CalifChick
Posts: 10717
Joined: 10/28/2007 From: California Status: offline
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I had it done about 10 years ago. I can't give you an exact cost, because my mom had worked for the surgeon for years so I got the special "employee price" - roughly 50% of the regular price. I want to say we paid about $2000 or so, so the regular price was $4000 or so. This surgeon is the top of the line around here - the chains definitely do it cheaper. I am very squicky about my eyes, so they scheduled me last that day so I wouldn't freak out the other patients. At that time, they were using a blade to slice the flap. Now they use a laser, I believe. So I'm laying on the table, the retractor is holding my eyelid open, and the doc says "hold very still"... YEAH, RIGHT!!!!!! Apparently against all odds I managed somehow to jerk my head during the nanosecond when the blade was slicing, so the slice was not perfect but had one tiny rough edge. The rest of the procedure went fine. I had better than 20/20 as soon as the procedure was finished. That tiny rough edge developed a dry spot, so I went back about once a month for a year to check on it. He had not had that happen in quite a number of years. It eventually healed correctly, but I used a lot of eye gel (like rewetting drops, but in gel form) that he gave me. During the healing process, I only noticed halos around traffic lights at night, and that stopped as soon as my dry spot healed. And sunglasses are a must! As far as complaints, you should be able to check the website for your state's licensing board, and you might need to call them. Sometimes complaints only become public record when the doctor is sanctioned or disciplined. Ask all the usual questions... how many of this exact procedure do you do every month? What is the complication rate? What happens if I need a touchup (happens occasionally) - do you do that for free? Oh, and he warned me that for some people, they need reading glasses because after the procedure they cannot focus well close-up. I have noticed that my near-vision has become blurry until I get about 8 or 10 inches away from my face. I first discovered this when someone was kissing me and then was saying something, still holding me close. I had to pull back a little ways in order to be able to focus on his face. Cali
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AKA "The Undisputed Goddess of Sarcasm", "Big Bad Cali" and "Yum Bum". Advisor to the Subbie Mafia, founding member of the W.A.C. and the Judgmental Bitches Brigade, member of the Clan of the Scarlet O'Hair-a's and Team Troll
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