Christmas in a different way – report from Monday, 21 January 2013

20 January 2013 Christmas a little differently About four years ago, my brother underwent laser eye surgery organised through SwissLasik. From that point on, I considered doing the same. Over this long period, the topic became very present again in 2012, and I decided to take this step. I began researching the surgery and SwissLasik and contacted the organiser Mr Serdar Karaagacli. Up until the surgery, Mr Karaagacli responded to my emails promptly and to my complete satisfaction. I decided to have the surgery on 25 December 2012. Everything was organised by SwissLasik through the premium package I booked, allowing me to focus entirely on preparing myself for the eye surgery. In the autumn before the procedure and the travel booking, I visited an eye doctor in Arbon for a pre-examination. The examination included several tests to determine if a Lasik Lasek procedure was feasible. The eye doctor gave me the go-ahead and sent all results to SwissLasik. I would recommend the pre-examination to anyone who wants to be sure. After I decided on the laser surgery, people around me gradually found out. Some seemed very surprised, shocked, and even a little alarmed by the location of the procedure. Prejudices and scepticism spread, but I was not in the least swayed. I attribute these reactions to people’s lack of knowledge and the experiences we see in the media. It is always the failures and botched procedures that get attention. I wanted to explicitly mention this for anyone influenced by prejudices who wants to free themselves from them. Of course, there is always a risk with any procedure; a residual risk remains, just as with any other surgery, whether in Switzerland or elsewhere. Moreover, there is always a personal contribution required to achieve an optimal result, for example following the professionals’ instructions. My motivation for the surgery was primarily the successful outcome of my brother’s procedure, and personally, I had long wished for a life without glasses. The idea of a new quality of life was decisive for me. Finally, the price was also very attractive. The procedure, including travel for two people, cost me around a third of what I would have had to pay in Switzerland, while ensuring quality remained the priority. After an emotional mix of excitement and nerves, and thoughts of what if, on 24 December 2012, I travelled to Istanbul accompanied by my brother. At Istanbul airport, we were picked up by a driver who navigated us through the city traffic to the Levent Hotel. The following day, the day of truth, we were collected at the agreed time and taken to the modern Acibadem Clinic. At the entrance, the translator greeted us and explained all the next steps in detail. Several tests were then performed, similar to those in Switzerland during the pre-examination. Afterwards, I had a consultation with Dr Banu Cosar, where I could ask remaining questions. She also asked me to read the large letters on the wall without glasses, which, with a correction of minus five dioptres in both eyes, was naturally very difficult. Admittedly, I could only see the light on the wall and no letters. Shortly before midday, the tests were completed. Everything proceeded very quickly. I was initially quite overwhelmed by the speed at which the doctors conducted the tests, but I never felt that the tests were not properly carried out. On the contrary, with several such operations taking place daily, the experience is very high, and the staff is highly competent, friendly, and attentive. Until the surgery, there was still enough time to visit a nearby shopping centre. The translator arranged a taxi for us. The translator was not only a translator but also coordinated the patients’ appointments. In the afternoon, we arrived at the clinic at the scheduled time. I had to read and sign an agreement. I found this a bit difficult, as I was about to undergo the procedure and adrenaline was already high. Later, I received a sedative at my own request. Shortly before the ten-minute procedure, I was given drops and a stylish cap, a gown, and shoe covers. I waited until the patient before me had finished, and then I had the pleasure of lying on the operating table. The translator was present and translated everything the doctor explained. My only task was to stay relaxed and look at the red light. The area around my eyes was disinfected and sterilised. The eye clamp held the eye open so I could not blink. The eyes were kept moist throughout the surgery. Then the actual procedure began. The same procedure was repeated on the second eye. The procedure was over faster than expected. Afterwards, I stood up with the translator’s help, put on dark glasses, and stayed in a dimmed room. After the surgery, I had difficulty opening my eyes due to the sedative. Shortly afterwards, a follow-up with the doctor took place. She asked me to remove the dark glasses and read the letters on the wall again. And there it was, a K! A big bold K! I could also read the smaller letters without any restriction. What a feeling, just amazing. On the bus back to the hotel, I slept the entire ride. Back at the hotel, I applied the prescribed eye drops, which I had received at the clinic with detailed instructions. My eyes felt dry after the surgery, and there was a scratching sensation. After the prescribed rest period, keeping my eyes closed for four hours, we went to eat. I was still a bit unsteady and felt some discomfort when looking around, so I was very grateful for my companion. The next day, with some more eye drops, another follow-up was carried out. The doctor’s report was entirely positive. Before leaving, I still thought about where to put my glasses so they would not break. In the end, I no longer needed them and could just as well have let a lorry run over them. Now it was a matter of getting used to life without glasses, which is not an easy task when you have worn visual aids for around two-thirds of your life. Even many days later, I still find myself adjusting or removing my glasses out of habit. These are mechanisms ingrained over the years. I am talking here about a little luxury problem, and luxury in the sense of a new feeling of life.