“AquaLipo Natural Fill”

I was contacted by my Doctor's office today, not to check on my progress but to inform me that their attorney will be contacting me because of my posting on this website. I will continue to post my progress. To date my measurements are the same, my stomach, thighs, hips, back and neck still have the sensation of burning when touched mixed with a bit of numbness, a very odd sensation. The injections into my face seem to have a bit of a positive change in my appearance, but the left side of my face is different than my right. I still cannot look up or to the left without significant pain. The office personal that contacted me today said that my 'tightness' was to be expected much like those that have a face lift. I, myself, do not consider this tight, I consider this impaired.

Hi Sharon,

Thank you for your concern. My thighs have started to bruise again. My left thigh is noticeably smaller but my right has no change with the exception of an indentation creating a not so flattering silhouette. From day to day I have no idea how my stomach will feel or look. I still have that 'detached numb' feeling and the skin on my stomach is cool to the touch. Large, hard lumps have formed on my hips and are a bit sore. I try to massage daily but some days it hurts too much. My neck is still 'tight' hindering my movements and a few striations have appeared. I am uncomfortable without wearing the garment.

This is not how I wanted to spend the Holiday season. Biggest mistake of my life.

Maureen

I don't really know what 'step' is next. I'm just trying to get through this one day at a time. I live alone and some days normal activity like mowing the lawn bring tears to my eyes. I can only hope that in time my body will heal. My doctor has abandoned me and will not see me as a patient, but offered to refer me to another Doctor, I cannot afford another Doctor.

Am I an 'atypical' patient, I don't know, but I do know that these procedures have negatively impacted my life. I believe that a Doctor should never abandon a patient just because the patient didn't fall into the 'norm'. In my opinion a good Doctor would do anything within their power to help a patient in need. Isn't that what we trust them to do?

I implore people to think twice before having these procedures done...You only have one body.

Maureen

thank you so much for sharing your terrible journey, I have to say, I have often considered this type of surgery just to make the "little" improvements that I get too lazy to make w just the eating right and working out too; reading this and countless other reviews/horror stories has helped me see that I don't want to do this, I will just work harder to make it happen again in my life as I did when I was younger and more dedicated in the gym. Thank you for helpling me avoid this mistake bc I can't afford to get any help afterwards! I hate that you and others have had to suffer in this tragic way, but I do hope that it may help you that by you sharing your story, you have helped someone else learn from it b4 going through it too.

I will send good thoughts and energies your way, hoping you heal and find peace with yourself and your body.

Thank you.

Thanks for your post. I am seriously considering some cosmetic work and these doctors were high on my list of possible providers, going ONLY by their website/public reputations. I will definitely NOT be making an appointment with them.

It has been four months since my procedures. My body has changed, but not for what I consider the better. My left thigh is smaller, but not smoother or as smooth as it was. It still hurts if I brush against something. My right thigh is not smaller or smoother and has episodes of discoloration along with stabbing pains. I cannot remember what it was like when my leg didn't ache (my hips as well, the love handles). My back is horrible, at the risk of inducing a little giggle, where my bra bulge was worked on, my skin sags and since I have two dark 'wounds'..oh lucky me, when I remove my shirt and bra I look like I have boobs in the front and two saggy boobs in the back. (If I didnt laugh at that part Id cry, my back was chubby but I had lovely skin). My stomach is still in pain daily..again I cannot remember it not being in pain. I have a noticeable trough across my midsection, sometimes it is hard to bend over, sorta like when you are first pregnant and you have adjust how you bend. My tummy feels like, if you put jello in a balloon, squishy and still at times seems to swell. My lower abdomen, saggy almost detached hanging skin with little feeling. My neck, is still swelling off and on..there are days that I can move without much pain, to scratch my neck makes me wince. I have no change in the lines on my face except I still have a knot under my left.

I fear that the numbness and needle pains will be how I will live from now on. I honestly believe that these procedures did more harm than good, and no Doctor should have performed all of these procedures at one time. I look back now and realize that my body was big and beautiful, now have the same size body, with pain, indentations, discolorations, scars, and regret.

If you ladies would like to talk about my experience in person let me know. I am comfortable showing you the scars and letting you judge for yourself.


Regards,
Maureen

So sorry for your terrible experience. I hope you are taking lots of photos to document what you have experienced. Also, write down dates, times, and names of any and all contact you had with the doctors and their staff. Lawyers can be evil (I think that was a redundant statement). So many doctors think they can pick up the magic Lipo wand and have instant success (in their wallet). It takes practice, patience and an artistic eye.
Thank you for sharing.
GAgal

What happened with their attorney? Is there a possibility of you being able to sue?

Maureen I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I just had the same surgery done by Dr. Mendoza on Thursday. I only had my abs and chin done however. I must say that the office has called me everyday and that Dr. Mendoza has been very personable from day one. Usually, I find it necessary to throw around the fact that I am an attorney but did not feel the need. I did some research on Dr. Mendoza and found that he was once a hand surgeon in Chicago but that he studied cosmetic surgery as well and has been a plastic surgeon most of his career. While my pain has subsided, I am still not aware of what the results will be. My heart goes out to you however. I will tell you that you have a right publish the truth about your experience, which is probably why you have not heard from their attorneys.

Further, someone mentioned a possible lawsuit on your behalf. I can tell you that the courts will use the standard of "due care". This means that they will pose the question "would a reasonable doctor given the same circumstances have had a different result?" Further would the result be so significantly different that it is appropriate to conclude that the first doctor breached his duty of care? These are all questions that can only be answered by other doctors. Of course, what happens next is a battle of the paid doctors.

Perhaps you can go to Dr. Mendoza and try to work this matter out.

I am so sorry that you had to go through this, Maureen, and I wish you complete recovery. My own experience with Dr. Bassin, while less extreme than yours, was consistent in terms of his arrogance and border-line competence. Imagine having a laser procedure underway and hearing the doctor say "Oops!" That's what happened to me. So I'm learning to live with, if not love, my wrinkles, realizing they're preferable to the possible alternatives.

I do believe that women should have options to make themselves look as they wish, but many of the doctors need training in aesthetic subtlety and restraint. And they need to follow through, not run away as yours did. Again, my sympathies. And congrats to you for being brave enough to post what happened.

Maureen-keep in mind that you have a statute of limitation. Please go get a second opinion already. The more I research the more I notice that people are not happy with their results. I myself am still waiting for noticeable results. Most doctors will give free consults, so you may not have to even pay for the initial visit. From there you can decide if it is worth moving forward. Also, please tell me that you have recorded this journey with pictures at each stage. IF NOT GET TO IT! Pictures are the perfect neutral witness. In fact, I would skip the narrative and post the pics. Remember, while the process may be long and sometimes exhausting, in the words of my grandmother..."the way to swallow an elephant, is one small bite at a time. We are all here for you.

I believe you only have two years to file a malpractice suit but it this is as bad as it sounds, I'm wondering why you don't want to take this to court so it will be recorded and others will be saved from the same thing happening to them. They currently have a groupon out for naturalfill and this has turned me off. I was going to sign up for it. Thanks for the info you gave us.

Lord have Mercy! And to think I almost went for this--thanks Maureen.I will live with my bulges-they aren't too bad anyways,exercise and eat well