Ask Me Help Desk - Cosmetic Dr. Gone bad

I had a small cosmetic procedure for the first time. In the midst of surgery the dr. had another person come in to finish. I was never made aware of this nor introduced to this person beforehand. Uncomfortable with the turn of events, I stopped the surgery. The dr. and I had a bit of a back and forth, I guess he wasn't happy with me stopping. He was aggressive and intimidating as we went back and forth. Being that I was lying there already worked on and since it was a little over halfway through, I let her finish with some help of his convincing. I didn't know what I could do, I felt vulnerable. I noticed the results weren't what I expected but wasn't too sure since it was my first time ever. I saw him 2-3 months after and voiced to him my concerns. He was a bit defensive and hostile, yet again. He said the results would change with time. After he left, I asked his asst, who was also present during surgery, if he was always this hostile with patients. I wanted to be optimistic and waited to see if there would be a change, but to no avail. I saw him again 10 months later with the intent of letting him know I was unhappy with the results. I purposely waited and hoped it would change. After talking with him about me being unhappy, he said he wanted to make things right and had his asst. take really good and close up pictures - that he would contact me when he got the pictures at his other office (where the surgery actually took place). I waited and did not get a call. After repeated phone calls I finally got to speak with him, 2 months later. The conversation was not good and I feel like he's brushing me off. He was rude on the phone and constantly cutting me off-not really listening to what I had to say. He said he didn't want to speak with me again until I received the before and after pictures that he's sending. I know this is just pushing me off more. I know what I looked like before and what I have now. It was eyebrow reconstructive surgery. There is growth, I'm not disputing that - it's the direction of the growth that I have a problem with. Do I have any options here? Please help. Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roxeee

I had a small cosmetic procedure for the first time. In the midst of surgery the dr. had another person come in to finish. I was never made aware of this nor introduced to this person beforehand. Uncomfortable with the turn of events, I stopped the surgery. The dr. and I had a bit of a back and forth, I guess he wasn't happy with me stopping. He was aggressive and intimidating as we went back and forth. Being that I was lying there already worked on and since it was a little over halfway thru, I let her finish with some help of his convincing. I didnt know what I could do, I felt vulnerable. I noticed the results weren't what I expected but wasn't too sure since it was my first time ever. I saw him 2-3 months after and voiced to him my concerns. He was a bit defensive and hostile, yet again. He said the results would change with time. After he left, I asked his asst, who was also present during surgery, if he was always this hostile with patients. I wanted to be optimistic and waited to see if there would be a change, but to no avail. I saw him again 10 months later with the intent of letting him know I was unhappy with the results. I purposely waited and hoped it would change. After talking with him about me being unhappy, he said he wanted to make things right and had his asst. take really good and close up pictures - that he would contact me when he got the pictures at his other office (where the surgery actually took place). I waited and did not get a call. After repeated phone calls I finally got to speak with him, 2 months later. the conversation was not good and i feel like he's brushing me off. He was rude on the phone and constantly cutting me off-not really listening to what I had to say. He said he didnt want to speak with me again until I received the before and after pictures that he's sending. I know this is just pushing me off more. I know what I looked like before and what I have now. It was eyebrow reconstructive surgery. There is growth, I'm not disputing that - it's the direction of the growth that I have a problem with. Do I have any options here? Please help. Thank you.

It would have to rise to the level of malpractice in order for you to collect. I don't know what your agreement with her was but it is not unusual for surgeons to begin the surgery, do the "tough part" and have someone else finish/close. The Doctor will probably argue that stopping the surgery midway to argue with you was not helpful to the finished result.

You can't sue for attitude and/or rudeness but if you feel you have been damaged by her malpractice (an error) by all means consult with a malpractice Attorney and see if he/she advises you to go forward. Malpractice lawsuits are difficult to prove and costly but an Attorney can advise you.

Thank you for your response,it is greatly appreciated. The problem is the direction of growth of the hair - they grow straight up and away from the skin... the hairs do not lie against the skin like it normally would in that area. However, there are a seldom few that don't grow straight up (maybe 1-3 and there were "about 75" hairs transplanted according to the dr.). During the consultation he drew what my eyebrows would look like - direction of growth would be that of a normal/average eyebrow. He mentioned that I would have to maintain them by trimming the growth and brushing them in place, which I do but to no avail. The problem is that they don't stay in place when I try to brush them down - they stick back up or don't move at all. Why would anyone get a reconstructive eyebrow surgery for hair to stick up and away from the skin? I definitely did not agree to that, especially after he drew a picture of what they would look like. I think he knows the outcome wasn't very good, otherwise why would he tell his asst to take a lot pictures when I last saw him. Even his asst. agreed that they weren't what they were supposed to look like, which is why I left feeling a bit optimistic that he would rectify it. Little did I think he was not going to follow through as a doctor to a patient. He said he would call me yet never did. And when I called to speak with him since he never got back to me, I get a backlash and run around for calling. It was very unprofessional and disheartening that a board certified dr treats his patients this way. I personally think that since I wasn't a high level surgery for him, that he didn't feel he needed to treat me as such, which is why I'm in the predicament I'm in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roxeee

Thank you for your response,it is greatly appreciated. The problem is the direction of growth of the hair - they grow straight up and away from the skin.....the hairs do not lie against the skin like it normally would in that area. However, there are a seldom few that don't grow straight up (maybe 1-3 and there were "about 75" hairs transplanted according to the dr.). During the consultation he drew what my eyebrows would look like - direction of growth would be that of a normal/average eyebrow. He mentioned that I would have to maintain them by trimming the growth and brushing them in place, which I do but to no avail. The problem is that they dont stay in place when I try to brush them down - they stick back up or dont move at all. Why would anyone get a reconstructive eyebrow surgery for hair to stick up and away from the skin? I definitely did not agree to that, especially after he drew a picture of what they would look like. I think he knows the outcome wasnt very good, otherwise why would he tell his asst to take a lot pictures when I last saw him. Even his asst. agreed that they weren't what they were supposed to look like, which is why I left feeling a bit optimistic that he would rectify it. Little did I think he was not going to follow thru as a doctor to a patient. He said he would call me yet never did. And when I called to speak with him since he never got back to me, I get a backlash and run around for calling. It was very unprofessional and disheartening that a board certified dr treats his patients this way. I personally think that since I wasnt a high level surgery for him, that he didnt feel he needed to treat me as such, which is why I'm in the predicament I'm in.

I certainly understand why you are upset and unhappy with the result of the surgery. As far as why anyone does/would do anything... I have no idea.

Your only choice is to prove medical malpractice/negligence and sue him. He apparently won't deal with you any longer. If you are harmed by all means seek legal advice and pursue him in that fashion.

Honestly speaking do you think I have any chance? I don't want to go through all of what awaits me if it's not worth it or the chances are slim. I just wanted him to know that treating peope like this is unacceptable but more improtantly his work but if its going to drain me then I would just hope and pray the way he treats people comes back to him worse- he's not worth more of my well being. This is the first time I ever opted for cosmetic surgery and what a disappointing experience. I really appreciate all of your insight regarding my situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roxeee

Honestly speaking do you think I have any chance? I dont want to go thru all of what awaits me if it's not worth it or the chances are slim. I just wanted him to know that treating peope like this is unacceptable but more improtantly his work but if its going to drain me then I would just hope and pray the way he treats people comes back to him worse- he's not worth more of my well being. This is the first time I ever opted for cosmetic surgery and what a disappointing experience. I really appreciate all of your insight regarding my situation.

There are, of course, no guarantees but an Attorney (particularly in a medical malpractice case) should be willing to meet with you without charge, review your case, look at the surgical results, and make a determine whether it's worthwhile to go forward. Medical malpractice is very expensive and time consuming because you need another Doctor (or Doctors) to testify that this was a bad, unforeseen result.

Legally you can't make the Doctor treat people any better - I always say in some cases give up on the law and put all your trust in karma. What goes around comes around.

Have you consulted with another plastic surgeon to see if he can do anything for you?