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POSTED UNDER Eyelid Surgery REVIEWS

Please Choose Another Surgeon. Philadelphia, PA

ORIGINAL POST

The procedures that this doctor performed on my...

EmmaAA
$5,000
The procedures that this doctor performed on my upper and lower eye areas have changed the entire shape and look of my eyes. I never wanted this and have been searching for the last eight months for someone to correct the damage. There are scars galore and anyone who knows anything about cosmetic surgery can take one look at my eyes and know that I have had work done; bad work done. Throw in a couple of serious infections in one of my eyes which meant having to wear bandages to my office for weeks, and I had the perfect nightmare. I use to have almond shaped eyes. Now they are round with eyelids that are tucked way back into my eye socket. The under eye "hollowed out look" was something I wanted corrected. Now it is worse than ever and the overall effect makes my eyes look skeletal.
This delayed review is partially due to the fact that I was going back and forth from her office for almost two years, trying to correct the look that I was left with. I hadn't any extra money at that point to start over. Had I know that all of the "corrections" would have left me with even more scarring, I never would have done so.
This doctor is a nice woman with a wonderful staff. However, she is always moving way too fast and seems to not really listen to what you are saying. I have left her office crying with frustration on a few occasions. I'm sure she is a fabulous 'disease of the eye' surgeon, which is how she was trained. For cosmetic surgery procedures, I would ask you to look for another. Yes, she can usually get your upper eyes covered under insurance. However, I believe that I have spent that amount in days/weeks lost personally and professionally, parking garages, antibiotic copays, eye drop copays, pain medication, steri-strips, etc. The time lost just not being able to leave the house due to 1- the regular infections, and then 2- the bruising from the constant needles and corrections and, 3-how 'wide one of my eyes was stitched open', totally not matching the other AND giving it that look of perpetual surprise.? This time can never be given back to me.
Not many before and after pictures in her office, either. Perhaps for a reason?... Good luck in your search.

EmmaAA's provider

Mary Stefanyszyn, MD

Oculoplastic Surgeon, Board Certified in Ophthalmology

EmmaAA rating for Dr. Stefanyszyn:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
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Replies (10)

January 2, 2016
Wow. I am so sorry you are dealing with all this! I heard she had a stellar reputation! She was recommended to me for fillers for my nightmare experience of upper bleph from Dr. Lee in Bryn Mawr who's careless and sloppy work has left me with permanent sensory neve damage. I can totally relate to specialist appointments, missing work, hating looking in the mirror, depression, constant eye pain, not to mention the anger at his neglect. I will now go elsewhere if at all. Have you tried Dr. Wulc in Plymouth Meeting? He is expensive but suppose to be excellent. Good luck to you and once again sorry for your pain! I pray you find a resolution to your issues..
January 2, 2016
Thanks, Molly. I think it was your review of Dr Lee which kept me from going to see him for correction :). I've heard good things WRITTEN about Dr Wulc. I cannot say that I have seen his work. I have seen Dr Kirk Brandow's work and it looks really, really lovely. I am going to see both doc's about correcting my eye issues and will make a decision then. Good luck to you, too, and I'm sorry that you have gone through so much. Happy New Year!
February 16, 2016
Wow, she was a name I was given as great. I was also given Dr. Wulc. I have had a mini face lift with Dr. Brandow and I am very happy. I will not go to her now.
February 16, 2016
I am going to see Dr Wulc next month! I love Dr Brandow and I have been thrilled with his work, but he is afraid to mess with my eyes at this point. I have a stitch or something rubbing on the inside of my eye that needs to be removed and he wants an "eye doctor" to look at it and correct. I should have never gone to Dr Mary. It was all about the insurance. I have paid that much in time and effort trying to correct what she has done. I am so happy that I have stopped a few people from making the same mistake, Morgan. Good luck with Dr Wulc to both of us :). If I can add one thing here: In order for the upper eyes to be covered under insurance, the surgeon has to say that the muscles in your eyelids have become weak and need tightening. If I had known what I was doing, I would never have opted for this procedure. It is the "tightening" in my opinion, that gives you the big-eyed, tucked-in, deep set look. Dr Brandow had taken the skin off of my upper eyes in the past and that was what I thought was I was going to get again, only this time for free! This one taught me something, believe me. Take care and thanks for writing.
February 22, 2016
Thanks for the advice, have you spoke to any other doctors at the practice? I heard Dr Carrasco was very good-
February 22, 2016
Sorry- I haven't. Even the thought of going back to that BUILDING gives me mental pain. If you are paying for the procedure yourself, go to Kirk Brandow. He is the best and I should have just paid for what I wanted with whom I trusted in the first place. Live and learn.... Good luck!
February 22, 2016
Morgan- You wrote about have a mini with Brandow. Was it more recently or in the past. I am looking into a 'temporal lobe lift' with Dr B. I've seen his pics but I want to see someone in person who has dark hair so as to see the scarring up close and personal :). Thought I'd ask if you have any info on this procedure. Thanks!
May 11, 2016
Emma. How are you? Did you have a revision ? Hope you are well!
May 8, 2019
Please share your updated or new opinions regarding eyelid surgery and removing a cyst on my eyelid. I have an appointment with Dr. Mary Stefanyszyn soon and I had one with Dr. Wulc. Was considering Dr Bucky too. Your honest thoughts please on who to use.
September 22, 2020
I also had surgery with the same doctor and have similar upsetting results as Emma. I had ptosis surgery and my aesthetic results are devastating . I read this review before my surgery but felt that this was just a fluke as I know people who have had decent results from her. Not the case with me and I cry everyday. This pandemic is forcing me to wait on seeking consultations in hopes of a revision. My incisions went way past my natural crease which left terrible scars and disfiguring depressions at the outer corners of my eyes and face. So much skin and volume was removed coupled with high incisions that left my eyes looking hollow and unnatural. The results are devastating. My brows are so asymmetrical that it is very upsetting to look in the mirror. There is no symmetry on eyelid shape, contour or lid height. My eyes are constantly in pain and now I experience dry eye, have had repeated styes in both eyes and my vision is much worse instead of improving. I regret daily that I chose to do this surgery as it was elective and the damage far outweighed any benefit to this surgery. In fact I see no benefit. I am truly devastated and cry everyday. This has been the biggest mistake of my life.