Also try: care credit, Lipodissolve
Dec 11, 2007
The largest chain of Lipodissolve clinics is out of business according to the St. Louis Business Journal. Fig Advanced Lipodissolve halted operations this past weekend. The journal explains:
Several employees said they were told at the end of the work day Dec. 7 that the company was closing down. Workers were instructed to pack their belongings and leave their offices. Fig. had more than 500 employees nationwide, including 126 at its corporate office here.
Calls to Fig.'s Maryland Heights headquarters were not answered. Neither Chief Executive Rob Semaan nor Chris Dornfeld, head of business development, could be reached Monday morning for comment. Spokeswoman Katie Rees is no longer listed in the company's voicemail directory. Source
For myself, the oddest part of this story is that I just had a conference call with Fig executives last Thursday. Chris Dornfield skipped the planned call (should have been a warning to me). The purpose was to get Fig on the path toward increasing their transparency to the RealSelf audience after being caught posting fake reviews on RealSelf. Fig showed significant interest in having the Fig professionals appear in RealSelf Answers. They spoke cheerfully about the company moving to add Smartlipo along with plastic surgeons to each office.
I'm annoyed that the Fig guys blew hours of my time on a silly exercise. But I'm more concerned about Fig customers who've sought Fig refunds and already made lipodissolve treatment deposits. That money is likely long gone.
Prove me wrong Fig guys.
Update (Dec 07): Now Fig's east coast competitor Medsculpt has declared bankruptcy. More about the Medsculpt bankruptcy described by our members.
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12/27/07
At my last appointment I said "it is not working for me I would like a refund" & " I am not happy with all these lumps". I was told I didn't give it enought time, do 6 more treatments. So where do I go from here?????
12/29/07
i want to know are the doors closes for good. I got the whole package. I need to know what fig is going to do. I put mylife in your hands. what about these treatments in my body. Is something bad going to happen to me? I need to no. Ijust wanted to feel good about mtself. I was told iwas doing great. Iam very sad an worried. I dont want to die.
12/31/07
Hey.... I was promised a refund of $6,000 back in September and it never happened. Both Rob and Chris are sitting pretty on our money and probably off on a new shady adventure to con a new set of people out of their money. Ahhh..... business tactics in America, gotta love it.
12/31/07
Other readers have posted here about Fig refunds as well as here. Best of luck,
Tom
1/3/08
As far as I know from seeing a FIG contract, the fine print says that you must maintain your body weight and that it is Fig's discretion on whether or not you got results. If they were still open, that translates to "you're not going to get your refund." It sounds bad, but unless it's a fluke, a client will never get a refund on aesthetics procedures, especially after services have been rendered from Fig or any other doctor. Who is the one that says there are results? The doc or the client? That's why refunds or guarantees in the aesthetic sector are just ridiculous.
1/4/08
I have paid 6000.00 to fig for uppers, lowers and loves. I have filed a dispute with Care Credit because I only got 5 lower, 3 upper and 2 love treatments thus far. This sucks. I am in too much money to lose it. My husband on the other had is upset as well b/c he gave me his 100% support and now we may be out of money. Anyone with information please email me at {edited} Let's also keep each other updated so we can all get past this.
Editor note: you must join RealSelf so you can be contacted privately. This requires free registration for an account. When registering you must opt-in to receiving private contacts (a check box).
1/5/08
I started treatment in October and have only had two of the twelve treatments that I paid for, I definitely don't have the money to blow. If there's anyone out there with possible solutions for this negligent behavior, I would love some input.
I remember signing a form confirming the dedication of twelve treatments, I want to know how can twelve be issued when the company is out of money...I would greatly appreciate being kept informed, because I too am a victim.
1/27/08
I'm actually looking to add a nurse to my staff in Frisco, TX. We have assumed some of the FIG clients who lost their money and have given them discounts on services at Sona Medspa. If there are any former FIG nurses out there who are looking for work, please contact me via {edited}. Maybe we can help each other out.
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1/31/08
I to am waiting to hear back from Care Credit. I went to Fig and didn't finish the treatments, and I am also experiencing lumps and pain in my abdomen. I am a colletor for credit cards, I collect on accounts that are 6 months past due. Who I collect for doesn't really care what happened to you as far as a dipute, once they give the Company the money you owe it. So knowing this I'm not hopeful at all of getting a refund.
5/29/08
What can be done about this problem? Any suggestions?
6/3/08
What can be done about this rip off? Any ideas?
6/13/08
I my case I reported them to the BBB (Better Business Bureal) and the Atorney General . They did get refund the money but what about the physical and emotional damage they cause. I like others where lied to and convinced that this was the alternative to surgery. The first consultant along with the staff nurse I met with told me she had it done and it works. Pictures where shown and the video explained what the procedure was all about how safe and rewarding it was going to be.
I actually today spoke to a atorney today and he said that a class action suite would need to be done in order to abtain any addtional money. If I decide to do this it would take alot of time a money that I don't have. So I would watch out for any class action suite that might happen if they win very body will be entitle to what ever is left of this pethetic so called company. For those of you that filled out the PROFF OF CLAIM form you could amend to that if the time limit has not exceeded and add to the amount for the pain and suffering. Before I did Prof of claim, I did not know that. So I am going to look into that very soon here. Well good luck to us. And good riddens to them.
7/3/08
I started the progrom in August of 2007. I went for treatments in
September, skipped October, went in November and was scheduled for a
treatment on December 7, 2007. When I arrived the locksmith man was
changing the lock on the door. I only skipped October, because I was
told that if you have some knots (fat balls that have to be dissolved)
you need not to come. I was getting my lower stomach treated first
and doing the nutritional part of the program. Next month I will have
paid a year for treatments that I only receive for three months. I did
not want to not pay Care Credit. I misplaced the letter that stated
that there was another doctor in Houston that would do the treatments
for a $75.00 office visit. I did see good results.
7/8/08
I bought a package for $ 2,500.00 back in Augost of 2007, and I got this package at the office of Scottsdale Arizona, and I only receive 3 treatments and I transfer to the office on Dallas Tx. 7700 West Northwest Hwy. Suite 640 Dallas Texas 75225
and I only receive 1 treatment at this address. I had an appointment on December 20th. of 07 but when I call to reasure my appointment I found out that the office was close, due to bankcrupci, there for I need to know how to I get a hold of anybody there or that can help cause I do need a refund, as you can see it is alot of money for a treatment that they could not finish...If you don't mind give me a call
at {edited contact information} or you can email me back. Thanks Judith Portillo Villescas
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7/9/08
I have never actually PAID anything yet... but I have $4800 on carecredit that I 'owe'. I only got 2 treatments and do not feel like I am liable for all this money, and no one, not even the court or the bankrupcy place has answers for me. does ANYONE know what I can do?
8/30/08
hi my name is melanie i read on your dill how bbb & atorny genarl helped you. you know i had faxed a copy of a note from my doc's office to them like they said to get out of my contract next thing i know is in jan. i was told that fig went belly up. now i get calls from some law office telling me how i need to pay. I got one treatment in southlake,tx had real bad head ach, has two black outs. I dont care about the refund i just want the herrasing call to stop.
9/1/08
I also started treatment in 07 at the scottsdale office. after 6 treatmente i told then that it wasent working for me the nurse said you need to do 9 treaments for it to work or to get your refund at 9 treatments they said you need to do 12 treatments for results or get a refund when I went back for my next appt doors were locked. I never heard a thing from fig. I have put off filing for a refund untill now. Am I to late? what can I do?I need help.
9/2/08
What can be done about this problem we all have?
9/2/08
IM NOT ASKING FOR INFORMATION I ONLY WANT MY MONEY BACK I DONT RECIVE ANY ANWER FROM YOU GUYS YAT
9/3/08
can anyone help?