Dr. Patel Changed my Life! He Can Help You Too! - Salt Lake City, UT

Around this time last year I was getting in my seat on a roll coaster at a local theme park. I was buckled in waiting to take off when I happened to glance to my right side and notice a young boy pointing directly at me and asking his friend if he saw my eye. Instantly I was sick to my stomach and not from the rollercoaster. It was a small moment that made me feel like a fish out of water. The rest of the day was spent avoiding eye contacting and being self conscious. A few weeks ago I was at Lagoon again waiting to board the same rollercoaster when the flashback to that moment came. I began to feel paranoid but as I looked at the group around me not one adult or child seemed stuck on my eye, they saw me. This was all due to Dr. Patel’s skill and diligence.

At the young age of five I had a benign glioma tumor removed from behind my left eye. This was my first encounter with Dr.Patel; I was beyond blessed and fortunate that he was the surgeon on call. Although my vision in my left eye was lost my eyeball was saved. Dr.Patel made every decision about my initial surgery very methodically.The surgery did leave me with a few side effects out of my control; droopy eyelid, hollowness around my eye, and scarring just to name a few. 16 years of wearing a prosthetic shield had also played a part in wearing out the muscles around my eye. This had led to loss of control in my eyelid, not being able to keep my eye open, my prosthesis not fitting quite right...etc.

I by no means had the worst thing in the world happen to me. However, growing up knowing I looked different always played a role in my life. Constantly being asked what happened to my eye, kids being kids and sometimes adults being worse didn’t help develop much confidence or self esteem. Wearing a prosthetic eye did help create a sense of normality but there were still days I was reminded I wasn’t “normal” by a harmless question or someone staring at my eye a little too long. A lot of the time I tried to avoid eye contact, I hated getting my pictures taken, and wore my hair so it covered my eye. Socially I was impacted because didn’t feel like I could stay out with friends due to my eye all but shutting when I was tired; my parents probably didn’t mind this side effect. All jokes aside, I’ve done a lot of hiding in my life. Emotionally this was very damaging.

Fast forward 19 years and I’ve been blessed to work with Dr. Patel again and have had an upper eyelid lift on my left eye. He was able to do my surgery in a way that filled out the hollowness in and around my eye socket. Since my surgery I have felt a whirl-wind of change. I find myself wearing my hair off my face, wearing eye shadow in ways I never dreamt possible, and posing for pictures! Though this may seems small, what it means to me is beyond expression. I was asked at my consultation if I had any discomfort with my eye and I responded no at the time. Wearing a prosthetic eye has it’s discomforts and daily challenges that I had grown accustom to. After having my surgery I barely notice my prosthetic eye! I had no idea how much physical pain I was in until my surgery was done and the problem was fixed. I wish I would have had this surgery years ago! I experienced way more physical pain, especially the past few years, than I should of had to.

I wish I could put into words how much gratitude I have for Dr. Patel! My insurance originally was not going to cover the cost of my surgery because they stated it was cosmetic. Dr. Patel saw the necessity; necessary physically, emotionally and mentally. He and his staff worked diligently to have this injustice fixed. He promised he would fight for me and reassured me that something I had thought about for years was actually possible. Dr.Patel and his staff not only were gracious and wonderful during office visits but were incredible about keeping me updated on progress. Dr. Patel kept his word to me, the insurance paid for my surgery. He didn’t just fight for me, he fights for others who can’t fight for themselves in this process. He has told me on multiple occasions how important he feels it is to have surgeries like mine performed. He works hard every day to help people worldwide have the surgeries that are a necessity. It is amazing and rare to find a doctor that cares to the depth that Dr. Patel does, he is a true humanitarian. His bedside manner was confident but he was always kind in the way he spoke to me. He always answered my questions and was very thorough and thoughtful through the entire process. As high in demand as Dr.Patel is I felt like a priority. I didn’t have one moment of doubt that I wasn’t in the best hands. My final outcome is amazing but the experience leading up to it was all but stress free as well.

If you’ve been told you no, you can’t be helped, I would highly recommend seeking Dr.Patel. He is extremely talented, I even dare say the best in his field. He has fought for myself and others and I have no doubt that he would for anyone seeking his help.

Thank you Dr. Patel and staff! You’ve changed my life!