To complain, again? (Lip filler)

[sofiaaaaaa]

Had lip filler in October & was left with several lumps across my lips. I emailed the clinic photos, asking for advice ie whether I should massage the lumps or not.

They doctor who carried it out whatsapped me and said I should have messaged him directly rather than email the clinic (I think I “showed him up” to his colleagues on accident?) and at the correction appointment, his personally changed. He was annoyed with me and made it clear that he doesn’t want to treat me again by cancelling an upcoming appointment for other treatments, which he was happy to carry out at my last appointment. I wasn’t rude or demanding, there was no fall out - he said he just wanted to keep the risk of further problems down. At this appointment he dissolved the lumps only, leaving the rest of the filler behind.

A few months on, I’m still unhappy with my lips and want to get it completely dissolved but I’m scared to approach the doctor. Some of the lumps are still present due to his experimental partial removal, the shape of my filled lips has understandably changed due to the partial dissolution and looks unflattering, and the product has migrated around my lips. What would you do?

I would report him and go to another doctor. Even though he might off to fix them I wouldn't want him anywhere near me.

Don’t go back to him whatever you do! Find another practitioner with good reviews, get the filler dissolved completely and leave well alone.

I’d find someone else to dissolve it. Do your research.

Email the clinic again and complain about the doctors work and his attitude.

Yes I would complain further about him. Write everything down.

I would complain too but would go to another clinic to have them fixed

Not sure who you would complain to, fillers seem to be very unregulated in the UK. I think anyone can buy it off the internet and do it.

I would find a different practitioner to dissolve them completely, preferably someone who is recommended by someone you know.

Have you checked the qualifications of this 'doctor'. He sounds very unprofessional. I would contact the clinic and ask for their complaints procedure.

Definitely complain, and you should also report him to relevant professional and regulatory bodies.

I would write a bad but honest review on their social media/google page/website and complain to the relevant regulator. However I think essentially for filler/botox etc. You can do a 8 week course at a beauty school and be qualified, you definitely dont have to be a doctor and perhaps this guy isnt. Do some thorough research before you get it dissolved and speak to someone else to carry put the procedure. My mum sees an actual doctor for botox and it costs quite a bit more than if she was to go to a beauty salon to get it done but its subtle and he is quite strict with what he will do to her. She has asked for more in the past and been willing to pay and hes refused due to dangers/it ending up unnatural looking

Definitely complain.
It is his work and he needs to take responsibility for it.

However I don't think I would want to go back to the same person if he has a bad attitude like that.

True, I am not fussed whether he dissolves it or another clinic does.

He is also a NHS consultant, he’s highly educated and trained. I think that’s why he turned nasty, almost as if I had the audacity to question his work? Their website does state they offer aftercare support, I followed their instructions but it seemed to get his back up.

I may complain to my bank & open a chargeback, if it comes to that. This will allow me to offset the cost to dissolve it elsewhere. Do I need to allow him the opportunity to resolve this one last time if I go down this route? As one corrective performance already failed.

He’s definitely a doctor, no doubt about it. Linkedin and the clinic’s social media all checks out.

Well LinkedIn doesn’t prove anything per say OP, I could create a LinkedIn profile right now and say I was an astronaut...

But regardless, I’d email the clinic back directly, not him, explaining facts (date of procedure, date of complaint, what happened in fixing procedure, what was explained to you...)

Have you actually checked the medical register on the GMC? That'll tell you if they're a real doctor.

I can't advise on the filler but I think you should definitely complain to an appropriate medical body about him, GMC?
The fact that you are scared to contact him is worrying. Intimidating behaviour by medical professionals needs to be called out.
I hope you get things sorted.

Yep, on the GMC and plenty of photos of him at work (NHS)

Thanks for all your help by the way I should get it dissolved soon either way, apparently some clinics are allowed to operate during lockdown as they’re classed as a medical business!

I work in Aesthetics (not at the moment).

The difficulty with trying to partially dissolve filler is that you can never guarantee the end result IMO.

Hyaluronidaise, which is the enzyme/drug used to dissolve HA fillers can have a large and somewhat unknown spread so attempting to dissolve very specific lumps isn't always easy. Perhaps would have been better to give it a good regular firm massage or just get it all out. I wonder what product he has injected if it remains lumpy? Lumps are usually caused by poor product placement (injector error) or a concrete filler :(

I would contact him again and say you are still not happy and ask for a copy of your medical notes (you'll need to give these to the next practitioner)

Then look for a medic who will dissolve it for you. Plenty will do so it for a charge. Make sure they are NMC/GMC/GDC because at least they have professional accountability for their actions and omissions.

However, generally, people don't want to take on other peoples work because as soon as you touch the patient it becomes your problem. The new practitioner will need to check with their insurer that it's ok to take you on.

I would be very sceptical of clinics operating in this current lockdown. They may claim to be 'medical' 'CQC' etc but for me (I'm NMC registered) I couldn't sleep at night knowing I was opening my clinic and treating the public and exposing myself and others to unnecessary contact. It's pure greed to be operating right now.

Let's face it, we can dress it up as medical treatments but they are actually cosmetic!

The only treatments that should be being doing are emergency treatments such as dissolving for occlusions and skincare treatments such as for acne.

Hope this helps x

I wish every practitioner was as ethical and knowledgeable as @Secretsout

I'd contact Rita Rakus! She is the only person I would ever trust with my lips. She's called London's Lip Queen and not for nothing.

www.drritarakus.co.uk/