At a Glance
- Lauren Schulz, 31, shared raw TikTok footage of her $4,000 lower blepharoplasty recovery
- Online trolls called her “botched” while stitches and swelling were still visible
- Six days post-op her healed results silenced critics and boosted confidence
- Why it matters: Shows the reality of cosmetic surgery recovery vs. polished social-media before-and-afters
A Melbourne photographer has gone viral for documenting the messy middle of cosmetic surgery after trolls labeled her “botached” during recovery.
Lauren Schulz, 31, underwent lower blepharoplasty on Dec. 12 to remove under-eye bags she had edited out of photos for years. The $6,000 AUD procedure left her with bruising, swelling and visible netting stitches that made mirror checks “a jump scare,” she tells News Of Losangeles.
The Decision
Schulz says hereditary under-eye circles made her “constantly look tired” and that fillers or Rejuran injections were incompatible with her eye shape. After a long deliberation she chose surgery as “the most permanent solution.”
- Cost: $6,000 AUD (~$4,000 USD)
- Concern: Genetic under-eye bags
- Rejected options: Filler, Rejuran injectables
The Shock
Immediate post-op side effects were more graphic than she expected.
“I was in shock as soon as I saw myself with the stitches and swollen eyes,” Schulz recalls. Running blood, purple bruising and puffy lids are “bound to come with getting your eyelids sliced open,” she adds.
Despite trusting her surgeon, she admits the sight was jarring.
Online Backlash
When Schulz posted unfiltered recovery clips to TikTok, criticism poured in from strangers and even surgeons. Comments claimed she looked “botched,” a word that stung during an already vulnerable period.
“People get a certain confidence hiding behind a private account and bullying someone,” she says.
The negativity made it “very hard to trust the process,” she tells News Of Losangeles.
The Turnaround
On Dec. 18 Schulz uploaded a six-day update showing healed results: zero swelling, faded scars and a refreshed appearance. The tone shifted instantly.
“As soon as the stitches were out, I had the confidence I’d be able to show all of those people that they were wrong. It’s amazing how fast people ate their words,” she says.
She notes society is accustomed to polished before-and-after photos but rarely sees the raw middle stage.
Recovery Timeline
| Day | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 0 | Surgery performed |
| 4 | Recognized herself again |
| 5 | Could “see the vision” |
| 6 | Posted healed results video |
Final Results
Today Schulz says she already feels “such a confidence boost” and expects full settling within weeks.
“I feel like I look so much more awake; it’s really livened up my facial features,” she explains.
Overall she is “very happy” and doesn’t plan further dramatic changes, though she jokes she’s been watching facelift videos “perhaps in 10 years.”
Key Takeaways
- Social media rarely shows the bruising, stitches and swelling involved in cosmetic surgery
- Schulz’s experience highlights how quick judgment can be before full healing
- Her candid documentation has sparked conversation about realistic surgery recovery
