Regrettable Decisions

My first consultation with Dr. Vela went great. I was very much impressed with his before and after photos of WL patients surgeries. Immediately after surgery red flags were present. After surgery, Dr. Vela did not see me while in recovery to ask how I was feeling and to let me know of the surgery’s outcome. I felt abandoned. The nurse that was left to care for me was nice but, briskly wanted me to be awaken and recovered. I’m assuming because it was a Friday evening and she was ready to start her weekend.I communicated with Sara (his nurse assistant) through Klara app. I would send pictures of concerning wounds. Things were looking worse where my drains were inserted, antibiotics were taken daily. The opening was progressively widening and had yellow-whitish draining and liquified drainage coming from the wound. It looked horrific! I was told it was normal, that this does happen with drains and that they were familiar with these happenings. I did come in weekly for follow-up appointments.The wound became large enough that the drain was literally hanging out of the wound. I told Sara I was upset and she had me immediately come in the following day after viewing pics. My office visit with Dr. Vela was to remove the drain and sutured the wound. No questions were asked about my concerns and well-being. He sent me on my way! Which again left me feeling abandoned and rushed. Prior to leaving my appointment, Sara instructed me on how to keep my wound free from infection.I contacted Sara to explain that the wound was opening again and the drainage coming from the area was non-stop. She stated that Dr. Vela wanted me to come back in to place another drain. This same particular day my body was weakened and I went to AAMC. That evening visit turned into me being admitted for seven days in the hospital. I needed IV antibiotics, a blood transfusion, CT scans, multiple blood tests, pneumonia in my left lung. All due to the wound being infected. AAMC physicians were not able to contact Dr. Vela and left multiple messages. Luckily the infection made its way protruding through the sutured wound which signaled something more was needed.I received wound care while hospitalized. Four days later I spoke with Sara, she was concerned about my well-being. Well, of course, I had been hospitalized at this point. When I was discharged, I received instructions that I would need to have a nurse come out to treat my wounds 2x a week and also follow up with the plastic surgeon on AAMC campus. I was fearful that Dr.Vela was not in my health's best interest and I did not trust him any longer.After being discharged, I heard from Sara once more. She called for Dr. Vela wanting to know if it was ok for him to call sometime that day. I agreed and I wanted to express to him how I felt about this whole ordeal. Here it is a month later and I never heard from Dr. Vela which came as no surprise to me.I was angry and regretful every day that I had this surgery. I entrusted Dr. Vela to care for me as he was so passionate and confident in his 20 plus years of performing surgeries. He did stress that I may not be happy with my results. These comments should have been alarming considering choosing Dr. Vela to perform my tummy tuck, body lift & fat transfer to buttocks.I thank God for AAMC and their genuine staff that actually treated me with respect, actually considered my livelihood, and the urgency of care that I needed before my life may have turned out for the worse if I had waited for the next appointment or contemplating on seeking extended medical attention.As for my results from the surgery, it is disheartening. Belcara Health declined my request for compensation. I experienced mistreatment, dissatisfaction, and this distressing journey after surgery. The Performance and Operations Manager Angel suggested seeing Dr. Cohen. He specializes in breast procedures. I felt my hands were tied because I invested $19,000. I went to a pre-op appointment and I requested to see Dr. Vela and he refused to see me. This was a true blessing in disguise.