Consultation review: Honest Review

I am writing this review more than a year after my initial consultation. The consultation fee is $400.00 vice the $200.00 listed on RealSelf. The consultation was extremely brief. It was going to be my first ever medical procedure, including non-cosmetic. I came to the consultation armed to the teeth with questions that I believed were relevant. My questions were geared heavily toward the medical facility, nearby medical facility and hospitals, certified staff on hand, and emergency protocols. I was looking for a breast lift (no implants) for my slightly tuberous breast (of which Dr. Kolker is an expert in). Because I do not have a severe case, he believed the surgery would be simple and straight forward, possibly, not even resulting in the vertical "lollipop" scar. We discussed various options i.e. implants to create the shape I was looking for, fat transfer to the breast which he discouraged, and more of the same. The reason I did not go with Dr. Kolker: primarily I felt rushed, uncomfortable, and at one point during the consultation the assistant (young women who had had her own breast augmentation done by Dr. Kolker) made a comment about the questions I had prepared. It was a sort of joke I don't remember verbatim but along the lines of it feeling like a "SAT test". Her & Dr. Kolker even shared a laugh about it. I can't explain how far off this threw me, I thought, "I am the only one showing up with a few pages of questions?" I tried making excuses after the fact. Me feeling rushed, I said, "He is a busy man, he has a lot of patients, he's a high profile plastic surgeon". Again found myself making excuses for the young women in the room taking notes, "I'm brand new to this, maybe the amount/type of questions were over the top." Or "they do this all day everyday so this is not a big deal for them." I realized much later I shouldn't have to justify my being there, I paid for the time after all... Lastly the price (which was not even the deal breaker): the price is, even for me at a 6 figure salary living in New York City, outrageous. The all inclusive for the breast lift no implants with the $400.00 consultation fee discounted was $18,000.00. I immediately asked for a price break down. Which, reading the other poor reviews here, I saw others have done the same and did not receive one. I was told they don't have it on hand they will send me an email with the price break down, for anesthesiologist, procedure price, surgeon price, pain medication (which my insurance would have covered given the option), and post-surgery medical. I followed up on that request, and even called. I received no price break down at any point. I am aware many people go in there with dim views of themselves hoping for the quick fix. They do not care how much the surgeon is paying himself. But at an 18k price tag you should have the right to know and knowledge to compare to neighboring surgeon in the area. You should be asking yourself "what is he paying himself compare to other surgeons in the area?" "what is the cost of the anesthesiologist compared to others in the area?" "Can the pain medication be exempt if the persons own medical insurance covers it?" I could not choose Dr. Kolker due the amount of unknowns after consultation. How did I leave the consultation with more questions even after the laundry list of questions I brought in? Please, find a different surgeon. Make sure you feel welcomed. More importantly make sure you feel like you paid a $400.00 consultation fee for a reason!