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beware!!!!!!!
A few weeks ago, I had a consult with Dr. Restivo at Marin Plastic Surgery Specialists on Bon Air Road in Greenbrae, CA for cheek fillers. I have had cheek fillers in the past (by a nurse and wanted to switch to an MD). I get cheek fillers because I had significant weight loss several years ago and the skin on my face is loose and I'd rather not have surgery.
When Dr. Restivo first walked in she asked me if I was sick (there's a point to this later in the story). I explained that I have allergies. She suggested Voluma filler for my cheeks. She showed me a before and after picture of a woman who had had it. And of course she looked amazing. Dr. Restivo asked if I wanted to get it done, but did not tell me the cost. I had to ask for the written estimate. I told her I'd like to call my husband to discuss. She left the room and returned a few minutes later for a decision. I decided to do it. She took a before picture.
I paid for two syringes; I suppose one in each cheek. I am not really sure how we are supposed to trust exactly how much gets used. Most places allow you come back for touch ups, which did not happen here.
Once Dr. Restivo was done, I asked if she was going to take an after picture . She said, "no, you are wearing the after pic." I thought that was a bit odd.
At first, I noticed that my eyes seemed to look worse after the injections. I have hoods (drooping lids), bags, and dark circles. When I had my previous fillers(by someone else), my eye issues looked better! I assumed it would get better. Then I went to an event and people took photos of me. Oh my gosh, my eyes looked half closed!!!! My best guess is that the fillers are too high and caused a "heaviness" look. I don't know exactly why it happened, but it happened. *side note* post-procedure, the office called to ask how I was doing. I said all was fine. I was in the middle of doing ten things at once, and quickly answered. I also hadn't seen photos of myself yet. This was referenced today as a debatable point which is why I am mentioning it.
Fast forward to today when I went in to discuss my concerns about how my eyes looked. Dr. Restivo walked in and the first thing she asked me was if I am sick. I once again explained that I have allergies. I showed Dr. Restivo the pictures of myself that I referenced above. She barely looked at them. She proceeded to take an after picture of me and then compare my before picture. She argued with me that I was wrong. And the before/after pictures made it even more apparent!!! I wish I had asked her to send them to me. I said that I didn't want to debate, I just wanted to find a solution. Then she said my eyes looked liked that because of my Botox injections. I DID NOT get Botox injections!!!! I couldn't believe she said that. I explained that I did not have Botox. Then she said my eyes are puffy because of my allergies. At that point, I realized that she was looking for any reason to say she wasn't going to fix the issue. I once again said I'd like to find a solution. She said she was going to show the pictures to Dr. Poulos. She came back in and said he agreed that there was no issue. I asked how we were going to resolve this. She said in a very snarky voice, "surgery". So I left and said I was unhappy.
Kelly called me about five minutes later and offered to dissolve the fillers but not to refund any money or to re- do the fillers after they were dissolved. So if I chose to dissolve, that would be a complete waste of my money. I asked if there was any filler left in the syringes and if it could be used to put under my eyes. She said there was none left and that we shouldn't add more filler. Then she asked what other ideas I had. I said I wasn't sure because this is not my area of expertise. She offered no more suggestions and we ended the call.
I HIGHLY suggest doing extensive research before going to anybody for this kind of work. I admittedly did not. And I DO NOT recommend Dr. Restivo. You can end up in my similar situation, and clearly she won't fix it. As patients, we are in a vulnerable position and we put our trust in the doctor. It is a tough position to be in which is why I a writing this review. I hope nobody else will have to go through this. This is my first ever review as I believe we all make mistakes, and I haven't felt the need to publicize such. This feels different. I feel completely taken advantage of, and as Dr. Restivo said, I am wearing the work on my face. And it does not feel great. Thank you for taking the time to read.
When Dr. Restivo first walked in she asked me if I was sick (there's a point to this later in the story). I explained that I have allergies. She suggested Voluma filler for my cheeks. She showed me a before and after picture of a woman who had had it. And of course she looked amazing. Dr. Restivo asked if I wanted to get it done, but did not tell me the cost. I had to ask for the written estimate. I told her I'd like to call my husband to discuss. She left the room and returned a few minutes later for a decision. I decided to do it. She took a before picture.
I paid for two syringes; I suppose one in each cheek. I am not really sure how we are supposed to trust exactly how much gets used. Most places allow you come back for touch ups, which did not happen here.
Once Dr. Restivo was done, I asked if she was going to take an after picture . She said, "no, you are wearing the after pic." I thought that was a bit odd.
At first, I noticed that my eyes seemed to look worse after the injections. I have hoods (drooping lids), bags, and dark circles. When I had my previous fillers(by someone else), my eye issues looked better! I assumed it would get better. Then I went to an event and people took photos of me. Oh my gosh, my eyes looked half closed!!!! My best guess is that the fillers are too high and caused a "heaviness" look. I don't know exactly why it happened, but it happened. *side note* post-procedure, the office called to ask how I was doing. I said all was fine. I was in the middle of doing ten things at once, and quickly answered. I also hadn't seen photos of myself yet. This was referenced today as a debatable point which is why I am mentioning it.
Fast forward to today when I went in to discuss my concerns about how my eyes looked. Dr. Restivo walked in and the first thing she asked me was if I am sick. I once again explained that I have allergies. I showed Dr. Restivo the pictures of myself that I referenced above. She barely looked at them. She proceeded to take an after picture of me and then compare my before picture. She argued with me that I was wrong. And the before/after pictures made it even more apparent!!! I wish I had asked her to send them to me. I said that I didn't want to debate, I just wanted to find a solution. Then she said my eyes looked liked that because of my Botox injections. I DID NOT get Botox injections!!!! I couldn't believe she said that. I explained that I did not have Botox. Then she said my eyes are puffy because of my allergies. At that point, I realized that she was looking for any reason to say she wasn't going to fix the issue. I once again said I'd like to find a solution. She said she was going to show the pictures to Dr. Poulos. She came back in and said he agreed that there was no issue. I asked how we were going to resolve this. She said in a very snarky voice, "surgery". So I left and said I was unhappy.
Kelly called me about five minutes later and offered to dissolve the fillers but not to refund any money or to re- do the fillers after they were dissolved. So if I chose to dissolve, that would be a complete waste of my money. I asked if there was any filler left in the syringes and if it could be used to put under my eyes. She said there was none left and that we shouldn't add more filler. Then she asked what other ideas I had. I said I wasn't sure because this is not my area of expertise. She offered no more suggestions and we ended the call.
I HIGHLY suggest doing extensive research before going to anybody for this kind of work. I admittedly did not. And I DO NOT recommend Dr. Restivo. You can end up in my similar situation, and clearly she won't fix it. As patients, we are in a vulnerable position and we put our trust in the doctor. It is a tough position to be in which is why I a writing this review. I hope nobody else will have to go through this. This is my first ever review as I believe we all make mistakes, and I haven't felt the need to publicize such. This feels different. I feel completely taken advantage of, and as Dr. Restivo said, I am wearing the work on my face. And it does not feel great. Thank you for taking the time to read.
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