Duerksen Kathleen M MD

From start to finish I had excellent services from Dr. Kathleen Duerkson, a board- certified plastic surgeon. My bilateral blepharoplasty and brow sculpting surgery several months ago turned out wonderful! Dr Duerkson’s expertise and experience are remarkable. She was professional, skillful, and so kind. Her staff, and the staff at TMC Surgical Center, were all efficient and helpful. I am so grateful to open my eyes and have relief from my former heavy upper eyelids, improved range of vision, and an overall improved appearance!

For many years, we have coordinated care for patients with Dr. Duerksen. Her technical skills, cosmetic results, and bedside manner are amazing. She is a treasure who has greatly elevated the quality of Oculoplastic Surgical care in Tucson and beyond. We can wholeheartedly recommend her for patients needing reconstructive or cosmetic surgical care.

Please note this review is long past due. I saw Dr. Duerksen in October 2025. I waited a full hour before she saw me. She told me I did not need any filler on my face. She suggested Dysport injections which I agreed to. I thought it was strange that she suggested Dysport around my mouth. After a few days my face felt stiff especially around my mouth. I felt tightness and it was difficult to make facial expressions like smiling and laughing. Food was getting stuck in the sides of my mouth along my gums. When speaking I felt that my speech was slightly slurred. I had no control of the muscles around my mouth. This continued for a few months and thankfully it wore off. I have read that Botox and Dysport should never be injected below the cheeks due to the fact that it paralyzes the muscles in the face around the mouth area. The injections on the far head were fine.

My experience with Dr. Kathleen Duerksen resulted in permanent complications. Following surgery, I was left with damage to the muscle function around my left eye, significant asymmetry between my eyes that will not resolve, and excessive fat removal that caused a hollowed appearance. The procedure also permanently altered the shape of my face. I required additional corrective procedures after this surgery. During those consultations, I was informed that the techniques used may have contributed to these outcomes and are not widely used by many current specialists. This has had a lasting physical and emotional impact on my life. I strongly encourage prospective patients to ask detailed questions and carefully consider their options. This review reflects my personal experience.

I was referred to Dr. Duerkson from a local dermatology office to repair the excision site of a basal cell on my lower right eyelid. From start to finish it was a miserable and unpleasant experience. There was no initial consult, nor a description of the process, nor the fact that my eyelids would remain sewn shut for 52 days. Her manner throughout the entire process was brusque, loud, nearly frantic at times, completely lacking in warmth, and even raising her voice at a question from my wife. At no time during the process were we treated equitably as human beings, and we dreaded each appointment. I've had quite a number of skin cancer removals over thirty years and am familiar with the processes and skills. Two practice issues I should note; first, when picking out bits of sutures she would place a tissue on my shoulder and wipe her tools on that shoulder. A vulgar and unsanitary method that even appears on any Google search. Second, when removing the final sutures she somehow ended up flooding my face with lidocaine from the needle. I was nearly vertical in the chair and my hand instinctively flew up to stem the flow, hence being stabbed in the hand with the needle. Her second attempt with a nurse went better, the nurse held a tissue 'dam' to catch the overrun. I'd never experienced anything like it. I'm not able to describe one issue or level on which Dr. Duerkson could be described as professional, and I would under no circumstances ever return to her office. Choosing any doctor is difficult and usually must be made without good evidence. The reviews seem laudatory but the reality can be quite different. I leave very few reviews for any transaction, but this experience warrants one.