MedAesthetica Medical Group, Inc. LIPOZAP SCAM ON COMPANY'S REFUND POLICIES AND FAILED TREATMENTS!!! Sherman Oaks California

MedAesthetica Medical Group, Inc. is a fairly new company who portrays themselves as: "to be the nation's premiere site for non-surgical medical beautification. The state-of-the-art medical technology provides innovative alternatives to cosmetic surgery. All of our medical treatments are proven to be safe, yet optimally effective - while fitting into your busy lifestyle." The business started on January 4, 2006 who provides state-of-the art alternatives to cosmetic surgery such as LipoZap. The facilities where they do the treatments are located at 15303 Ventura Blvd., Suite 440, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, the new facility at 14642 Newport Avenue, Suite 206, Tustin, CA 92780, and their corporate office building at 6320 Canoga Park Avenue, 13th floor, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.

My situation was that I have consulted with the company for two types of treatments: LipoZap (The "fat-dissolving drug" phosphatidylcholine is administered to patients in combination with the use of a VelaSmooth an anti-cellulite machine, infrared heat and radio frequency (RF) waves.) and Fotofacial laser treatment to eliminate brown spots similar to aging spots. This company offers free consultation. Since they provide free consultation, they limit the details on the type of therapies the company offers, even though you request for them. At least for my consultation it was limited.

On April 2007, I had my free consultation and asked a lot of questions, especially on the topic of effectiveness, safety, and refund policies. I was advised by the consultant that I may cancel the treatment at any time and if not satisfied or no results are visible (basically, if the treatments failed) that I am entitled for a full refund. I was worried at first, but when I was advised that if I am not happy with the result, I am entitled for the full refund - I signed up. The registered nurse who consulted with me regarding eliminating the areas of brown spots/similar to age spots by using this laser procedure called Fotofacial spoke so highly of that therapy. She examined the areas of my complaint in which she has stated that Fotofacial will be the right type of treatment for my skin type and the skin problem I have. She even states that it will surely diminish the brown spots and will surely get lighter. She quoted me and even stated that she has given me a "package" discount.

Each treatment I had was very painful both LipoZap and Fotofacial laser treatment. Yes, it is a non surgical alternative to cosmetic surgery but to some, they might not be able to tolerate the side effects. I have discussed my adverse side effects with the attending registered nurse onsite the first time I had the adverse reaction. I was told, 'Oh, it is normal.' I was given the clearance by their own nurse to continue with the treatment as I was told the adverse reactions I have experienced are normal. So I did. On my 3rd Fotofacial laser treatment, they have burned me so bad which left a blistered and now a visible scar on the area - not to mention more brown spots and darker than it was before. They even forgot to leave the numbing cream longer than it is expected so I feel the burning of the laser zapping each time on my skin. I bet getting a tattoo is more tolerable!

One of the Medical Director examined the blistered area in which Fotofacial laser treatment is the cause, she has provided me a free 10% whitening cream. Wow. Believe me, you'll probably need 10+ tubes to make it really work. You have to pay extra for those and it's about $45 each tube. They have taken pictures of the problem areas on my 1st Fotofacial laser treatment (almost forgot to take a picture - they had to wipe off the numbing cream because this was put in first before they took the pictures) and they took another picture after the treatment where they almost severely burned me - blistered the area. I can go on with detail information but I will save it.

The fun part: August 2007, I could not tolerate the adverse side effects anymore (3 treatments) and had asked to cancel the remaining unused treatments. I asked for my money back 2-3 weeks after my 3rd treatment with LipoZap. One of the managers refused to refund me the money. At first, she stated that the company does not honor full refund and that I am only entitled to receive refunds for the unused treatment. She started explaining the company's refund policy. I stated that I was not aware of such policies. She started explaining such administrative fees that will be deducted from me if I cancel the remaining unused treatments.

I continued to stress the fact that I was not aware of such policies as I was told by the consultant that I am entitled for a full refund if not satisfied with the results. (I have not seen such good result but experienced rather more severe adverse reactions to the LipoZap treatments and more damaged skin to my laser treatments) After repeating that I am not aware of such policies, she then has stated that I needed to complete the entire treatment in order for me to get such refund. Even though I have complained that I had severe adverse reactions to all my LipoZap treatments. My complaints have escalated to the Senior VP of the company who also refused to issue me a full refund. Now, she has created some refund policy in which she now states that it was implemented before I signed up in April 2007, and was indeed effective even before I signed up. I received all my documentations signed on April 2007 which did not include such refund policy.

Now, this is an example of a company who is more concerned about what they can get away with than what is fair. On April 2007, there was never a company's refund policy discussed with me, never provided for me, never signed by me in which I agree and understand such policy. In my case, such refund policy in which the VP of the company is stating does not apply to me as I did not sign and understand the company's policy at the time of my consultation on April 2007 because there were no such refund policies provided for me to review. I was not given the choice to review it whether if I agree or disagree, or if I wanted to continue with the treatment of not.

The VP of the company is just now presenting me with such refund policy after I had asked for the full refund. She has given me two options in which: 1) I will have to continue and finish all of my remaining unused treatments, get measured after 6-8 weeks of last treatment to determine if the treatment is a success. If not, I will be granted full refund so they say. Explanation: Why would I go through the remaining treatments and suffer more adverse reactions? This medication or injection has not even been approved by the FDA. Not to mention, I had severe adverse reactions on all the treatments. 2) She offers a partial refund for the unused treatments as she has stated it is under the company's refund policy. She also states that she is just following the company's policy. (Again, I was not aware of such refund policy until after I had asked for the refund).

The fun part, I have proof that the company's policy was implemented on May 17, 2007 and has been added to what they call 'Intake' (consultants) to add the new refund policy in which new clients get a chance to read, have to sign and agree with such policy. That means, by signing the new refund policy, new clients are agreeing that there will be limited and hidden scams in requesting refund if the clients are not fully satisfied for the services or the results. This policy was probably in lieu of the price increase effective May 1, 2007.

I have addressed this issue with the VP of MedAesthetica Medical Group, Inc., but all I got was an apology from her that the consultant did not discuss such policy with me at the time of my consultation on April 2007. The VP of the company does not know that I have a proof e-mail from her that the company's refund policy was addressed to the management staff and sent via e-mail on May 17, 2007. She insists that such refund policy from the company was implemented on February 22, 2007 before my consultation. If that is the case, why did they not provide me with such refund policy at the time of my consultation especially when I asked for such refund policy back then? Or was there a company's refund policy at all before I signed up? I believe not.

I have done so many researches on complaints, articles, medical literature about LipoZap. There are advantages and disadvantages of the use of it. The medication itself is not FDA approved so it is a risk. I have learned my lesson on this type of fat dissolving schemes. MedAesthetica Medical Group, Inc. is another company who scammed old clients into limited information at their free consultation, promising for full refund and not honor it, creates such refund policies for old clients that never exists or was never discussed with them. MedAesthetica Medical Group, Inc. is doing some dirty jobs and not standing by it.

I hope some of the old clients will step up and voice out their complaints. Clients who signed up prior to May 1, 2007 and were not provided the company's refund policy, were not discussed such refund policy, especially clients who never signed such refund policy will step up and fight for their rights. Such company's refund policy were not even on your file!

There are 2 complaints from the Better Business Bureau site for this MedAesthetica Medical Group, Inc. in which they complain about honoring full refund. This company is a RIP OFF and SCAMS! BEWARE! THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY AND EMPTY YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!!!

Maria
Woodland Hills, California
U.S.A.