A different aspect **UPDATE**

[John In Illinois]

This is a different aspect of my desire to "Stay Healthy".

I am going in tomorrow morning to have my vision corrected with Lasik surgery. I have been "blind as a bat" practically my whole life. I started wearing glasses as a young child, seven or eight years old. My vision is so poor, that when the Army doc told me to remove my glasses and read the eye-chart, all I could say was "E". He said, "that's all you can see"? I replied, "I can't REALLY see that even, but ALL eye-charts have an "E" at the top!!

This will truly be a remarkable change for me, and I just wanted to share it in some small part with all of my friends here, and I have to admit that this former Army Ranger is a bit afraid, which snuck up on me this evening. I hadn't even really thought too much about it til now. I know it will be worth it when done, but the fact that I actually have my eyes wide open and SEE everything as it is done is intimidating the heck out of me.

<-----last time I wear glasses!!! LOL

 

[lisajl]

John,
Good luck with the surgery.
Let us know how it goes. I have always been afraid to have it done. My sister had it done in Canada. She cannot see as well as they said she could, but it's better than her coke bottle glasses.
I am not there yet, but will be before I am 60 I am sure.

Best wishes!

Lisa

 

[mowsie dreamer]

John, I think it's great that you are having the surgery. How wonderful it will be to wake up and greet each new day without those glasses! Or do you wear contacts? I know mine can be quite a bother at times! Something that it would be wonderful to get rid of!

I have had many friends who have had this done and not one of them says they are sorry they did it. You will be fine! Keep us posted on your progress! I can't wait to hear how it goes!

 

[nativetxn]

That's great, John. I have heard so many wonderful stories about this surgery. Several of my husbands colleagues have had the surgery and are so pleased with the results.

Nevertheless, I imagine it's a little nerve wracking anticipating the surgery itself.

Will you be able to post tomorrow? Or will we be without you, for a while?

 

[John In Illinois]

Mowsie, I wear REALLY thick glasses!! LOL

So losing them will result in still MORE weight loss!! LMAO!!!

Thanks Kath, I will be most likely unable to post only tomorrow, as my doctor suggests VERY limited computer use tomorrow after the surgery, but I am planning on going to work the next morning, so I will be back before you get a chance to miss me (Like that could happen)

 

[karebear1]

I know surgey is scarey, but you'll be fine. From what I understand it will be quite amazing to you when you see for the first time without those glasses! You are really going to be a whole new you aren't you?? Why did you decide to get this done? I'm curious to know if your weight loss had anything to do with your decision or not, or had you already decided to have the surgery prior to losing any weight??

 

[mowsie dreamer]

Originally posted by John In Illinois
Mowsie, I wear REALLY thick glasses!! LOL

So losing them will result in still MORE weight loss!! LMAO!!!

Good point, John! When I'm not wearing my contacts mine are pretty thick, too. I will have to be sure I don't weigh in the mornings until I get my contacts in!!! LOL

You WILL be missed, so hurry up and get those eyes fixed and get back here ASAP!!! Just think! You will be able to read all our complaints w/o those glasses!

 

[John In Illinois]

Kare,

I had been contemplating having it done for a long time. I think the recent improvements in this type of procedure were the main motivator for going ahead now, but I suppose on some level, the weight loss plays a part. I can't really explain it, but I have NEVER EVER felt that I was anything but ugly, and this has opened my eyes to the fact that just perhaps..........I am not completely hideous, but merely "troll-like" (Please do NOT interpret this as trolling for compliments, these are my deep feelings)

 

[Disneyaholic]

John:

Best of luck on your surgery.

I have also been contemplating lasik surgery for quite a while, but have never quite scraped up the courage to actually go in to do it.

We look forward to your posts in a few days to tell us all about it!

 

[alexandmaddie]

John:

I had Lasik surgery done 2 years ago tomorrow! I am so happy I did it! It is so wonderful to be able to see when I wake up in the morning, when I'm in the shower, swimming, etc...

I was nervous but when I got to the surgery site they gave me a Valium, which helped tremendously.

Good luck and take care, I think you'll be very pleased with the results of Lasik.

Krista

 

[karebear1]

John-
everytime I read something you write I learn something new about you. I know you weren't fishing for compliments, but I do have to say how I admire the changes you are making. I do not know if you are making most of them in a conscientious manner or not, but all I can think of is the forward progress and the example you are setting for your family and others around you. You are moving beyond what you thought of yourself and becoming someone who now sees some beauty in himself. I love the thought of that! It is a wonderful metamorphosis! It is what I see life is all about.

I appreciate your honest answer to my question. Thank you.

Now- you go to surgery tomorrow with confidence and a surety that there are lots of people on this board that are hoping and praying for your successful surgery!! I can hardly wait to see your next post about your experience!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[glo]

I so want to get this done. It is second on my list after a tummy tuck and arm tuck Good luck today. I am sure everything will be great. DH had it done two years ago and he said it just felt like he had something in his eye for about a day. He now has perfect eye sight, and he had coke bottle glasses before.

I can't wait to hear how it went for you.
Hugs

 

[zurgswife]

Good Luck John....

Zurg had this surgery 2 years ago (he also was blind as a bat) and he loves every minute. He does have to wear reading glasses but he figures that is nothing compared to what he has indured for the past 30+ years (he got glasses in 3 rd grade)...

So, enjoy your new view of the world

PS...Post a pic with the bug covers on....(If you don't get this kind of eye shield you don't know the fashion statement your missing) LOL!!!

 

[anniet]

Good Luck John!!!

A few of my coworkers have had this done and are MORE than pleased with the results. It took a while to get used to seeing them without glasses though!! LOL!

Take care and let us know how it goes!

 

[lmhall2000]

JOHN!! Here's sending you GREAT courage and swift healing!!

I had mine done 4 years ago- and yes IT'S THE BEST!!! I hate to tell how great mine came out in case someone didn't have such good results. My vision was a little over 20/600!! I could not read the E. Now in one eye it is 20/15 and the other is 20/20. I don't have any extra visual problems like halos or things like that. It did take about 6-8 weeks for my eyes to 'settle in'. Just remember to take those drops vigilantly and have someone feed you for the first few days- my eyes felt dry the first few days even with the drops- but sleep really helped-
I will encourage you and tell you they were not that "specific" about the procedure- I think they explained it away in 3 sentences- but I was a little startled by the event- but the good news is it only lasts about 3 minutes for both eyes!!! So think happy thoughts - for me it was a constant tapping of my toes until I reached 180! And oila- they were done!! They did give me a mild relaxant (don't know what) about 15 minutes before the procedure.
The good news is the worse off your eyes- the better the results typically- and I would have been happy with 20/60! Just thrilled and have had no problems related to that- just don't rub your eyes or touch them for the first few weeks. And wear those wrap around dark glasses for the first week or so- it really helps!
Let us know!!!
Tara

 

[Kelsie]

I just heard from John and he is doing great! He can't see very well and in a little pain (burning) but it went really well. He will post a little later with details.

((hugs)) John!

 

[geetey]

{{{{JOHN}}}}
I hope the burning disappears quickly and you are back with us soon!! I have been interested in this procedure for a long time as well (I am legally blind without my contacts). To be able to swim without goggles is a dream! LOL!

Hurry back and tell us all about it!!!!

 

[glo]

Hope the burning stops soon, and you come back and post all about it. I am crossing my fingers for this in the next few years, just hoping for the price to go down

 

[geetey]

Or that insurance starts covering a portion of it!!

 

[nativetxn]

I'm so glad to hear that the surgery went well, for John.

I imagine his eyes are feeling all that great at the moment but he will be all better soon.

Hey! Perhaps after his eyes are all well he will post a photograph that includes his head

Feel better, John, we miss you.