In shock over my experience
I’m still in shock over what happened at this clinic. I came in for a lower facelift/neck lift procedure that I had researched thoroughly, discussed in detail with the Dr, and emotionally prepared for over many weeks. I was very nervous but ready. I had paid, taken time off work, and trusted the plan we had agreed on.
Instead, once I was in the surgical gown - sedated, alone, and emotionally vulnerable - I was suddenly told that the agreed-upon surgery “wouldn’t work,” and that I’d need to upgrade to a more extensive and expensive option. This was never explained clearly beforehand and the procedure we agreed on was fine before, but suddenly at the last minute, it wasn’t.
I was understandably overwhelmed and asked to call my mum for support and to see if she would be able to help me cover the extra cost as I panicked that I didn’t have the money to cover it.
She kindly offered to help cover the difference, but we both expressed discomfort at how the situation was being handled - especially so last minute.
At this point, the Dr began referencing emails that didn’t match what was actually discussed during the first consultation we had. Yes, the third and more expensive option was mentioned in the email after the consultation, but he didn’t recommend it in the consultation. He only mentioned two procedures in the consultation and due to the price, I went with the second option as I was happy with what the Dr showed me it would look like.
He had previously said that the procedure we agreed on would help address my concerns (which were always about neck skin laxity, not volume or any other areas of my face). But on the day, he backtracked and claimed the original procedure “wouldn’t do anything,” for my neck area and that my expectations were now “unrealistic.” And that my neck area might drop in about 6 months, so it would be better for me to have the third type of surgery that he mentioned in his follow up email. It felt confusing, contradictory, and deeply disorienting.
Pressuring a patient to change surgical plans at the last minute while sedated is not just unsettling - it’s unethical.
Shortly after, I was told the surgery was cancelled. I was visibly upset and crying throughout—and rather than being supported or reassured, I was told I needed a “cooling off period” and made to feel like my emotional response was the issue, not the sudden change of plan or that I was made to feel crazy for the Dr forgetting what he said.
At one point it was even implied the surgery was being cancelled because of my mum calling - who was a) trying to pay them the difference and b) was trying to help because she was concerned about the Dr’s back tracking and my distress.
What followed was gaslighting, minimising, and blame. Not once was I sincerely apologised to. I left in tears, humiliated and heartbroken.
This clinic failed me when I was at my most vulnerable. I write this not out of spite, but so no one else finds themselves in the position I was in - confused, dismissed, and completely alone just moments before what should have been a life-changing experience.
And perhaps the Dr can reflect on this too and not blame other people for his lack of memory, as the chopping and changing right before surgery is very unsettling and constantly trying to refer me back to emails that had nothing to do with our initial consultation was baffling.
I’d like to say though that the nurses and reception staff were really kind and lovely when I became distressed and they deserve so much praise for their conduct that day.
May 7, 2025
Unprompted review
