Please Help - Horrible Brachioplasty - Laguna Niguel, CA

Thank you very much for taking the time to read and respond to my post. My apologies, I would have responded sooner but I did not get post notifications. I truly appreciate your empathy and compassion. This "Dr." is a cold, heartless, butcher. I feel so horrible and ashamed of myself, this plays on my self-esteem and well being every day. What makes things worse; and in my opinion why there are Dr's like these out there, is because they can and it is very difficult to find an attorney. I literally called and consulted with 10 different attorneys, pretty much all the same... Most of these attorneys are shocked when they see the damage, but none them will take my case because none of the Dr's I saw afterwards were willing to serve as an expert witness stating that what this "Dr" did "was below the standard of care". None of them want to because it is a very small circle and they all know each other. I did finally get 1 to (barely) take the case, but he is more of an independent attorney, which is fine, except for the fact that he has not kept me updated, says he'll call me back and doesn’t, etc. It’s been since November 2011 and there has not been anything done! I am very afraid to push him too much for fear that he will drop me, which if he does, I will have nothing and will not be able to get the money I need to correct the damage. It is getting more painful and my shoulder aches because I am unable to raise my arms past a certain level. I am so depressed and need help, but I have not been able to get it and don’t know where and how to. This "Dr" is still practicing and I found out that there is someone else who has a malpractice suit against him! Yet he continues to practice! I will try contacting Dr. Moellekn, however it is currently pointless because if I do not win my money back, I will not have the money to correct the damage. Like I said, I am depressed every day, he butchered me and I paid him to do it. The reason there are Dr's like him is because this system allows it. Malpractice suits are very difficult to win. I am so embarrassed that I don’t talk about this to anyone so am dealing with it alone and no one I can talk to that will understand. Anyway, I'd love to talk more and any suggestions, contacts or ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.

So sorry to hear that the bad result has not been resolved. For starters, I would send a certified letter (with a signed receipt requested) to your surgeon and ask for copies of your complete medical file. You are entitled to this by law and I believe in California they have 30 days to comply. Then I would find out what board he is certified by (ie American Board of Plastic Surgery or whatever) and call them to find out how to file a written complaint. You might also contact the California Medical Board (search online) and ask them how to proceed with a complaint against your surgeon. Then I would get your attorney to write a letter to your doctor on his letterhead asking for a refund or settlement in lieu of a full blown lawsuit. If you can't get any action from your attorney, try the mediation route. I am sure you signed a "medication agreement" when you first saw your surgeon and set up the surgery. So another option might be to pursue getting a least some of your money back using the mediator instead. I'd pursue both at the same time with the hope that one would get some results. Given the photos, it seems reasonable that you are entitled to some sort of compensation. In California, it is my understanding that you have only one year from the surgery to file a lawsuit...so time is critical. I know this is devastating and you are likely feeling paralyzed from depression right now, but perhaps pursuing a legal resolution will help you mentally deal with the trauma as well. Anger can sometimes be a helpful ally and motivator. Remind yourself as often as you can, that depression will only waste valuable time and energy that you will need to move forward on this. It's time to start speaking out and asking for help with this situation from your friends and family. If some don't understand or try to hinder your progress, forget them and move on to someone who will. You might be surprised at how helpful some might be. I found that out in my situation. Perhaps they know someone who has been thru this or know of a good source of information or will at least assist you with the process of finding out where you can get help. You have no reason to be ashamed...your doctor should be the one who is ashamed. Unethical and incompetent doctors count on you being embarrassed enough or depressed enough to do nothing. Don't let him get away with it. Reach out to people around you, gather your strength, and fight back. If I think of anything else, I'll write back. I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Regards, Sj

Hello, I had a brachioplasty done in March, 2013. I did not completely heal until now, and it is mid August. My scars are horrendous and my arms are still too big. I also have swelling, numbness and pain in both upper arms and forearms which radiates to hands. Add to this, my arms do not look much better than before this terrible thing I paid to have done. I don't even know where to start in order to correct this terrible mistake.

Who are you?

I agree.  How could he possibly have "distinquished status" with results like this.  These photos say it all.  Don't understand that why that is not indicated.

I agree with you. This "doctor" should not have distinguished status. He only wanted the quick easy payer with no complications and couldn't handle the "what if" scenario. This girl has suffered and he took all of her money. The attorney she trusted was absolutely no better. At the very least I think she should go to the state medical board and lodge a complaint and they will investigate. In all it is tragic and now I hesitate to have arm lift surgery because of this.