March 29 2023 will always be a date I will remember forever. The day that my life’s about to change and here we are now, over a year later and I can’t believe this is how I see life now at 30. Life’s been life-ing for the past few months and I haven’t really got the chance to sit down and write my thoughts on this eye corrective procedure until now. So in this reflective piece, I invite you to journey with me as I look back on the past year – a year marked by transformation, growth, and a renewed zest for life. I’ll be sharing to you a personal story how it all started. So go grab a drink or snack because this is a loooong one!
BACK STORY
It was freshman year in high school when I started to notice my vision was starting to deteriorate. I couldn’t see the words our teacher was writing on the board, so I had to go up front and kneel in the front most table and copy the notes written. This became a norm and at that time, I remember I blamed my poor vision for my dark knees for having to do that everyday in every class in school. Until one day my parents was finally convinced and got me my first graded glasses. I though it was ugly. It sure was ugly but this 13 yo kid got no choice. It felt like even after having eye glasses, my vision wasn’t sharp and life’s been inconvenient since I had it but I eventually learned to live with it. Contacts wasn’t a thing yet and if they were, I was too young for the responsibility so I became this four eyed kid all though out my school years.
Fast forward to my 20s, at one point, I already accepted this faith. To the point that I was ready to apply for a PWD Card here in our city. One of the requirements of the PWD Card was to have a Doctor’s certificate to confirm your bad eye sight. But when I went to the Ophthalmologist, I learned that they will not grant such certificate IF your vision CAN STILL be corrected by any eye surgery. During that time, I already knew about Lasik but with the nature of my job, I thought that I couldn’t really afford to go on leave off of work for the recovery time that Lasik needs (about a month) so doing that wasn’t really an option.
Months after, CebuDoc made waves with the introduction of the SMILE procedure here in Cebu City back in 2021. It was the most advanced state-of-the-art laser vision correction option since LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) through the acquisition of the Visumax 500. It was a new and improved way to correct eyesight which is less invasive and fast in just 23 seconds. A year later, they upgraded the machine and acquired the The VISUMAX 800 – ReLEX SMILE Pro, which reduces the time to 9 seconds! I was actually there during the launch which I blogged about here. I remember how excited I was to learn about it and dreamt of having to experience it one day. Then I remember my failed PWD applicable and thought, “Lord, is this a sign?”. That machine was a first in southeast Asia and of all places it could be available, it had to be here, in my city! So I started to consider it and of course, with great machine come with such an expensive price. So I started to set aside a fund for it. And no this is not even a sponsored post. I am not paid to write this.
BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER!
It was February of 2023 and my birthday in April is coming up in a couple of weeks. I’m not really the kind to have a huge celebration. It’s mostly just a small gathering with family at home. But I was turning 30 and I wanted to do something big. Not a big party but rather something remarkable that I haven’t done before. I initially thought of doing solo travel around southeast Asia. I already started my research and had a list of the places I wanted to go. After weeks of planning, I never end up booking any flights until I realize something. How can I enjoy the beauty of the world if I can’t even see perfectly? That’s when I was reminded of my other dream goal – Eye Corrective Surgery.
March 14, 2023 came and I had my eye assessment again. This time I came with an intention to finally do it. A best gift that I can give to myself. March 28, the day before my surgery, I told my parents about it. I kept the idea from them because I didn’t want them to worry and also if they share their doubts, it will just make me overthink more.
I FINALLY DID IT!
March 29, 2023 was the DAY. My boyfriend took a leave from work to accompany me (which I’m super grateful for). Surgery went well. The procedure itself was super fast not even 10 mins. It was the queue to wait for your turn was time consuming. Next thing I know we was at a café to eat and went home after. The Smile Pro procedure had no downtime. So the next day I was able to go back to the clinic alone for a next-day check up.
(Posting the detailed surgery experience on a separate post next)
me and Dr. Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III, one oF the country’s renowned ophthalmologist and laser eye surgeon of larrazabal eye (Cebu Doctor’s Hospital)
NO REGRETS!
A year later today and yes I have no regrets at all. My life has been super convenient since! When I ask some friends before how they feel, they will always say, “I wish I’ve done it sooner” and I totally agree 100%!
10 THINGS THAT I’VE APPRECIATE POST SURGERY.
Now here are 10 personal highlights in the past year that I’ve experience post-surgery:
- I can now see water in the shower! This may sound hilarious but I had to include this and because it’s true! That was my first reaction when I had my first shower post-surgery. I had a grade of 800 and imagine not able to see water every time I shower. Now, it’s still surreal to think that that is now a thing in my past.
- I wake up and I see things. When someone asked me, “What’s the first thing you grab when you wake up?” – the answer has always been “my eyeglasses”. Not even my phone like most of this generation do and I’m sure all of you who wears glasses can totally relate. This is not anymore the case if you have done the surgery. To be honest, it took me some time to adjust and I still try to look and grab for my eyeglasses even after the surgery – and that must have been because of years of this force of habit.
- I can swim and free dive without worries. Early in the pandemic I got introduced to the world of free diving and I learned how to free dive as well. But it sure was frustrating to hold on to that breath and once you go near the corals, you still couldn’t appreciate the beauty of the corals and marine life. I wear contact lenses but I never really wore it when I go swimming – only until I learned how to dive. How else can I see underwater right? But just within the month after the surgery, I went snorkeling and let me tell you. If free diving itself was liberating, how much more if you were able to see the beauty of the underwater world with clearer vision. It was FREEDOM.
- No more blurry salon view. OMG I had this list on my phone of the things I appreciate post surgery and this is one of them. I remember I spent a day at the salon pampering myself with a new hair color and a Brazilian blowout. Those moments wasn’t really enjoyable until now. I can see everything! Because before they would prefer you not to wear your glasses as it restricts them from doing things especially on the sides of your head. So without it I couldn’t really use my cellphone completely for my entertainment, or I would look silly and place my phone very near my face. Or even just to see the progress of my hair do. Yes that’s how bad my vision was.
- Watching Cinema and 3D Shows. Life with glasses really is inconvenient especially when watching a movie. Most especially when you need those 3D glasses and yes you know where I’m going with this. Stacking up that 3D glasses on top of your eyeglasses was just not cute and totally restricts a part of your view. We were able to watch Transformers: Rise of the Beasts last year and I had the best time. We also watched a 4D show in Hongkong Disneyland and it was super hassle free!
- Laying sideways. Speaking of watching movie, omg I can now freely watch Netflix on my phone sideways! This is something I am struggle with for yearsssssssss! or anything to do with laying down, taking a quick nap on a table or something. The routine was always to take it off and place it near you and sleeping with a worry of waking up and not finding your glasses. Omg I don’t have that problem anymore now!
- Cardio has never been more fun! I signed up again for a gym membership last 2019 which i started running actively again and ughh running with your glasses bouncing up and down was the most annoying thing ever!!! I so happy I won’t be experiencing this anymore!!
- Eating noodles or any hot soup fog-free. Anything fog related, like being in a car with super high AC and when you get out (at least here in the Philippines) your glasses gets foggy instantly. I literally had to pause and stop walking and take out my glasses to wipe the fog away. ahhhhh the struggle. Same goes to having a flashed photo and the flash just bounce right back from your glasses. same shit.
- I can wear Sunglasses!! Wearing one before means that I have to wear contacts too which can be very tiring to maintain throughout the day. Now I can wear whatever sunglasses I fancy!!
- No more paying for glasses and contacts! You already know this thing ain’t cheap!! I even cheated of not having it replaced every year because damn this cost A LOT. Thank God that’s out of my expense list forever!
A selfie after getting my lashes done! and no more red spots on the side of my nose! yay.
Snorkling selfie – this was taken a week after surgery!
Exercising has been a pleasure experience since. This was taken at one of a cycling class I’ve attended.
The 4D we watched at HongKong Disneyland.
Watching Shows like this in full HD! “Momentous” Nighttime Spectacular at HongKong Disneyland.
These highlights represent just a fraction of the transformative journey I’ve experienced upon over the past year. As I reflect on these moments, I am reminded of the great impact that SmilePro Eye Surgery has had on every aspect of my life, reaffirming my decision to embrace a clearer, brighter future.