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POSTED UNDER Arm Lift REVIEWS

Two Arms Two Doctors Two Very Different Results - San Francisco, CA

ORIGINAL POST

Make sure you ask who will be doing your surgery.....

peppermintpattyNovember 14, 2013
$12,000
Make sure you ask who will be doing your surgery...I didn't and was very surprised when the Dr. I trusted allowed another surgeon to cut me without my permission.
On June 8, 2012 I has a bilateral arm lift. I assumed my surgeon would be performing the procedure but was I wrong. As it turned out his assistant surgeon did one arm and my surgeon did the other. My Dr. has refused to answer why he allowed this to happen without my consent.
The differences between left/right are obvious to a lay person - different placement of scars on my arm, right arm not as tight as left, right underarm still pulling, aesthetics are widely varied.

peppermintpatty's provider

Gregory M Buncke

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

peppermintpatty rating for Dr. Buncke:

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Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
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Replies (13)

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My Bariatric Life
November 16, 2013
A word to the wise: I always write on my consent forms that there are to be no observers in the OR and that Dr. Capella and Scott (his PA) are the only ones who can perform my plastic surgery.
peppermintpatty
November 16, 2013
Good information. This wasn't my first surgey but certainly my first experience with Dr. Buncke and obviously my last. He indicated after all was said and done "he wasn't the doctor for me". Even after he agreed, quoted, and scheduled a revision. That is why sharing here is needed because all doctors have an agenda and as patients need knowledge. I wish I knew your approach prior and that I do I will make sure I exercise that right. Thanks!
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My Bariatric Life
November 16, 2013
Wow, he was planning to charge for the revision? I just get so disheartened when I read stories like yours. I know how excited we are gong into these surgeries. I know how much faith and trust we put into the surgeon. And then to have an outcome and experience like this is so very sad. Shame on him. Good luck on your revision.
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My Bariatric Life
November 16, 2013
BTW I learned about what to write on a consent form from another patient. Yes, sharing is very important between patients!
peppermintpatty
November 16, 2013
Shame on him big time. It is not just my arms but also my breasts and thighs. He also violated HIPPA laws as we'll. Yes he was going to charge to revise. It has been 18months and every time I look in the mirror I want to cry. The emotional scars are just as bad as the physical.
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My Bariatric Life
November 16, 2013
I am so sorry this happened to you!!! What happened to your breast and thighs? The emotional scars are tough.
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onedimsim
November 25, 2013
Wow! Never thought of that!
peppermintpatty
November 25, 2013
From what I am hearing very common practice. Some even note on consent "no other doctor to work on me except ????" I just wished I knew because now no money to fix them and though Dr Buncke agreed revisions were needed I can't trust him. So let with the results as is.
JacquelineKimura
January 6, 2014
Thanks for letting us know about this. Btwn i'm really sorry for you. My experience was just fine. I had my surgery from DR.Ronald Levins clinic, Toronto.
peppermintpatty
January 8, 2014
I welcome hearing these success stories. It is unfortunate that we have unsuccessful stories such as mine. Dr. Buncke just didn't hold up to his end of the contract. I have even reached out to the International Society of Plastic Surgeon about the practice of 2 surgeons without the patient's permission and they never responded. This scares me because if they are not policing practices who is?
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mandeloo
May 26, 2017
I just moved to Toronto from New Orleans and hoping to find a talented surgeon. Good to see this!
MATASI
March 17, 2015
funny that you say that because I had my surgery February 6th here in Nyc and as they were prepping me, I saw my surgeon speaking to either a Resident or Fellow about proceeding. To make a long story short, my left arm which had less fat is smaller then the right arm which had more fat to excise. Now I'm wondering what happened to you is what happened to me. Do you think I should call and ask cause I'm wondering if I would even get a definitive answer from her.
Primavera
October 25, 2015
This just happened to me!! Did you sue or alert to authorities? I really hope you can find a good surgeon to fix your arms, whish you the best!.
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