The Worst Part of my Experience Was Trying to Get a 2nd Opinion

My husband said my backside looked like a round-bottom wine bottle with candle wax melted over it. Great guy, but no gift for flattery! After dropping more than 100 pounds, I scheduled a consult with Dr Beil, who had done my breast reduction 20 years earlier, to discuss a body lift. I also had a hernia that needed repair and wanted fat grafting to my breasts to plump them back into shape.
I would also like to share with interested readers that Dr Beil's business practices are straightforward, fair and completely honorable. When seeking a 2nd opinion (my friends insisted I would be an idiot if I didn't get one) I found that not all plastic surgeons operate so openly. My first alternate - a female board certified plastic surgeon in the Detroit metropolitan area had spectacular reviews. When I called to schedule a consult, a staff member spent 20 minutes 'vetting me' on the phone. then informed me that if I wanted to move forward with a consult I would need to prepay for the entire procedure prior to making the appointment. The amount was $22,000 and I should wire it to their bank account. Once received - they would call me with an appointment day. The staff member would not even give a ballpark month or date for the consult appointment - nor share the typical timeline from consult to surgery. Yikes! The 2nd alternate I chose, also a female board certified plastic surgeon with great reviews in the Detroit metropolitan area - demanded only the consult fee be wired to her account before they would make the appointment. Also, no timeline for the appointment or surgery before my payment. I wired the consult fee and got a call back that the consult would be in 10 weeks and they reminded me that cancellation of the appointment within 48 hours of the scheduled time would forfeit my deposit. They called 48 hours prior to confirm. I confirmed. Then 24 hours prior to the appointment, they sent me several documents to sign via text message.- The 1st was an agreement that they would own the photos and post them wherever and whenever they chose. The 2nd agreement forbid me from sharing any reviews or photos ANYWHERE without their prior written approval. Finally, there was an agreement that in the event I was dissatisfied, maimed, or botched (my words) that I would abide by the decision of their mediator.I guess its obvious I declined to sign and forfeited my consult fee. And it was the best decision I could have made!Please understand the scope of this surgery is a significant and the healing curve was much slower than I anticipated. I also had some minor complications - hematomas, late stage bruising, and unbelievable fatigue. Even with those issues this was an excellent experience and I am pleased with the outcome. Dr Beil is a thoughtful, careful, and conscientious surgeon with an entirely dedicated and positive medical and office staff. Straightforward pricing included a reasonable consult fee that is deducted from the cost of the procedure. They tell you on the phone when your consult is (within a couple of weeks) and you pay for the consult when you arrive for the consult. I cannot say enough good things about Dr Beil or his associates, everyone is incredibly professional and great at their job and I absolutely recommend them.