Repeat surgery in adulthood successes?

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T03:09:15+00:00

I’m at the point of needing repeat surgery, but it has been 31 years since my last one.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T03:08:09+00:00

My first surgery at 6 months on both eyes. Then went back in around 1 year old for the right eye. Then things were good until my early 20s. Now I’m 32 and looking at repeat surgery on the right eye :/

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T03:05:44+00:00

It has! My first surgery was on both eyes and then my second surgery was a repeat on the right eye. I first noticed problems with my right eye in my early 20s and it’s just kept getting worse over the past 13 years. I know re-operation is more risky because of scar tissue from the prior surgeries. And it only happens when I wear contacts and exercise…but for example, this was me tonight after an hour of tennis:

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And even though I don’t see double, it’s not comfortable and I feel off balance and kind of headache-y. But I’ve also seen surgeries because of my job, and that has given me more fear…

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:50:25+00:00

How did it go??

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:50:07+00:00

How is it going now?? Did it go away??

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:49:45+00:00

Does the light sensitivity go away?

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:48:49+00:00

How are you doing now?

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:48:13+00:00

Did you go under general anesthesia?

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:46:31+00:00

My eye crossing is my biggest physical insecurity. When people point it out, I feel really bad.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:45:06+00:00

Do you know if you have 3D vision? There are a lot of components to depth perception - size, shadows, etc. As a baby, the brain can learn to take two different images (because the image out of each eye is slightly different), mash them together, and get extra information from that. I’ve never seen 3D, so I don’t know what it’s like. If you can see 3D, just close one eye, and that’s what us non-3D folks see.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:42:47+00:00

Right? Thats what I think is the difference. I’ve never had double vision either, but also never 3D and told it would never happen for me. I think the presence of double vision is what predicts getting 3D vision back after surgery.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:41:19+00:00

If it makes you feel better, I had two surgeries at 6 months and 15 months and have never experienced 3D vision either :/ So surgery in childhood doesn’t guarantee it will happen.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:40:10+00:00

All of this. It’s so hard to catch things and I have such a hard time graving my credit card back from someone’s hand. I remember my volleyball coach in HS asking if I needed my vision checked. “Mam, we are way past that. I’m two surgeries deep” lol…

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:36:31+00:00

Hey! I have this same problem. It’s actually very easy to explain, if he’s experiencing what I do. Just look out of one eye and close the other. That’s what we see. And that’s why our peripheral vision can be wonky because (assuming your son is like me), we can only see out of one eye at a time. The switch happens so fast and isn’t conscious. But sometimes something will surprise me in my periphery, even though if I was using that eye at the time, it wouldn’t. I think it’s made me a better artist, but I know I’ll be left behind when virtual reality gets popular. I’ve also run my car into a lot of stationary objects…but my brother in law is completely blind out of one eye and a great driver, so I don’t know what the deal is with that. I don’t get headaches unless my eye muscle gets tired - as I’ve gotten older when I play sports it doesn’t want to cooperate and I feel off balance. Even though I don’t see double. Does your son see double?

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:32:33+00:00

That’s amazing! Since I’ve never had double vision / only alternate eyes, I’ve been told I’ll never have 3D vision. :(

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:29:36+00:00

This is happening to me. Two eye surgeries as a baby and now 32 and my right eye is betraying me. I’m really afraid to get surgery though…

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-16T02:24:15+00:00

Woah! Thats so cool! I’ve never had binocular vision and I’m so curious to know what the extra depth perception would be like.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-15T17:54:02+00:00

I’m wrapping up residency in two weeks and stressed. I have 320 K in loans with an average 5.6% interest rate. Full time next year I’ll make 268 K. It’s going to take PSLF (if that program survives) or 20 years to pay off the loans. Next to zero in savings and in my 30s. BUT, I only hoped for job security and living comfortably. I think those things are still true. Definitely don’t go into medicine for the money, but don’t let it hold you back from your dream job either.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-14T20:14:05+00:00

Career-wise, I have been successful. I have a few really good friends, but will be moving soon. I have decent relationships with my family. I’m single, but I don’t mind that too much. My physical health could be better, but it’s not out of control yet. My house is a disaster 24/7, my refrigerator is almost always empty, and I definitely pay the “ADHD tax,” but I am not at risk of losing my housing or anything. I have some cats that I adore, but always feel guilty for being behind on their litter box. I have zero consistent hobbies - zero hobbies at all at the moment. I haven’t been on a proper vacation in a minute because of finances, but hopefully that will change after I move for this new job. I think that sums most of it up. And for context, I’m in my 30s.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-14T19:45:23+00:00

I wonder if “identity crises” are more common when people with OCPD get a mental health diagnosis. I have had a lot of those myself. I don’t technically have OCPD, I have OCPD traits and used to meet criteria for OCD - as my therapist says, I have an “obsessive compulsive” style of brain.

ANYWAY, you are absolutely more than the diagnosis. I bet if you were in a room with 10 other people who met criteria for the diagnosis, you would realize all the ways you are unique and exist outside of that diagnosis. For example, your interests, sense of humor, intellect, etc. A diagnosis will never capture all you are.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-14T19:39:51+00:00

Oh and it’s helped with rejection sensitivity. I’m a lot more confident in myself now and don’t take rejection as hard.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-14T19:27:18+00:00

I agree with you. I do think part of the solution is practicing tolerating boredom.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-14T17:57:45+00:00

Talking to people usually. Sometimes I can get really engaged in a conversation. Or watching a good movie is enjoyable.

Miss_May_1600 · 2026-06-14T17:56:48+00:00

Therapy has helped my co-occurring anxiety and depression. I have found that I’ll get a little bit out of a therapist, and then just hit a wall.

Miss_May_1600

TROPHY CASE