Last Thursday was the big day! I had my Lasik eye surgery procedure done!

I've had terrible vision almost all of my life. I got glasses when I was nine and after begging my parents for contacts when I was in high school, they finally agreed. Contacts were great for years, but recently they started bothering me, and I knew it was either go back to glasses, or fix the problem permanently with surgery. I'm writing this now, because I chose the latter.

My surgery was last Thursday afternoon at Eye Health Vision Centers in Dartmouth.  I won't hide the fact that I was terrified.  When I arrived, I was brought into an exam room and given some numbing eye drops.  The girls I worked with were great, Lauren, Nancy and Beth, all made me feel comfortable and a little less nervous, they walked me through every step of the procedure.

Next, I had to put these weird blue bootie things on my feet, and a cap of the same color on my head.   Then Lauren swabbed iodine all around my eyes to make sure they were clean and free of the eyeshadow that I wore for 5 mins. earlier that day.  (They said the eyeshadow was no big deal btw.)

TSM/Loren Petisce
TSM/Loren Petisce
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TSM/Loren Petisce
TSM/Loren Petisce
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Next, I was brought into the room where the surgery was being done. I had met with Dr. Kenyon prior, and he addressed all of my questions and concerns. Now it's surgery time! The girls gave me stress balls, which I squeezed like it was my job...man, I was nervous!

TSM/Loren Petisce
TSM/Loren Petisce
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First, my eyelids were taped up, so Dr. Kenyon could directly access my eyeballs. Then, there was a device placed in my right eye, as that was the eye being done first. It didn't hurt, but it did feel awkward. I was then told I would feel some pressure, but not any pain. That's exactly what I felt, a little bit of discomfort with pressure, but I did not experience any pain. I was told that next my vision would blur and maybe even fade to black, again normal. I was glad I was given a heads up of what to expect, that made things a lot better.

TSM/Loren Petisce
TSM/Loren Petisce
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The process was really quick and I remember being super focused, fearing if I moved, I would mess up everything. I had to focus my eye on an orange light, and there was a certain number of seconds that the techs were counting down to. While they were counting down for :24, I was laying there thinking "Loren, DO NOT MOVE!!!"

TSM/Loren Petisce
TSM/Loren Petisce
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Next, was my left eye, and it was the exact same procedure. The count was a little less here, :21 seconds to create the flap in my cornea. Again, I was incredibly focused and still, so everything would go perfectly.

The procedure was over so quick! The whole thing, both eyes, were all done within 15 minutes or so.

I was then brought back to an exam room and was able to take off my blue cap and booties. I was kind of out of it at that point, they had given me a small amount of Valium to calm down, and it had definitely kicked in by then. I took a group photo with the girls and Dr. Kenyon and then I was free to go!  I gathered my list of instructions and my eye drops, and my husband drove me home!  I was instructed to take a nap as soon as I got home (best instructions ever!!)  I actually fell asleep on the way home, and then when I got home, set my alarm for 2 hours, and ended up sleeping all the way til the next morning!  I guess I was tired!

When I woke up the next day, I could see!  Things were a little bit blurry, but I was told to expect that.  It didn't matter, I could see with my own eyes!!  I went back to Eye Health Vision Centers to see Dr. Kenyon for my first follow up appointment Friday morning.  I was able to drive myself, which was very exciting!  He gave me my first vision test with my new eyes and I saw 20/20!  Perfect vision!  It's a pretty indescribable feeling to be able to see with my own eyes and with no help from contacts or glasses, absolutely amazing!  It feels like Dr. Kenyon performed a miracle on me!

If you're considering Lasik, I highly recommend Dr. Kenyon at Eye Health Vision Centers!  He and his staff are at 51 State Road in Dartmouth and they are fantastic!!  Thank you so much Dr. Kenyon!

Like me, you probably have a ton of questions...here's a list of the most frequently asked ones right from Eye Health Vision Centers website: http://www.eyehealthvision.com/lasikFaq.php

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