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POSTED UNDER Mini Facelift REVIEWS

Office review: Very Disappointed with Practice - Bethesda, MD

Name: Office review: Very Disappointed with Practice - Bethesda, MD
Item: Franklin D. Richards, MD
Author: Agirl61

ORIGINAL POST

I was scheduled for surgery with dr Richards in...

Agirl61August 25, 2015

$14,001

I was scheduled for surgery with dr Richards in July. I was to have a mini lift, a lip lift, a bit of fat added with the lift, and a scar revision and lipo to abdomin. I had given a deposit, taken a full month off of work, had my medical clearance faxed, opened a care credit account, and was excited to move forward. I had already skyped uwith dr Richards, made a trip from NJ to meet him, and was sold on him. All that was left to do was To remit the remainder of his fee and to have one final Skype or phonecall. Unfortunatley, I shortly thereafter stumbled upon two recent patient reviews that said Dr Richards had deviated from the plan that had been discussed( one of these posts showed a photos of a scar where, according to the patient there should not have been one.) I was confident still that I had the right dr, but was feeling anxious and simply wanted reassurance from him that what we discussed would be what actually occurred. Now my presurgery Skype/phonecall was scheduled for one week before surgery, but my final payment was due two weeks before. I asked Alicia, a patient coordinator there, if I might move that Skype up a week. That was when, in my mind, things took a bad turn. She accused me of wanting to move the Skype up in case I wanted to cancel, I would not be obligated to pay the remaining 13,500. Um, well, yeah! Isn't that my right to cancel up until two weeks before if that's what the contract says? That, for me, is a LOT of money, and so yes, while I was hopeful and confident that when we spoke dr Richards would give me the reassurance I needed to proceed, I wanted to ensure that if he DIDN'T , I still was within the time frame that I could cancel. I didn't want to feel obligated to let someone cut into my face that I didn't feel 100 percent confident about. Well, I never got to have that phone conversation because Alicia called me back and said that my surgery was cancelled. I was very upset at first to be dismissed like that, not to mention the cost I bore having taken a full month off from work, although they did refund my $500 deposit. I now realize it was for the best. Better to find my concerns dismissed before surgery, than after.

Agirl61's provider

Franklin D. Richards, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 319 Reviews

PROFILE

Replies (21)

katrina m.

August 27, 2015

Agirl61

August 31, 2015

Katrina (whose only post or interaction on realself, interestingly, is with me--I have to wonder how you found my review of all the reviews on realself...hmmmmm ), in what way would you say I was a pain? Because I wanted to move my presurgery phonecall up one week? Or because I was concerned over two recent reviews? I can show you plenty of reviews from patients who say things like, "I was so nervous, but every time I called the office they were so nice" or, "everytime I was worried or had a question the dr was there to answer all my questions" . I've had four other cosmetic procedures, and none of my doctors I can assure you would ever say I was a pain. In fact, for some time after my most recent procedure, a rhinoplasty, I maintained contact with the doctor that performed that procedure. He really was almost like a father to me. He made phone calls for me when I was interested in nursing and we stayed in touch for some time. He has retired, now almost 80 I am sure. No, I am not a pain. I am reasonable, amd my questions were reasonable. I never should have been treated the way I was.

katrina m.

August 31, 2015

Agirl61

August 31, 2015

Ok. You ask me, why I care what you think. I don't. I only replied because I wanted to know what specifically in my posting made you call me a "pain in the ass". Those are unkind words. And if your name calling is merely expressing YOUR opinion, why take issue with me for doing exactly the same, especially if you have not had any experience with this practice. As someone who is only expressing MY opinion AND my honest experience with this practice , it's surprising and hurtful to be called a name, loaded with anger in my opinion, by someone I don't know or have never met.

Agirl61

August 31, 2015

Thank you Katrina for removing that comment. We should be able to share our experiences here without being called names or judged so harshly. I love realself and especially that women (and men) are generally so supportive of each other here.

Agirl61

August 31, 2015

Actually I see it wasn't katrina that removed it but someone from realself staff. Either way thank you.

Agirl61

October 2, 2015

Update....I see dr richards is now going through his negative reviews, responding kindly, offering to make things right. I wonder if he will respond to my negative review, try to make things right for how I was treated, or offer to compensate me for a me for the month I took off from work.

tinab021978

October 3, 2015

I think u dodged a bullet!! Imagine if he did mess something up, I don't think he would have fixed It. Sounds like poor morale!

Agirl61

October 3, 2015

hi Tina! Thank you for your supportive comment. The only other comment here until you commented was was from. One person who literally attacked me--her comments have been removed. But yes, I do feel that way...that I dodged a bullit. Dr. Richards surely has plenty of positive reviews, there's no question there. but the way I was treated and dismissed was inexcusable and in my opinion should make someone think. What IF? Aside from phone calls and emails back and forth about paperwork, hotels, etc, I contacted the office only one time with questions about the upcoming procedure(specifically about the lip lift)I hadn't thought of at our original meeting. Interestingly, the rave review that Led me to the dr was also the one that raised my concern. Because it was there that someone commented about how the dr deviated during surgery from what, according to this patient, the dr had discussed prior to surgery(this was a husband and wife who both had the minilift that I was going to have and who were both very upset about the placement of the scars. the husband actually posted photos of the scars in a question to doctors. so, you see, one of the "reviews" I read wasn't an official review, but a whole thread I became aware of because I was following this first review). I would have been satisfied if Dr. Richards had simply reassured me, or explained that sometimes he has to deviate for one reason or another, because I was totally committed to him as my surgeon at that point. But that I was DISMISSED?? I was so upset initially, and actually, I still am because it cost me a great deal. Thank you again for your comment. It's validating to know someone read my review, especially since it is a bit lengthy!

tinab021978

October 3, 2015

He should have reassured you! It's your right as a paying client to question things and need him to reassure u. It's your body and u were trusting him your body and health. Anyone that gives u negative comments are completely in the wrong!! Keep searching for the right surgeon for you! Don't give up on your dream!!

Agirl61

October 3, 2015

Thanks Tina xoxo you are a kind soul!

redmaple

October 20, 2015

Yes, I concur with your office review. The surgeons and actual nursing staff seem to be good, but dealing with their front office staff can be a lesson in patience and overcoming their incompetence. You have to check over everything the office staff says/does and do due diligence through research online to verify what they tell you as being correct. They are nice as pie until you point out their mistakes. As a result, I'm not going back here again. Also, the day of your consult, they will charge you. This means no matter how far in advance you schedule the surgery from the day of the consult, you are charged. I'm guessing they would reimburse you if the surgery was scheduled according to their policy timeline. Still, I didn't appreciate paying thousands of dollars that far in advance with no work having been done at all.

redmaple

October 20, 2015

I meant to write: I guess they would reimburse you if you cancelled the surgery within the timeline of their cancellation policy. I'm glad this person was able to get her money back before it was too late.

Agirl61

October 28, 2015

There were a number of red flags--although I still feel Dr. Richards is a nice man, I just had some concerns and was hoping simply to go over the game plan one last time. I'm sure that would have eased my concerns. Instead, they cancel my surgery?? after I took a month off of work, got my paperwork from the dr, got my carecredit set up. Pointing out some negative reviews was met with almost hostility rather than reassurance. I'm sorry, but if I read a review that says basically a doctor did something other than what we discussed, or that he was dismissive or looked confused after surgery when asked why something that we was discussed wasn't done, I think its something to think about, and I certainly wouldn't label someone "overly anxious" because they were concerned. In fact, I wonder more about the people who AREN'T concerned. I did speak to Dr. Richards after he cancelled on me, and he said very little except that he thinks I'm over anxious and would be better off going with someone nearby. LOL, well now I'm actually going a great distance, and have no doubts about my new doctor. And I concur with you re: the front office staff. I can't be certain, but I feel strongly that the "staff" played a big role in blowing my concerns up out of proportion to Dr. Richards.

annpam

December 23, 2015

That was a close call! You are right..better that he never touched you.

Agirl61

December 23, 2015

Yes, thank you!

annpam

December 23, 2015

Are you going to look for another doctor? I think this doctor in MD did a beautiful job... https://www.realself.com/review/baltimore-md-facelift-whered-face-sort

UPDATED FROM Agirl61

Sooo glad I waited

Agirl61September 25, 2016

Finally did it. After searching three years and almost having surgery with dr richards, I finally settled on Dr. Harley in NC. I will be posting my photos this week. I had to travel all the way from Nj but even after I returned home 4 days later, his follow up care has been amazing. Please check out my review in a few days or send me a pm if you have any questions.

Replies (4)

Wishing4PS

October 8, 2016

Hi Agirl. I'm scheduled for the Biltmore lift in Tuesday, November 8th. I'm worried about feeling the injections and of course nerve damage. I feel everyone has these concerns at some point. How was your experience? Did you feel the injections? I've also seen a couple of his patients who have had a lopsided smile for. A few weeks following the surgery. Are you having any problems. Thanks for any comments and advice you will offer. would love to see pics if you feel comfortable posting them. Glad you are on the other side

Agirl61

November 1, 2016

I was so worried about nerve damage. But it was such an easy surgery. You are in the best hands!! Don't worry. Relax. All will be fine. I'm sorry if anyone has been waiting for my review. I will get it up soon with photos. And no, I did not feel injections. I remember a little bit, but no pain or discomfort at all!!

PHT

October 30, 2016

I am looking for your review with Dr. Harley and I cannot find it? I would very much like to see/read your review. I'm following some other RSers who have had or are scheduled for OR with him too.