Lasik eye surgery???

[goin2disneyagain]

I had Lasik 2 years ago. I highly recommend it. I paid $3000 total for both eyes. Carefully choose a doctor. I did a lot of research and talked to lots of people before I had my surgery. My vision is now 20/15. I wore glasses before.

It does not hurt.

 

[dawgfan]

I had it done in January 2004. They gave me a valium before the procedure but I really would not have needed it. The procedure is very quick and pain free. Anticipation of the procedure was the worst part. Fear of the unknown I guess. I scheduled th eprocedure and went in that morning. The doctor I had do the surgery is well known around here and has done more in the southeast than any other doc. I was scheduled along with five other people that day. We all were taken to a pre-op room where they swab your entire eye area with Betadine and give you some drops. Women are told to wear no make up. You wait for a short period and they call you in to the surgery room. In my doctors office the room is glassed where everyone can see the procedue so my wife was able to watch the whole thing. That is where I made my mistake. I watched a procedure prior to mine. It can be a bit freaky to see someone mess with an eye like that. Don't watch it before the surgery. It only increases anxiety. Mine went off without a hithc and I can see great. I have no regrets and wish I had done it sooner. The procedure took about 10 minutes and no pain. Could see immediately afterwards.

 

[adamak]

How do you all research for the doctor? I googled but I have no idea who is truely good.
My eyes are especially dry, so I can't even wear contact lens. I have no idea if I can even do Lasik. It would be great if I can.

 

[Joeblack]

I posted a thread about this right before having the surgery. It has been 4 months since I had it. I ahd come to depend on my glasses for everything which was a nuisance, and in spite of having previously sworn that I would never let any doctor touch any orbit-like parts of my body, let alone cut them ;-) I decided I could not go on being as blind as a bat.

Today I have 15/20 vision, which is higher than 20/20 and could not be happier. The procedure was kind of psychodeloc and pretty painless. There was discomfort the night after the procedure, but I woke up with no pain at all and already seeing pretty well. There is still some dryness in my eyes (your tear glands do fet affected for about a year after the procedure) but nothing some Genteal can't take care of.

My procedure was the CUstom Vue one, which is last generation and it costed $900 for both eyes in the best hospital in Ecuador. There are lots of Americans that have the procedure done here because of cost. The day I had mine scheduled, the other two patients were from the U.S. too.

Lasik is definitely the best money I have spent (along with my DVC purchase )

Hope this helps.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I read bulletin boards on AOL and see what people said and I talked to people in person that had had it done. I just starting asking everyone if they knew anything about Lasik. I came across a lady at work that had used a doctor (2 months earlier) that she highly recommended and she never several people that had used him as well. I did some searching on him and made an appointment and went from there. One piece of advise that she gave me that I strongly recommend, once you go for your initial consultation and decide to have the surgery don't wait very long to have it. Do it as quickly as possible, the longer you wait the more stressed out about it you will get. I went in for my consultation on a Monday and had my surgery that Thursday afternoon. This particular doctor was the only one ( at least in Atlanta) that was endorsed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield at that time. I didn't have BC/BS but I still liked the fact that he was the only one they endorsed. I refused to go to what I call a "back of the alley" doctor. After all they are the only eyes you have, you want them to be taked care of. Your vision will improve every single day for a month or so. If anyone on hear is in or near Atlanta and wants his name I will be happy to give it to you if you PM me. He has people travelling from all over the SE and country to have their surgery. Amy Carter, Jimmy Carter's daughter, also used him and she could have used anyone.

 

[Augustheather97]

WOW---- no bad news about it that is good..I go tuesday to a meeting about it....I would love to do it. One person going to the talk tuesday will win a free one...Hope I win

 

[Mish19]

I saw the Jessica Simpson Lasik episode and was fascinated!
I want a stuffed animal to cuddle during the procedure too!
So, when you're getting it done what do you see?

 

[goin2disneyagain]

It's hard to describe what you see while having the actual precedure. Nothing very clearly.

 

[JustHolly]

I have a recommendation for an EXCELLENT, can't get any better LASIK doctor in your area. His name is Dr. Richard Lasonde at a place called Excellent Vision in Portsmouth.

Ted tried to get Lasik, but did not end up qualifying- his corneas were not thick enough, and even though Dr. Lasonde said it might work, he wasn't 100% confident that his vision would be perfect, and opted not to do it.

He's a very thorough man, and you have to have several pre-lasik appointments, where you see his assistants, but Dr. Lasonde is very talented, and won't just take your money. When you meet him, you'll see he's a perfectionist, and he'll make sure your eyes will be perfect, or he won't do the surgery.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Ahhh the fond memories. . I had mine done ten years ago while this particular procedure was still experimental for about $2,500. I was not able to see the end of a diving board when we all would use the pool. I had difficulty wearing contact lenses because I had a problem with light sensitivity and dryness in the eyes. I kept breaking glasses because I had always been rather an active person. Costly problem.

I have "issues" with most meds being sensitive to almost anything. I was able to tolerate the pre-op sedative as it was given in liquid form to me. In no time I was in and out of the painless procedure. Modern medicine is just a miracle! I did not require "enhancements" afterwards and all went well.

The doc I used I researched by a friend who had also done a great deal of research and by asking around for info...not as much info available then as now. The particular doc of my choice was teaching most of those who are doing the procedure now.

The scariest part is signing the medical papers. The best part...I can see without glasses!
Yes, it is true!

I have a great memory of my first "morning after" that I still relive each time this subject of whether or not to have the procedure is discussed. Waking up in the morning was always such a ritual. Wake up and grab my glasses. Well that first morning after surgery I grabbed for my glasses. Instant panic! I could not find them and was desparate. Apparently I never realized that I performed this pathetic ritual before opening my eyes. Then I opened my eyes. It was a miracle! I could see! The absolute greatest thing had happened.

I now wear "granny glasses" proudly as I need them to read. The procedure I had was not able to correct the aging process in the eye that requires me to wear glasses for reading. I don't mind that. I can see far without glasses required. I still go to the optomitrist for regular eye checkups to make sure my eyes are healthy. I have a pair of custom reading glasses and I also buy the "drug store" reading glasses.

Don't wait...if you are not a candidate for the surgery the doc will let you know. Not everyone qualifies as a good candidate.

I wish you all the best. I know you will be glad you did the procedure.

 

[Augustheather97]

Just Holly
__________________________________________________ I have a recommendation for an EXCELLENT, can't get any better LASIK doctor in your area. His name is Dr. Richard Lasonde at a place called Excellent Vision in Portsmouth.
__________________________________________________

Thanks Just Holly......That is the exact Dr I am going to the seminar for tuesday night. I went to his website and read all the testimonials so he looks good...I am dying to get it done ....Since I am a teacher I hope to get it all done by sept when school starts up again....do you think that is possible???

 

[ByTheSea]

I haven't read the entire thread so sorry if this has been repeated

My lasik was the best money I ever spent - I am so glad I did it (several years ago)

to save money, if you or your spouse has a flexible spending account at work, you can set aside the money from your check pre-tax - then it is deducted from your check each payday. With medical spending accounts you can claim the full amount right away.

My benefit enrollment period is Jan 1 so I got all the estimates/preliminary doctor visits done in the fall so I knew how much it would cost when I had to do my annual benefit enrollment, then scheduled my Lasik surgery for early in January. Paid for it on a credit card, then filed the spending account claim right away and paid off the credit card. Depending on where you live and your own tax situation, for me I essentially "saved" about 30% of the cost by not having to pay Federal and State income taxes on that amount. For my surgery, it was $1600 so I "saved" $480, which made waiting a couple of extra months til January well worth it.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I just wanted to clarify that I didn't need an enhancement, but if I had needed one, it was included in the price.

My doctor is the head of opthamology at our hospital here, and is considered the best in the area.

You don't really see anything during the procedure because your flap has been cut and moved away. My eyes were dry for about a year, and I used drops frequently, but now I only use them once in a while.

 

[Augustheather97]

well just a follow up.....I was told yesterday I won;t be able to have the Lasik like I had hoped and instead they recommended PRK.....but that sounds a little too painful so I am not sure what to do....any suggestions????? Please