IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING LIPODISSOLVE, PLEASE DO NOT DO IT. Work with your doctor to find a way that is medically safe to lose weight. After reading the rest of my blog, you will understand why. If you have had difficulties with your refund process, call the toll free number and talk to Tonya. I don't have her last name, but mention it's with regards to a refund and I'm sure they will get you to the right person. Also, don't let them bully you. If you are due a refund, fight it. Contact the Better Business Bureau - that's what they are there for. Contact whoever you need to, just make sure you get your guaranteed refund. I'm hoping that someday soon somebody will file a class action lawsuit against this company - especially considering what I will tell you all regarding my refund consultation.
I previously posted under "Lipodissolve (fig.) must be stopped". Keep in mind I am 5'4 and weighed 122. I had lost weight by myself through diet and exercise 6 yrs ago and wanted to attack the hard to get rid of areas that working out has not. I kept the weight off for 6 yrs until I went into Lipodissolve.
Since my last blog I have gone in for my refund consultation and I have some unbelievable things things to report. My friend has gone in for her refund consultation and she told me that the staff told her the same things.
I talked to the KC Clinical Director. I explained my allergic reaction and the fact that I have gained 7 lbs since starting Lipodissolve (as documented in each of my appointment weigh-ins). The director told me that they had a different treatment they could use without some ingredient that they have identified as causing allergic reactions. I told them no - I'm not about to put anything else in my body after the ordeal I've been through.
We then moved on to discuss my weight gain. She told me, "We don't take credit for weight gain." I told her that after 6 yrs of weight loss the only thing I changed was getting the lipodissolve and suddenly I'm 7 lbs heavier. She repeated, "We don't take credit for weight gain." Of course not.
I then explained what I had been told from day one with how fast the results would occur and how that timeframe has mysteriously gotten longer and longer each time I have gone in. YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT SHE TOLD ME NEXT.
The Clinical Director of KC told me (and later told my friend at her consultation) that when they first started lipodissolve and time passed, they realized they weren't seeing the results that other countries had seen with the product. So they have continously going back to the "drawing board" to find out what was different and why their patients were not seeing results. She said that they recently found that one of the reasons was that they weren't injecting enough medication into patients so they begain to double up on doses. This explains why in my fourth treatment they gave me double the meds when I complained about my results. And I'm sorry, when you market a product, shouldn't you have already done all the testing necessary to know whether it works???
I asked them to process my refund. I also asked for a complete copy of my chart and I signed a release form. Out of all the times I went in and complained about the amount of pain the treatments were causing me and the weight gain, only one nurse had documented complaints about weight gain. No one had ever documented the amount of pain the treatments were causing me.
I had to go back a week ago and get measurements. Surprise, they are the same as before I started my treatments, although my stomach sticks out a lot more than it ever has and I have the weight gain and my pants do not fit right.
Here is the thing with Lipodissolve. They advise you to do the treatments and to go on their diet and exercise regularly. Some people do their diet, some do their own. But I seem to have noticed that those who go on a diet and a regular exercise program always see "results". Then, of course, Lipodissolve takes credit for those "results". But what no one is considering is that they could have lost that weight and those inches without Lipodissolve. Why? Because when you lose weight, you also have the tendancy to lose inches, which the people at Lipodissolve have yet to connect. So instead of getting yourself injected with a product that Lipodissolve themselves admits hasn't worked in the past and they have had to go back and figure out why....work with your doctor, diet and exercise and skip the injections. You'll have more money in your pocket, and you won't have to worry about being a potential horror story blog.
I have been fighting a refund for 6 months, This am I was told by
GE Card Services
PO Box 960061
Orlando, FL 32896-0061
since my dispute was over 60 days, took that long to get them to send me all the information to mail back to them.I am responsible for payment. I explained to them I was contacted in November 2006 two days after my husband passed away. I was out of it mentally. I was told I was late on my payment I said no I have no account I only went for a consolation with LIPO Dissolve the man said no you owe $4000.00 at that moment I wanted to die myself. I have contact this company they said even with my doctor saying due to low blood sugar I should not have this done they will refund me 3800.00
GE Card Services
PO Box 960061
Orlando, FL 32896-0061
is charging me late fees and interest payments. I have written to the credit bureau they will do nothing I have written to the BBB they said Lips Dissolve with have the late fees removed but I still owe 219.00 for cancellation fees lost my job in December no husband no job and I am 62. I have asked to have this account removed off my Credit Report and I was told no, it is my account I strongly suggest DO NOT USE this company
GE Card Services
PO Box 960061
Orlando, FL 32896-0061
I totally agree, not only is Advanced LipoDissolve or FIG as they refer to themselves now a rip off organization the credit company that they refer you to is even worse. I too contacted them to protest the charges, oh well too bad over 60 or 90 days, well how did I know I wasn't going to be able to tolerate the treatment until after that? Very interesting how you must prepay and then stretch out your treatments to exceed the 60 day time limit. If I had paid by American Express this would not be an issue now. I am going to keep researching and protesting until I find some answers. Hope I will be able to help you and others too!
I completely agree. I am still waiting to hear from them as far as my refund goes.
Hi, I have read your comments. I am wondering if you have had any success.
I am a former fig employee in GA. We read these comments on realself all of the time. I can honestly tell you that lipodissolve truly does work. But just as with any other elective procedure, complications do occur.
Our clinic had A LOT of patients that gained weight during their procedures, and our clinic had just as many who LOST weight. I cannot speak for other clinics but our General Manager was very adamant about documentation and probing to find out what the real causes for the weight gain in these patients was. And 99.99% of the time, it was definitely NOT PCDC. Honestly, a lot of times, these patients had unrealistic expectations and felt like they could eat anything they wanted during the procedures since we were destroying the fat cells anyways. Now how logical is that? It isn't. Even if we destroyed all of the fat cells in a patient's...let's say abdomen (which is highly unlikey because that's not even possible with liposuction), the fat cells may still be stimulated to expand in other parts of the body (just like in liposuction). I must admit that some of the unrealistic expectations fell on us (of course). Whether it came from the original sales consultation and medical evaluation, or maybe a Nurse Practitioner that came up with their "own protocols". All of these things are possible no matter what arena of elective procedure a patient is receiving. It's very well possible for a patient to undergo liposuction and have the end result to look lumpy and uneven . I've had many patients to come in pleading with us to help them repair some botched plastic surgery procedure.
Like any business, 50% of our patients adored this procedure and our clinic(again, I can't speak for other clinics, but some of our staff still keep in contact with our patients, including me). And the other half of our patients hated the procedure and our clinic...it depends on the underlying scenario.
As far as finances and refunds are concerned...well, that's another story. From my perspective (again, can't speak for other clinics), my General Manager handled all refunds IMMEDIATELY. The rule in our clinic was that ALL calls must be answered and/or returned ASAP!! Now, once the GM sent whatever paperwork he or she was responsible for, the rest was handled by corporate (when I say the rest, I do mean the cutting of the check).
The reason that the staff in my clinic came to this website so often was to learn WHAT NOT TO DO. We really focused on patient care, and had excellent comraderie with our patients.
As of December 7, 2007, there is no more Fig. There was literally a mass seperation, which under Department of Labor laws means that more than 25 (try 500) employees lost their jobs at exactly the same time for the same reason. I'm sure there a lot of people cheering out there. But know this. I LOVED MY JOB!!! All day, everyday! I loved my staff, my patients, and my day-to-day responsibility. I loved the new innovations and things that were to come. January was supposed to have a major turnaround for us. We, as staff wanted to have more of a variety in procedures...Botox, Vein Therapy...we were very excited about the rolling out of SmartLipo (which in my opinion could have saved the company had we used it as a back up plan). The company listened and there were rumors buzzing that Corporate was definitely looking into other arenas of aesthetics.
I so badly want to apologize to patients that have these horrific stories to tell about us. But I won't. It isn't even that I can't, I just won't. There are two sides to every story and I won't apologize because I've seen some real nutcases come through our doors. I've seen Nurse Practitioners explain to a patient that it's a total waste of money to do this procedure if they weren't even willing to try to improve their lifestyle; and I've seen patients take it all in, and look at the NP right in the eye and say that they were going on a cruise, or the holidays were coming, or that they just didn't want to. I've had patients to withold information about their health, which we go over in great detail, and then blow up when we tell them they can no longer receive treatment because we put their health first!!
What I do want each and every patient to know is that we really did care about you as people. (Again...can't speak for all clinics, just mine). And the patients at my clinic know this to be fact because we greeted you by name when you came through the door, we inquired about your children, your husbands, the bad break ups you told us about, your jobs, your in-laws you hated...and yes, all of these things did apply to the care you received because stress attributes a great deal to weight gain!!! But mostly people, we cared, and we're devastated that the bonds that were created were broken over some financial...mess.
We, as employees are NOT supposed to say anything to any media outlet concerning Fig, but there's no way that I can sit back and listen to people bash my job, or cheer at its demise knowing that there are 499 people devastated by the closing of its doors.
Thank you.
I am a former Fig Customer. I say former because they have closed all their centers as of December 2007. the only problem with Fig is that I had to stop my treatments due to the nodules and when I called to schedule an appointment...they were closed. In all, I paid $4000 and received 4 treatments. I know that employees lost their jobs but people lost some serious money. You can get another job. You can receive unemployment benefits. Former Customers cannot! I'm basically out of $4000. Not fair! We have no recourse. No way to get our money back!
dee97,
see the comment I made to sybee,,, We may not get it back and at least I feel better trying!
I was a former client of FIG in Georgia. I did not even get notice that FIG closed. In terms of your expeditious processing of refunds, wherer is mine? Why do I have to fight with Care Credit and run the risk of damaging my credit to get my money back for something that does work. I wasnt given the opportunity to see for myself if this works. What are your comments on these?
sbyee,
You have to call Care Credit and dispute the cost. They will send you a form to fill out and send back. Make sure when you send it back that you send it certified. "PROOF" you need proof in everything you do and send to anybody. I paid 6,000 cash and finance the other 2,500. I now wish I had finance everything! I was in the office on Dec 6 for my 4th treament and they closed Dec 7.
Also go to http://figbankruptcy.com/ and follow through to file a "PROOF OF CLAIM" there is a link on the website to get a blank form. AGAIN... send it certified. There's no gurantee's that any of us will get our money back BUT I feel better for at least trying. This is not the first time they filed Bankrupty either.. they did it under a differnt name. I have learn my lesson to always credit something so that I can dispute it and to never pay in full for any services that have not been rendered.
Hope this helps.
You can go through the dispute process with Care Credit but, if you're like me and it's been more than a year since you made your first purchase (just over a year for me, remember they said it never expired? unless they go bankrupt), you can't get jack back from Care Credit.
Liznatl, Your information was very helpful. Unfortunately, I'm really behind on this issue. I paid for six treatments in the buttocks area. I had great results but was experiencing some hardness in that area. They told me to wait a while and that my unused three treatments were good for a lifetime, whenever I decided to use them. I happened to pull my file today and was going to call tomorrow to make an appointment. It's hard for me to make phone calls from work so I was going to see if I could send an email from their website. And guess what...I won't be making an appointment. I went to the bankruptcy website you suggested. I was curious, have you had any luck or would it be a waste of time for me to persue a refund?
I ,also, was an RN working for FIG(The Woodlands, TX). I was completely destroyed when we were forced out of our jobs in December. I loved my job and was a personal body management specialist. Everything you are saying is completely true about our patients and their struggles with the weight. It is psycological thing thinking your fat is dissolving- therefore you can eat what you want.
We did piss off alot of people who were not canidates for the procedure.
If they would have rolled out the smartlipo soon enough and the additions to the body management we might still be in a job.
Did you receive anything from the lawsuit? Back wages, etc?? I know a former patient who received the total amount she paid, but no one who formally worked there. Thanks!!
my name is jacqueline donaby i went to the dissolve center in chesterfield mo, and what i joke that was. i paid 6,000 dollars to have my upper and lower abs done. they made me believe this pcdc would dissolve my fat cells, instead it made them grow.i started off with doing 12 set of injection once every two weeks which took three months. after that was done i went back and ask them why is it that my before photo i am smaller than the after photo. they then proceed to question my integrity by asking if i was pregnant or had thyroid issues. i had just went to the doctor and recieved a clean bill of health. they then told me they would start my process over and this should work. i wanted to believe so i did and again after another 3months i am still getting bigger. finally enough is enough and i wanted a full refund. they told me they were going to increase the dose and if that did not work then they would give me a refund. i told them they must be crazy to think i would go through getting 24 shots to my upper and lower abbs again for what know is going on 9mths. i just want my money back, i feel like i have been scammed. the sad part of it all is that i convinced other people to join me ( sister, neighbor) and it did not work for them either.
My name is Mareesa, and I too went to the Chesterfield, MO FIG center. I paid $1,700 for upper abs only, and was receiving 24 shots in that area alone. I had approx 4 treatments. After multiple adjustments on the "medifast" program, which in my opinion is a big fat failure (I have never been so hungry and agitated in my life, with headaches and fatigue, due to lack of nourishment, so much so that my sweet husband said this procedure wasn't worth it if I was going to end up this tired and angry at my family all the time), not to mention the extreme swelling, bleeding and tenderness. On my last treatment, I was on my way home, and was in a terrible auto accident, when rushed to the hospital, my ER doctor said that my injection site looked worse than my other injuries, and that since I had bruised and broken ribs, I would need to be on an anti-inflammatory, however w/ the FIG injections you can not use an anti-inflammatory....Well, my ER Dr. called FIG...the call center would not patch her through to the office to speak to the nurse at FIG. The operator, said that if I were treated with the anti-inflammatory that FIG would not be responsible for my "lack of results"....It has been three months since the accident and the ribs have healed and the bruises are gone, but I still have the occasional itchy spot and hard nodule....no one at FIG has ever followed up why I missed my last appt......HMM....I wonder, I am sorry to those who have lost so much more money than I did, I am grateful for my family who stuck with me, and at the end of the day, I may still have my pudgy kangaroo pouch, that jiggles, but I can eat dinner w/ my family and know that regardless in the grand schemeof things, that kangaroo pouch doesn't make a bit of differenct if my family is upset and worried about the mood and pain I may be in.....
I am so sorry to hear all the horror stories here. I wanted to share my experience for what its worth....
Now I had the injections over a 3 month period, not sure if it was them that was causing results or the diet i was on. I did the medifast shakes and the veggies, the 5+5+1 plan and I have to say not only was I NOT jungry I could barely get in all the food I was supposed to eat and the weight was literally MELTING off of me. The chocolate shakes were awesome and I would have 5 of them each day then 5 serving of vegetables then a lean and green (! lean meant, 2-3 servings veggies) for dinner. I was so full all of the time so full of energy and just felt healthier and more energetic.
Yes I had swelling and soreness after the injections but it only lasted 24-48 hours and then nothing and I was losing weight.
Also I financed mine through Care Credit and as soon as I heard of the bankrupcy I immediatly disputed the transaction. They have given me a full refund and it did take 90 days to process. But here's a tip, keep calling them and bugging them the more you bring your name to thier attention the faster you should see results. (That advice came from an attorney friend of mine) Good luck everyone! I know I was worried to death and am relieved I acted so fast.
I have had Lipo Dissolve treatments and so has a friend of mine. She saw results right away, and so did I, in the chin and neck area, well once I saw it worked I went back for more, I did my abs and so did my friend. I had no results and was not happy. She saw great results her
in her abs and love handles, I did my upper and lower abs,
it hurt for a few days WOW!! Not her?? I have a slow thyroid and her
metablism is great, my thoughts are it's not for everyone. I felt like
I was throwing my money down the drain, but I did something a couple
of weeks ago and it has helped me. I went and had a deep tissue
message I asked the therapist to work on my stomach, she did and to
my surprise 2 days later I lost a couple of inches, then I started
a diet, but I detoxed first, and lost another couple of inches.
I have never lost that many inches in my stomach before, I think
there are different routes for different folks. All in all I'm
happy, I just started my back bra area after the 1st treatment
I've noticed and difference already. Just wanted to share a story.
I'll never do surgery, so this is a good option for me.
Did you get refunded from Care Credit company or through the bankrupcy claim. Who do I keep contacting to get my refund if you don't mind me asking.
Thank you
Call Care Credit and they will send you a dispute letter to fill out with no problems...they have received a lot of calls by now. I just started the process. I had my last treatment with FIG on November 21 and they told me I had to wait 3 months to "make sure" the treatment didnt work because there could have been delayed results. I just found out last week that they are no longer around. I understand people are upset for not receiving all their treatments but be grateful. I had to go through 9 painful events just to end up gaining weight in areas I've never gained it and I may never see my "guarenteed refund".
Kimberly05, Care Credit did credit my account for the amount I charge. The only thing is I WISHED I had charged it all! I called Care Credit and they sent me a dispute form. I mailed it, only for them to tell me they didn't received it... So I got another one SENT IT CERTIFIED... It took about 30-45 days for them to credit my account for the amount charged. Good Luck let me know if I can be of any help. I'm out of $6,000 cash but I have filed my claim to the bakrupty office in St Louis. I proably wont get anything BUT at least I tried.
I went to the one in Chesterfield, MO also. And I have the SAME story. WOW.... can we say class action suit?
if you could email me I need assistant on finding out what I need to do. I owe GE Care credit $3000.00 for treatments I never recieved. What should I do?
Editor note - you can be reached by clicking on your username and reaching the private message link. We do not allow posting of private email addresses.
this is a forward email to you with directions:This is the email she sent me....
ooooopppps, I sent the message before I was done with it. So I got a letter in the mail that told me how to go about filing as part of the case. Apparently all claims have to be received by May 23, 2008. She needs to go to http://moeb.uscourts.gov/ch11_forms.htm or http://figbankrupticy.com and print out a "Proof of Claim Form." She needs to fill out the form and provide copies of documentation from LipoDissolve and the medical things she has had to do because of LipoDissolve and a letter explaining her claim to the money she is asking for. Also, if she happened to use Care Credit she needs to write them and tell them that she is not going to make any more payments for the treatment and why. They were very nice and did not make me continue to pay, but all the money she has already paid them will have to be claimed in the letter that she sends as part of the court case for LipoDissolve. But at least this way her credit won't be ruined. The case number is 08-40116-705....but I also have a piece of paper saying that the case number for the St. Louis branch specifically is 08-40122-A705. I just used the the first case number. Anyway it is a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding and she needs to mail it to: Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court, Thomas F. Eagleton Federal Courthouse, 111 South Tenth Street, Fourth Floor, St.Louis, Missouri 63102. SHE NEEDS TO MAIL IT SO IT WILL GET THERE BEFORE MAY 23RD OR THEY DON'T HAVE TO COUNT HER CLAIM! So that's all I know about it.
May sure you send your letter to lipo dissolve certified. Because they will act like they did not get it from what I hear. Hope this helps.
I had lipo dissove done by the company fig and can not get a refund if you could help me and let me know what you did that would be great my payments are going to be due next month and I never even had the whole service
I am in Atlanta and i had the same thing happen to me . I went in for a free consultation and now i own GEMoney Bank over 5000 dollars....I never had anything done i never even went back to that place after that consultation. and i am being sued for that money. But when i first got the bill in the mail i called and called but everybody told me the dame thing that they told you but i never got anyone to say that they would give me a refund..... The name of the company that was orginally sending me bills was Care Credit then after i didnt pay them they sent it to GE Money Bank now theat is who has filed a law suit against me through Mann Braken LLC.
So sorry to hear about your experience. Did you sign anything at the consultation?
You may want to consult an attorney familiar with consumer law to fight on your behalf.
FIG...Lipodissolve is in serious trouble! Workers in Chesterfield are concerned with the recent practice of Lipodissolve (now known as FIG). Funny how the name is suddenly changing. As a patient, I was on my 5th dosage. Severe reaction...actually lost 8 pounds during the evening...then another 3 pounds the next day! Severe red hives broke out from my forehead to my feet. Emergency nurse said I was having a reaction and try to eat a tablespoon of ice each hour. Had to call several times for a follow-up....which I am on my 8th day of waiting for the physician to follow up.
I have read about all the customers having trouble with refunds. I have heard that the company is in serious trouble, not paying refunds, and was recently informed the employees were told their health benefits will not be paid! The employees were told if they did not like their hours and the fact of no employee health benefits...then they could quit. I wonder what is coming down? Does not sound good, nor is it looking good for me.
My suggestion is to check with the Better Business Bureau....read the complaints!
LIPODISSOLVE is a rip off!!! After 1 treatment they began to double the dosage. After my 5th treatment I still did not notice a change at all. I asked about this and they told me it was normal because the stuff could take 12 weeks to work its magic. I was also swelling up so large that even my sweat pants were cutting into my belly and leaving marks all over me. They did my 6th treatment with 3times the dosage that turned into severe pain, horrid swelling, my belly turned black and purple and was so lumpy it looked like ground hamburger. Still I had not noticed any change. I went back for my consiltation and had not lost a single thing. I was the exact same as from when I had first walked in except I had lost 15 pounds. I was told I HAD to take 3 more treatments in order to even be elegable for my 100% money back. I found this compleatly stupid because if 6 didn't work then 3 more is not going to and even if it did it wouldn't be worth over 2 grand. After much arguing and talking with someone from the reveiw board I was was told I signed something that forces me to take an additonal 3 treatments. I reluctently told them I would do it. They tried to give me the 3 times the amount but I told them no, it caused way to much pain. I took one more set of shots at double the dosage. I hurt my back shortly after that injection and have to have surgery. I told them I could not do the injections any longer and went in for another consiltation. They took pictures and mesurments. I had gained no weight but had gained 2in. The lady that came back in to talk with me had the nerve to walk in with a smile and say "Good news! I see improvement!" She claimed she could not show me pictures for the printer was broke but I did look better even though I had went up in inches. I think this was their way of tring to scam me into thinking I was doing good. I didn't fall for her tricks and began asking questions and making objections to her claims of the lipo treatments working. The lady got very angry with me and gave me the silent treatment and quit answering my questions got very snotty and stormed out of the room with a I am just going to turn you back over to the reveiw board. Mind you I never raised my voice, cursed, or got angry with this woman for I knew it was not her fault for I had never seen her before and she was not one of the ones makeing the desicion about my money. I have never been so displeased with a buisness as this one. I beleive they lie, coned, and cheated their whole buisness into a money vacumm that preys on people who are at the end of their line of just wanting to improve on their body.
I hate that this happened to you, and really wish that you could have come to our clinic (or maybe I just wish everybody could have come to our clinic, lol). The hamburger meat thing was actually normal. What we probably would have done though is started you on laser treatments before your procedures to lessen the amount and size of those nodules. After your sixth treatment, you would have gone on a 12 week break. It takes each nodule about 8-10 weeks to dissolve. During that 12 week break, we would have scheduled you for laser treatments lasting about 30 minutes each time (depending on the area). After the 12 week break ended, you would come in for a re-evaluation. You would have been measured and pictures would have been retaken. Now, here's where some employees and patients failed. Measurements...not so much, pictures definitely. Measurements are very objective. If you remember, two measurements were taken for each area. The first measurement was the landmark measurement. (If it was your lower ab, you were measured from your navel down to the biggest part of your stomach). This measurement told whoever may have measured you later where they started from. The second measurement was the circumference of that particular area. But even as detailed as that may sound, it's still relative. What if whoever measures you next puts the end of the measuring tape at your navel, instead of the the 0? So pictures are waaaay better. Pictures have alleviated a great deal of concern for patients and us as well. Okay, so once measurements and pictures are taken, you sit down with your NP and discuss the results, or maybe lack of results thus far. (Again, it gets tricky here). Let's say you are perfectly happy with your results, well great...you're done. But if you're not happy...then you and the NP (if you have a GOOD NP) will openly and honestly discuss your expectations (if you have a Good NP, he or she will make sure that your expectations are realistic); you would discuss any weight gain and get down to the bottom of where it's coming from, and he or she would give you any pointers, and encourage you to really focus on keeping your weight, not necessarily down (unless it was warranted), but at least where it was when you started. You and the NP would then decide whether or not you were a candidate to continue treatment. Yes, I did say a candidate. For the most part, each treatment area could be treated 12 times total, with the 6th being the halfway point. There was a paper you signed called the Guaranteed Results Program. A LOT OF PEOPLE BOTCHED THIS PROGRAM! The paper stated what your weight would be at a BMI of 28. You were supposed to be encouraged, motivated and cheered on to get to this weight!! For once you got to that weight, you were eligible for Guaranteed Results which stated that we would treat you until you saw the results that you wanted. Now, we knew that it was just 6 more times, but Fig never liked to attach a specific number to anything because the program was very individualized. It was basically told to us that a patient should definitely see the expected results if treatments 7 through 12 were had. And the routine is the same, after the 12th treatment, another 12 week break would have occured and then another re-evaluation. The most important part of this procedure beyond the PCDC itself was extensive and open communication between the patient and the provider!!!
I want to give everyone an updated on my refund process. I had been leaving messages for the Tonya (the refund person) at LD headquarters in St Louis to find out if they had received my photographs and measurements from my consultation. After a couple weeks I had still not heard anything, so I left a message for her supervisor (Jaime Baker) and still didn’t get a response. Finally last weekend I sent an email threatening to go to the BBB if I couldn’t get a call back. Of course first thing Monday morning I got a call. She said that she doesn’t contact someone unless they need something additional. So I asked her if that means she doesn’t return messages unless she needs something. She said she didn’t recall getting a message from me. I told her I had left three. She then told me the process takes 90 business days. I told her that this was the first I had heard of that; that I had been told 60 days. She said again that it takes 90. I asked her why I have not heard from anyone’s mouth including hers before now that it was 90 business days. She said she’d try to process mine in 60. My request was officially received on March 30. I told her that I had a hospital bill I still had to pay not to mention I was still having to pay the Care Credit. She asked why I had a hospital bill. I had to tell her again that I had an allergic reaction. She said nothing in my chart said that. I told her that has been a problem since this started because I have to keep reminding people that I had an allergic reaction. She said she needed something that stated that from my physician and I explained that she had the ER documentation.
Two days after that, I received another call from Tonya asking if I had been in for my measurements and photographs. I was shocked. I had just spoken to her two days prior to this regarding this very issue. I reminded her of this (I am beginning to think that either she is not very bright or she is so overwhelmed with refund requests that she doesn't know what she's doing). She again asked me about the fact that I had already had 5 treatments and I had to tell her yet again (this is the 4th or 5th time now) that I had a severe allergic reaction. She said she needed something from my physician regarding this. Sound familiar? I think I started laughing at this point. How many times do I have to bring this up? I told her that I had already provided the documentation they asked for and they didn't want anything else from me when I offered it (including photographs of my reaction). She said that they had not received my measurements and photographs yet even though it had been over a month since I went in to get this done. They told me in the OP office that the photographs & measurements would be sent to St Louis within a couple days, yet headquarters in St Louis has yet to receive them. After all this, Tonya told me it would take 90 business days to process my refund. I told her that two days prior she told me it would take only 60 days. She said it would be 60 business days. I asked if everything (meaning their incompetence) was holding up my refund. She said that the 60 business days would start from March 30th, when my refund process first started.
If someone could please explain to me why I have to keep repeating my story every single time this lady Tonya decides to call me and why nothing is going the way it should with the refund process?! Tomorrow I'm calling the OP office to find out what is going on and then I'm going to start writing letters to mail out to every person in Fig. headquarters and if I don't get the response I need, I'm calling the BBB. I am so furious and frustrated.
I started treatments in june of 06 in Overland Park at the advanced lipo dissolve they changed there name to FIG now.....I also had lost nothing....I feel like it is causing me to gain weight also......Im 24 years old im not over weight and was also a perfect canidate they told me. They talked me into doing the swan program........I requested a refund in feb of 07 and found out the end of march I was approved for my full $10,000 and it could take up to 60 days to recieve.......it is now june 1st 2007 and have yet to see any of my money. They keep giving me the run around. I was told 10 weeks ago by tonya my account is in accounting and when my money is credited back to my account they will call me and to stop calling them.....I don't think they acually give your money back....I have contacted the better business bureau and the attorny generals office today so hopefully someone can help me out here. Ihave left several messages with jaime baker and she has yet to return any of my calls.
TO briez01. I AM 28, i was 123lbs when i went in, and now that treatments have stopped, ive gained weight in the areas were the shots were injected. its much more fat than ive ever had, i feel disgusting, it was never this bad before lipodissolve. i still feel the shooting pains, and my mom still has nodules. THE CREDIT CARD CO (ge) said they lost our paper work , so my mom had to send it again. they told us we didnt have to make payments until resolved, now we just got a letter stating that we have a $100 credit. *****I AM UNSURE IF THEY PLAN TO PUT THE CREDIT CARD AT A ZERO BALANCE, WITHOUT EVER HAVING THE INTENTION TO GIVE US BACK OUR CASH MONEY THAT WE SENT TO THEM FOR THE MONTHLY PMT. we didnt to the bankruptcy letter since this was a matter of credit handled by GE. (BUT LIKE THEY SAID, SHOW ME PROOF THAT FIG SENT ME THAT LETTER, I SIGNED NOTHING, 2 CAN PLAY THIS GAME) THIS SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A MAJOR LAWSUITE , EVERYONE HAS THIER DOCUMENTATION. PLEASE PLEASE CALL THE BBB AND YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL.. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My horrors are in arizona
I just want to update everyone...I contacted the better buisness bureau and the attorny generals office at 3:00 on friday june 1st....I was just told a few min ago my money was credited back to my account yesterday(june 4th) at 11:06 a.m.
Everyone that is waiting on a refund I sugest contacing them to get your money back sooner. That is your best bet to get your money back asap and before they go bankrupt.....good luck to all that are awaiting a refund.
I would just like to say how upset I am over their "refund policy"..... I did LIPO - fig whatever name they are using now since June of 06. Have my original papers and receipts and was told that I would get a FULL REFUND when not seeing results and having medical complications after they doubled up their doses.... without explaining why the need. I have PCOS and have to take metformin WHICH they instructed me to cut back on ... well anyway I have paid 13 payments out of my total 18 payments and paid $1509.24 .. which they AGREED back in July of 2007 to refund... NOW in August I get a letter from Tanya stating that they are going to give me back $753.96 AND KEEP the remainder from my $1509.24 to "adjust my balance to zero" --- WHAT THE HELL!!!!!!
According to my accountant and their figures as well as my own... Subtracting the $1509.24 I have paid MONTHLY out of the original price of $1920.00 that leaves a grand total still being owed of $410.76..... AND there is no mention of them keeping ANY MONEY according to their "full money back guarantee" .. most upstanding businesses just naturally return your balance to 0 if you get a refund....
Here's the kicker in all of this --
They still take the monthly fee out of my bank account and my bank refuses to stop it because they have the account number and I have to get FIG to authorize stopping the subscription payments. SO they took out another monthly payment August the 29th of 2007 AND according to Tanya they will refund that money as well.... SO why can't I get my FULL REFUND they claim to have approved?
Guess I need to find a lawyer or put this on the KC News channels just to get my money back since they approved the full refund.
I should have known it was a waste of time when they made you pay so much up front to get started.
I just talked to Tanya and things are still being processed with the accounting Dept for the refund. She was very very helpful and the letter I received was confusing with incorrect amounts. It makes me feel so much better to know that they took care of my questions and issues to get my matter resolved in a timely manner.
Best of luck with everyone else!
Hello anybody know anything about THE MESOTHERAPY CENTER IN ALANTA GA?? I go to my first consultation tommorrow morning anything about this company? they already told me from the door they donot provide refunds if i am not happy with the results. But it guranteed to work
If it's guaranteed to work, why don't they offer a refund if it doesn't work? What would you do if this "guaranteed treatment" doesn't work??? These are things you need to think about BEFORE you sign anything.
Did you go to The Mesotheraphy Ctr in Atlanta? Or did you get any responses from people who have? I have gotten body wraps there and that was ok. I am considering getting Meso there. Did Tracy give you your consultation?
Thanks, Kim
I want to give a bit of information that might be helpful to those in the Refund process. It seems that Advanced Lipo Dissolved (now Fig.) is trying to pull the old "bait and switch" with refunds. I have posted previously that Tonya at LD is trying to tell me that it is 90 business days for a refund. But I pulled my records and this is not what I signed. The document I have signed by myself and a LD rep entitled "Guaranteed Results Program" states that "Refunds can take up to 60 days to process." This doesn't say "90 business days" nor does it say "60 business days". LD should be held accountable for the documents that they sign and live up to their part of the guaranteed refund program. I just emailed Fig. with this information as my official refund request is dated 3-30-07 - which means Fig. is overdue on my refund check.
If you are suddenly being told 90 business days for your refund when you have previously been told differently (even if it was at your initial sign up that you were told 60 days) PULL YOUR PAPERWORK and find out what they promised you. If you are due your refund fight for it. Don't let Fig. run over you. As suggested above, if results are not obtained in the refund process as promised, contact the Better Business Bureau and any others (Attorney General's office, lawyers, etc) to get the promised refund.
We can't continue let Fig. get away with the perpetual lies and misrepresentations. Tell everyone you know about your Fig. experience.
Sucks for you that it did not work and you had issues getting your refund. I lost 3 inches and I did not do their diet or any substantial diet for that matter. I am happy with my results and have several friends that are very happy with their results also.
I am really glad I did not read any of this before I went thru with treatment. I had great results. I lost 4 inches- had I read this I may not have done it. Just because it did not work for you does not mean that it won't work for anyone. Shame on you for "telling everyone you know" not to do it, when it may work for them and really help them out.
Jen26
I am interested in hearing your story about your lipodisolve process. I have had 5 treatments and no results yet but am very interested in hearing how someone's went that was happy with their results. I have also gained weight and not sure why...Please send me a comment back.
Thank you
I am definitely interested in a class action law suit..
I don't even know where to begin on this because it was such a horrible experience for me. Now, to be out the money and have chronic swelling.. it's horrible. I havent had a treatment for over 8 months and i STILL have swelling that will not go away!!
I am getting ready to file a class action lawsuit. Are you Interested?
I'm interested in the class action law suite. Count me in.
I am interested. What state are you in?
Have you files a class action suit yet? I am in if any one has.
I am a victim of the advanced lipo dissolve scam. please inform me of the particulars of the class action lawsuit. I am very much interested in participating. thank you
YEs, I am in on the class action lawsuit....
I am in Georgia and interested in the clas action suite. Please contact me.
I'm in Arizona and looking for people interested in a class action law suit against fig.
Hi Kim. I too am in Arizona and interested in a class action law suit against fig.
contact me too I am in Mesa,Az.
I want to participate, please contact me at aol.
I am in Las Vegas, I am interested. {edited email address}
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Hi Patti,
I am in Las Vegas where I was ripped off $5000 and painfully tortured by these injections at Advanced Lipo Dissolve Center on Washington ST. in Las vegas. Did you ever receive a reply about any information on how to join the class action lawsuit? I submitted my proof of claim to the bankruptcy court in St. Louis, MO but who knows what good that will do:(
please contact me. I am also in las vegas I also was a patient of LD. We need to stand by each other in order to win this. sweetnlow702@aol.com
5/23/08 is the deadline to file the proof of claim with the St. Louis, MO Bankruptcy Court. If you haven't done this yet there is still time. Download a proof of claim form from
www.figbankruptcy.com, photocopy your receipts from LD-you keep the originals and attach the copies to the form. The form is only 1 page and is easy to fill out. Also include a self-address stamped envelope and a photocopy of your filing form so the court can acknowledge your claim was filed-otherwise they won't. If you send this out today by 4pm via UPS overnight it will reach the court on time by tomorrow's deadline.
I am submitting a dispute form to GE Care Card also. Even though I paid the GE card off in 12/07 other people have received refunds from them as of late in 2008 so it is worth a try. I am submitting a letter with the dispute form to GE indicating that LD committed credit card fraud by charging me for treatments I didn't receive(besides not honoring the money back guarantee). GE cannot do anything about the moneyback guarantee that is between us and LD. But the credit card fraud dispute for charging for services not rendered has a good chance of being investigated.
There already is a class action lawsuit and not sure if it is possible to be joined into it since it already was filed. Not sure if the attrorneys involved are apt to amended the summons & complaint filed to add additional plaintiffs onto it. Not sure who to contact about this since I don't know who the attorneys involved are...
I am in Arizona too....count me in
I am in Las Vegas and i definitly want to take action too!!!!
I am interested in the class action law suit. I had lipo dissolve treatments on my inner thighs. I did manage to have all my treatments, except for the final consultation, before their doors closed. I don't see any difference, except now I'm permanently bruised and discolored. and have permanent lumps in my thighs. I have read the complaints and don't see any mention of other possible effects. I'm mainly interested in anyone who might of found out recently they have Hep-C. I was just diagnosed and don't know how I contracted this virus. The only contact with needles was at FIG.
Thanks
L. Schall
I also was a patient with Fig and what a horror story that is. I have filed my claim form once the Bankruptcy Court has send me the papers and no awaiting if I will ever see my $4,000 dollars. All those treatments where very painful and they did not work. I am actually bigger now then I was before. I had both the upper and lower abdomen treated and it didn't work. I was so shocked when they closed the doors and I have spoken to Susan the Office Manager at the Scottsdale Office and she stated you will not see your money anymore. She had the nerves to tell me oh we have another treatment available that will dissolve your belly fat but you need to come in now to get this done. She already knew they would close the doors and the hell with the patients and all the money we have lost. I am hoping, but know I will never see my $4,000 dollars. Please let me know what you intentions are you have my support.
Respectfully,
Susanne Radzinski
I had treatment for 1 1/2 years with absolutely no results. Went in for final consultation and it took 9 weeks for a reply and then they were only willing to refund 1/3 of my money. I'm not a math wiz, but they must be telling me I got 2/3 results! Not by a longshot. Bigger than before starting treatments and clothes that don't fit. Amazing how friendly they were when taking your money,. but totally unsympathetic when you didn't get results. 1/3 is NOT 100% money back guarantee. Consumers need to take a stand and say we are not going to be screwed by fig. There are plastic surgeons and APN's with malpractice insurance and outside investors to go after. Count me in on a class action lawsuit. I will not let this go!!!
I am from Kansas and I'm interested in the lawsuit. I have the swelling also and have gained weight. Can I please get info. I used Advanced Lipo Dissolve.
Did you go to MSU? I have been looking for a friend from there named Trina. I was searching this site looking at feedback and ran across your comment. I would love to talk.
I went to the office in Chesterfield, MO and went through all the swelling and weight gain as well. They told me to take a break and now they are out of business. I am definately in if a class action is being filed. Please contact me.
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My wife and I together spent nearly $8000 at fig in Scottsdale, AZ.
We would be more than happy to join in a class action suit. Please provide information.
Thanks,
Roger
I also spent upwards of $6000 and am interested in any class action suit against Fig.
i have also lost alot of money to fig from the scottsdale az office.
if you find a lawyer, i'm in. {edited email address}
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I hope it's not too late for you to count me in too. Pleae e-mail me at {edited}. Thank You!
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I'm late in the game and just came across your blog. I don't want to get into all the details, but my skin is still discolored from treatments 8 months ago. The process did not work. I would like to join the class action law suit. Please respond to me {edited}
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Heck yeah we need a lawsuit. I never got a treatment and still owe money. Now they are closed and not taking refund calls. Someone got paid and those people need to cough it back up!
You are all wasting your time with this class action stuff. You'll spend thousands of legal fees only to get nothing. If fig. is bankrupt where is the money going to come from. They don't even have the finances to pay us out last pay check. So what does that tell you?
I want to file suit but cannot find any info yet.
I started with fig injections in august o7. I decided to ask for a refund because I wasnt having any results. The person at the Scottsdale, Az location told me that some people take longer to see results. At my nov 07 appt, I was told I could decide whether I wanted to continue or not at my next appt. I called about my appt time today and heard the message about the company closing. I am also interested in a class action law suit and any current information on refunds. I was charged for 2 areas. I too had terrible swelling, brusing and pain for nothing.
I am intrested in the class action lawsuit also... if it isn't too late since the bankruptcy has occured. I only had 2 out of 9 treatments... lost all of my $ and have swelling and bruising that will not go away....help
BBB complaints...Fig seems to have an unsatisfactory record with the BBB. 52 complaints in just about every category imaginable. See this website BEFORE you decide to do Fig.
http://www.stlouis.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=310042750
BBB doesn't lie. Fig does.
Honestly, I can't comment on the outcome of my refund due to paperwork I signed with Fig., but before I saw any progress in an outcome, it took me telling my story to a national newspaper. Seems they wanted to shut me up very quickly. I certainly won't stop telling my story. I hope that Fig. goes out of business and very, very soon. I would love to see a class action lawsuit against Fig. and I would love to have people such as the KC Clinical Director, Tonya Hannah and Jamie Baker named personally in the suit. They should be held accountable for the misrepresentations, etc. I do not understand how these people sleep at night doing the things that they do.
"Guest" states that Tonya was very helpful in getting her the refund. Tonya was never nice to me until I went to a national paper. Now she's my best friend. My dealings with her previously were so completely horrible. She refused to return calls, then when I threatened the BBB she said she had no record of me calling. I had to repeat my story to her at least three different times - and each time she had no record of my story. Two of the times I had to tell her my story it was two days in a row. No kidding. She didn't remember me from the day before when we had talked and I had to repeat all the same answers as she asked the same questions I had been asked twice before (because Fig. is HUGE on documentation, let me tell you). The most helpful Tonya also told Heather (another Fig. employee in corporate) that my friend who is trying to get a refund cursed at her on voice mail. Tonya also changes the refund to 90 business days when paperwork signed at initial consultation clearly state 60 days.
"Guest" - did your initial paperwork signed at your consultation by you and Fig. rep state 90 business days or 60 days? I'm asking because if they took 75 days, then they went against the paperwork you signed and against what you were promised. Now Heather at Fig. claims that the paperwork signed at initial consultation isn't legally binding and doesn't mean anything. I really want to see these people say these things in court.
"Guest" - you obviously did not have any results, because you asked for a refund. Yet you didn't elaborate on your experience, only praised Tonya. What is your story? Or are you a plant from Fig. coming online to say how great Tonya is when everyone else on here who has dealt with her says the same things about her?
On many of your posts you have indicated to email you for more info re your lipodissolve, yet you left no way to contact you. How do you get in touch with you as there is something I want to ask you?
To contact someone click on their screen name then choose the contact tab to send a personal message
I did click on her name, but there was no contact tab. Is there some other way unless Ang posts her email address as others hve done?
A registered RealSelf member has the option to accept personal messages. It appears ang4747 has agreed to get mail. Try this link to send this user a message.
Well, I am very nervous now having read all this. I posted back in May about how I had HORRIBLE pain and sickness following my first treatment. Luckily it was a 3 day weekend or I would have NEVER made it to work. Lunchtime lipo my a**. Anyways, I contacted them and told them I wanted to be refunded for my inner and outer thigh (treatment I have NOT started.) And explained how sick I was following the first treatment. They told me I need documentation from my doctor for them to even begin the refund process...which I am prepared for a nightmare! They told me it sounds like I am having an allergic reaction and they don't feel comfortable treating me anymore. (My second apt was for July 5). Here is my dilema, I need documentation from my doctor saying I was sick...I have none. I had left over pain and nausea medication from another medical problem I had recently and I used that to treat myself. They refuse to treat me so how can I prove how sick I was? I have a feeling I won't be seeing any money. I am very stressed out about this. Has anyone tried contacting Care Credit to see if they can hold your account or something while you try to work this out so you dont have to make payments? I am a paralegal and I am considering getting an attorney involved if I dont receive a refund. I would also be interested in a class action suit. They defiantly misrepresent themselves. It says right on the website it is a money back guarantee. I have already filed with the BBB. I wish I would have read that and this site first before I jumped into it. I know I am a grown adult who can make my own decisions, but I felt a lot of pressure to start this right away. I barely had time to think about the consultation! I am so depressed about this!
Miranda - I am so sorry to hear about your troubles. I know how you feel about being nervous. When I had my first treatment back in November 2006, there was nothing negative online because LD was so new. Now there is nothing but negative information. I wish I had waited before I tried it, but can't change that now.
Have you tried talking to your doctor about the situation? He might be able to write you a doctor's note regarding your reaction even though he didn't see you right after it.
If they are refusing to treat you, but they won't refund your money, it seems you do have a lawsuit on your hands. Make sure you read through all the paperwork you signed. The attorney you work for doesn't happen to dabble in class-action lawsuits?
People on here have filed with the BBB and also contacted the Attorney General's office in the state they had their treatments done. I assume you had yours done in Kansas. Apparently doing that helps to get results on the refund process. I would continue to pay Care Credit. If you don't, they could report you late to the credit bureaus and you will end up destroying your credit, which you don't need. It's not Care Credit's fault that Fig. is holding up your refund, and I know it's hard to pay a bill that you are disputing, but I used to deal with credit on a day-to-day basis for many years and I can tell you how quickly one little thing like this can ruin your credit for a very, very long time. I would hate to see that happen to someone who has already had to deal with so much regarding Fig.
Please hang in there and don't be depressed. It is a long road in the refund process, and you will probably face a lot of nightmares, but keep on top of it and don't let Fig. run you over. You deserve a refund, and they guaranteed you a refund. Just keep that in mind.
I too was cought up in this quick fix to your weight loss problems. I was trying to contact the office and cannot find any information on the net or information (411). It is as if they have removed all contacts. I also was going to ask for a refund now I think that their is no chance in h*** that I am going to get one. They pump you up to make you think you have lost inches I lost none! I do own a measuring tape uknow! And wanted a refund for the unused amount. I have not yet had a chance to get in touch with them
. So it looks like I am going to have to take a ride out their, which is like 30-40 miles from my home. I will be suprised if the place is still standing! By the way I live in California.
Can anyone tell me that if they have had experiance with getting out of the"contract", since I have not started the treatments yet, can you cancel for services that you haven't started?
Please help
I would also like to know how to cancel. I just went in for my consultation and they were so pushy. I did one session on one area. What's the cancellation policy? I don't need to be refunded for the one session I did but I would like to stop them from getting the rest of my money. Please let us know. Thanks!
I am in the process of trying to cancel my procedure which I have not started as well. I have spoken with 2 ladies at the center where I had my consultation and they seemed very concerned about my decision (yeah, right). When it was all said and done they informed me that they didn't give refunds unless there was a medical problem. I am expecting a call from the regional manager on the subject and will probably get the same song and dance. I have requested the Care Credit to send me a dispute form and I've also filed a complaint with the BBB. My next step is the attorney general or a lawyer. I do not want to go through with this procedure and sure don't want to pay 4400 for nothing. Please let me know if there's anything you find out that we can do and I'll do the same.
Imogene, maybe i can be of some assistance as i work for fig. I would be happy to personally look into your case if you would