Doctor's Website for Malpractice /Lawsuits

Dr. Timothy Katzen
Dr. Dennis Taylior
Dr. Andre Aboolian
Dr. Quiros (Mexico)

We have pretty similar lists, though I don't haven't heard of a doctor named Dennis Taylior.

I met w/Katzen, Quiroz and Aboolian at the OH conference in Nov 08, along w/Agha and Hurwitz.

Please let us know what you decide and how things go!

Dr. Taylor is in Pasadena and does not have that much experience with working with post-wls patients.  I decided to go see him after he spoke at my support group meeting.

I see, thanks. It's interesting that you mention the amount of experience working w/post-wls patients. Some of the plastic surgeon's make a big deal out of that being their niche/speciality, and some don't.

I can think of one PS who does a lot of post-weight loss plastics and I have to say, his work is good, but in comparison, I can think of another PS who doesn't market himself that way, and I think the second doc's work is better than the first.

But then, there is another one who does "specialize" in post-weight loss plastics, whose work I think is artistry.

I do try to pay attention to whether the PS is specializing, yet at the same time, even that criteria alone doesn't seem to be enough.

Thank goodness for the internet, though. I have saved myself many a consultation just by going to their web sites. I've seen enough of what I needed to see on the web site to know that if this was their best work, I had already found other surgeon's who I felt had better results.

What surgeons are you referrring to?

So, this is all just my opinion, based on my own tastes:

I can think of one PS who does a lot of post-weight loss plastics and I have to say, his work is good, (Katzen) but in comparison, I can think of another PS who doesn't market himself that way, and I think the second doc's work is better than the first. (Aboolian)

But then, there is another one who does "specialize" in post-weight loss plastics, whose work I think is artistry.(Agha)

This was my take-away from the Nov 08 OH conference in LA. Katzen was a plenary speaker--his presentation was my first intro to post-WLS plastics, what to care about, what kinds of procedures are done, etc.

I was impressed w/his work, and his demeanor in the presentation, and I consulted w/him as well. But then I met w/Aboolian and I overall I just felt I liked Aboolian's work and demeanor more than I did Katzen's.

Then I met Agha. I loved his approach and his personality. As well as his assistant, Lorraine. (She is no longer there, but  Shireen, his new assistant, is very warm and friendly.)

Later that same day, I met Hurwitz, and didn't get much of a feel for him at that point--only when I read his book (a few weeks ago--I was given a free copy at the conference) did I get a sense of his work. Ironically, I feel that even though Hurwitz invented many of the procedures for post-bariatric plastics, my personal opinion, looking at his work at that of Agha, is that Agha has improved upon Hurwitz work, and I like Agha's scar placement/artistry better than his mentor's.

Finally, the second day of the conference (Sunday) I met Quiroz. Incredibly nice man. He drew on me w/magic marker. At the time I was thinking "why is he drawing on me" but it turned out to be  a godsend because based on how he drew on me, I do not believe I would not be happy with his work--especially not after meeting w/the other surgeons who attended the conference. I have to say, I had a bad feeling about Quiroz's office manager from the start--I gave all my info to his assistant and I saw her write everything down w/my name, email, etc. She never got back to me. That alone is enough to discourage me, but in addition to that, I have two other reasons for shying away from Quiroz. The first is that I met a few WLSers at OH who had plastics work done by him, and I didn't like the scars/placement/overall results. Second, there is a recent post about his work that has me deeply concerned to the point that I absolutely do not feel comfortable with him. I would rather just leave my body the way it is than risk being unhappy, and I feel that the risk of that is great with this practice. (All just my sense of things--others differ, and some have been thrilled w/Quiroz's work.)

I met w/Agha again recently and we went over things in more detail, and it really helped that before I saw him this second time, that I had read Hurwitz' book, Agha's website and brochure thoroughly. I got a deeper understanding of what he recommended for me, specifically, and his reasons why.

Also, I got a feel for how personalized everything feels w/Agha. I didn't feel like a number--which is how I felt w/Katzen (even though, when I was w/Katzen I felt like he was totally focused on me). Shireen, his assistant, is very accessible, patient, and warm. I feel Agha is the same way, which I really like.

And you, do you have a sense yet of who you're drawn to the most? (If price wasn't a consideration, who do you think you would use?)

Again, all of this is just my opinion...my comfort level, etc.

Here in Florida we can check surgeons licensed in Florida through the state website.  It lists their education and suits that have been settled.  I do not know if California has such an thing but it is worth a shot. 

Red

I will check it out. 
Thanks Red.

Hi,

I was reading your posts and was thinking if you have time for another consult, Dr. John Gross in Pasadena is wonderful. I have lost 200lbs and went in and had a lower body lift done last year for me and on Monday will be doing my sides and my arms. I will have 2 more surgery's with him after as well. His staff is great and he is WONDERFUL. I also went and met with Katzen and Abdoolian and did not get a good feeling about them. Please email me if you have any questions about my procedures or about Dr. Gross. He also has had plenty of experience with post WLS patients. His Bio is amazing! I really hope you will just have a consult with him before you make up your mind.

Alexandra
[email protected]

Here is the info on Hurwitz that I found on the California medical license web site. It doesn't really say much except confirm he has a current medical license and that his main license is out-of-state (in Pittsburgh).

Hope this helps!