enjoy your weekend.
Thank you, Julie! I always love hearing from you,
Such wonderful news! I knew you were disappointed in your foot surgery (I had to have my ankle redone too, so I get it), and you “knew” cataract surgery would not be the same. But apprehension is not always rational based on those experiences. Sometimes the word routine is very sweet! I love your look without glasses, but you will have to get used to it. My friend who had the surgery took months to feel like her face had presence and balance, though she looked great. Getting her eyebrows shaped and filled in a bit darker helped a lot. I had suggested neutral frames for you because I thought you would be wearing your glasses more. Readers for sure should be colorful and fun. My stylist at HOC was wearing hot pink and cobalt blue glasses as her daily pair, and even though she was all in emerald green, they coordinated beautifully. Your best colors truly do go with everything. As the owner of golden yellow sunglasses, I say go for it.
I will go for it, Linda…and you just gave me an idea…I might have my eyebrows done. I have not done that in a long time. When I go in for my hair this morning, I will talk with my hair stylist…I think they do it there.
Thank you for a great idea..Happy Friday!
It is a miracle of medicine!
I agree with Linda about revisiting eyebrow styling. If you move off of big glasses all the time you may like what you see better if your eyebrows have been outline/powdered a bit more. Your glasses frame has been substituting for that.
Thanks Rose! I have always done my eyebrow color myself but I suppose my glasses covered them up!
Very happy that the cataract surgery was a piece if cake for you and with such excellent results. Enjoy seeing true colors again. I think you look great without your glasses and understand that it may take you a while to get used to the new you. Looking forward to seeing your new hair color!
I am on my way! Let the fun begin!
Very glad to hear your surgery when so smoothly. I go next month for a consultation and to set up an appointment for my surgery. Did you have yours done by laser? That is what I am interested in. I understand it is more precise.
I’m so glad you’re happy with the results!
It will be fun to pick out colorful readers and sunglasses.
I’m looking forward to seeing you with your new hairstyle and color.
This is exciting and almost a chance at a new makeover.
I’m so glad you found your surgery to be as we “veterans “ said…so easy and painfree. However, it was disturbing to think your eyes were being operated on, and the thought of something going wrong has to be in the back of your mind. My eyes…what if!! Did the doctors tell you that you may have some growth come back and a procedure called “ YAG” will laser away that growth? It also is painless and easy. I have said before that I need help with my eyebrows so I’m interested in what you and Linda were discussing. I think I even put that idea on one of the surveys you have asked for several years ago. I do nothing to mine, but am aware as my hair is now gray that my thinning, but still dark eyebrows stand out on my face.
Such wonderful news! Glad everything went and turned out well. Looking forward to seeing your upcoming changes!
Yesterday I had my fourth laser surgery on my eyes this year so I understand all to well the feelings you experienced! My doctor is trying to reduce the pressure in my eyes to help slow down damage from Glocoma. I’m constantly amazed at the procedures they are able to do now in the medical field. I go back in six weeks and will know if the last two surgeries were successful. Cataract surgery is in the future so I have followed your journey with much interest! Love your daily posts and look forward to seeing them every morning.
What wonderful news! So glad it helped to “see” yourself and the world so much better! Those frames are so fun. my sweet sister in law who work at a famous eyewear company calls glasses jewelry for your eyes. I know you’re gonna miss glasses for a while, but you look terrific without. Have fun discovering a facet of your look!
Oh, that’s just terrific! So happy for you, and I like those sunglasses. The slight uplift at the upper corners make them have a modern nod to retro cat-eye shapes, while the stripes definitely say Fun. I agree with Linda and others here in thinking a good eyebrow consult/update would probably help you see how wonderful you are sans lenses. Nice that it’s your choice now, as opposed to a necessity. I would also be very interested in seeing and reading about whatever the eyebrow journey yields. I realized just last week in watching a younger lady show her 2016 make-up look vs. her 2026 look what a different technique did for her brows in particular. Her old standard was eyebrow pencil, which is a daily necessity for me due to sparseness. Now, though, she first whisks this colored eyebrow gel stuff on, from what looks like a mascara wand, and then finishes with a very thin pencil for the inner strokes, making what look like individual hairs. I realized then and there that I could use a refresh and a tutorial.
Wishing you a lovely day of beauty and chatting everywhere you go!
Yay! Over and done! ✔️
I never wore glasses daily until I was in my 50s so I was happy to be rid of them. It does take a while to be used to seeing your own face. I love your new sunglasses and look forward to the big reveal of hair and glasses. So, about colors. It is interesting about neutrals and how people perceive them. I guess I don’t always look at a color singularly. I see these sunglasses you chose as having fun colors and design; I see them on your beautiful face and tweaked hair as blending so perfectly that they harmonize with you and your entire palette. Therefore, I would say they are neutral to You.
I never thought of buying readers in an eyeglass store. I never know where I have left them, so I do buy fun inexpensive ones so that I can keep a variety where I need them . There is always a pair in my pocketbook, in the kitchen, various places where I read. I look forward to hearing more from you as time passes and you figure out your needs. Again, looking forward to seeing the entire YOU.
I rarely comment, but you look so nice without glasses! (An aside, I also had intended to let you know that I may have beens the only one who thought you looked nicer without eye makeup, when you were not able to wear it.) I know what you mean about getting used to seeing yourself a certain way, however, as that’s where I am with my glasses and cataract surgery far in my future. However, to encourage you to step outside of your vision box, think of all your friends in the 90’s who had gotten so used to seeing themselves with large button earrings that they couldn’t put them aside, and so ended up looking dated for many years after button earrings went out of style.
Thanks for giving your experience with cataract surgery, as it’s something most of us will have to face at some point, if we’re lucky enough.
Hurray Pam! A piece of cake is the perfect description of most cataract surgeries today
( my two included!). I often tell friends it was the easiest surgery ever!
And WOW to your new gorgeous readers! And sunglasses! Happy days ahead. You will need sunglasses regularly…..for awhile I found…
Happy weekend!
You look terrific without glasses! Having an eyebrow consultation is a great idea. My eyebrows are a pale taupe color and 2/3 of them on the outer side are nearly gone. My stylist said having them tattooed was my easiest option but I’m terrified of anyone using an ink needle on my brows near my eyes. I got my readers when I got my daily wears and sunglasses. Unfortunately, I still need glasses after my cataracts were removed. I also developed the YAG film about a year later and had to have it removed. I recommend that you bring sterile saline eye drops with you as the hour drive home with my husband driving was a dry e nightmare. The drops were necessary that day after coming home. My readers are pink!
I am so happy that your surgery was a resounding success! As the old song says you can see clearly now. I am looking forward to seeing your new hair color. God is so good!
So glad for you, enjoy your search for the best looking glasses and sunglasses.
Glad everything went so well with your cataract surgery. I love the sunglasses you picked out. Reading the comments on eyebrows. Something of interest to many of us it seems.
You are fabulous and have a new lease on life!
Sandra
Blessings to you, Sandra!
Dear Pam,
I totally understood why you were apprehensive about having cataract surgery. It’s your eyes, I knew I was in outstanding hands, and knew my eye surgeon well. However I was still a bit squeamish because it was my eyes. Especially after what you went through with your foot surgery. By the way you look great without glasses. It takes time getting use to looking at yourself without glasses. The glasses can hide those dreadful bags or dark circles that some people get.
You can now see so much better AND look super happy. Yippee you did it.
Hooray for Missy Pam.