Wanted to Regain Pre-baby Body - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Although I'd been told by family and friends that...
I researched the doctor and found that he was not a plastic surgeon by specialty, but had formal training in the area and had been in practice for over a decade. His Health Grade reviews were glowing and no complaints or lawsuits had been filed against him. The results I'd seen and testimony from previous patients made me even more comfortable to schedule a phone/virtual consultation and move forward with my "smart" lipo procedure. To say the procedure was effortless or expertly handled would be an understatement.
Not only did the doctor arrive over an hour after my scheduled procedure time but he spent barely 5 minutes with me before marking his points of entry and shuffling me onto the surgical table. The numbing process (which they do NOT show on YouTube) was not only PAINFUL but seemed to take FOREVER to complete! After the numbing the real torture begins. Because you're completely awake it can be jarring to see the equipment and devices that he uses. My procedure was performed VERY AGGRESSIVELY and I tried to remain calm throughout by assuring myself that this is how it's supposed to be done.
I now realize the many (important) differences between a board certified plastic surgeon and a doctor who simply performs cosmetic procedures. The training, the expertise, the precision...listening to the CLIENT...ALL important things a good board certified "plastic" surgeon brings to the table. This is simply something that cannot be ignored if you truly expect a good/great outcome.
Despite wearing my compression garment for the prescribed amount of time, getting my massages as recommended, working out, and not gaining ANY weight, I look WORSE now than before the surgery!! I have a horrible silhouette which I cover up more so now than before! I guess you get what you pay for.
So unfortunately, now one year post-op I have LUMPS, BUMPS, and BRUISING (still) which requires another surgery in attempts to correct the damage already done!
Your takeaway: DO YOUR RESEARCH AND ACCEPT NO LESS THAN A BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON WHO WILL LISTEN TO YOUR NEEDS AND PROVIDE YOU WITH HONEST ANSWERS ABOUT THE OUTCOME.
Replies (2)
Thank you Mommy Bear for your comments. I appreciate all feedback both positive and negative. However, several comments you have made begs me too question the authenticity of your posting. Firstly, as long as I have been in practice, which is over 10 years, I have never just rushed a patient and "stuffed" them onto the surgical table. I ALWAYS do an extensive pre-op, either right before the procedure for those out of town, or 1 week before for those living close. I always mark the patient first as well as take photos, and do a "time out" as per Joint Commission standards. And I never mark my points of entry. Secondly, while the numbing process can be a bit uncomfortable for some, it is usually very quick, lasting from 10-15 minutes. And I always numb the patient at their comfort level. Since I only do one, or at most, two patients a day, I can take as long as I need to do the numbing. Thirdly, the procedure itself once the numbing medicine is infiltrated is essentially painless. (you may want to read some of the other posts) Lastly, you repeatedly make reference to my board status. And while I agree that if a patient were to get a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or some other major surgical procedure, it would be wise to choose a board certified plastic surgeon, however, the procedure I perform was first "invented" by a dermatologist, Dr. Klien. It is considered a dermatologic procedure and is performed very differently than the traditional liposuction performed under general anesthesia by plastic surgeons. There are many advantages of having liposculpture performed under local with tumescent anesthesia. It is a much, much safer procedure as long as protocol is strictly followed (which I always do), and the recovery is much easier. Obviously, there is some discomfort during the numbing process, and therefore not for everyone, however, not only is it much safer and with a quicker recovery, but at BodyCare we have several board certified plastic surgeons available should a patient choose to have traditional liposuction under a general, or is having major discomfort under local. While at first glance this posting appears credible with many details, in fact none of the details are consistent with my procedural routine. Rather it appears to be a flagrant attempt at discrediting me. I have in fact performed over 3500 liposculpture procedures with a 96% satisfaction rate. For the sake of argument, however, if Mommy Bear is a real patient (although I doubt it), I ask you to contact my clinic so that I can smooth out the "lumps and bumps" you speak of, as I have done many times in the past for other doctors.
I am in FACT a REAL person/former client!
After my experience, I now suffer serious pain in my lower abdomen and have very noticeable lumps and bumps in that area which prevent me from wearing form-fitting clothes due to extreme discomfort. Because of the pain & cost to try to fix this issue I will most likely have to accept and live with this problem as I've been trying to do to the best of my ability.
So, you can try to discredit my post as is your right to do so, but you simply cannot discredit me or my experience with your office.
Thank you.
Replies (2)
I'm truly sorry that you are not happy with your results. It was not my intention to discredit you, but the details with which you described the procedure was (and remains) suspect. But as I said, if you are a real patient, all I asked was for you to set up an appointment.
I do truly intend to get the best results possible for all my patients. However, it is virtually impossible to get a 100% satisfaction rate no matter how excellent the physician. Fortunately, my satisfaction rate is very close to that. However, there will always be a few who are not happy. There is a very small percentage of patients who have a condition known as hypertrophic scarring. You maybe one of these. We do have ways of treating that, however, you did not call for an follow up appointment as I suggested. So please do so.
Since I've performed tumescent liposculpture on over 3700 patients to date, even with a 96% satisfaction rate, one would expect a few unsatisfied clients. Obviously, since I've performed over 3700 procedures, it is difficult to remember each and every one of my clients. Unfortunately I do not recall your fiance calling me, either, but please call the clinic and set up an appointment so that I may help you.
As far as the other issue goes with persistent discomfort in your abdominal area, it is likely to be unrelated to the liposculpture procedure. I suggest you go see your physician. There has never been one documented case in the literature of persistent abdominal pain following liposuction, unless there is penetration of the viscera during the procedure. Fortunately, that event is nearly impossible using the tumescent technique, which is why many people choose it over general anesthesia.
For those wishing further education, the history of Liposuction can be found on this link. http://www.liposuction.com/liposuction-history.html . From the time of its initial development, liposuction has never been the exclusive domain of plastic surgery. In fact, it is a multispecialty procedure since inception and many of the best and most experienced liposuction surgeons have had there original training in various specialties.
I wish you well and look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Stratt
I am truly sorry that you were not completely satisfied with your procedure. And I do owe you an apology, as I originally believed this was a fictitious post (which I have received before). However, the original posting left me little information as to your identity and I wrongly assumed it was not real. Your second post gave me more information and I was able to find and review your chart. Also, I do recall a phone call from your fiance. He talked with Ivana at the front desk. And we asked you to send your after photos, or better yet, come into the clinic for a follow up. Neither of those occurred.
I put my heart into every procedure, so I was disheartened to learn you were unhappy with the results. I was unaware of your dissatisfaction until I read your postings. Obviously, if you're not happy, we failed you at some level with your procedure. And I feel it is my responsibility to correct the problem. However, I did not hear back from you. So please call the clinic and set up an appointment.
After reviewing your chart and looking at your before photos (as I don't have your after photos), however, I have come to an understanding of your dissatisfaction.
While HIPAA laws prevent me from disclosing your personal medical information, I can use generalities from which the reader can extrapolate.
In general, when a patient has had a previous lipo procedure from another doctor and left with bad scarring and deformities, it is very difficult to repair sometimes. One famous example which I'm sure many people are familiar is the actress Tara Reid several years ago. (I would like to point out also that her botched procedure was performed by a board certified plastic surgeon). In cases such as that, I do my best to correct the deformities, but depending on the severity, it is not always possible. I always tell my patients that, and I told you the same thing before we started. Also, if there is a lot of scarring, the numbing part may be more painful than normal as well. But, in any case, I also ask my patients how they are tolerating the numbing process as we progress. As I did for you. (The vast majority of my patients tolerate the numbing part extremely well).
Doing liposculpture under local (tumescent) has many advantages, as it is far safer and the recovery quicker. However, there are certain drawbacks as there is some discomfort during the numbing process. It is not severe pain, but a feeling of fullness and pressure. It only lasts for 5-10 minutes, so many people prefer it to general anesthesia. Almost all plastic surgeons use general anesthesia. Patients, therefore, do have a choice.
In closing I would like to reiterate what you said in your first posting " His Health Grade reviews were glowing and no complaints or lawsuits had been filed against him." There is a reason for that. I have focused my entire career on one procedure, I put my heart into every client, and am considered one of the best liposculpture surgeons in the country. I am truly sorry that you are not in the "satisfied column", but as I described above, those whom have had previous botched lipo, there is only so much I can do. However, please call the clinic to set up an appointment at your earliest convenience.
I now actually have three complaints, posted on the web, however, after 10 years and thousands and thousands of satisfied liposculpture clients, I'm sure everyone would agree that I have an exemplary record.
Thanks for sharing on RealSelf. I hope you find support in our community.