POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery Reviews
Functional and Aesthetic Damage Post Surgery
ORIGINAL POST
Functional and Aesthetic Damage Post Surgery
I underwent a medically necessary upper blepharoplasty and ptosis repair in August 2023 with Dr. Rouch at Boulder Plastic Surgery due to documented vision impairment. I regret this decision and feel obligated to share my experience so others can make fully informed choices.
Shortly after surgery, my heart rate dropped significantly, requiring hospital admission. Once swelling subsided, it became clear the surgical outcome was neither functionally nor aesthetically appropriate.
Postoperative issues include:
* Inability to keep both eyes closed (right significantly worse)
* Severe dry eye in both eyes (not present prior)
* Asymmetrical lid height
* Worsened ptosis in the left eye
* Multiple new folds and puckering of the right upper lid (likely caused by a permanent stitch per pattern Dr. Rouch)
* Peak placement asymmetry in the left eyelid (a stitch was placed 2–3 mm too far from the nose compared to the right eye per Dr Rouch)
* Noticeable change in overall eye shape and symmetry
At my first post-op visit (1 week after surgery), Dr. Rouch was not present. The nurse indicated I would likely need a revision. At subsequent visits, staff celebrated the cosmetic result despite obvious asymmetry and ongoing functional problems, telling me to “wait for swelling to go down,” though concerns were evident early on. This continued through multiple appointments, including one for an incision infection.
At my final follow-up in November (requested by me), I presented before-and-after photos and clearly outlined my concerns. After significant elaboration, Dr. Rouch agreed a revision was necessary but did not clearly explain the corrective plan. He offered to waive his surgical fee but stated I would still be responsible for hospital and anesthesia costs. No resolution was offered regarding these expenses, despite the revision being required due to the initial outcome.
During that appointment, due to his inability or unwillingness to communicate a corrective plan, I asked if I should consult an oculoplastic surgeon trained in both ophthalmology and plastic surgery. He claimed to be an oculoplastic surgeon, but I found no evidence of fellowship training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. This discrepancy significantly eroded my trust and contributed to my decision not to proceed with revision surgery under his care.
Since then, I have consulted multiple ophthalmologists and fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons. All have declined to operate. I have incurred substantial medical expenses, including ongoing treatment for severe dry eye, consultation fees, and Upneeq for the past 2½ years to help manage eyelid asymmetry—costs and conditions I did not have prior to surgery.
Beyond physical and financial consequences, I have lost—and continue to lose—an extraordinary amount of time managing this outcome. Scheduling and attending consultations, seeking second and third opinions, researching specialists, managing daily eye care, coordinating medical records, and attempting to find a willing surgeon have required time away from work, family, and mental bandwidth. More than two years later, I remain in a cycle of maintenance, follow-up, and uncertainty about whether my eyes can be safely corrected.
The impact extends beyond physical and financial effects. How my eyes function, how they look, and how I was treated postoperatively have been emotionally damaging. I trusted Dr. Rouch with my body and as a medical provider. Repeated dismissal of concerns, lack of accountability, and breakdown in transparency constituted a severe violation of that trust. The experience—physically, financially, and emotionally—remains traumatic.
I strongly encourage prospective patients to verify a surgeon’s training, fellowship background, and board certifications, especially for complex eyelid and ptosis procedures. My experience with surgical outcome, communication, postoperative accountability, and ongoing time, emotional, and financial burden fell far below what I believe is reasonable for functional eyelid surgery.
I would not choose this provider again.
Shortly after surgery, my heart rate dropped significantly, requiring hospital admission. Once swelling subsided, it became clear the surgical outcome was neither functionally nor aesthetically appropriate.
Postoperative issues include:
* Inability to keep both eyes closed (right significantly worse)
* Severe dry eye in both eyes (not present prior)
* Asymmetrical lid height
* Worsened ptosis in the left eye
* Multiple new folds and puckering of the right upper lid (likely caused by a permanent stitch per pattern Dr. Rouch)
* Peak placement asymmetry in the left eyelid (a stitch was placed 2–3 mm too far from the nose compared to the right eye per Dr Rouch)
* Noticeable change in overall eye shape and symmetry
At my first post-op visit (1 week after surgery), Dr. Rouch was not present. The nurse indicated I would likely need a revision. At subsequent visits, staff celebrated the cosmetic result despite obvious asymmetry and ongoing functional problems, telling me to “wait for swelling to go down,” though concerns were evident early on. This continued through multiple appointments, including one for an incision infection.
At my final follow-up in November (requested by me), I presented before-and-after photos and clearly outlined my concerns. After significant elaboration, Dr. Rouch agreed a revision was necessary but did not clearly explain the corrective plan. He offered to waive his surgical fee but stated I would still be responsible for hospital and anesthesia costs. No resolution was offered regarding these expenses, despite the revision being required due to the initial outcome.
During that appointment, due to his inability or unwillingness to communicate a corrective plan, I asked if I should consult an oculoplastic surgeon trained in both ophthalmology and plastic surgery. He claimed to be an oculoplastic surgeon, but I found no evidence of fellowship training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. This discrepancy significantly eroded my trust and contributed to my decision not to proceed with revision surgery under his care.
Since then, I have consulted multiple ophthalmologists and fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons. All have declined to operate. I have incurred substantial medical expenses, including ongoing treatment for severe dry eye, consultation fees, and Upneeq for the past 2½ years to help manage eyelid asymmetry—costs and conditions I did not have prior to surgery.
Beyond physical and financial consequences, I have lost—and continue to lose—an extraordinary amount of time managing this outcome. Scheduling and attending consultations, seeking second and third opinions, researching specialists, managing daily eye care, coordinating medical records, and attempting to find a willing surgeon have required time away from work, family, and mental bandwidth. More than two years later, I remain in a cycle of maintenance, follow-up, and uncertainty about whether my eyes can be safely corrected.
The impact extends beyond physical and financial effects. How my eyes function, how they look, and how I was treated postoperatively have been emotionally damaging. I trusted Dr. Rouch with my body and as a medical provider. Repeated dismissal of concerns, lack of accountability, and breakdown in transparency constituted a severe violation of that trust. The experience—physically, financially, and emotionally—remains traumatic.
I strongly encourage prospective patients to verify a surgeon’s training, fellowship background, and board certifications, especially for complex eyelid and ptosis procedures. My experience with surgical outcome, communication, postoperative accountability, and ongoing time, emotional, and financial burden fell far below what I believe is reasonable for functional eyelid surgery.
I would not choose this provider again.
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