L.A. Vinas M.D.
reviews and complaints

In June 2019 Dr. Vinas did a tummy tuck and liposuction on me. And a revision in December of 2019. I developed a wound and necrosis both times. I was constantly complaining to him that my incision did feel too tense and was extremely pulling and hurting.
It then turned into extreme internal scar tissue. I consulted another doctor and was told that the incision was placed about an inch too high above the norm and caused too much tension in my tissues. The muscle repair was done too tight and not completely and the wrong sutures were used.
I will need a revision surgery to redo what he did including bringing down the incision, removing scar tissue, and reconstructing my belly button and scarred areas, muscle repair and removing Prolene sutures.

I would like a refund of my extended tummy tuck because it has to be redone, elsewhere. Pictures attached.

My experience with Dr. Vinas has unfortunately been a very bad ongoing ordeal. Florida law requires a patient be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of individual dignity and protection of privacy. As a patient my Florida State Patient Bill of Rights were grossly violated. My medical records were disclosed to an unsavory and unauthorized individual working for Dr. Vinas. This employee, Nicholas, has a very violent arrest records :Arrested 3/9/2013 Battery/ Domestic Violence, Arrested 6/8/2015 for disorderly intoxication public place causing a disturbance/ Resisting officer with violence, Arrested 5/5/2016 Disorderly Conduct/ Resisting Officer with Violence. How come a background check was not done before employing him and giving him access to my private information and medical records ?
On the day of surgery I was scheduled at 12:45 pm. The morning of surgery Doris started calling around 7:30 am wanting to know where I was. Mind you I was scheduled for 12:45pm. Doris stated that Dr Vinas had sent an email at 6:58pm the prior evening. I never received an email from Dr. Vinas. Why wouldn't Dr Vinas call me on the phone if he wanted to change the agreed time of surgery? I was told the morning of surgery that another patient cancelled and I needed to come in immediately. I rushed into the Surgical Arts Pavilion in Wellington. On arrival I was told to sign in and have a seat. I was told by Doris to come in immediately but then sat in a waiting room for over a hour. On top of already being nervous anticipating surgery this just added more uncertainty and undue stress. I asked the receptionist to speak to Dr. Vinas. Nicholas the "Financial Director"(with the violent arrest record) came out from the surgical area fully dressed in surgical paper scrubs, surgical mask, booties, and head covering. He told me they were in surgery and it would be at least another 45 minutes before my surgery. Nicholas is NOT licensed to assist in surgery. I was in complete shock that Nicholas was present at the Surgical Arts Pavilion in Wellington. Dr. Vinas expected me to accomodate his schedule due to his patients cancellation and had zero respect for my time and emotions.
Fearing for my wellbeing and safety I left. Nicholas called me after leaving and left me a threatening voicemail. Dr. Vinas never called me to discuss these events or even apologize. Dr. Vinas has not returned any of my phone calls to him. I called his office numerous times and left messages with no response. I tried to get assistance from his patient coordinator Kara and I was told she was not allowed to speak to me and she hung up on me. Dr. Vinas has however retained $13, 412.00 I paid him. I filed a complaint with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Dr Vinas responded stating he offered a refund, less actual expenses. This is not the truth. At no time has he offered to refund my money. I have never been treated so disrespectfully by a doctor in my life. I have gone online to Palm Beach Clerk of Courts online search and see that Dr. Vinas has numerous lawsuits and judgments. On April 17, 2017, L.A. Vinas, M.D., P.A. filed a Petition for Bankruptcy, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. I posted a review to L.A. Vinas Plastic Surgery and Med Spa Facebook page that was deleted and I have been blocked from the page. I can only imagine how many other patients reviews have been blocked and deleted as well. Some of the "raving" reviews posted regarding Dr Vinas were made by his staff and family members. Beware and do your research. Dr Vinas violated my right to respectful treatment, to know who is responsible for the care provided, to personal privacy and confidentiality in communication and medical records, and treat me with dignity and respect! Dr. Vinas did not care about me as a patient. Dr Vinas only cared about taking my money. Dr. Vinas should be ashamed of himself! I am a single mother and this has taken a huge toll on my health.

I was erroneously billed for what was presented as a "free consultation" for an office visit on 2/1/2016 to Dr. L.A. Vinas. I had an accident the weekend prior that required sutures on my forehead from an urgent care facility and was told to come in to discuss cosmetic options that may limit scarring. While setting up my appointment I was specifically told that the initial consultation is free and based upon that information, I scheduled the appointment same day. After a brief 1-2 minute discussion with the doctor, I was told to come back at a later date if I was unhappy with the manner in which my scar was healing.

Greater than 1 month subsequent to my visit, I was shocked to receive a bill for, among other things, "counseling" and "expanded problem focused examination".

After having spoken with Breny Castano Preciado in billing, I was told this was not an error and condescendingly asked "why do you think they took your insurance card"? She then went on to say that she would get back to me, but it's unlikely that anything would be done.

I'm notifying the State of Florida Bureau of Consumer Affairs, S. Florida Better Business Bureau, and United Healthcare in an attempt to not only eliminate the eliminate the bill, but hopefully ensure that such deceptive billing practices do not impact others.

I will await response from Dr. Vinas' office and update all involved parties accordingly.

CC: Florida Bureau of Consumer Affairs, S. Florida Better Business Bureau, United HealthCare, Office of Dr. L.A. Vinas