If I’d Known then What I Know Now…

I was reluctant to write a review because I did like Dr Salama and am more happy than not with the results of my 360 Lipo, however I feel it’s important that other potential patients understand what they’re possibly in for if they decide to have surgery here.
I’m 46 and have had my share of ‘updates’ with multiple surgeons and have never had an experience quite like the one at EPS Miami (which is based in Hollywood FL, btw).
There were many red flags that I unfortunately chose to ignore, these are just a few:
-The consultation was done via photos sent to the doctor by his coordinator. I asked to come to the office, which was 20 minutes away from my house, but I was told by the patient coordinator (salesperson) that this was not done. However, perhaps sensing my reluctance to schedule surgery without meeting the surgeon, she was able to ‘make an exception’ and allow me an in person appointment with the doctor.
I then made the 50% initial deposit believing that I was meeting with the doctor in person and wanted to secure my date. Once I was already booked for surgery and a couple days before our scheduled meeting, the office called and canceled the appointment, after my deposit was already accepted.
-Less than a week before the surgery, I was sent forms that I was told were required to be signed. The documents had incorrect information regarding the type of surgery I was going to be having.
-these documents included releases allowing them to use photos of my body for their social media and marketing purposes, including ones taken during surgery while I would be exposed and unresponsive. After much back and forth with their office personnel . I explained that I would not sign these and was finally given the correct paperwork for the surgery I was having.
-On the day of surgery, I arrived to a empty office and wandered through the halls, looking for somebody to greet me for nearly 20 minutes.
-Once I found someone whom I was barely able to communicate with and who turned out to be a surgical assistant, I was eventually put into an exam room to wait for the doctor to meet me for the first time and to go over my impending surgery. The surgical staff is mostly comprised of men (another issue I was uncomfortable with).
-when I woke up from surgery, I had 5 to 7 drains hanging out of my body from various angles.
As I mentioned, this was not my first rodeo, but it was certainly the first time I had ever had drains placed into my body after surgery and I was not ready for the absolute disgusting mess of recovery.
-The first two days I laid in bed and developed multiple bedsores and edemas from the blood that was not circulating.
-the waiting room is also the same place the patients arrive post surgery which means you have to look at women and men in various states of recovery with bloody sacks (drains) hanging out of their gowns.
-I bought two dozen massages and cried during the first six sessions due to the pain and the utter lack of modesty I was allowed as I was prodded and poked and stuffed into ‘fajas’ and packed with styrofoam cutouts I was told to wear for weeks on end.
Overall, I’m glad the lipo on my arms worked, but my waist will likely be forever discolored, another thing I was unaware of since I’m fair skinned but would’ve been warned of if I had met the doctor in advance and could’ve considered ahead of time.
I have never felt more like a number less like a person at any point in my life. I had multiple complications after the surgery and had to return to the office for nearly 3 months for follow up visits.
Many of the patients that come to this office are from other countries or out of town and I do not know how they are able to heal due to the lack of post op care.
This experience was a tough learning lesson and made me realize that while surgery may seem like a shortcut, the length of time it took to recover and the never ending visits and costs to feel better were not worth the small amount of improvements I see now. I wish I would’ve hired a trainer instead.
The only reason I am even giving EPS a couple stars is because I feel badly for Dr Salama. He seems to be carrying a staff of unprofessional people who aren’t concerned with patient care.