23 Years 2 Kids Needed to Get Rid of my love handles - Winter Park, FL

It is very its more dissapointing that he wants me to pay again to fix it

I can't imagine how you must feel..

As the doctor involved it is difficult for me to respond completely without breaching confidentiality; nevertheless there are a number of assertions made hat are frankly incorrect. Unfortunately on forums such as these it is impossible to provide full information from my perspective. I would simply like to say that all patients including Ms. Ide are provided with information regarding the various types of abdominoplasty, including modified abdominoplasty, full abdominoplaty and full body lift, and the extent of the scars and the expectations from each procedure. Each procedure has it's advantages and disadvantages and of course depends on the individual as to which is most suitable. In many individuals there are combinations of excess skin and excess fat and these may extend further back onto the hips and back. If this is the case my consult will usually involve discussing the possibility of a full body lift for maximum reduction, lift and tightening of the hip, back and buttock areas as well. In many cases patients decline a full body lift due to the extent of the scar. In these cases there may remain some skin laxity and / or fat in the posterior hip, waist and even buttock area. If a patient chooses not to proceed with more extensive procedures, these posterior areas my be insufficiently treated. In these cases it is not unusual for patients later to request further reduction in these posterior areas which are not normally included in an abdominoplasty procedure. Of course if the patient seeks further treatment of these posterior areas we do charge additional fees as the modified abdominoplasty procedure will not normally include these areas. In our practice we of course try to satisfy our patients. Our policy is to provide all touchup and revision type procedures at cost, to include supplies, operating room fees and anesthesia if required.Patients clearly read this and sign it in all our preoperative consent materials. If procedures such as liposuction are requested outside of the areas normally included in a modified abdominoplasty procedure for example, our policy is to charge 50% of our normal fee. This also approximates our costs for these procedures. It is unfortunate that Ms. Ide was disappointed, but we believe every effort was made to be clear as to expectations and limitations of the various procedures, and subsequently every effort was made to be fair in providing fees for any revisions or more extensive procedures beyond the original procedure requested. We also understand that sometimes misunderstandings occur or patient expectations are different to what the doctor tries to convey. In very general terms, I find the most difficult thing to convey to body contouring patients is the contribution of excess fat versus excess skin to their concerns, and where liposuction or excisional procedures such as an abdominoplasty or body lift may be required. Once again I apologize for any misunderstandings, but always try to be clear in our explanation of procedures, and expectations. We are also clear in our signed consents as to expectations with regard to costs for revisions, more extended procedures etc.

First off I want to start by sating thank you for the response. I would like to add to that starting with our first initial appointment consult of me going in speficially saying that I absoutly wanted my love handles removed you then told me that I had extra skin and just getting rid of my love handles would make my stomach look bigger. You then told me doing a tummy tuck would be my best bet because it would give me a flat stomach and no love handles because you assured me that you would do lipo on my love handles. I then asked you to mark me to where skin would be taken off so i can have an idea of what the scar would look like and how mch skin would be taken off. With the marking you gave me indicated a full tummy tuck where you would be giving me a new belly button. i rememeber like it was yesterday because you told me you might have to make a little scar vertically if my belly button dosent fit in the incision going horizontal. So being that you did my breast prior to this surgery I trusted you. But that wasn't the case at all. I actually didnt get a new belly button so right a way after surgery i was concerned. And let me be very clear I AM IN NO SHAPE OR FORM COMPLAINING ABOUT MY SCAR BECAUSE I KNEW THERE WAS GOING TO BE SCAR. what I am complaining about is the results not being there with the scar. You never once mentioned to me about a full body lift until after my surgery where you said that I would need it if I want to get rid of my love handles or you can do a little more lipo on my love handles and that is when I told you I was not going to extend my scar so I would rather you just do lipo to bring my love handles down some because there still there. That's when you dropped the 1500 dollar charge on me (well your assistance brang me the quote) and YES I signed the forms for surgery but as i stated previously you did work on my breast before and I trusted you as well as your work. I feel as if doing lipo on my love handles should have been something you did at my surgery as promised before surgery and this is where my review comes in. Thank you

Again I apologize for the misunderstanding, but yes liposuction was done in the 'love handle' area at the time of your modified abdominoplasty procedure, this is routine. As you have stated this still did not meet your expectations. I believe this is due to excess skin and possibly fat more posteriorly. This will be more obvious in tighter clothing. I don't believe you were mislead at any time about the possible fees to cover costs for any revisions, this is quite standard in our specialty. I will be happy to explain / discuss your concerns further in the office rather than a public forum. Nevertheless I felt it was necessary to respond. Once again I apologize for any misunderstanding, I always try to the best of my ability to set correct expectations, and of course obtain the best possible outcome for my patients.

Again thank you for your reponse I'm glad you were able to input on this matter. At this time I live to far away to have a sit down at your office to be told the same thing I was told prior. I am open to emails or phone calls if you wish to discuss anything with me my phone number is in your files as well as my email

Im glad im not the only one who sees it.

Exactly he told me with a tummy tuck a little lipo on my sides I would have a flat stomach and no love handles and neither was achieved. I mean Ive always been really tiny so I didn't think my love handles or stomach would still look the same after surgery. The only thing I have to show for this surgery is a crazy scar because I still have to wear my gurdle when I put pants on or wear a dress so they don't poke out

I'm really glad you shared this because I was struggling with whether or not to pay $1000 more for the extended tuck. I am doing it for sure now.

I'm glad I can help

Yes he did a mini Tummy tuck when in consult we agreed on a full tummy tuck. I'm glad I could help :)

Then wouldn't he owe you money if you paid for a full TT? Why should you have to pay again for something he did incorrectly?

That's what I'm saying and when I called to say I shouldn't have to pay his assistant browyn said the best she could do is 50% off lipo which would still run me 1500 I was so upset and still am because I paid for a surgery that wasn't done correctly a big waste of money I would not recommend them to anyone I wish I would have went else where

I agree! She should sue! I hope she does!! I don't think she even qualified for a mini tuck! I am so angry for her!

Hi guys I've beem Gone for a while but to answer your quesion I did get 3 other opinions and they told me I needed a tummy tuck because of the extra skin from having my babies that's why I went ahead with it. Also I just did my lipo that Dr hartog offered and I can't wait to show you guys the after picture as of right now I can see a difference big time so I'm sure happy and I am still swollen so I'm waiting about a month till I show your guys my final result. And I do want to thank him for doing the lipo for free for me.

yay! that's good news!!! Did he reimburse you since you paid for the full tummy tuck but only gave you a mini? If he didn't reimburse you, then technically you paid for the lipo. I hope he was professional and gave you back the over payment! I look forward to seeing your results!

I wish he understood what clearly other people see as well

You hit it in the nose! I feel completely played