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On May 6th I went to Renaissance Plastic Surgery for a consult on having my implants removed - my implants have been recalled for causing BIA-ALCL, a form of non-Hodgkins cancer. Renaissance/Dr. Tkach is not the doctor who did my augmentation. My surgeon passed away many years ago and my records were sent to Dr. Tkach. who, coincidentally is the only BOARD CERTIFIED plastic surgeon in my area.
Upon arriving, Ingrid (the nurse/and the doctors wife) could not find my file. Upon searching further, it was finally discovered that after she called and notified me of the implant recall back in July of 2020 she shredded my file - as I never had been a patient and I did not make an appt with the doctor at that time.
That being said, she no longer had the information on my implants. She told me that we would not be able to do anything until I found my records. But we did go on back for the consult.
I started with Ingrid quizing me on various things - some not even related to my implants, like why I have been married multiple times and, "Men just don't work out for you?" in a rude voice. I laughed it off but was insulted by her snarky comment. Next we begin discussing my implants. I told her that I had anatomically correct implants filled with saline. She told me there was no way that I was correct about that. She got up and grabbed an anatomically correct implant, put it in my face and squeezed it to show me that if I had saline fill my implants would only be round - it would take the shape away. She was talking down to me as though I was stupid, but in a smiling way. Next she asked me about the placement of the implants. I told her I had subcutaneous implants. She laughed and said there is no way that your implants are under the muscle. You see, I had my implant surgery at the doctors office under a local. Ingrid continued to talk, saying that it was impossible. By this time she was making me feel really ignorant about my implants - and was very patronizing. Minutes later, my fiancé texted me pictures of my implant records along with the doctors notes. They are most definitely anatomically correct, under the muscle and filled with saline.
I guess because she was wrong, she immediately went into a rant stating, "well, I have never seen that before - you must have been beating she [censored] out of that doctor while he was cutting and tugging on you. I am sure you were screaming. You probably were trying to punch him in the balls to defend yourself". I was mortified and broke out in hives. This was terrifying to hear and I just kept thinking about her basically stating that I was abused.
Next, Ingrid tells me that we are going to have to hurry and get this done because the recall and payments to have them removed will expire in a matter of weeks (June to be exact).
Oh my gosh! What am I going to do ran through my head.
Here I have these dangerous implants that I am having trouble with - I need to have them removed - and I am running out of time VERY quickly.
The doctor comes in. We discuss my plan to remove them, and he suggest that I not have any implants put back in. His recommendation was that I have enough breast tissue on my own. I thought this odd, especially since the implant company will pay for the removal as well as for a new set to replace them.
We formulated a plan - and discussed time urgency.
I went to the front counter where Ingrid had my price quote.
I had to get on the schedule and fast - but you cant schedule without paying a $1000 non-refundable deposit. In my mind, there was no way around it - I had to have the surgery, he is our only local plastic surgeon - I wasn't concerned at all about possibly backing out and losing my money - because in my situation, there is no alternative. Right?
So I read their disclaimer and I paid the retainer and I got 3 tentative dates of which I needed to confirm one of them asap, which I planned on doing the next day.
Ingrid reminded me that I had to get my mammogram asap and get it back to her. This must be done before surgery.
In my car, still in the parking lot, still a shaken mess from all the pressure of the consult, I called the imaging place right up the road and asked if they could get me in right then as a walk in to do my mammogram. This is how urgent this entire situation felt, this is also where I heard my first horror story of this doctor.
The intake nurse pleaded with me not to let Dr. Tkach do my surgery. This was followed by other nurses agreeing and stating that they had seen much of his work and would "Strongly advise" that I seek out more information on him and his work.
Upon returning to work after my mammogram, I started talking to my team about my surgery date, June 11th and I needed to cover work. When they asked me who/where and I said Dr. Tkach, their eyes went wide and again I was pleaded with to PLEASE NOT USE HIM. Most was hearsay, but one of my team-mates best friend used Dr. Tkach, had to go back 3 times for "fixes" and ended up with a horrible, life threatening infection.
I am not one to jump to conclusions or follow gossip so I went to my office and did a google search and a facebook search. I did not find one good review. All bad.
That evening, while eating out at a local restaurant, a friend/client of mine who just so happens to be a doctor himself was there. We chatted, and I ended up asking him, "hey, what do you know about Dr. Tkach?" The look - AGAIN. He said that he didn't know him personally but he had heard many horror stories of his work. He said, "I wouldn't advise anyone to use him. Everything I have ever heard is bad."
The next day, I had a friend put a post on Facebook to ask for comments about Dr. Tkach. Once again, nothing good. Not even 1
The next day was a Sunday. Knowing the office was closed didn't detour me from calling and leaving a voice mail about what had transpired, and all the negative feedback I had gotten and most importantly, that I am not comfortable to go into surgery with the Dr. In fact, I'm terrified.
Since I didn't just change my mind - I felt it was VERY REASONABLE to request my deposit to be refunded. I asked for a return call to please discuss. No surgery had been scheduled. In fact, I had not even confirmed the date.
Monday - no call. Monday afternoon I called and spoke with Alisha. I confirmed with her that they had received my message. "oh, yes. We did. Ingrid is out and wont be back until Wednesday. She is who you will have to speak with."
Wednesday - no call from Ingrid. Around 1pm I called them. Alisha answered again. I asked for Ingrid but was told she was with patients. I asked if I was going to hear from her and received a response of yes. I said, today. I need to hear from her today. She literally laughed at me and said, "Okayyy"
Still, I have not heard from Ingrid. However, Alisha mistakenly called my phone number instead of the Mrs. Watkins she was trying to reach. When I told her that I was not Mrs. Watkins and I asked who I was speaking to, she abruptly hung up on me. This is so very unprofessional.
I went to a board certified plastic surgeon. I didn't seek out opinions because I thought being board certified protected me from bad doctors. Quite obviously, this is not the case. I am so thankful that people talked to me once I started making arrangements and accommodations for this surgery. I feel wronged by trusting a certification that is there to protect people. I just don't understand how his is still certified based on the mounds of stories.
I just want my $1000 deposit refunded. This is a reasonable request. I paid it on Thursday, May 6th. No surgery was scheduled. I left them a message on Sunday, 3 days later about what had happened and why I was no longer comfortable with Dr. Tkach and surgery and that I would like a refund. I also had to pay a $65 consult fee, which I am not asking for, but should considering how I was treated and pressured.
I feel like from the moment I walked into Renaissance Plastic Surgery, Dr. Tkach's office, I was under high pressure and scare tactics by Ingrid, belittled by Ingrid and scared by Ingrid on timing and the recall expiring to the point I didn't feel like I had any choice. Also take into account, he is our only local board certified plastic surgeon. I paid the deposit because I was so scared that the assistance from the manufacture was going to run out and out of fear of not having an available surgery date. Now I guess I know why this doctor was able to get me in so quickly.
Please also consider reviewing this doctor. It is quite horrifying that he comes with your approval.
Please assist with my refund. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
I will also be filing a complaint and this information with the Better Business Bureau and Baptist Health
Desired outcome: Refund of $1000 deposit