Blepharoplasty Journey: A Denver Patient's Story

A Clearer Look — A Flight Attendant’s Story with Dr. Chris Thiagarajah

 

How it started

​

I’ve been a flight attendant long enough to know when something small starts to get in the way of the job. For me, it was my eyes. By my early fifties, my upper lids felt heavy and my under-eyes looked puffy no matter how much sleep I got. On red-eyes, reading the tiny labels on overhead panels took more effort. In photos I looked tired even when I wasn’t. I started googling eyelid surgery Denver and kept seeing the word blepharoplasty. That’s how I found Dr. Chris Thiagarajah, an oculoplastic surgeon who focuses on eyelids all day, every day. He had good reviews and a lot of information on the website. It seemed like he performed a lot of the procedures and two friends recommended him. 

​​

How it started

​

I came to office and the staff were friendly. The office was clean and I checked in quickly. Dr Thiagarajah was pleasant and informative. The consult didn’t feel salesy. He looked at my lids, showed me where extra skin was hanging over, and explained—very simply—the difference between an upper eyelid lift and lower eyelid surgery for eye bags. He talked about keeping the result natural (no “surprised” look), what recovery really feels like, and how soon I could be back in the air. I liked that he’s an oculoplastic surgeon—the eye area is his specialty—and that he’s done thousands of these. I reviewed many of his before and after photos which he had close to a 600 of. I left feeling like I had a plan, not a pitch. He answered questions and it felt like no pressure situation. He was honest about what the surgery could and couldn't do. When I told him I needed time to think about it , he was the only doctor who said "Take as much time as you need. Its a big decision". No expiring prices or "sign up now or else" pressure. 

​​

Surgery 

​

Surgery day was straightforward. My husband and I came an hour before to the surgery center. It was outpatient. I changed into a gown, met the anesthesiologist Dr Green who answered questions and was kind, and the next thing I remember was waking up a little groggy but not in real pain. Dr T had written a book on cosmetic eyelid surgery which helped a lot so I knew everything in advance. We drove home, I set up camp on the couch, and I did what everyone suggests but no one believes will help: frozen peas. They really do help. The first forty-eight hours were the puffy ones. I slept propped up on pillows, took my drops and ointment as directed, and kept the cold compresses going. I stuck to simple pain meds—nothing strong—and that was enough. By day two I was on to tylenol. By day 4 I didn't need anything. There were ups and downs but every week got better. 

​​

Healing

​

Light sensitivity surprised me the most. The world felt a little too bright for a few days, so sunglasses were glued to my face any time I stepped outside. By day three I could tell the swelling had peaked and was heading down. Washing my face was awkward around the incisions at first, but it got easier every day. When I finally looked closely in good lighting, I could already see more “eyelid” where there used to be hooded skin.

Stitches came out smoothly. A couple of dissolving ones made themselves known with a tiny poke—annoying more than painful—and then they were gone. The oddest part was the sensation: for a few weeks it felt like I’d worn swim goggles too tight the day before. Dr. T told me that’s nerve healing and it would fade. It did. By week two, I was comfortable running errands bare-faced. The redness of the incisions did linger for a while but eventually faded over months. People said I looked “rested,” which is exactly what I wanted—no one asked, “What did you do?”

 

Am I ready for work?​

​

After the first 4 days, things improved by leaps and bounds. Going back to work felt like the final test. On my first overnight after surgery, those tiny panel markings that used to make me squint were just…clear. My eyes didn’t feel weighed down halfway through the flight. I noticed it in the mirror too: the makeup I always used to hide puffiness wasn’t doing heavy lifting anymore. I still looked like me, just less tired around the eyes. Over the next month or so, I healed more and my eyelids became a memory. Several people asked me if I had been on vacation. No one could really tell i had surgery.

​​

Advice 

​

If you’re reading this because you’re considering blepharoplasty in Denver, here’s what I wish I’d known sooner: recovery is real but manageable; frozen peas and extra pillows go a long way; sunglasses are your best friend for a bit; Plan the recovery and make sure you have everything set for it. Choosing someone who truly specializes in the eyelids matters. That’s why I chose Dr. Chris Thiagarajah. He kept the plan conservative, answered every question without rushing, and aimed for “you, just refreshed.” That’s how it turned out.

​

I didn’t do this to look way different. I did it to see and look better on the job and feel a little more like myself off the clock. Now I can read what I need to read in a dim cabin, and I don’t dread the camera on family trips. I feel more refreshed and feel more confident when  I look in the mirror. If you’re on the fence about an upper eyelid lift or lower eyelid surgery for eye bags, talk to an oculoplastic surgeon like Dr Thiagarajah and ask all the questions. For me, working with Dr. Thiagarajah made it simple: clear plan, honest expectations, natural result. My only regret is waiting as long as I did.

​

Look at Before and After Photos

​

Schedule a Consultation