Re: Re: Looking for an optometrist/surgeon in my area...

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Hey Sydney,

This is a copy of 's history I posted a few months ago. If you have any questions call me in the evening at 336-427-0372.

can close her eyes. A few weeks after her surgeries her eyes would be opened slightly while she slept. The suspension will relax a little over time so the doctors like to sling it up a bit tighter so that the long lasting effect will be a good one. She has never had any problems with eye infections

I used to live in Connecticut. My daughter , now almost 16, was seeing Dr. Lisman in Manhattan who was referred to us and I have been EXTREMELY satisfied with the results of her 6, yes 6 , surgeries. My insurance at the time tried denying us. I filed a grievance with them stating that the doctors they wanted to have do procedures on were not experienced enough. I sent several pictures of with the grievance paperwork. They did approve us to use Dr. Lisman and paid all of the bills involved. Most insurance companied have no clue what BPES is or how rare and delicate the procedures involved are.

was born with an extreme case of BPES including extremely small eye openings, inverted epicanthal folds, ectropian of the lower lids, and telecanthus, She also had an case of strabismus. She also had an extremely wide bridge and a bump on her nose required a different surgeon to repair that.

She had her first procedure at 7 months, a lid suspension., and a procedure for the strabismus. By yet another pediatric ophthalmologist !

A 11 months a repair to one of her lid suspensions.

At about 31/2 she had her double opposing z-plastys, a transnasal wiring and orbital osteotomy (actually ground away some of the bone near the bridge of her nose to make her eye sockets larger).

At 4 she had the ectropian of the lower eyelids repaired. Dr. Lisman took a crescent shaped piece of skin from behind her ears and grafted it under her eyes. She had to have her eyelids sown shut for 2 days to make sure the grafts healed correctly. That was a tough one !!

At 6 she had her slings tightened and laser dermabrasion done on the scar tissue.

At 13 Dr. Lisman adjusted the slings, minor, and did more laser dermabrasion on scar tissue. Dr. ph McCarthy ( a world renowned facial cranial pediatric surgeon) gave her a beautiful new nose!!

She needs to go back and see Dr. Lisman, We live in North Carolina now., so we may plan that for later this year.

Overall she looks GREAT. She is a happy kid, she has lots of friends and is doing well in school.

Get the best doctor you can even if you have to travel.

had seen 4 or 5 doctors who were willing to do the surgery including a large children's hospital. I ask how many children have you operated on with BPES. The major children's hospital had only seen one case this severe

in 15 years !! I paid my bill and said goodbye.

I actually got so desperate I started calling plastic surgeons in the phone book asking if anyone knew of this syndrome or knew anyone that did. This is how we found Dr. Lisman. Dr. Lisman is a world renowned ophthalmologic plastic surgeon. He mostly does rich old women.LOL He is a specialist in BPES and sees about 10 new cases a year. So if you are in New England please consider seeing him.

After all of 's procedures I would keep her face iced around the clock. Ice reduces swelling and gets a much better result. Do not expect the nurses to do this, they do not have the time. Have the doctor write an order for pain medication BEFORE the procedure so that if your child wakes up in pain the orders are in place and medication can be given immediately.

Ask questions and be involved in your child's care.

If you don't think your current doctor has the knowledge and/or experience keep looking !

I will post some pictures of as soon as I have some free time.

Anyone in North Carolina or Connecticut I would love to hear from you.

Honacher