Dr. Brandon K Suedekum

Dr. Suedekum performed a partial flap cornea transplant on one eye 2 and a half years ago. First the positives: Prior to the procedure and before it became clear that I had a permanent problem, Dr. Suedekum was informative and very pleasant. He and two other specialists who have looked at the eye after the procedure have said that the transplant looks "perfectly centered" with no observable problems. Unfortunately, I see multiple images in the eye on which the procedure was done. My problem with Dr. Suedekum is how he responded to the post-surgery issues. When the multiple images did not clear up, I met with him and asked questions. First, I asked him if he had ever heard of this happening before. His answer: Silence. I waited for about 30 seconds, because I thought that he was searching his memory. He never answered. I asked if he could think of any reason why this problem happened? His answer: Silence. I asked if he would call other doctors who had his specialty and… ask them if they had ever seen this result and if there were any possible solutions. His answer: Silence. I asked if he had any ideas about what I could do to improve my vision. His answer: Silence. I came back for another followup a month later and asked similar questions. His answers: Silence. I told him that my retina specialist recommended a specialist at the Mayo Clinic for a consultation and asked Dr. Suedekum if he knew anything about her. He finally spoke. "You do not need to go to see anyone else." That was all that he said. I assured him that I had no intention of suing him, that 2 other doctors (my cornea specialist and retina specialist) had looked at his work and had said it looked "perfect." I told him I needed to pursue all options because I was afraid that I would not be able to keep my driver's license when I had to take a vision test. His response: Silence. I am sure that Dr. Suedekum is a great surgeon. I was told by another doctor that he does a very high percentage of all cornea transplants in Maricopa County and that his reputation was excellent. However, his "niceness" is superficial. He showed no empathy whatsoever for my situation. He refused to answer the questions that I asked. He demonstrated arrogance by telling me that I should not consult with another specialist to see if there were other persons who had experienced the same unfortunate post-surgery complication and if anyone had come up with an explanation or a possible solution. He said that he would not re-do the procedure because he did not think that the result would be better. How could he know that a second procedure would have the same result if he had not even heard of a similar complication? How could he know that the result of a second procedure would not resolve the problem if he had no idea (or refused to disclose) what had caused the multiple images? Dr. Suedekum is a an insensitive mechanic who would rather have a patient remain frustrated and anxious than for the patient to go to another doctor for a second opinion and to at least get answers to the questions that Dr. Suedekum refused to answer. Wouldn't a doctor who respects his patients encourage a second (or third) opinion when an unusual complication takes place? He did not appear to care about my peace of mind. He did not care that I had a strong need to know what had happened and explore every option to resolve my problem. In a month, I will likely be walking instead of driving. If there was any chance that another doctor would at least know about similar results and either suggest a solution or give me the bad news that there is no solution, Dr. Sudekum did not care. God forbid that one of his patients would go to another doctor and describe a poor result from a procedure that he did. I have an appointment at the Mayo Clinic next week. Hopefully I will get some answers, even if the answers offer no hope.

I have had cornea transplants on both eyes now, this doctor is the best of the best. Staff is great.

Dr suedecum has been most professional at every visit. My cataract surgery and lens implant was the easiest medical procedure that I have ever had. The followup calls from the surgery center was much appreciated. If I should ever need his services I would not hesitate.

I highly recommended,

Very friendly, very knowledgeable. Puts you at ease quickly.

Cornea transplant wasn't the problem so it leaves me wondering why did he recommend the surgery??? It is about the money!

Dr Suedekum is rated very high, but he runs out of the room. First visit he chatted, after that it is hard to get his attention. He is very nice and I just had surgery done. I have allot of bruising and swelling, which I was not aware of. I am on my fifth day and still blurry, with light issues. That is why I titled this as debating. Neither the office nor the doctor gave me anything nor filled me in on expectations, so that upset me. The surgery coordinator is hard to get ahold of.

I feel that Dr.Suedekum is a very caring and feeling surgeon with me as a patient on 2 occasions. He is the very best.

I trust Dr.Suedekum to do another cornea transplant after the 1s one was rejected.If the second one doesn't work, I am going to have to go to someone else.don w. smithp.s the costs for the 2nd transplant should be reduced and the $80 co-pay after surgery shoul be waived.

Very skilled doctor