Hi I just felt like I should post this based on my horrible experience with the "my choice medical" company. I would not recommend their services even if I hated you. First off when I called the 1800beyourbest.com website was different and could have been held for false advertising becaue they did not clearly indicate that you save 1000 for each procedure only if paid in cash or credit not through their financing plan. So if you finance not only do you pay financing interest but then an extra 1,000. It did however mention the small operating room fee and that there were no gimmicks. Well the Breast Aug. was 2999 pre-fee and if you got the 1,000 off. You pay 500 for a consult which they wouldnt give back but if you go ahead with the procedure it gets applied to it. So the real cost of the procedure ended up being around 4,999 except that Dr. they sent me up with (note theres few options in each area) works out of a house with an operting room within (shady as hell), the guy was very unfriendly barely uttered a word just took a picture and I was warned prior that he was very particular and did things only one way, his, or wouldn't do it.

#1. He refused to discuss the size you wanted but said he'd goes as big as would look good/ more natural and proportioned in his opinion. #2. He would only do an incision in the armpit. #3 he would only place the implant above the muscle. #4 he would only use textured implants. What a good doctor huh. So why did I still consider it...timing, lack of money, and my first credit card. The company promised no extra fees besides the operating room cost. However, this doctor forced the textured implant which happened to cost a $1,000 extra. I nervously signed a contract with the amount around $4,999 writen in which the company rep. had explained and broken down for both me and my mom. I gave my credit card paid the $1,000 down added to my $500 and financed the rest. One week before my procedure i received a call reminding me of day of specifics and bringing up that on my contract the rep had made a mistake writting in the amount I agreed to. And that I would need to pay another $1,000 before the procedure since I chose to finance it. This was the first I heard of this, and I wasn't coming up with another grand in a week never mind for a procedure in a shady location in a way I wasn't happy with and a company that wasn't running an ethical practice. I canceled my surgery. However, they would not give me a refund whatsoever. They kept all 1,500 and said the only way I could get it back would be to use it through them for that or something else. I of course fought this since it was their error, but since it mentions the 1,000 in the fine print they wouldnt return MY money. Even though the amount was not broken down to demonstrates its absense. The rep. had even told me my monthly payments but NEVER mentioned this extra 1000, to me or my mom. Losing that money and the disappointment/anxiety it put me through had me going to couseling soon after I was a wreck only 19 and completely taken advantage of.

To deal with it I decided after months to use it for something else and they agreed to let me use it for laser hair removal since I didn't want anyother procedure with them. They made me a consult appointment a couple hours a way, but when I went that office had never been notifyed, given my paperwork, or asked to do the laser procedure which was not in their agreement. I had spoken to two reps. confirming that this exchange was possible, I couldn't believe it. I broke down in the office, yet another time mislead and another mistake and still they refused to refund my money!!! The surgeon was even mad they wouldn't. The company instead repeated I could use it on something else or see if another surgeon would do it but this one told me it shouldnt be done on females faces cause it can become worse, so that option was out and I hated the company they shouldn't beable to force you to do buiness with them when they are incompetent, never mind pressure you into other surgeries.

Months later I decided ok maybe I would do a lip injection because they had mentioned they could make that arrangement like the laser, but I didn't really want it/need it but again just so distraught about the money and my wasted time and figured it could be an improvement. They blew me off on the phone said they'd call me back and find out, never did. And they never responded to multiple emails. I really just wanted my own money back it wasn't like I had the procedure and wanted a refund I wanted my money back for services I didn't receive that were presented to me falsely, with poor customer service and lack of competence. They in no way earned that 1500 and in many many ways cost me much more than that including the interest on the credit card.

There are soooo many better options if you're going to pay around 6000, get it done how you'd prefer it after research and doctor's advice, dif. ways work better for dif. people, get it done in a medical office building or hospital not a house, and make sure you doctor makes you comfortable. Do not use my choice medical or any of their services under other names!!!! There is a reason they have to go under so many names. I was very ripped off, I hope that if you were considering them, I might have saved you from being ripped off too.

Good luck!

Here's my 2 cents:

I have my MBA and I've worked as an investigative consumer reporter. My advice? STAY AWAY from companies like this. Businesses like these prey on desperate people who are willing to do anything to get surgery. Please don't be offended by the word desperate - I only use it demonstrate the strong desire to have plastic surgery at nearly any price. These companies will say anything to lure you in. It's like bait and switch crossed with pure lies.

You pay for what you get. Despite what they advertise discount prices DO lead to inferior service. The surgeon might be "qualified" but any PS who works with these companies KNOWS just how hard they are screwing his patients. Do you really want such an unscrupulous PS who is willing to take advantage of your financial situation working on your precious body? Do you really think he cares about your well being - or does he just care about doing McSurgeries while he watches the dollars roll in.

Financing surgery is a tough situation in general. On one hand it provides means to a service you might otherwise be unable to afford. On the other hand certain financial institutions specially prey on economically challenged people with poor credit. There are legitimate lenders out there but there also are some virtual loan sharks who hire shady surgeons.

Do your research before committing to any financial agreement. Read the fine print. Read it again. Ask questions. If they get annoyed with your questions RUN. Any reputable lender OR PS should encourage questions and answer them clearly and thoroughly.

Good luck with your search. Make healthy and informed decisions and you will find the right path to happiness.

I may make a blog post about this one. I have always been suspect of companies that seem to offer surgery for less than it costs to offer it.

I PERSONALLY USED MY CHOICE MEDICAL IN JUNE AND WAS NOTHING BUT HAPPY WITH MY EXPERIENCE. I FLEW TO SAN FRAN AND MY PS WAS DR. KIM HENRY WHO IS THE BEST! SHE TREATED ME LIKE ONE OF A KIND AND DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB ON MY RE-DO TO SILICONES AND SCAR TISSUE REPAIR AND RELEASING MY CC ON THE RIGHT BREAST. SHE KNEW WHAT I ENVISIONED MY SECOND SET OF BREASTS TO BE AND SHE WAS AWESOME. PRE AND POST OP I WAS VERY COMFORTABLE AND HARDLY ANY PAIN. I WOULD DO IT AGAIN.
FYI, MY PS MY CHOICE MEDICAL REFERRED ME TO WAS VOTED THE BEST PS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 2 YRS IN A ROW!! I AM SO HAPPY!

Huh??? He had an operating room there in his house??? That is so weird, how is he allowed to do this???

After re-reading your post I have several suggestions:

1. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Find your state ombudsman and call them

2. If/when you call - never talk to the first person who picks up. Always ask for a supervisor. If they refuse to give you a supervisor ask for their name and tell them you are documenting their refusal to give you a supervisor.

3. Send a notarized letter to the company detailing your complaint. Formally request your money back and threaten legal action. Tell them you are filing a complaint with any and all relevant entities

4. Contact your credit card company. Sometimes they will help you fight to get your money back. If your card is issued through a credit union or your bank you have a better chance of getting help. I always recommend using a credit union or bank credit card because they are very helpful in matters like this.

5. Go to your local media. Call your tv station and ask for the consumer/investigative unit. Tell them you have a story about cosmetic surgery and companies that prey on their patients. This should get their attention. What city are you in?

People who take advantage of other's should not get away with it. I wish you luck!

You got the raw end of the deal here. Not only does that PS sound like an A**, but probably not very skilled either. (He'll only do it HIS way - probably doesn't know the other ways). I'll bet he offered you the only implant he stocks - most likely one he got a huge discount on.

This 1800beyourbest is a managing company for PSs. That company rep did a classic bait and switch with you. Very few scruples with this bunch. You are very lucky to not have gone thru with the SX with this PS. You might've come out of it worse off than before.

Good advice from meowmeow. Include the managing co along w/ the PS on this one.

Marie22md,

You might want to repost this on the tt board. I know there were some ladies considering this company for tt financing.

Thanks for sharing your info!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I had been taking the steps to legal action and media involvedment, unfortunately had to wait until I was no longer a poor college student which recently changed.

However, I was contacted by a very nice woman with the company in customer management that COULD and DID actually do something about my experience by getting the money refunded a couple weeks after the posting. She was very understanding, I only wish we had spoken sooner and that the women I dealt with for years with the company wouldn't have told me there was no one above her I could speak to and no way whats so ever to get a refund.

I am happy I don't go have to go through the legal/media stuff to get there, and can avoid the personal attention on this issue. And honestly I would have had to go after more than just what I put in three years ago. But I have to assume my experience was unique and that hopefully the majority of people using their services have a similar experience to "sexyhawaiianmama's" as posted here. Unfortunately for the company I personally know they lost business from anyone that has known me and of my experience throughout these three years, which can't be refunded. Just be careful with contracts, and don't choose a company mainly for cost reasons for something this important/dangerous and personal. The doctors don't work for them they are a marketing source for the doctors.