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Public Warning: My Negative Experience with Dr Frank LaMadrid
I am compelled to share my distressing experience with Dr. Frank La Madrid, a plastic surgeon in Barranquilla, Colombia, to caution others who might be considering his services. As a U.S. citizen, I traveled to Colombia for a breast lift with Implants, expecting professional medical care as stipulated in a contract that included post-operative care and accommodations.
**Initial Impressions and Misleading Professionalism**
The process began promisingly; Dr. La Madrid's clinic was pristine, and his demeanor was friendly and reassuring. I was impressed enough to purchase additional recommended treatments like IV therapies, lymphatic with machines and sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. Unfortunately, this initial professionalism did not extend to the surgical and post-operative phases.
**Surgical Concerns and Poor Conditions**
Contrary to the clean and professional environment of his office, the surgical facility was alarmingly subpar. The location was different from the office, with stained bedding and floors, and the space was generally unhygienic—a stark contrast to the cleanliness required in medical settings, something I am keenly aware of working in surgery in the past.
**Post-Surgical Care and Neglect**
The aftercare was grossly inadequate. The hotel included in the surgery package was ill-equipped to handle post-surgical needs, particularly for someone recovering from major surgery like a breast lift. Additionally, the promised 24/7 nursing care was virtually non-existent, with only two nurses available for 16-20 patients, leading to significant delays in essential care such as assistance with mobility and garment fitting.
**Inadequate Treatments and Lack of Support**
Post-operative treatments that were supposed to aid recovery were rushed and significantly shorter than supposed, when complications arose, such as openings in the surgical sites on my breasts, the response from Dr. La Madrid and his team was dismissive. It took multiple attempts and significant distress on my part to receive any guidance from him after I returned to the states.
**Professional Misconduct and Accusations**
Worse still, when I sought my medical records to consult with a doctor in the States about my complications, Dr. La Madrid accused me of seeking post-operative care elsewhere, questioning my integrity and the veracity of my claims. His confrontational and unprofessional response further exacerbated an already stressful situation.
**Lack of Certification**
Compounding these issues, Dr. La Madrid does not hold a certification from the Colombian Society of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (SCCP), which is a significant red flag considering the importance of such certifications in verifying a surgeon's training and adherence to medical standards in Colombia.
**Conclusion**
My experience with Dr. Frank La Madrid was fraught with professional negligence, inadequate care, and a lack of empathy and support during a vulnerable time.
I urge anyone considering plastic surgery in Barranquilla to be wary of Dr. Frank La Madrid. The glossy exterior of a clean office and initial polite interactions may hide a reality of inadequate facilities, poor post-operative care, and a lack of professional accountability. My experience was far from what was promised, and I hope my story can prevent others from enduring a similar ordeal.
**Initial Impressions and Misleading Professionalism**
The process began promisingly; Dr. La Madrid's clinic was pristine, and his demeanor was friendly and reassuring. I was impressed enough to purchase additional recommended treatments like IV therapies, lymphatic with machines and sessions in a hyperbaric chamber. Unfortunately, this initial professionalism did not extend to the surgical and post-operative phases.
**Surgical Concerns and Poor Conditions**
Contrary to the clean and professional environment of his office, the surgical facility was alarmingly subpar. The location was different from the office, with stained bedding and floors, and the space was generally unhygienic—a stark contrast to the cleanliness required in medical settings, something I am keenly aware of working in surgery in the past.
**Post-Surgical Care and Neglect**
The aftercare was grossly inadequate. The hotel included in the surgery package was ill-equipped to handle post-surgical needs, particularly for someone recovering from major surgery like a breast lift. Additionally, the promised 24/7 nursing care was virtually non-existent, with only two nurses available for 16-20 patients, leading to significant delays in essential care such as assistance with mobility and garment fitting.
**Inadequate Treatments and Lack of Support**
Post-operative treatments that were supposed to aid recovery were rushed and significantly shorter than supposed, when complications arose, such as openings in the surgical sites on my breasts, the response from Dr. La Madrid and his team was dismissive. It took multiple attempts and significant distress on my part to receive any guidance from him after I returned to the states.
**Professional Misconduct and Accusations**
Worse still, when I sought my medical records to consult with a doctor in the States about my complications, Dr. La Madrid accused me of seeking post-operative care elsewhere, questioning my integrity and the veracity of my claims. His confrontational and unprofessional response further exacerbated an already stressful situation.
**Lack of Certification**
Compounding these issues, Dr. La Madrid does not hold a certification from the Colombian Society of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery (SCCP), which is a significant red flag considering the importance of such certifications in verifying a surgeon's training and adherence to medical standards in Colombia.
**Conclusion**
My experience with Dr. Frank La Madrid was fraught with professional negligence, inadequate care, and a lack of empathy and support during a vulnerable time.
I urge anyone considering plastic surgery in Barranquilla to be wary of Dr. Frank La Madrid. The glossy exterior of a clean office and initial polite interactions may hide a reality of inadequate facilities, poor post-operative care, and a lack of professional accountability. My experience was far from what was promised, and I hope my story can prevent others from enduring a similar ordeal.
Provider Review
Dr Frank LaMadrid