Where can I file a complaint against my surgeon?

Question

I had a really bad experience with my breast lift and augmentation. I went back to him a couple of days ago to have a revision to the lift and a reduction. The doctor was rude to me and not professional at all. How can I file a complaint against him, also my surgery was done under local anesthesia. And the entire ordeal has made me miserable.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. And that you perceived your doctor (who you must have liked initially when you chose him to perform your surgery) to be rude and unprofessional.But without more information, photographs, or being there in person, it is impossible to determine whether or not there is any basis for complaint or more.The first step is to return to the surgeon YOU chose to perform your surgery, and to understand that none of us want to create a dissatisfied patient. Even scofflaw wannabee plastic surgeons want to make a buck and move on to the next victim; they don't want trouble any more than the ABPS-certified plastic surgeon whose reputation, ethics, and livelihood are on the line.If you had local anesthesia for a breast lift plus implants, I seriously doubt that you chose an American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeon. And I doubt your surgery was performed in an accredited surgical facility. Was this because you chose to go with a lower-cost option?Irrespective of this, if you are unable to receive satisfaction from your chosen surgeon, you should be seen by one or more ABPS-certified plastic surgeons who can help you with further surgical choices, since this first one was obviously not so good. Then you can file a complaint with your state medical board, and they will investigate.Too many patients fall into the trap of choosing a less-costly "board-certified cosmetic surgeon" and end up claiming they had "BAD plastic surgery" when in fact they had "BAD surgery by a non-plastic surgeon" doing an operation they had little or no training for in a non-accredited setting. I'm certain that something can be done to help you, if you take the time, effort, and expense to choose a qualified surgeon with the experience to correct your concerns, and do it in a comfortable, confidential, accredited hospital, surgical facility, or even office surgicenter. ABPS-certified plastic surgeons can only operate at accredited facilities, even if they operate in their own operating rooms. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Where can I file a complaint against my surgeon?

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