A Relationship Built to Last- Why Sandra Keeps Returning to Eye Plastic Associates

Sandra hasn’t always had the best experience with plastic surgeons. After developing Bell’s palsy in 2008, her face became partially paralyzed. When the nerves grew back, they were crossed between her eye and mouth. “When I opened my mouth, my eye would close,” she remembers. “Cute, right?” A friend recommended a plastic surgeon in Philadelphia who had helped with her eye twitching/closure using Botox.

But that doctor was using unethical billing practices, making Sandra pay for her procedure in cash and charging the insurance company as well. “Of course, he didn’t give me my money back,” she says. He claimed the extra expense was for “superior” Botox, but Sandra eventually learned that was a lie. “Dr. Scott said there’s only one grade of Botox,” she says. Sandra was disillusioned, but the Botox did help her spasming. So, she decided to give it another try when her pastor underwent tear duct surgery and recommended Dr. Scott. She has now been receiving Botox treatments every three months for several years. “When your face is paralyzed, there’s no 100% cure,” Sandra explains, “but it at least helps me keep my eye open so I can drive and do other things.”

Her path hasn’t been easy, but Sandra maintains a positive attitude. Her Bell’s palsy also closed her tear duct, and two surgeries to reopen it were unfortunately unsuccessful. Her Botox also migrated once, resulting in a temporary droopy eyelid. It’s a rare but known side effect. “It wasn’t his fault, but Dr. Scott couldn’t have been nicer about it,” Sandra says. “He saw me right away, and he was very apologetic and just really human.”

Sandra grew up in Northern Virginia, and she considers herself a “local girl.” Though she is now retired, she used to work for an airline and lived all over the country. But since there’s no place like home, she eventually returned. Sandra attends church, prayer group, and Bible study in her spare time. She also enjoys making homemade greeting cards, a hobby she picked up in the ‘80s after a coworker presented her with a gift in handmade wrapping paper.

Since hers is a lifelong condition, Sandra intends to continue to see Dr. Scott for as long as possible. “He’s patient, very caring, and very friendly. He always takes his time with you,” she says. “I have recommended Dr. Scott to other people and will continue to do so.”