Lipostructure Fat Grafting / TriBeCa Plastic Surgery review: buyer beware! 541

DR. COLEMAN,
YOU HAVE USED YOUR ONE-MAN BAND CLOWN ACT TO LURE YOUR VICTIMS AND NOW YOU MUST PAY THE PRICE.

Dr. Coleman, Why would you litter this complaints board w/ your fake testimonials? You are a no-good liar! You have Renee lie for you to attract your victims. Stop! NEVER ONE LUMP! NEVER ONE CELL DIES! EVEN THE MAYO CLINIC ADMITS THAT THE SURVIVAL OF GRAFTS VARIES GREATLY FOR EACH PERSON AND MANY PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD MENTION LUMPS AND HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOUR FAT WILL NOT LAST. YOU USE CLEVER MARKETING TO LURE YOUR VICTIMS, MAINLY ELDERLY PEOPLE, I WOULD JUST BET. YOU ARE A PREDATOR AND YOU BELONG IN JAIL! YOU ARE A ONE-MAN BAND CLOWN SHOW. WHY YOU FIND THE NEANDRTHAL TRAITS SO IDEAL SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE THE MIND OF A MONSTER. NEANDERTHAL MUST HAVE EVOLVED INTO A GROUP OF HUMANS AND YOU MUST HAVE COME FROM THIS GROUP. YOU HAVE AN OVER-SIZED UGLY HEAD SO I CAN JUST SEE WHY YOU WOULD SURMISE THAT ENLARGED FEATURES ARE THE NORM.

IT IS CLEAR YOU'RE DONE COLEMAN.

YOU HAVE MUTILATED DOZENS ON PURPOSE, NOT ACCIDENTALLY.

YOU ARE A SAD MAN, AND YES YOU USED TO BE A FORMER BALLET DANCER AS ONE POSTER ASKED, AND THERE'S NO

DOUBT YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE AN ADONIS. YOU'RE AN

UGLY RED-HEADED LUMPED-FACED PSYCHOPATH, NO DIFFERENT THAN GAYCE, WHO LURED HIS VICTIMS WITH A CLOWN OUTFIT.

YOU LURED THEM WITH YOUR CLOWN ACT.

THE FACT IS SO BLARINGLY OBVIOUS THAT YOU ARE NOT FIT FOR SOCIETY, MUCH LESS THAN A PLASTIC SURGEON.

YOU SHOULD BE BANNED FROM ALL THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS THAT WOULD HAVE SOMEONE LIKE YOU REPRESENTING THEIR LACK OF INTEGRITY.

YOU DISGRACE MEDICINE. YOU DISGRACE AMERICA.

I KNOW YOU'RE ANGRY AT THE WORLD AND WANT TO TAKE IT OUT ON YOUR PATIENTS.

BUT YOU CAN'T, BECAUSE YOUR NOW YOUR ARROGANCE HAS CAUGHT UP TO YOU AND YOU ARE DROWING IN MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT WILL BE NOTHING OF WHAT YOU DESERVE AND WILL REAP FOR ALL THE PAIN, SUFFERING, CRUELTY AND NEGLIGENCE YOU PERPETRATED ON YOUR
TRUSTING VICTIMS.

YOU ARE SICK. PLEASE GET HELP.

THE FACT THAT YOU THINK HAVING DIFFERENT PEOPLE ON HERE STILL, AFTER 29 PAGES, TO SALVAGE YOUR RUINED REPUTATION IS A SAD TESTAMENT TO HOW MENTALLY ILL YOU REALLY ARE.

PLEASE GET PSYCHIATRIC HELP. YOU ARE A SOCIOPATH, A DANGER TO SOCIETY AND YOURSELF. ARE YOU EVEN TREATABLE AT THIS POINT? I URGE YOU TO ENTER A REHABILITATION FACILITY THAT DEALS WITH EXTREME NARCISSISTIC/SADISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDERS SO THAT YOU MAY NO LONGER BE A HARM TO SOCIETY AND TO YOURSELF.

PLEASE GIVE UP YOUR MEDICAL LICENSE AND STOP DESTROYING PEOPLE. PLEASE CONSIDER TAKING A VERY LONG VACATION TO HEAL YOURSELF. YOU ARE SICK.

YOU NEED SERIOUS PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION AND MEDICATION IF YOU AREN'T ON THEM ALREADY. YOU NEED TO AWAKEN SPIRITUALLY AND REALIZE THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T FEEL THE PAIN, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT CARE, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY EVEN DELIGHT IN ANOTHER'S SUFFERING, YOU ARE HARMING YOURSELF BY SUCH DANGEROUS BEHAVIORS THAT COULD LEAD TO MORE SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND REPERCUSSIONS.

MANY OF YOUR VICTIMS HAD THOUGHTS OF WANTING TO HARM YOU. THIS IS A NORMAL RAGE REACTION WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN VIOLATED, MUTILATED AGAINST THEIR WISHES. SOMEONE SOMEDAY JUST MAY CARRY OUT THESE THOUGHTS, SO PLEASE, FOR EVERYONE'S SAKE, JUST GET MENTAL HELP AND RETIRE.

STOP HURTING PEOPLE...JUST...STOP.

and why is it, Renee, that when we complain about what you do to us you say it is body dismorphic disorder? why isn't it body dismorphic disorder when we come in to have you work on us in the first place? I still remember when I was just 18 some creepy, geeky P.S. came up w/ a whole list of alterations to make on my face. Looking back, I now see that there was not a thing that needed changing and I looked perfect, as most 18 yr olds do. So why is it that he would take advantage of me like that? Many of these people are just plain out there to take advantage of people. If you have body dismorphic disorder they must really start to drool over you. And did you ever notice how they will take the most ugly distorted photo of you so you look as ugly as can be.

And since I have "nothing better to do", Renee and Dr. Coleman, I must say that I think that it shows just what evil people you are to compare people's lives to McDonalds drive-thru. I think the real truth behind your statement is that you are a real predator and view people as food to eat.
And please do not say that the frequent celebrity mutilations are simple mistakes at the drive thru. They happen far too consistently and it clearly took a lot of careful planning and great attention to detail to come to such elaborate distortions. And sorry for adding Angelina in there, I guess I was just kidding.
And another question for you, if Coleman has had 7000 great outcomes, why does he have just a few pathetic pictures that look like cadavers to me?

May I see your pictures? Also, Renee, you keep saying that patients that are unhappy should not speak out and should accept things as they are? I think that if they didn't then Doctors would go wild. What am I saying, they have gone wild. Just look at that cat woman, Joan Rivers, Angelina Jolie, Cher, Michael Jackson... They all have that strange plump, mortuary, transvestite, waxy look. It is mutilation to do this to people and it is time that people speak out against this. Many of the victims are too stupid to stand up for themselves. That is why they allowed themselves to be mutilated in the first place.

the docter in michigan really messed up my face, he did this laser on my skin and melted away most of the fat that lives in my face, it was terrible!...my cheeks were sunken in, forehead, under eyes. I keep going back to dr coleman because i coudlnt afford doing my whole face at once so i did it in sections...He doesnt put anything in your face but your "own" fat. .Like i said there are about 7000 of his patients and only 1% not happy, its like with anything in life...every single docter has law suits, doesnt matter if your a plastic surgeon, a dentist, the president of the united states lol...there are COMPLIANTS!.TOP movie stars have had "bad plastic surgery" u dont see them online complaining, and that is worse ruining there career for awhile, they dont even disclose the dr that did that work, i am sure its a "top surgeon from LA"..hollywood..come on guys what is your deal?...i am not wanting to argue but to say, I AM A VERY HAPPY PATIENT OF DR SYDNEEY REESE COLEMAN AND HAPPY TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO HAVE MET THIS DOCTER, LET ALONE HAVE HIM TOUCH MY FACE, HE HAS HELPED ME REGAIN MY SELF ESTEEM AND NEVER ONCE DID I EVER FEEL VIOLATED OR UPSET ...THE FAT HE USES IS FAT, AND LIVES VERY MUCH SO...OH TRUST ME I WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE TO TESTIFY ON HIS BEHALF, I HAVE PICS ALL THE WAY FROM 2001:)..SHOWING WHAT A AWESOME DOCTER THIS IS!...

And if you are so happy w/ Coleman, why do you have to keep going back to him? Answer that!

You are an idiot. The fact that you have spent so much time having surgery at a young age proves this. Haven't you seen all the celebrities that have been deformed by these so-called doctors? If Coleman is so great why doesn't he have pictures of good faces. If I didn't know any better, I might think that he took some cadavers and filled them w/ god know what and photographed them. He is a no-talent ### and has no business stuffing faces w/ fat to arrive at a barely noticeable change.

ANOTHER COMMENT ..I HAVE NOT MET RENEE YET! BUT SHE IS NOT LYING!...EVERY SINGLE CELL LIVES ...[protected] STILL LIVING!..WHEN I GAIN WIEGHT MY FACE GETS CHUBBIER, , WHEN I LOSE IT GETS SMALLER, IT LIVES LIKE NORMAL FAT! DR COLEMAN IS LITERALLY THE BEST DOCTER IN THE WORLD AND U WILL NEVER FIND ANYONE DOCTER THAT WILL TESTIFY AGAINST HIM, BECAUSE THEY ALSO HAVE LAW SUITS AND CRAZY PATIENTS LIKE YOURSELVES!..AND THESE DOCTERS WISH THEY COULD DO WHAT COLEMAN DOES, THEY ALL GO TO HIS LECTURES!

I am a former patient of dr coleman...in 2001 I got divorced and thought, let me improve alittle bit of "me"...well i consulted with a dr in michigan ..He suggested a few procedures...Me being so upset at my recent divorce, i went ahead with it..I was 31 at the time, well this docter in michigan, Literally made me look 50!, i went back to him to see what i can do, and he said well maybe add alittle fat in your cheeks..I didnt go back..Nor did i sue him or go online talking about it..It was my decision and just looked for ways to fix what has happened. For one year i consulted with hundreds of docters in michigan, that said Nope cant do anything sorry..i didnt really leave my house for a year..The last docter i went to in michigan..said NO ONE COULD HELP YOU BUT A DOCTER IN NY .."DR SYDNEY REESE COLEMAN". I thought No way to far, and so much time going there etc. But i called, got pamplets and read all about his procedures. Than with help from my family, i went to see him..Him and his whole staff were so nice, helpful, and step by step told me exactly what he would do, i felt very pleased. I schduled for surgery and sure enough my first surgery with him was in dec of 2001. I was swollen afterward, but 3 to 4 weeks later, i looked in the mirror and thought OMG i am back and even better!..I did all my surgeries in steps only cause i couldnt afford it, but just my first surgery alone was the biggest positive change:)...I went back to see Dr coleman, i set up another surgery 3 years later ...this time he did alot more, my finances improved and i went for it:)..he did under my eyes, cheeks, lips, took a tiny bit out of the right cheek...I was swollen for a good 2 months but after again "WOW"...
I have had 3 procedures with this docter and i am having another one in December of this year!...EVERY BIT OF FAT HAS STAYED SINCE 2001..how i can tell..well the previous docter put a indent in my cheek ...IT HAS NEVER COME BACK!..DR COLMAN IS A GREAT MAN, A PERSON WHO LECTURES ALL AROUND THE WORLD..hE HAS HELPED MANY CHILDREN WITH DEFORMITIES!...and now those children can grow up and have normal lives, and here you come a 'few" of you complaining etc, WHY NOT GO BACK TO HIM AND HAVE HIM CORRECT IF ITS SO HORRIBLE!..you have wasted SO MANY DAYS AND MONTHS AND YEARS JUST SITTING ONLINE AND TYPING AWAY, BUT LIFE IS SHORT!..i was only 31 when i had a docter do this to me! I COULD OF TRIED TO SUE HIM AND TAKE YEARS OF TO DO ALL THESE THINGS, BUT I CHOSE TO TAKE ACTION TO FIX THINGS!..i dont believe dr coleman did this to you!..I HAD MANY PROCEDURES WITH COLEMAN AND NOT ONE TIME WAS I UNHAPPY!.
listen people...there are billions of people that go thru the mcdonalds drive thru..how many compliants there?
dr coleman has done 7000 cases or more, every single docter, every single profession has a few unhappy people!...but its THE sick people who go online and just dont take care of what is wrong!..i work in a profession that also comes with great service !...I HAVE NO FURTHER COMMENTS!

One last thing, RENEE OUTRIGHT LIED TO ME ON THE PHONE! She said that every single cell of the fat that Coleman injects lives, in every single one of his 7000 patients. How dare you lie, Renee! She also said in a previous converstaion that not one of Coleman's patients has ever had a lump! Now tell me, why would Renee feel the need to lie like this? Could it be that everything that Coleman says is a lie? Also, I notice that much of their lies are spoken rather than put in writting.

I would also like to add that Coleman's secretary dismissed all of your complaints as simply a few mentally-ill patients with body-dismorphia.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO QUOTE COLEMAN'S SECRETARY, RENEE : "UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THIS COUNTRY"
She also said that these patients have "nothing better to do". THANK GOD THAT THEY DON'T or Coleman would keep on fooling people! It is amazing, I look at so many of his 'good' fat grafts and there is no differnce at all, or a difference that could be due to weight gain and lighting, or is disputable as to whether it is even a positive change. If coleman likes plumping things why doesn't he just open up a hot dog stand? Believe me, younger faces are not plumper LIKE THAT and, even if they were, it certainly isn't worth having lumps and deformed skin (SOMETHING THE PICTURES DON'T SHOW BUT WE KNOW ALL TOO WELL).

I asked what I feel are some very simple question of Dr. Coleman and his extremely authoritative, almost hostile, secretary, and it was no surprise that they refused to answer any of them. Here is a copy of the e-mails for all of you to see:
Jenny;

I have spoken to you over the phone several times trying to answer your questions to your satisfaction. Dr. Coleman and Dr. Saboerio suggest that you make an appointment for a consultation if you wish to have these questions answered in depth. It is not something easily answered over the phone and as I told you there is not an exact measured percentage of stem cells that are injected. Most of your questions are answered on our website.

Please contact me if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of the doctors.

Renee L. Vellinga

Patient Care Coordinator

TriBeCa Plastic Surgery

[protected]

renee@lipostructure.com

Office Website: www.lipostructure.com

Office Blog: www.drscoleman.net

From: Jenny Brownlie [mailto:jennybrownlie@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 2:28 PM
To: renee@lipostructure.com
Subject: my questions

Renee,

I am very interested in getting a tiny bit of fat in my upper eye. Here are my questions:

1. How can Dr. Coleman even measure how much and how long the fat will last with weight fluctuations. I notice that people's faces change dramatically w/ age and weight.

2. How do the stem cells "become muscle and bone"? What % are stem cells of fat that is injected?

3. Are there any cases where the fat doesn't last?

4. can leg fat cells grow inside the face at a rate that would cause them to create disproportion or loss of defining facial features? If I lose weight will the fat that is added go away?

5. How many of the injected cells live and does as little as a single cell die?

6. I only wish to replace lost fat. How can Dr. Coleman make certain that he only replaces lost fat and in the same place as the old fat?

Thank you.

Jenny

WOW! I can't believe how many patients are unhappy.
Do other surgeons have this outcome of dissatisfied patients?

I would just bet that in addition to being a serial-mutilator, Sydney is a homosxual. Wasn't he a ballet dancer?

How can he reverse it? He is a fraud in the first place. Fat grafting doesn't even work. He does it anyway because it is a cheap, easy way to add volume.
You mistakenly believe that a small percentage of the injected fat lives. If this were true he would add it in gradual amounts. Instead he adds a large amount. This is the only way he can add volume because this is the only way that the necrotic tissue can remain without being absorbed first. Who the hell wants necrotic tissue under their skin? I saw all his before/ afters on his website and I thought his patients looked ghastly in the after pictures!

I am a Coleman dissatisfied patient too.
My abdomen looks like a mess from his "fat grafting" to look like muscle. And he talked me into it just before I went under for the procedure.
My face isn't my face. I always get the gasp when someone sees me that has not seen me since before the surgery.

Not happy with my results. Yet I think he is the only person who can try and reverse things.

Why do you think dr coleman has so many more "mistakes" than other doctors?

Do you think its something about his technique?
I read that the sort of cannula (sp) he uses is more tramatic than other types.

What do you think?

Use a magic marker to draw a picture of your face on a partially inflated balloon. then blow it up. this is what you may look like after fat transfer!
Or pick up the latest copy of national geographic that gives a description of the neanderthal face with the protruding brow and cheek. the fact that these doctors have purposefully done this is an obvious act of mutilation that is intended to humiliate the patient.

Because he makes up a story that you want to believe. Then he takes all your money, then he doesn't do what you want, then you are screwed. He may even flatter patients into thinking that their result is an improvement when it really isn't. In my case there was no improvement but my surgeon poured on the flattery to the point that I became utterly confused as to what the truth was. It took me some time to come to accept the awful truth that I had given all my money away and had even allowed him to damage skin. No lawyer will help you either. I called numerous lawyers ON THE PHONE and they ALL refused to even consider my case because it involved elective surgery.

if there are all these victims why is he still practicing

We must form a public protest to stop coleman! I saw taylor's pictures, I saw my own face, this is criminal and coleman and others belong in jail for fraud. fat injections are all about one thing and only one thing: money. you lose your money and looks and that is it! I have been through it and I know! I also do not believe the fat lives at all. I believe the skin is filled with calcification and scar tissue and nothing more. I hope to god it does not live because who can control it's growth?

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This dr. uses testimonials on his website, which according to new york state law, is illegal. it is called new york's education law and the statute forbids any advertising contrary to public interest which includes testimonials or unsubtstantiated claims. you can report this to the new york state board of medicine, office of professional discipline at 475 park avenue south, 2nd floor, ny, ny 10016. their fax number is [protected]. good luck.

Um, no? i'm not a coleman advocate. i'd thought I share what has been helpful for a person I know who had too much fat added to her face. an esteemed dr. gives similar advise, and I think it can be helpful.

I also don't think you look "ugly" now. I don't think your grafting was an improvement by any stretch of the imagination — you definitely looked better before, from what I can see. but I don’t think you’re so deformed that being helped by the global fat reduction often caused by weight is out of the question for you. try it. it might be helpful. it can’t hurt anyway

Cassandra, You are sadly mistaken if you think losing weight does the trick. Your friend obviously did not have our issues. I find you to be an annoyance. This fat remains. After Coleman destroyed my face, I gained about thirty pounds. This weight gain fluctuated over time, but when I lost about twenty-five pounds of it, I was newly slim, but the face remained grossly huge. You have no idea what you are talking about, so please stop misinforming people, and being hurtful towards those who know that this is an outright lie. Are you another Coleman advocate?

By the way all, I know for quite sometime I have mentioned placing my pictures on MySpace. This is truly about to happen. I have been so busy trying to rebuild my life and immune system...after wanting to die...and neglecting to care for myself...after being assaulted by Coleman. But feeling ready. Promise within a week, will post the info for all to seek out my pictures, that mysteriously have been sabatoged numerous times at Image site where we placed the results pf Coleman mutilations. Can always keep putting up Myspace pages. That will be endless and out of Coleman control.

Thank you for reaching out Mich. your are a beautiful human being. Know this.

Some times loosing weight does not decrease fat graft at all. However fat graft definetly grows with weight gain.

Hi guys.

If you don't mind, i'll advise you how to deal with over-sized fat grafts:
Loose weight.

It's an imperfect solution but it works. a freind of mine had your issue, and after a whole lot of aerobics she looks great.

I am a former patient of dr. coleman and I would like to point some things out while under dr. coleman's care perhaps these words will provide information that may assist you before trusting your life to another person and I am clearly saying person because we often look at doctors as these magical beings that will do wonders but they are people just like you and me.

Checking references seems to be a recommendation of the asps and most other organizations but the problem is that only tells you if the doctor is a real doctor and perhaps if he keeps current with cma credits. does not work!

Asking other doctors is a one way street, as already posted here doctors do not talk about other doctors. does not work!

nydoh does not give you information.

After so many complaints they still do not show doctor coleman in their database. I understand they have to do an investigation of what is really going on but they could do a better job producing a system to protect the public while a doctor is under investigation, but that alone has its on problems a set time for an investigation does not exist.

look at dr. coleman's investigation for example, to this date the "investigation" is open leaving doctor coleman open ground to say he has never been sanctioned by the nydoh so perhaps the question should be is there other people complaining or am I the only one? that will give you a better idea of what is really taking place here. I do not even know what happens when a person calls inquiring about dr. coleman what I do know they did not closed the investigation so I wonder? did they forget about it? or will it remain open forever? nobody really knows the problem is will make decisions based on their poor information system. does not work!

About lipstructure:

Is a violent procedure one should really look at doctor coleman's technique but not just the technique alone but how coleman does it watch his video is very important.

The bottom line is his technique is so violent that you come out like a basketball, however, there is no way of telling what is swollen what is fat and what is scar tissue so he tells you to wait and wait mean while you are severely deformed. his excuse is everybody is different and the swelling will go away in that respect he is right it goes away and so does your life and most important you do not go back to the way you were this simply does not disappear the damage is done is very sad.

Reference: look at movie stars bad plastic surgery cases most of them had lipostructure!

I am a recent patient whose body was destroyed at Dr. Coleman's clinic. Fat grafting is a terrible thing a great deal of the time. I know it works out for some people, especially if they have a depression (loss of fat) that needs filling, but Dr. Coleman tries to add structure and too much fat to areas and leaves many patients disfigured. In addition, the fat does not last in all areas and you end up with terrible uneveness. It is very unnatural looking and there are "no guarantees" as he states. I know he will be hard to fight, but I have already spoken to two congressmen and many doctors about my own personal case. I told them how he has created a waiver that he makes patients sign that basically allows him to disfigure people and get away with it. This is criminal. I went to at least 15 plastic surgeons who looked at his work and refused to comment or say much because they were either frightened of going against him (they all knew him) or didn't want to be involved. They don't want any trouble. I did find a couple of honest, caring ones who gave me an honest appraisal. One also said that Dr. Coleman's technique causes terrible trauma to the tissue and results in really long healing periods and damage to tissue. He has a practice in another state so he is not saying this because he is in competition with this doctor for patients. He has just had to fix some of Dr. Coleman's former patients. When you look awful and don't really want to go out of your house unless you have to, you have lots of time on your hands. I am going to use this time productively and try to help others from becoming victims like myself. I look at people who are old and wrinkled and I see the beauty of growing old naturally now even though it is too late for me. There is nothing wrong with using good skin products, eating healthy, taking supplements, and exercising to stay young, but stay away from unnatural things. The risk is not worth it.

I have had an extremely positive experience with Dr. Coleman, and as Julio said, I am relieved to see some sane, balanced comments on this complaint board.

I had over 10 operations on my nose before I went to Dr. Coleman two years ago. My last two operations were by Jack Gunter and before him by Jack Sheen, two of the super specialist in nose surgery. After Dr. Gunter finished, my nose was still not normal looking and the skin was so thin that you could see every slight irregularity and many big divots. When people would meet me, it was the first thing they noticed.

I could tell that Dr. Gunter did not want to operate on my nose again, especially with my very thin skin. At my last visit with him, he mentioned that Dr. Coleman was an option, so I flew to New York City. Coleman was extremely cautious, warning that he could improve my nose at least somewhat and maybe a lot. He suggested to place a thin layer of fat over many areas of my nose and try to reshape it. He said that the results were not totally predictable, but hopefully the repair cells in fat might help the scarring in my nose.

He frightened me with his warnings about the possibility of a prolonged recovery and possible complications. Because I was so worried, I decided not to have the procedure with him. I went to several famous nose doctors all over and none of them would touch my nose.

Out of desperation, I eventually decided have the procedure that he recommended on my nose. Also, I had a bad eyelid lift years ago, and my eyes were hollow, so I had him put fat in the hollows around my eyes. He took the fat from the inside part of my thighs.

The recovery was much less than Dr. Coleman had prepared me for. My nose actually looked great even swollen, and the eyes were a much longer recovery than the nose. With makeup, I think the eyes must have looked slightly swollen but still great at three or four weeks. The final shape of my nose and eyes has improved incredibly; the nose is by no means perfect but much improved. But the amazing thing is the skin of my nose and eyes. The skin of the nose looks like a normal thickness and the wrinkles around my eyes are almost all gone!

I moved to London right after the operation, so I haven’t been back to see Dr. Coleman. He told before he operated on me that I would need another procedure, and I agree. There is one little area of my lower eye that I think could use a tiny bit more fat, and several areas on the nose that could be a little better. I am planning on having another procedure sometime when I can afford the time and money. I hope my positive experience can add a little balance to this crazed complaint board.

95 days ago by Erin D
Oh, one last thing. Recently, I tried to talk a friend into going to see Dr. Coleman. She has a birth defect that she has had operated on many times. From what I remember about Dr. Coleman’s work, I hope his type of fat grafting might really help her out.

She came across this board somehow, and has refused to even call Dr. Coleman’s office to schedule an appointment because of the wild crazy things that the people on this board are saying. I am very upset and have wanted to relate my experience for over a week.

However, I have been terrified of injecting any comment into the rantings of Corey and Heather, for fear of being attacked, which it looks like they are doing to anyone who says anything that is not supportive of their negativity.

I am particularly bothered by their direct second person statements to Dr. Coleman. For example, “Tiring hiding so many lies upon lies isn't it Syd?” “In life Syd, what you steal and is not yours to have, you may get it for a while but you won't keep it sweetheart.” “Sydney, I "NEVER" gave permission…” These bizarre second person comments combined with the long discussion of their vaginas is definitely on the frightening, crazy side.

They seem to relate personality disorders and potential psychosis rather than honest complaints.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr D
A Report by the
Health and Disability Commissioner
(Case 99HDC00541)

Commissioner’s Opinion/99HDC00541
2 June 2000 1
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
Complaint
The Commissioner received a complaint from the consumer, Ms A, about the treatment she
received from the provider, Dr B. The complaint was that:
• Ms A consulted Dr B on 13 August 1997 to discuss upper eyelid rejuvenation.
• Dr B persuaded Ms A that lower eyelid lipo-infiltration was also needed and on 2 April
1998 Dr B performed corrective surgery to Ms A’s upper and lower eyelids.
• Dr B did not inform Ms A about possible complications of lipo-infiltration. If he had
done so she would not have had the procedure done.
• Two months after surgery Ms A complained of persistent asymmetry of the right upper
eyelid fold and lumpiness of the left infra-orbital region.
• Ms A was reviewed by Dr B on 15 July 1998. Dr B noted persistence of the superficial
deposits of the left infra-orbital region and offered to correct this asymmetry and to revise
the upper eyelid fold.
• The second operation took place on 1 October 1998 at a private hospital, under general
anaesthetic.
• Ms A was reviewed by Dr C on 30 October 1998. She was unhappy with the result of her
left lower eyelid revision. She complained of a residual lump and a small concavity at the
junction of the eyelid skin with the orbital margin.
• Ms A “wants her old face back”. She wants Dr B to take responsibility for the problems
she has had with her eyelid surgery. She also wants Dr B to pay the second hospital and
anaesthetic bills as well as the cost of any future corrective surgery.
Investigation process
The Commissioner received the complaint on 13 January 1999 and an investigation was
commenced on 30 March 1999. Information was obtained from:
Ms A Consumer
Dr B Provider / Plastic and reconstructive surgeon
Relevant clinical records were obtained and viewed. The Commissioner obtained advice
from an independent plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
Health and Disability Commissioner
2 2 June 2000
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
Information gathered during investigation
Dr B is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He attended an advanced aesthetic surgery
workshop at an overseas University in February 1997 and has been using the technique of
Lipostructure™ or Lipoinfiltration since then. The technique was pioneered by Dr D and
involves transplanting small amounts of refined fat from the abdomen or thigh within the
body for the purpose of making structural improvements. Dr B advised the Commissioner
that he initially applied the technique to cases of traumatic atrophy of fat tissue such as facial
and lower limb trauma. Following success with several trauma patients Dr B began applying
it to consumers complaining of subcutaneous atrophy in the eyelids, upper cheeks and lip
areas. Dr B advised the Commissioner that he has performed lipostructure on approximately
20 consumers since he first began using the technique.
Ms A was acquainted with one of Dr B’s relatives, upon whom he had performed eyelid
rejuvenation surgery (blepharoplasty). Ms A was impressed with the results and wrote to Dr
B on 7 January 1997 requesting information about the cost of a consultation and an “upper
eyelid operation”. Ms A also queried what laser treatment was available and whether an
overnight stay in hospital was required for upper eyelid surgery.
Dr B wrote to Ms A on 15 January 1997. He informed her that blepharoplasty was one of the
rejuvenative surgery options available and indicated it was:
“[T]he standard operation done to remove excessive skin and fat pads from the eyelids
and in selected patients a tightening of the capsulopalpebral ligament of the lower eyelid
to the orbital septum to give the lower eyelid a shorter vertical height and more youthful
appearance.”
Dr B noted that laser resurfacing was better suited for the very fine ageing lines in the skin
but was being used frequently for the lower eyelids. He also noted that while some surgeons
believed swelling and bruising were reduced with the laser, he preferred to use a scalpel
blade.
Dr B advised Ms A in the letter that the operation would be performed under local anaesthetic
with sedation and that she might need to spend a night in hospital. He indicated that the
consultation would cost $95.00, with a surgical fee of $1, 500.00 plus GST.
Ms A wrote to Dr B on 7 February 1997 querying the cost of the procedure and whether
upper eyelid surgery could be performed at his rooms.
Ms A consulted Dr B on 13 August 1997. Dr B advised the Commissioner that Ms A
indicated she wanted her upper eyelids done but was actually concerned about hollowness
and a tired look under her eyes. He advised that “lipo-infiltration was [his] interpretation of
her request”.
Ms A advised the Commissioner that Dr B talked about the various techniques available but
was “gung ho” about lipo-infiltration and presented it as a very positive option. She said he
made it sound like a very simple procedure and told her he would make a few cuts, take fat
Commissioner’s Opinion/99HDC00541
2 June 2000 3
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
out of her stomach or leg and inject it under her eyes. She said he told her the fat would be
sculpted like clay to achieve the desired look.
During the consultation Dr B established that Ms A was a smoker and indicated that she
should not smoke for at least one month prior to surgery and for six weeks afterwards. Ms A
said she knew, prior to any and every surgery, that people who smoke are told to stop and that
this had to do with oxygen being received. She said she understood the instruction was so
she would make a better and quicker post operative recovery. Ms A said she did not
understand that the operation would not succeed if she smoked.
Dr B advised the Commissioner that smoking is considered a definite contra-indication for
cosmetic surgery of any kind and that much of the consultation focused on this issue. He said
he told her quite a lot about the risks of smoking, that there would be a lot of swelling with
this technique and more bruising than would be experienced with standard cosmetic surgery
techniques. Dr B indicated that the information provided to Ms A was recorded in a letter he
sent to her immediately following the consultation. In that letter, which was dated 13 August
1997, Dr B noted that Ms A specifically wanted:
“… correction of the lower eyelid and tear trough areas where you rightly perceive that
there has been an increasing hollowing of the soft tissues of your lower eyelids which is
consistent with the shrinkage of the fat layer of the face in this area with ageing”.
Dr B noted that Ms A was a smoker and that this was a significant risk factor for any
corrective surgery. He also commented on a “prominent superficial vein running obliquely
across the lateral aspect of [her] right lower eyelid”.
Dr B recorded a discussion about standard blepharoplasty, laser resurfacing and lipoinfiltration
or lipostructure. He wrote:
“Lipostructure has been popularised by [Dr D] from [overseas] and involves the
harvesting by atraumatic technique of some of your own fat from either the lower
abdomen or thighs and this fat is then refined in a Centrifuge and reinjected as small fat
parcels in to the soft tissue layers of the region that needs structural support.
In your case the infiltration of your own refined fat in to the infraorbital and eyelid
regions would correct the contour deformity and also improve the texture of the skin and
give the excess skin somewhere to go so that this has the overall effect of rejuvenating the
appearance of the lower eyelids to produce a more youthful appearance. It may be
necessary to remove the small superficial vein although I suspect that with infiltration of
fat around this area the vein would be less prominent under the skin and a decision about
this would need to be made at the time.”
Ms A was advised in the letter that the surgery could be performed under local anaesthetic in
Dr B’s rooms, and that the bruising and swelling could take up to three or four weeks to
resolve. She was advised that she would have to stop smoking for at least one month
beforehand and six weeks afterwards because “one cigarette causes fifty minutes of tissue
ischaemia [oxygen reduction] and this would almost certainly result in poor take of the small
fat parcel grafts which would then lead to fat liquefaction [fat necrosis or dying tissue],
infection and possible abscess formation”.
Health and Disability Commissioner
4 2 June 2000
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
Dr B offered to perform surgery on both Ms A’s eyelids for $1, 250.00, including GST.
Dr B subsequently sent Ms A an article written by Dr D. He also enclosed a hand written
consent form.
Dr D’s article, entitled “The Technique of Periobital Lipoinfiltration”, discussed uses,
preoperative manoeuvers, technique, postoperative care and evaluation of post-operative
results. Complications identified by Dr D included underinfiltration (too little fat implanted),
overinfiltration (too much fat implanted), migration (overfilling forcing implanted fat into an
unplanned or improper location), clumping (caused by uneven filling) and infection (which
Dr D recorded could often be traced to breaks in sterile technique). Other problems included
bruising, oedema, induration [abnormal hardening of tissue] and “… prolonged erythema
[flushing of the skin] at the incision sites”.
The consent form provided by Dr B indicated:
“The technique of lipostructure has been personally explained to me by [Dr B] and I
completely understand the nature and consequences of the procedure. The following
points have specifically made clear:
1. There will be small scars from the injection sites.
2. There will be swelling and bruising of the eyelids of the face which can persist for
several weeks.
3. There is possibility of temporary injury to the nerves supplying the skin and muscles
in the periorbital area.
4. Infection is possible in any type of surgery including lipostructure.
5. I agree that I will not smoke cigarettes for four weeks prior to surgery and for 8 weeks
after surgery.”
The consent form was signed by Ms A on 21 August 1997.
Ms A advised the Commissioner that she knew there would be bruising, swelling and
possible nerve damage but “these were not presented as risks, more like side effects”. She
said she did not know what fat liquifaction was and that fat necrosis was never mentioned.
Dr B advised the Commissioner that “side effects and risks are all the same thing”. He
indicated that no surgery is free of side effects or risks and that risks are about “risk
management”. He said this is achieved by careful selection of patients for the operation plus
making sure the surgeon is properly trained and that the surgery is performed in proper
facilities. Dr B indicated that complications associated with the technique were listed in Dr
D’s article but he (Dr B) does not dwell on complications and does not want to talk a patient
out of surgery unnecessarily. Dr B indicated that his consent form listed the complications,
which are technique related and mostly avoidable, taken from Dr D’s article.
Ms A advised the Commissioner that Dr B did not discuss Dr D’s article with her. Dr B was
unable to recall whether any discussion took place.
Commissioner’s Opinion/99HDC00541
2 June 2000 5
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
Ms A advised the Commissioner that she decided to have lipo-infiltration because Dr B was
so convincing and sold her on the procedure. She said he convinced her he was
knowledgeable and capable and that it was a simple procedure.
Dr B advised the Commissioner that Ms A made the decision to have lipo-infiltration based
upon his evaluation of her facial form, subcutaneous atrophy and a discussion of the options
available, including standard blepharoplasty, laser resurfacing and the risks posed by her
smoking history. He advised that lipoinfiltration offered the best choice for creating a more
youthful appearance with respect to the lower eyelids and that a “modest skin only upper
eyelid reduction would also be appropriate”.
Ms A was asked to supply photographs of herself at ages 20 and 30 to enable Dr B to
estimate and plan the surgical procedure.
Ms A wrote to Dr B on 26 August 1997 enclosing the photographs he requested. She
indicated:
“Thank you for the article on Lipoinfiltration. Also, thank you so much for your
discounted fee. I do appreciate it.
As I look at the photos I notice a difference between 20 and 33 years of age. The glamour
shot is different again. I believe that at the time this glamour shot was taken, I was
around 38. I do notice more fullness when I was 20 that’s for sure.
I hope these help you. I must admit a slight fear, but I know you will do a great job.
…
I do understand the smoking issue and may get acupuncture done. I’d rather do it this
way to relieve the stress that I would experience if I was to do it cold turkey. I wouldn’t
want my mind and body to be stressed at the time of the Lipoinfiltration.
[Dr B], I just have one question. When I lose weight it tends to start in my face and work
its way down. I’m not planning to lose any, but if I did, how would that affect my face.
Would my cheekbones drop and the fat that has been put under my eyes stay where it is?
I have drawn a picture. I hope this question makes sense. …”
On 7 September 1997 Dr B wrote to Ms A. He thanked her for her photos and indicated:
“These photographs are very interesting when compared to the most recent ones I have
taken of you which show quite a significant loss of subcutaneous tissue in the tear trough
area of your lower eyelids with a vertical lengthening of your lower eyelid as a result.
There has also been a significant loss of subcutaneous tissue over the prominence of your
cheek bones.
I therefore believe that as recommended, lipoinfiltration with your own refined fat grafts
would give you the best aesthetic improvement at this stage and the diagram that you have
drawn in your letter asking about the separation between the tear trough and the cheek
area; my response would be that with the lipoinfiltration we would hope to fill in this area
Health and Disability Commissioner
6 2 June 2000
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
so that there is a smooth contour between your lower eyelid extending inferiorly on to
your cheek prominence.
Please do not hesitate to get back to me if you have any further questions about this.”
Surgery was scheduled for 30 October 1997 but was postponed due to Dr B’s planned
overseas travel which meant he would not be available for post-surgical follow-up. Dr B’s
clinical record dated 30 October 1997 noted that Ms A had been making “great efforts to give
up smoking over the last month and in fact has not had a cigarette for two weeks”. Surgery
was re-scheduled for 19 November 1997.
Ms A’s surgery was carried out on 2 April 1998. Clinical notes recorded:
“Fat was … harvested using [Dr D’s] technique from both lower medial thighs and then
refined in the centrifuge.
A total of 3 ccs of refined fat was infiltrated in to each lower eyelid infraorbital region to
correct the hollowness and contour defect. The fat was infiltrated both in the orbicularis
layer and in the subcutaneous layer.”
Ms A advised the Commissioner that she had one or two cigarettes in the two weeks prior to
the surgery and did not smoke straight after surgery. She indicated that she would then have
the “odd puff” but was not smoking chronically. Ms A said she was struggling but did
“extremely well”. She said that when she saw Dr B on 8 April 1998 he told her she was
healing well and said “see what not smoking does”. Ms A said she drank a lot of water and
Dr B was pleased with how she was looking after herself.
Dr B said he suspected Ms A had been smoking post operatively. He said she admitted
slipping up a couple of times but his recollection was that she was smoking according to her
usual (10-15 per day) habit. Dr B advised the Commissioner that he warned Ms A there
could be a loss of fat grafts if she continued to smoke and indicated that fat grafts can be lost
up to three months after surgery because the process of revascularisation (the re-development
of blood vessels within tissue) takes some time. The issue of smoking was not documented
in the clinical notes.
Dr B’s clinical notes recorded that Ms A’s upper eyelid sutures were removed and that the
area had healed well. It was noted that there was some obvious swelling and bruising of the
lower eyelids consistent with lipo-infiltration. Photographs were taken and it was agreed that
Ms A would return in one month’s time. Dr B advised the Commissioner that Ms A admitted
to having disturbed the right upper eyelid suture during the night by pulling on the thread
near the eyebrow which caused a puckering and distortion of the scar compared to the left
upper eyelid scar.
Ms A consulted Dr B on 17 June 1998. Dr B’s clinical note recorded some minor asymmetry
of the right supra-tarsal fold which he attributed to Ms A having pulled on the suture postoperatively.
Dr B advised the Commissioner that it was evident Ms A had not kept to the
‘no-smoking’ policy and that Ms A confirmed this. He said he expressed his dismay at her
Commissioner’s Opinion/99HDC00541
2 June 2000 7
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
“inability to co-operate with instructions” with respect to her interference with the sutures
and that she was smoking when he had told her not to.
Ms A advised the Commissioner that this was three months after the surgery and that, while
she was probably back to smoking 10-15 cigarettes a day, “this was way past the date [she]
was told not to”.
Dr B documented redness and queried fat parcels. He prescribed the antibiotic Augmentin.
Dr B advised the Commissioner that with the degree of inflammation experienced by Ms A
smoking was a definite contra-indication. He said he suspected the area was inflamed
because of fat necrosis and took a biopsy of the area in order to confirm this.
Dr B advised the Commissioner that Ms A was very distressed and his aim was to try to get
her through his period. He said he told her he thought the area would settle and that he wrote
a letter to her afterwards because she made a “big deal” about her upper eyelid, which was a
result of her pulling on a suture and causing distortion of the scar.
In his letter to Ms A dated 17 June 1998, Dr B acknowledged her unhappiness with the
asymmetry of her infraorbital regions. He recommended she regularly massage the area with
Vitamin E or other moisturiser for three months to help soften the scars. He noted that if the
infraorbital region did not settle down he would revise this at no extra charge.
Ms A consulted Dr B on 15 July 1998. Dr B advised the Commissioner that Ms A was not
happy with the persisting lumpiness of the fat grafts and the relative asymmetry of her right
upper eyelid. He said she had to be reminded that the asymmetry of her own doing. Dr B
advised Ms A that these were minor complications and could be corrected under local
anaesthetic in his office minor theatre, at no extra charge. Ms A was offered a second
opinion but declined it.
Clinical notes record:
“[Ms A] was reviewed again at […] on the 15.7.98. She still has some superficial fat
deposits from the fat grafting of the left infraorbital margin and these are not shrinking
and I think she would benefit from a lower lid blepharoplasty to tighten her lower eyelid
skin and at the same time these redundant fat grafts could be trimmed. She would also
need a minor right lower blepharoplasty and ligation of the superficial vein that is
prominent here.
The plan is to wait at least three more months and we will schedule her for surgery in
October 1998 at the Rooms and she will need some oral sedation when she arrives.
No further charge will be made for this surgery.”
Ms A wrote to Dr B on 18 July 1998 complaining about the asymmetry of her left infraorbital
region and detailing the effects her appearance was having on her life. She advised Dr B that
she wanted her old face back.
Health and Disability Commissioner
8 2 June 2000
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
Dr B’s clinical notes dated 22 July 1998 record:
“[Ms A] wrote to me on the 18.7.98 with a lot of concerns about the asymmetry of her left
infraorbital region where there is some superficial fat graft that has displaced and will
probably need trimming in October. She also perceives some asymmetry of her right
upper supratarsal fold where there was some concertinaring of the wound margins when
she accidentally pulled on the suture post operatively and I have said I am happy to revise
this for her as well.
I phoned her at work today and she assured me that she does not want to sue me and that
she does not want a second opinion. She accepts my advice about waiting for six months
post op before attempting any further revision and she is also now happy about having it
done here at the rooms under local anaesthetic because I think this will be safe and
hospitalisation is not necessary.”
Ms A was reviewed by Dr B on 9 September 1998. Dr B advised the Commissioner that it
was decided Ms A would have her revision surgery at the private hospital under general
anaesthetic, rather than at his rooms. He advised that, under the circumstances, he considered
it a wise decision given her anxiety levels. Dr B stated that he made it clear to Ms A he
would not charge her any further surgeon’s fees but that hospital and anaesthetist fees would
be her responsibility.
Clinical notes recorded:
“I saw [Ms A] again on the 9.9.98 at the […] surgery where we discussed plans for her
further periobital aesthetic surgery.
She has agreed to have the surgery done under local anaesthetic with sedation at [the
private hospital] on the 1.10.98 and the plan is to do bilateral lower eyelid skin only
blepharoplasties with ligation of the superficial vein on the right lower eyelid and
recontouring of the fat grafts to the left lower eyelid.
She also wants a small excess of skin excised from the medial right upper eyelid scar.”
The second surgery was performed on 1 October 1998. Dr B advised the Commissioner that
he revised Ms A’s right upper eyelid scar, coagulated a superficial vein in the right lower
eyelid, resected the lumps of focal fat necrosis under the left lower eyelid and performed a
conservative bilateral lower eyelid-skin only blepharoplasty.
The operation note also recorded:
“The skin was very thin and she has been warned both pre and postoperatively to restrict
all smoking activity because this will jeopardise the chances of healing of her eyelid
incisions and also could end up with significant skin necrosis because of the thinness of
her skin here.”
Commissioner’s Opinion/99HDC00541
2 June 2000 9
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
The Histology/Cytology Report dated 2 October 1998 indicated:
“Clinical details:
Previous fat grafts lower left eyelid.
Macroscopic:
Some irregular pieces of fatty tissue measuring up to 7mm.
Microscopic:
Sections show fibrous connective and adipose tissue with small amounts of striated
muscle. Occasional microscopic cysts associated with multinucleated histiocytes are seen
within the fatty tissue. The appearances are those of focal fat necrosis. The appearances
are otherwise unremarkable and there is no evidence of inflammatory disease or
neoplasia.
Diagnosis: fatty tissue left lower eyelid – focal fat necrosis.”
Ms A wrote an undated letter to Dr B following the 1 October surgery. She indicated:
“I received your letter explaining the revision procedure that was done in my second
operation. My eyes are healing well and I am now pleased with these most recent
results.”
Ms A complained about second hospital bill and asked Dr B to take responsibility for it. Dr
B wrote to Ms A on 12 October 1998 indicating:
“…
At no time have I undertaken to be responsible for the hospital and anaesthetic costs
which you have incurred during the admission of the 1.10.98 and it clearly states in my
notes that I was prepared to make no extra surgical fee for the revisional surgery and this
is documented in my notes on the 15.7.98 and again on the 9.9.98 when you agreed to
have the surgery done under local anaesthetic with sedation at [the private hospital]
because of your fear of having any further procedures done under local anaesthetic. As it
turned out the Anaesthetist felt that it was more appropriate for you to have a general
anaesthetic because of your level of anxiety and as well as the second hospital bill you
should expect to receive a second anaesthetic bill from [Dr E]. …”
Ms A advised the Commissioner that she did not receive a second anaesthetic bill from Dr E.
On 15 October 1998 Ms A wrote to Dr B advising that she intended to take the matter before
the Small Claims Court.
Ms A requested a second opinion from the New Zealand Foundation for Cosmetic Plastic
Surgery regarding Dr B’s surgery and was interviewed and examined by Dr C on 30 October
1998. Dr C documented in his report that Ms A was satisfied with the result of the surgery on
her right upper and lower eyelids but was not happy with the result of her left lower eyelid
revision. Dr C recorded that Ms A complained of a residual lump and a small concavity at
the junction of the eyelid skin with the orbital margin and that a 2.5mm diameter rounded fat
deposit was visible beneath the eyelid skin. Dr C also documented a small indentation in the
Health and Disability Commissioner
10 2 June 2000
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
eyelid where the skin appeared to be adherent to the underlying muscle and a mild degree of
post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation of the eyelid skin, consistent with the recent revision
surgery. Dr C formed the opinion that it was too early to make a decision about the result of
the second operation. He indicated:
“[Ms A] must be patient and wait at least three months, preferably six, before
contemplating any further surgery. Scar formation in the early phase of wound healing
can be exaggerated and scar maturation and resolution may take upwards of six to twelve
months. Any area that has been reoperated on may take even longer to settle. The
patient’s smoking habit is a known risk factor and can adversely affect wound healing due
to impairment of blood supply and cellular toxins. The superficial fat deposit may
spontaneously reduce in size and become less noticeable. Likewise the small indentation
may improve as the scarring softens. There may not be any need for further surgery. I
have offered to review [Ms A] over the next few months but I would encourage her to
settle her differences with [Dr B] and allow him to monitor her progress. …”
Dr C also noted:
“[Dr B] has provided [Ms A] with sufficient written and verbal information for her to sign
a consent form that she ‘completely understands the nature and consequences of the
procedure’. He has stressed the necessity to stop smoking to reduce complications. He
has documented his operative procedures in detail. He has seen the patient on several
occasions following surgery and has also kept in contact by phone and letter. The degree
of detail in the notes is far above average and would indicate to me that he is careful and
conscientious in his assessment, treatment and followup. It is difficult for me to equate
this attention to detail and informed consent with negligent surgery. Complications can
occur with virtually any operation, despite preventive measures. Surgery, especially
cosmetic, is not an absolute science. [Dr B] has attempted to the best of his ability to
correct [Ms A’s] concerns. [Ms A] remains unhappy. I would not recommend any more
surgery just yet and would suggest that [Dr B] obtains one or more opinions from
overseas experts in eyelid surgery before deciding on a plan of action.”
Dr B advised the Commissioner that Ms A has not presented for further follow-up with him,
is unrealistic about her responsibilities regarding the doctor-patient relationship, post
operative instructions and the continued harmful effects of smoking on her general health and
facial appearance.
Ms A consulted Dr F, a second plastic and reconstructive surgeon on 20 January 1999. Dr F
advised:
“I do not see a great deal of hope in trying to re-operate to remove the fat. It would be
very difficult technically to get the contour exactly right and furthermore the scar of the
healing operation may tend to pucker up the thin eyelid skin even further and create new
different contour irregularities.”
Commissioner’s Opinion/99HDC00541
2 June 2000 11
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
Independent advice to Commissioner
The advisor commented as follows in respect to the Commissioner’s written questions:
“… There are no binding specific written guidelines issued by any professional body to
my knowledge for rejuvenation surgery of the eyelids. The specific standards that I
would apply are:
Consultation and Examination:
This involves taking a case history and obtaining information about the past and present
health, medication requirements, smoking and tendency to bleeding. Enquiry is made into
the reasons for requiring the surgery and patient expectations.
The examination involves a thorough check of the eyelids and surrounding areas,
including the eyebrows and the orbits. Particular note is made of excess skin and excess
swelling, loss of subcutaneous fat, lack of tone in the eyelids and visual acuity. Following
this a full discussion takes place involving the methods of treatment and their advantages
and disadvantages.
For eyelid rejuvenation the basic treatments are to remove excess of skin and excess
orbital fat, if that is a problem. Other aspects of the treatment can include a forehead lift
to elevate the eyebrows and tighten the upper eyelids and the injection of fat to fill out
hollow areas. All treatments have their advantages and disadvantages and these should be
discussed with the patient. The consultation and examination is documented and this can
be augmented by the drawing of diagrams and the taking of photographs.
Surgery:
Surgery is done in an appropriate facility and much eyelid surgery can be done under a
local anaesthetic as an outpatient in a day stay facility. Where there are concerns about
patient apprehension a general anaesthetic is advised.
Post operatively the patient is reviewed regularly until wound healing is complete and the
sutures removed. Usually patients are reviewed some weeks after surgery to assess the
results once the swelling and bruising has subsided.
Were these standards followed?
I believe they were. There had been considerable correspondence between [Ms A] and
[Dr B] before surgery and well documented records. The initial concern of [Ms A] was to
have her upper eyelids treated but the consultation notes indicate that she wanted her
under eyelids done and not the upper eyelids at the moment.
Is Lipoinfiltration a recognised and acceptable technique?
The technique of injecting fat into parts of the body to improve appearance has been
advocated increasingly in the last 10 or so years. Considerable refinements of the
technique, especially in handling the fat, and injecting small amounts only have produced
Health and Disability Commissioner
12 2 June 2000
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
acceptable results. [Dr D] from [overseas] ran a course in [another country] on this
technique some years ago and I note that [Dr B] attended this course.
What level of training is required before lipoinfiltration can be offered cosmetically?
There is no specific training requirement for offering new techniques. This is mainly up
to the Practitioner offering the technique. I would, however, expect that anyone offering
such a technique would have considerable experience of liposuction surgery and had
attended meetings and courses in which the procedure was discussed, demonstrated and
the advantages and disadvantages considered.
Was [Dr B’s] level of training and experience reasonable?
Yes. He has indicated that his initial experience of lipoinfiltration or lipostructure, was
with accident cases with a gradual move towards aesthetic patients.
What should a consumer contemplating lipoinfiltration be told about the expected risks?
This is the normal informed consent process. I note in [Dr D’s] article the complications
are discussed. It is not easy for a layperson reading such an article to understand medical
terminology and such information requires discussion with the Surgeon.
Could the effect [Ms A] desired have been achieved using any other technique?
Not to my knowledge.
What caused the lumpiness?
There are several reasons for this. The eyelid skin is extremely thin and any accumulation
of the fat cells into little globules will be quite recognisable under the thin skin. If the
skin were thicker it would have a better chance of disguising minor irregularities. Fat
necrosis is a complication of fat injections. Sometimes the fat can become thickened or
calcified into small lumps and this appears to be a not uncommon complication with fat
injections, although the newer methods of fat preparation for injection, as described in [Dr
D’s] article, are supposed to reduce the chances of this happening.
Could the lumpiness be related to the Surgeon’s technique?
This is possible, although I think that the reasons given in the previous paragraph
contributed to this.
Could smoking have contributed to or caused the lumpiness?
It may have had a part to play in reduced blood supply to the infiltrated fat thus causing
the necrosis.
Commissioner’s Opinion/99HDC00541
2 June 2000 13
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
Was massage an acceptable remedy?
Massage after eyelid surgery has been strongly recommended for a number of years and
its main advocate is [Dr G] who was a Visiting Professor some years ago and who
popularised this technique. It was, however, for persons who have had the basic
excisional type of blepharoplasty in order to reduce swelling and tightness. Massage
would certainly help reduce the swelling but would not eradicate the residual fatty lumps.
Could further surgery correct the residual lump and concavity?
Without seeing the patient it is not possible to give a definite answer to this. Based on the
information supplied, she has already had two procedures on the lower eyelids and there
will be a certain amount of underlying scarring resulting from these. Further surgery
would create more scar tissue and getting the contour exactly right would be difficult as
the thin overlying skin will tend to show up any minor irregularities.”
My advisor also commented that there is a growing trend to blame smoking for the
development of fat necrosis, which is caused by a lack of, or impaired, blood supply to the
transplanted fat. He indicated that there are other reasons for fat necrosis occurring, but that
these reasons are not always understood.
Response to Commissioner’s Provisional Opinion
Dr B responded to the Commissioner’s provisional opinion as follows:
“…
I agree with everything documented except for the last two pages 23 and 24.
Right 6 states that every consumer has the right to the information that a reasonable
consumer, in that consumer’s circumstances, would expect to receive including … an
explanation of the options, risks, benefits etc.
[Ms A] in my opinion received a reasonable amount of information, was encouraged to
read and reflect on this carefully and in fact had a 6 month pre-operative period in which
to further discuss this with me both verbally and in writing as you have correctly
documented.
[Ms A] is an intelligent woman, and she received from me all knowledge, technical
details and specific risks known about lipo-infiltration by [Dr D’s] method available at
that time. I first saw her at a medical clinic in […] and not having [Dr D’s] article in my
possession then undertook to include it with my initial detailed consultation letter to her.
I dispute the claim that a layperson would have difficulty understanding the specific
details in [Dr D’s] article relating to known complications. This article is a review article
based on his 10 year experience [overseas] with this technique for fat grafting. It was
published in Operative Techniques in Plastic Surgery which is a quarterly journal
Health and Disability Commissioner
14 2 June 2000
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
characterised by sound explanation of the indications, techniques and potential
complications of a number of reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.
Your own description of the complications section of the article on page 5, 4th paragraph
as a layperson testifies to the clarity of the article … underinfiltration (too little fat
implanted), overinfiltration (too much fat implanted), migration, clumping and
infection. My consent form focused on the specific morbidities relating to the technique
of adding fat to the soft tissues and especially to the risk factor of smoking. There is
extensive scientific evidence now in the plastic surgery literature relating to the dangers of
smoking on the healing of all tissues but specifically to grafts and I would be happy to
provide your advisor with a bibliography provided by a leading plastic surgeon
[overseas].
Right 7 refers to the right to make an informed choice and give informed consent.
[Ms A] claims she was not fully informed despite the documents of material presented to
her, which complimented the verbal discussion. She broke the agreement regarding the
most serious risk factor (smoking) which I went to all reasonable lengths to inform her of.
She claims that she would not have consented to having lipoinfiltration if she had known
what the potential unsatisfactory results could have been. I contend that I would not have
agreed to the surgery if I could have predicted that she would not comply with the clear
pre and post-operative instructions.
I have had considerable experience with the technique of lipo-infiltration now and to date
have had no problems with non-smoking patients. The fundamental principle of fat
grafting as with skin and cartilage grafting is that the implanted graft must become
revascularised and this depends on the healthy ingrowth of tiny blood vessels which the
inhalation of nicotine and other toxic chemicals in cigarettes opposes. The fat grafts,
which are not adequately revascularised, die and become hard lumps of fibrotic soft tissue
felt and seen under the skin.
I strongly disagree with your opinion that I did not meet my obligations to ensure that [Ms
A] was fully informed and I refer you to the opinion expressed by an independent
colleague [Dr C] who has personally examined and consulted with [Ms A].
These are my comments and you will note that they dispute your provisional opinion and
preliminary conclusions.”
Commissioner’s Opinion/99HDC00541
2 June 2000 15
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights
The following Rights in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights are
applicable to this complaint:
RIGHT 4
Right to Services of an Appropriate Standard
2) Every consumer has the right to have services provided that comply with legal,
professional, ethical, and other relevant standards.
RIGHT 6
Right to be Fully Informed
1) Every consumer has the right to the information that a reasonable consumer, in that
consumer’s circumstances, would expect to receive, including –
b) An explanation of the options available, including an assessment of the expected
risks, side effects, benefits, and costs of each option;
RIGHT 7
Right to Make an Informed Choice and Give Informed Consent
1) Services may be provided to a consumer only if that consumer makes an informed choice
and gives informed consent, except where any enactment, or the common law, or any
other provision of this Code provides otherwise.
3 Provider Compliance
1) A provider is not in breach of this Code if the provider has taken reasonable actions in
the circumstances to give effect to the rights, and comply with the duties, in this Code.
2) The onus is on the provider to prove that it took reasonable actions.
3) For the purposes of this clause, “the circumstances” means all the relevant
circumstances, including the consumer’s clinical circumstances and the provider’s
resource constraints.
Opinion: No breach
In my opinion Dr B did not breach Right 4(2) of the Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers’ Rights as follows:
Right 4(2)
Ms A originally wrote to Dr B requesting information about upper eyelid surgery. During a
consultation on 13 August 1997 Dr B determined that Ms A was concerned about a tired look
under her eyes and recommended lipoinfiltration to correct this. I accept the advice of my
independent plastic and reconstructive surgeon that lipoinfiltration is a recognised and
acceptable technique and that Dr B was properly qualified to undertake the procedure. The
Health and Disability Commissioner
16 2 June 2000
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
effect Ms A desired could not have been achieved using any technique other than
lipoinfiltration.
My advisor informed me that fat necrosis is a recognised complication of fat injections and
can occur independently of the surgeon’s technique. It is caused by a lack of blood supply to
the fat cells, although the technique described by Dr D and utilised by Dr B is supposed to
reduce the chances of this happening. In my opinion Dr B provided services in accordance
with professional standards and did not breach Right 4(2) of the Code of Health and
Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.
Opinion: Breach
In my opinion Dr B breached Rights 6(1)(b) and 7(1) of the Code of Health and Disability
Services Consumers’ Rights as follows:
Right 6(1)(b)
Ms A complained that she was not told of possible complications of lipo-infiltration. While
Dr B provided her with a copy of Dr D’s article which outlined complications associated with
lipo-infiltration my advisor commented that this was difficult information for a layperson to
absorb and its contents should have been discussed with Ms A. Dr B did not do this.
Dr B indicated that he does not dwell on complications and does not want to talk a consumer
out of surgery unnecessarily. He provided a consent form which listed some of the
complications contained in Dr D’s article and which Ms A signed. It indicated there would
be small scars from the injection sites, that swelling and bruising of the eyelids would occur,
that temporary injury to the nerves supplying the skin and muscles in the periobital area could
occur and that infection was possible. In signing the document Ms A undertook that she
would not smoke cigarettes for four weeks prior to surgery and for eight weeks afterwards.
Dr B informed Ms A that smoking was contra-indicated because a single cigarette causes 50
minutes of tissue ischaemia, which would almost certainly lead to poor uptake of the fat
grafts leading to fat liquefaction (fat necrosis), infection and possible abscess formation. The
parties disagreed on how well Ms A adhered to the no-smoking policy. My advisor informs
me that fat necrosis is a complication of lipoinfiltration and that, while smoking may
contribute to a reduction in blood supply leading to necrosis, the lumpiness experienced by
Ms A, and diagnosed as fat necrosis after histological investigation, could have been caused
by other factors. There is no evidence in Dr B’s clinical notes that Ms A was informed of this
possibility, independently of his advice that complications could develop if she did not stop
smoking for a period of time, both pre- and post-operatively. Right 6(1)(b) sets out the
information a consumer can expect to receive without having to ask. The onus was on Dr B
to show that this information had been provided, as indicated by Clause 3(2) of the Code. In
my opinion Dr B did not fully explain the risks associated with lipoinfiltration and breached
Right 6(1)(b) of the Code of Rights.
Commissioner’s Opinion/99HDC00541
2 June 2000 17
Names have been removed to protect privacy. Identifying letters are assigned in alphabetical order and bear no
relationship to the person’s actual name.
Right 7(1)
Ms A complained that had the possible complications been explained, she would not have
had the procedure performed. In the absence of information indicating Dr B fully explained
all the risks, including those outlined in Dr D’s article and that tissue breakdown can occur
independently of the smoking risk, I conclude that despite Ms A signing a consent form
acknowledging the risks had been explained to her, Dr B did not meet his obligations to
ensure she was fully informed. Ms A was therefore not able to make an informed choice
about the proposed surgery. In my opinion Dr B breached Right 7(1) of the Code by
providing services to Ms A without sufficiently informing her about the potential
complications of the procedure and allowing her to make an informed choice and give
informed consent.
Actions
I recommend that Dr B takes the following actions:
• Apologises in writing to Ms A for his breach of the Code. This apology is to be sent to
the Commissioner’s office and will be forwarded to Ms A.
• Reads the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.
• Ensures that consumers are fully informed about the risks associated with lipoinfiltration,
independent of the smoking risk, as part of his informed consent procedure.
• Refunds Ms A’s initial surgical costs.
Other actions
A copy of this report will be sent to the Medical Council of New Zealand, the New Zealand
Foundation for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery and ACC, with the request that it reconsiders Ms
A’s eligibility.

Give it up Anna Smith. Last time you were here as the "Faux April Smith." You forget to keep your story straight and your identity?...you are unable to remember yet reveal yourself by tooting the same boring horn. It seems our posted pictures continue to be sabatoged. If anyone wants to view them, e-mail me directly and I will send them to you.

Have been incredibly busy, but with these idiotic posts by Coleman and friends?...Now I have every intention on starting the MySpace page on "Coleman Mutilations" and "You tubing" the results of this psychopath all over. Had enough of you pathetic loser Coleman. Later...:)

The patient physician relationship is one of the most sacred in our society. It is legally protected and it forms the basis of successful and in some cases life saving partnerships in medicine. But when it goes bad, it can be bad.

Recently, in the world of plastic surgery attack blogs and complaint boards have come about denouncing practioners and “botched surgery”. Proponents argue that internet web blogs and sites serve as a warning or information source to patients. Detractors state that it represents an unregulated and often unsubstaniated attack. You can guess which side the doctors and which side the patients fall on.

Take the case of Dr. Sydney Coleman, a board certified plastic surgeon in New York (www.lipostructure.com), who has a seriously unhappy patient. As reported by Jim Leonardo of Plastic Surgery News, a publication from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, “The trouble began shortly after Dr. Coleman performed corrective plastic surgery on the patient, who, after leaving the recovery room, was never again seen by the physician or his staff. Several weeks later, however, the patient telephoned the practice insisting that Dr. Coleman pay his airfare from Chicago to New York for a follow-up appointment - and if Dr. Coleman refused, he threatened to use the Internet to damage his practice.”

By report, Dr. Coleman declined to pay the airfare and the patient created a website decrying his treatment and outcome. Because the patient initially used Dr. Coleman’s name as part of the website address Dr. Coleman sued to get it back (see the National Arbitration decision in July 2006 here: http://domains.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/743682.htm ).

But that wasn’t the end of it. The patient re-registered a second name and reposted the website. And then, cleverly paid for advertisement placement of the site.

A little more research into this site confirms any practioner’s worst fears. There’s a lot of negativity. And there are a lot of claims, but not a lot of data.

The site states “Recently, a website associated with Dr. Coleman has posted a direct response to our support group website and suggests that the information we are providing is not accurate. As a result, we will soon be posting detailed information about malpractice lawsuits and other complaints filed against Dr. Coleman.”

Perhaps not suprisingly however, years later the site still remains empty about numbers of malpractice suits, complaints or unhappy patients. More troubling for those trying to find where the truth really lies is the patient him (or her) self has not even posted their _own_ pictures

I don't know why it took me so long to find this post. Glad it's here. I'd been disappointed that after 4 surgeries, I still have the same extra fat as after that 1st one. I was confused as to why I was sore and bruised, but really no improvement or even chance from the last 3. Looking forward to viewing some posted pix (ImageHosting's still down). After years of embarrassment, I'm happy to see that there's a resource and support of this kind. Please keep posting with details on where Coleman is on legal and practice issues, as well as what types of corrective surgeries by other doctors have been successful. Thanks,

Yet another Coleman patient

The pictures are now working (glitch is over) on Image Hosting for viewing. As a back up should a glitch occur again, will be creating a Myspace with them as well. When I have this organized, will post how to get there. Thanks. :)

Hey everyone, Image Hosting is having a slight glitch right now. The pictures will be available again for viewing when they correct the problem. Try again in a couple of days. Thanks. :) And thank you April for noticing.

Hello Pup, Good to hear from you. Have been pretty busy with life changes...now that I am able. Will stay in touch more often towards the end of August. Just trying to enjoy the summer and take Coleman on in a more relaxed but effective manner.

All of those pictures are of me. It is difficult to tell if it is the same person after Coleman. Is it not? All of the pictures in that one grouping are of the same person...me. The other grouping listed above...under "weareacolemanpatients" are more Coleman Victims.

The picture in the black and white that you were questioning above, is of me...one year prior to my having ever met Coleman. The colored one straight on with an extreme smile, is for showing how ruined my face is. The side view sepia toned is how I looked more recently. Will need to update again.

I wish that I had answers at this time for all. Still waiting on a more certain technique for correcting. As mentioned before...a facelift is in order and will make me look fine...but I want to look completely like me again. I know that the answer is out there, or will be in the near future.

Hang in all and juice daily.

Has anyone tried any of the new ultrasound treatments to remove the fat, like UltraShape or Liposonix (not yet approved in the US i know)... Also, a promising treatment may be made by a company called Ulthera where they image the fat on ultrasound and then target it with high frequency ultrasound... i've tried mesotherapy but anything more than that is too risky for my skin type and i can't take chances with off-label injections.

I think if people wait for this tech to develop, it may yet help some of us. Also of course, facial acupuncture is also very good for the skin and clearing all of the energy/increasing circulation to the face. Am trying that but any change will be subtle.