martinet

Let me state that I never signed the Surgical Disclosure and Consent forms. All I did was pay for the procedure because payment was due in full prior to the scheduled surgery date. It was only after I paid for the surgery in full that the clinic sent me the Surgical Disclosure and Consent forms. The clinic sent me these forms after the cancellation deadline to receive a full refund. When I asked the clinic what punch size they will be using to extract my donor hair, they refused to tell me. The answer I received was that I can have the doctor use whatever punch size I want; however, then they are not responsible for the surgery. I consulted with my dermatologist about this issue and he told me that I don't have to sign the Surgical Disclosure and Consent forms until the clinic answers all of my questions. My dermatologist is also a cosmetic surgeon. I was not being given informed consent and the risks were never fully disclosed to me. I had a plausible argument to cancel the surgery and receive back my money. I would not have experienced such a tumultuous series of events at an ethical clinic. I'll keep this board posted on my situation.

Bill, The risk that I was told about from my dermatologist is hyperpigmentation. He cautioned that this is a risk for me because it's already visible on my face and forehead. In my cancellation letter to the clinic, I encouraged the clinic to speak with my dermatologist so that they could verify my concerns. Keep in mind, I originally went to meet with my dermatologist to get his opinion on the use of different punch sizes. Also, my dermatologist is a well known cosmetic surgeon where I live and he used to perform hair transplants. When I asked the clinic about this risk, the consultant dismissed it. The consultant went on to tell me that people with my skin tone are good candidates for this surgery. I want to reveal the clinic's name; however, I first want to consult with legal before doing so. If after speaking with legal in the upcoming week, they tell me that I can reveal the clinic's name, then I will do so. I would also like to add that I went in for an in-person consultation with this clinic. During which time they saw my skin tone and took photos. ...i edited my earlier post - the post right before your request asking that i talk about the risk - and included the risk in that message as well...

At this time I do not want to discuss anymore information other than what I have posted; however, I will keep this board updated on my situation as I consult with legal to determine if anything can be done so that my money is refunded. If not, at least my voice will be heard so that others are aware of my experience. The risk that I was told about from my dermatologist is hyperpigmentation. He cautioned that this is a risk for me because it's already visible on my face and forehead. In my cancellation letter to the clinic, I encouraged the clinic to speak with my dermatologist so that they could verify my concerns. Keep in mind, I originally went to meet with my dermatologist to get his opinion on the use of different punch sizes. I wasn't prepared to learn about the hyperpigmentation risks. Also, my dermatologist is a well known cosmetic surgeon where I live and he used to perform hair transplants. Everyone is not susceptible to this risk. It really depends on your skin type and tone. My physician told me that this is a risk that I should be concerned about because it is a condition that I already suffer from. When I asked the clinic about this risk, the consultant dismissed it. The consultant went on to tell me that people with my skin tone are good candidates for this surgery. This is what prompted me to go ahead and proceed with the surgery. When I eventually notified the clinic of my decision to cancel the surgery, they tried to rectify the situation by telling me to first undergo a small test session. By this time, I had enough with clinic's: - constant refusal to disclose what punch size will be used - them telling me in the first place that the risk in question is nothing to be concerned about - the clinic insinuating that I had contact with someone who I never knew prior to them mentioning that persons name to me Ask your yourselves, why would you submit to a test session with this clinic after going through all of this? My experience is thoroughly documented. I want my story to be heard. This clinic was not candid with me, dismissed my concerns as trivial, and in the end they treated me with no respect.

Below is a summary of my experience with an organization that I thought was a respected FUE clinic in Atlanta (Alpharetta, GA). At this point, I omitted names to respect the privacy of organizations and individuals. This is an honest account of the events that transpired during my experience with this clinic. I want others to read about my experience. This clinic did not give me informed consent and they humiliated me. I'm in the process of consulting with several colleagues and family members who are attorneys and physicians to discuss what or if any mistakes were made. I just want my money back and nothing more. I'm not here to besmirch the doctor's reputation. Overall, I had an engaging conversation with the doctor. The doctor is a talented physician and this is evident by some of his patients' results. Although, I will admit that a few points stated during a phone conversation I had with the doctor were not palatable to me. I became suspicious of the clinic after they would not disclose to me what punch size will be used to remove my donor hair. During my initial consultation with the clinic, the doctor examined my donor hair and told me how many hairs on average I had per follicular unit. Knowing this information, one would assume that any experienced FUE doctor can provide an answer when asked what punch size will be used to remove the donor hair. In the weeks before my scheduled surgery, I asked the clinic twice what punch size they will be using. They would not tell me. The consultant eventually told me that if I wanted the doctor to use a specific punch size, the clinic would not be responsible for the results. This is not an acceptable answer. I am not being given informed consent if they do not tell me or give me an idea of what punch size will be used. Furthermore, I was deeply disturbed by the answer that the clinic gave me. I then decided to visit with my own physician to discuss what the clinic had told me. My physician told me that I have a right to know what punch size they will be using. My physician also told me something else, which after hearing troubled me even more. After my initial consultation with the clinic, I called back to ask about a risk that was not initially disclosed to me. I was told by the consultant that this was something I don't have to worry about. After hearing this, I felt comfortable enough with the clinic to go ahead and book the surgery. I found out later from my physician that the person at the clinic was wrong in telling me this information. My physician told me that the risk in question is definitely something I should be concerned about. The second time when I called the clinic to ask about the punch size issue, they asked me if "Person X" from "Company Y" provided me with any information. I told them no and that I learned about this information after reading through several posts on another message forum (other than this one) in which individuals wrote statements claiming that the clinic uses large punch sizes. Additionally, the clinic then emailed me asking that I forward any correspondence with the person in question to the clinic. At this point, I had enough. After learning from my physician of a risk that was not disclosed to me (which was dismissed by the consultant as something that I don't have to worry about), and the clinics consistent refusal to not disclose what punch size will be used, I decided to cancel my surgery. It wasn't hard to find "Person X". All it took were a few google searches and I eventually found his number listed on a web site for "Company Y". Although "Person X" couldn't tell me much, I was surprised to learn that this was due to a legal agreement between "Person X" and the clinic. From what "Person X" told me, he can't speak about them and they can't speak about him. If this is due to some legal agreement, then the agreement was not honored by the clinic because they mentioned "Person X" to me. After they mentioned his name to me, I had to track him down to try and get some answers. I called the clinic yesterday to find out about the status of my situation and when my money will be refunded, the consultant I spoke with told me that I will not be refunded. Additionally, the consultant rudely told me that "He" is not refunding my money. Clearly, the ethics of honesty and integrity were not practiced in my experience with the clinic. I was not given informed consent and they humiliated me. I forwarded "Person X" the email from this clinic in which they ask me about him and I explained my story to "Person X". This clinic connected me with "Person X". All the events in my situation have been documented. If there is something I can do within the law to receive my money back, then I will work within the law to do so. This is my experience with what is supposed to be a respected FUE clinic in Atlanta. My voice will be heard. Again, this is an honest account of the events that transpired during my experience with this clinic.

Below is a summary of my experience with an organization that I thought was a respected FUE clinic in Atlanta (Alpharetta, GA). At this point, I omitted names to respect the privacy of organizations and individuals. This is an honest account of the events that transpired during my experience with this clinic. I want others to read about my experience. This clinic did not give me informed consent and they humiliated me. I'm in the process of consulting with several colleagues and family members who are attorneys and physicians to discuss what or if any mistakes were made. I just want my money back and nothing more. I'm not here to besmirch the doctor's reputation. Overall, I had an engaging conversation with the doctor. The doctor is a talented physician and this is evident by some of his patients' results. Although, I will admit that a few points stated during a phone conversation I had with the doctor were not palatable to me. I became suspicious of the clinic after they would not disclose to me what punch size will be used to remove my donor hair. During my initial consultation with the clinic, the doctor examined my donor hair and told me how many hairs on average I had per follicular unit. Knowing this information, one would assume that any experienced FUE doctor can provide an answer when asked what punch size will be used to remove the donor hair. In the weeks before my scheduled surgery, I asked the clinic twice what punch size they will be using. They would not tell me. The consultant eventually told me that if I wanted the doctor to use a specific punch size, the clinic would not be responsible for the results. This is not an acceptable answer. I am not being given informed consent if they do not tell me or give me an idea of what punch size will be used. Furthermore, I was deeply disturbed by the answer that the clinic gave me. I then decided to visit with my own physician to discuss what the clinic had told me. My physician told me that I have a right to know what punch size they will be using. My physician also told me something else, which after hearing troubled me even more. After my initial consultation with the clinic, I called back to ask about a risk that was not initially disclosed to me. I was told by the consultant that this was something I don't have to worry about. After hearing this, I felt comfortable enough with the clinic to go ahead and book the surgery. I found out later from my physician that the person at the clinic was wrong in telling me this information. My physician told me that the risk in question is definitely something I should be concerned about. The second time when I called the clinic to ask about the punch size issue, they asked me if "Person X" from "Company Y" provided me with any information. I told them no and that I learned about this information after reading through several posts on another message forum (other than this one) in which individuals wrote statements claiming that the clinic uses large punch sizes. Additionally, the clinic then emailed me asking that I forward any correspondence with the person in question to the clinic. At this point, I had enough. After learning from my physician of a risk that was not disclosed to me (which was dismissed by the consultant as something that I don't have to worry about), and the clinics consistent refusal to not disclose what punch size will be used, I decided to cancel my surgery. It wasn't hard to find "Person X". All it took were a few google searches and I eventually found his number listed on a web site for "Company Y". Although "Person X" couldn't tell me much, I was surprised to learn that this was due to a legal agreement between "Person X" and the clinic. From what "Person X" told me, he can't speak about them and they can't speak about him. If this is due to some legal agreement, then the agreement was not honored by the clinic because they mentioned "Person X" to me. After they mentioned his name to me, I had to track him down to try and get some answers. I called the clinic yesterday to find out about the status of my situation and when my money will be refunded, the consultant I spoke with told me that I will not be refunded. Additionally, the consultant rudely told me that "He" is not refunding my money. Clearly, the ethics of honesty and integrity were not practiced in my experience with the clinic. I was not given informed consent and they humiliated me. I forwarded "Person X" the email from this clinic in which they ask me about him and I explained my story to "Person X". This clinic connected me with "Person X". All the events in my situation have been documented. If there is something I can do within the law to receive my money back, then I will work within the law to do so. This is my experience with what is supposed to be a respected FUE clinic in Atlanta. My voice will be heard. Again, this is an honest account of the events that transpired during my experience with this clinic.