This interview is based on a conversation with John Fleming, 56, the owner of a commercial cleaning company from Raleigh, North Carolina. It has been edited for length and clarity.
It’s difficult to find a photograph of me taken over the past 10 years or so.
I was usually the one behind the lens or, more commonly, hiding from it. I avoided catching sight of myself in a mirror and switched off the camera during virtual meetings.
It was because I didn’t like the way my face looked. All I could see were the dark circles and bags under my eyes. If I could, I would try to wear glasses to draw attention away from them.
I wanted to look less stressed and tired
My family and I believe the characteristic is genetic, and the problem was really affecting my life.
I wouldn’t say that people have been ageist toward me, but I meet a lot of clients in my business. I knew I’d feel more confident if I looked energetic rather than tired and stressed.
In November 2025, I accompanied my wife, Raquel, to the opening of a cosmetic surgery office near our home. The surgeon, Dr. Heather Levites, was giving free consultations, and I thought, “Why not?”
Courtesy of John Fleming
I know it’s not seen as particularly manly to consider plastic surgery, but I was surprised when she explained my options.
Raquel and I are great believers in self-care, and if the procedure made me feel better about myself, we agreed that a lower blepharoplasty was worth the $5,000 expense.
It wasn’t as if I needed it; I just wanted it.
I was keen to get it done sooner rather than later and underwent the operation as soon as I could take some time off work.
I had general anaesthesia
I confided in one friend beforehand. He looked concerned when I said I was having eye surgery. He thought I was talking about something like cataract removal.
The process took around an hour under general anaesthesia. I’ve had a number of knee surgeries in the past, so it was no way near as big a deal.
It wasn’t painful when I woke up, but you have to be careful to follow the regimen of putting a mask over your eyes from the freezer and using eye drops.
Courtesy of Dr. Heather Levites.
There was no way of disguising the swelling and bruising from my immediate family. My two sons and three grandchildren seemed tickled, but said they didn’t quite know what to think or how to react.
“Poppa, what’s happened to your face?” my 5-year-old granddaughter, Leila, asked. I wore dark glasses while the area healed.
Now, just over two months later, a lot of people say I look fresher and well-rested. It’s a subtle change, and most of them can’t put their finger on what’s caused the difference.
I’m getting fitted with contact lenses now
But that’s how I want it. I don’t want to look “fixed” or “done.” Nobody has called me vain to my face, but, as a man, I feel a bit judged.
Still, the procedure has given me a lot more self-confidence and self-worth. I’m no longer shy about having my photo taken. I’m ditching glasses and getting fitted with contact lenses next month.
The new John is happy to show a whole lot more of my features.
