I Put my Faith (And Eyes) in Dr. Massry

Three years ago I had a fat transfer under my eyes to fill in the hollows. The original surgeon was ASPS certified but not skilled or qualified to perform a fat transfer under the eyes. I was left with hideous lumps and over-filled eyes. The original surgeon attempted to fix the problems using direct excisions which left me with dents and scars under my eyes. I needed to find a specialist to help remove the fat but at that time had no idea how difficult a task that is. The next 3 years I endured multiple failed surgical and non-surgical attempts to remove the fat and the form and function of my eyes had been impaired.
I had nearly given up hope on a successful revision when I learned about Dr. Massry on Real Self. Because of previous unsuccessful attempts to remove the fat by other Doctors who seemed to have great reviews, I was especially cautious. I didn’t trust the reviews anymore. So, I called other plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills to see who they recommended as the ultimate eye doctor. Dr. Massry was their top choice, particularly for complicated revisions. He was the surgeon who successfully fixed other surgeons mistakes. With his own peers speaking his name, I felt the confidence I needed to make an appointment with Dr. Massry.
When I contacted his office I could see an immediate difference from past experiences. All offices are exceedingly friendly. They want your business. But here I felt I was treated like a patient in need of help and not just given more false accolades to their ability to “fix all”. Analysis of my problem began immediately and I did not feel like I was just another revenue stream. There was no pressure and no “fake nice” from his staff. Unlike previous appointments Dr. Massry’s office had a feeling of a true medical practice. But great doctors come at a price. They are few and the demand is clearly high as I waited over 2 months for just a skype appointment. It went smoothly and I did not feel embarrassed discussing my previous surgeries. Believe me…Dr. Massry has heard it before. After my Skype appointment I was approved for an in-office visit in his Beverly Hills practice.
The entire face-to-face meeting with Dr. Massry was different than the doctors who promised a fix but could not deliver. Dr. Massry took the time to analyze my specific problems, discussed the planes where the fat was located and then he described how he could remove the fat under the eye without leaving a scar. He touched and felt every lump and the corners of my eye from different angles. He told me exactly what fat he could remove and what he could not remove and what improvements I could expect. We also discussed the risks involved with yet another surgery. Then perhaps because Dr. Massry sensed my fear we talked about Bruce Springsteen and together recited the words of the song “Badlands”. I knew then that I had found the “Boss” of the eye lid surgeons. Not because Dr. Massry shared a love for Springsteen but because he took a personal interest in my life. I booked the surgery as soon as they had a time, approximately three months later.
Dr. Massry continued to help me with a true concern about what he needed to do to help my situation. Two days before surgery he again went over the details with me. And the night before surgery the anesthesiologist called and we went over further details with the depth of questioning that greatly reduced the fears I had with anesthesia.
The morning of surgery I met Dr. Massry at the Beverly Hills Doctors Center. They were exemplary in their care. Surgery lasted two hours and 45 minutes and I was in recovery for over an hour. I had minimal bruising but a lot of swelling probably due to having had so many poor attempts at prior revisions. I did not need any additional narcotic pain medicine after surgery or the following day.
After staying a week in LA to recover (very important to rest in a quiet place) I had my post op support tape and stitches removed. I was already able to see differences in the symmetry and smoothness of my eyes. Dr. Massry went over in detail what I needed to do to help with my swelling which I hadn’t been told after my previous surgeries. He showed me stretching techniques to use to keep the eyelids from retracting. No other surgeon I had used before demonstrated the details necessary to help improve my situation or even followed up with me or placed any emphasis on after surgery care like Dr. Massry.
It has now been 3 weeks since surgery. The healing is slow but steady. My eyes already look better and as the swelling subsides I can see where the difficult fat granules were removed. Because of Dr. Massry’s technique he was able to remove the fat without a scar or visible stitch. Even in this early stage of healing the improvement is visible.
If you are in need of an eyelid revision how will you know if the surgeon you have selected has the skill and experience to perform the revision with so much disinformation and fake reviews out there? Here’s what I’ve learned.
1. Ask if your surgeon is in good standings with the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). Then when you have selected a surgeon be certain he has actually performed the desired revision successfully. Ask for actual pictures.
2. Research the specific achievements and awards your prospective surgeon has achieved and whether they are legit. (Dr. Massry was awarded the Henry Baylis Cosmetic Surgery Award in 2014 among many other significant achievements. These highly prestigious awards speak volumes about the capabilities of a potential surgeon.
3. Because of the demand for oculoplastic surgeons they will rarely have an immediate opening (unless in the case of emergency trauma care) Beware of the Doctor that can “squeeze you in” their schedule in a few weeks.
4. Be realistic in your expectations of what revision surgery can accomplish. Improvement is the goal not perfection.
5. And lastly…be prepared to travel. Traveling to Beverly Hills sounded totally intimating but in actuality it was easy. Plastic Surgery is big business in Los Angeles and there is a medical community that focuses on this type of care like no other place in America. This doesn’t mean you can't find excellent help in other parts of the country but there are simply more specialists to choose from in LA than anywhere else.
In closing I am deeply appreciative to Dr. Massry and his staff and happy to offer this sincere review. Dr Massry and his staff are unparalleled in eye lid revision and in all fields of oculoplastic medicine. I prayed for a miracle and I received medical intervention and a caring physician, by the name of Dr. Massry.
If, and when you need an eye lid revision you may not start out with Dr. Massry but there is a good chance you may end up with him. He has my respect both as a gifted surgeon AND a compassionate human being.