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Abuse of Power
It has taken me a long time to write this review. I have been deeply traumatized by my experience. I had been coming to Dr. Andre Berger on & off for almost 10 years. I trusted him. Dr. Berger performed a Silhouette Instalift procedure on my mid face on January 28th, 2021.
Mid February, I noticed red marks starting in the center of my cheek along the left side of my face where the threads were placed, & on the right side of my face where the thread attached under my skin. It formed pustules & became infected.
On February 16th, I had a follow up with Dr. Berger. He told me I was having an acute acne breakout. He treated the infection with a high dose steroid injection, & one week course of antibiotics. He also did my lip injections.
March 1st, the redness started on the right side of my face where thread was placed. I sent Dr. Berger a video text. I am now seeing redness on the right side & there is a knot under the skin. I also let him know my lips were crooked.
My next in office visit was March 3rd. I was still told it was acne. Dr. Berger did another high dose steroid injection to both sides. (At this time, I had full faith in Dr. Berger. I even sent him a text message on March 3rd, after my in office visit telling him I felt I was in the most capable hands possible.
Then the damage got worse.
March 9th, I sent Dr. Berger a text with photos, letting him know I was really concerned with what was happening to my face. I now have deep dents, on top of the discoloration & redness. I also told him my lips were uneven, & all of this happening was deeply affecting me. The skin became so thin in the dent on my left cheek it turned green.
March 10th 2021, I had an in office visit. Dr. Berger filled the dent with a superficial filler, & did and IPL treatment on the dark marks. He also “fixed” my lips.
Everything he did, only made things worse. Dr. Berger gave me a second degree burn on my upper lip & under the scar on my left cheek. The burn on my lip wasn’t even near the original injury.
I am fair skinned. When researching, discovered it is EXTREMELY RARE to burn someone with fair skin with IPL.
My lips were also still crooked.
March 16th, My husband Adam sent Dr. Berger a text expressing his concerns. Husband said no more treatments.
March 17th, had another in office visit with Dr. Berger. No treatments. Dr. Berger continued to say it was acne. He did not admit fault, in anyway. He literally said he did everything right. This did not sit well with me. I started feeling betrayed & extremely scared. Realizing Dr. Berger was only protecting himself. His nurses told me I was the offices new problem child & it would be a long road to recovery.
Through researching online for answers, I found a leading expert on threads, & a plastic surgeon. (Dr. Berger is NOT a plastic surgeon!!!!) This new Dr. had a 3 month waiting list, but after seeing my photos & chart, gave me an appointment the next day.
March 23rd, I went to see the new Dr. for a second opinion & learned what really happened to me. It is called granulomas. They are smoldering infections caused by superficial placement of the threads.
March 24th I had an in office follow up visit with Dr. Berger. I broke out in hives all over my body on my way to this appointment. I told him I had met the new Dr. & knew what happened to me now. At the visit Dr. Berger said: “Mistakes happen. In medicine, if you don’t run into cases like this, you are not treating patients. I’m just sorry it happened to you.”
He also told me to get a lawyer. I told him that I was not interested in that. I just wanted him to cover my medical expenses. He said no at first, then, would think about it & get back to me. The new Dr. knows Dr. Berger, & was only charging his costs. My recovery was going to be a long road & I no longer felt safe in Dr. Berger’s hands. Dr. Berger’s treatment felt more like a coverup than proper care.
March 29th, my back completely went out in the morning. I couldn’t stand or walk.
That same day I received an email from Dr. Berger saying he would not cover my medical expenses. I could continue to receive treatments from him, at no charge, but he would not pay the new Dr.’s expenses to treat me. He also said if I want the $2500 back that I spent on the procedure, I would have to sign a waiver, waiving all of my rights.
I did not get my money back so I could tell my story.
THIS IS ABUSE OF POWER. It is scary. His entire job is Aesthetics. Instead of improving mine, he destroyed it. Then didn’t own his mistakes. He physically & mentally hurt me.
I am sorry to anyone who needed this review sooner.
My face is still not fully healed 7 months later. I am still receiving treatments from my new Dr. monthly.
Dr. Berger has never accepted any responsibility.
Thank you for reading. I hope this saves someone else.
-Melissa
Mid February, I noticed red marks starting in the center of my cheek along the left side of my face where the threads were placed, & on the right side of my face where the thread attached under my skin. It formed pustules & became infected.
On February 16th, I had a follow up with Dr. Berger. He told me I was having an acute acne breakout. He treated the infection with a high dose steroid injection, & one week course of antibiotics. He also did my lip injections.
March 1st, the redness started on the right side of my face where thread was placed. I sent Dr. Berger a video text. I am now seeing redness on the right side & there is a knot under the skin. I also let him know my lips were crooked.
My next in office visit was March 3rd. I was still told it was acne. Dr. Berger did another high dose steroid injection to both sides. (At this time, I had full faith in Dr. Berger. I even sent him a text message on March 3rd, after my in office visit telling him I felt I was in the most capable hands possible.
Then the damage got worse.
March 9th, I sent Dr. Berger a text with photos, letting him know I was really concerned with what was happening to my face. I now have deep dents, on top of the discoloration & redness. I also told him my lips were uneven, & all of this happening was deeply affecting me. The skin became so thin in the dent on my left cheek it turned green.
March 10th 2021, I had an in office visit. Dr. Berger filled the dent with a superficial filler, & did and IPL treatment on the dark marks. He also “fixed” my lips.
Everything he did, only made things worse. Dr. Berger gave me a second degree burn on my upper lip & under the scar on my left cheek. The burn on my lip wasn’t even near the original injury.
I am fair skinned. When researching, discovered it is EXTREMELY RARE to burn someone with fair skin with IPL.
My lips were also still crooked.
March 16th, My husband Adam sent Dr. Berger a text expressing his concerns. Husband said no more treatments.
March 17th, had another in office visit with Dr. Berger. No treatments. Dr. Berger continued to say it was acne. He did not admit fault, in anyway. He literally said he did everything right. This did not sit well with me. I started feeling betrayed & extremely scared. Realizing Dr. Berger was only protecting himself. His nurses told me I was the offices new problem child & it would be a long road to recovery.
Through researching online for answers, I found a leading expert on threads, & a plastic surgeon. (Dr. Berger is NOT a plastic surgeon!!!!) This new Dr. had a 3 month waiting list, but after seeing my photos & chart, gave me an appointment the next day.
March 23rd, I went to see the new Dr. for a second opinion & learned what really happened to me. It is called granulomas. They are smoldering infections caused by superficial placement of the threads.
March 24th I had an in office follow up visit with Dr. Berger. I broke out in hives all over my body on my way to this appointment. I told him I had met the new Dr. & knew what happened to me now. At the visit Dr. Berger said: “Mistakes happen. In medicine, if you don’t run into cases like this, you are not treating patients. I’m just sorry it happened to you.”
He also told me to get a lawyer. I told him that I was not interested in that. I just wanted him to cover my medical expenses. He said no at first, then, would think about it & get back to me. The new Dr. knows Dr. Berger, & was only charging his costs. My recovery was going to be a long road & I no longer felt safe in Dr. Berger’s hands. Dr. Berger’s treatment felt more like a coverup than proper care.
March 29th, my back completely went out in the morning. I couldn’t stand or walk.
That same day I received an email from Dr. Berger saying he would not cover my medical expenses. I could continue to receive treatments from him, at no charge, but he would not pay the new Dr.’s expenses to treat me. He also said if I want the $2500 back that I spent on the procedure, I would have to sign a waiver, waiving all of my rights.
I did not get my money back so I could tell my story.
THIS IS ABUSE OF POWER. It is scary. His entire job is Aesthetics. Instead of improving mine, he destroyed it. Then didn’t own his mistakes. He physically & mentally hurt me.
I am sorry to anyone who needed this review sooner.
My face is still not fully healed 7 months later. I am still receiving treatments from my new Dr. monthly.
Dr. Berger has never accepted any responsibility.
Thank you for reading. I hope this saves someone else.
-Melissa
Provider Review
