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.
4/23/07
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
5/4/07
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!
5/13/07
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.
5/20/07
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.
6/5/07
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.
6/5/07
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.
6/13/07
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
6/13/07
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.
6/13/07
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.
6/15/07
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.
6/15/07
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.
6/17/07
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!!
6/23/07
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.
6/30/07
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?
7/1/07
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?
7/2/07
To contact someone click on their screen name then choose the contact tab to send a personal message
7/3/07
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?
7/3/07
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.
7/3/07
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!
7/7/07
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.
7/12/07
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
7/21/07
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!
7/21/07
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!
7/21/07
I just would like to say that i started treatment at FIG May 2006. I have had a total of nine treatment to my lower abs and lovehandles. I have lost 2 inches and i have never looked better! I am an extremely active 5'6" 120lbs women that has always had small bulges no matter what i did. It has taken me over a year to see results but, i know that it will last a lifetime. I recently have started treatment to my outer thighs and I am extremely excited to complete treatment to that area. Just because it did not work for some people does not mean it is a scam.
7/23/07
has anyone ever had lipodissolve at MD Rejuvenation? I'm interested in doing my abs but I'm going to Myrtle Beach next week and on a cruise in September. Any advice? How soon will I see results. I'm 5'1" and 112 lbs. but I've always had love handles, a pouch and fat inner thighs so I thought maybe this would help. any thoughts?
7/31/07
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
8/2/07
has anyone had any success with a refund from "fig". I just received my refund letter and signed the waiver form. Im wondering if I am ever going to see my money. I did contact the BBB.
8/21/07
I have thought about lipo dissolve many times, but i always had my reservations. I am glad i took my first mind. I am sorry about the ones who had bad experiences, but I am also happy for being informed!
9/4/07
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.
9/4/07
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!
9/7/07
Just because it has not worked for some of you does not mean that it will not work for others. I have had really good results to date and I attribute it to the treatments I have received, the sensible eating habits I have acquired and the exercise routine I have incorporated into my daily living. I am 5'2 and weigh 122 lbs and had two areas that were completely unaffected by diet and exercise. This is where the treatments came into play. I cannot help but wonder if most of you had unrealistic expectations going into this program and thus are frustrated that your fat is not magically disappearing without any work on your end. It is almost laughable that some of you actually think that the treatments are causing you to gain weight. Have you heard of the calories in/calories burned theory? If you eat more calories than you burn you gain weight. Pretty simple really, not sure how this can possibly be lost on anyone. It is very frustrating to think that this might not be available in the State of Kansas at some point because of people who quite honestly in all likelihood were not suitable candidates based on current health conditions, whether they be genetic or self-inflicted. I would also venture to guess that some of you really were in no position financially to invest in this program and thus are suffering from "buyer's remorse" and concocting these horror stories as a way to obtain a refund. Regardless of your motives I would recommend these treatments to TRULY HEALTHY individuals who need to target VERY SPECIFIC parts of their body that do not respond to diet and exercise. The rest of you should probably look at your overall health before you decide to place blame on Lipodissolve for the current state of your body.
9/10/07
I started my treatment in June and its been a nightmare. I have gained 10 lbs and went from a size 6-8(depends on the brand) to an 11, which now the 11s are getting way to tight. I am so swollen all over my whole body, my whole body itches, & pretty much feel like crap all the time. Especially after treatment. I get my treatment done on Fridays because Im in bed for at least 2 days after it.
Well I have complained about my weight gain since the second treatment and they keep saying its my thyroid, or my eating habits, bla bla bla. I have been exercising every morning or night, eating a lot better and I have cut out all of favorite sinful things out of my diet. I am trying really hard to lose weight.
After complaining so much & never getting a responce I threw a fit. They told me they are not responsible for weight gain and its my fault for it. I told them I did not want to continue treatment and wanted a refund. Guess what I am not eligible for it. I have to complete treatment and even then I might not be able to get it because I have gained so much weight.
What do I do? What can I do? I dont want to finish the treatment but I feel like Im being forced to to get back my $5000.00
Please help!!! I need Advice
9/10/07
I am getting ready to file a class action lawsuit. Are you Interested?
9/12/07
Well if I had read this I never would have made the mistake of getting this done! I have been to 4 treatments and see NO results! I diet and exercise daily and Im not fat just needed a little post-baby fat off my lower abs and love handles. Im sooooo stressed out Im not losing anything! NO inches NO weight!!! Also reading the horror stories on refunds stresses me out! My husband was not happy about me getting this done but told me if it makes me happy then do it! Well now I feel like a fool and should have listened to him. So now I guess I am paying 12 months for nothing! Im so stressed out and I cant believe I fell for this! I am going to try to start a refund process and see what I can do. Who has time for this bullcrap? They said "lunchtime" HA!!!! like 2 days! I just knew I should have went and had a tummy tuck and got it all done one time! I may have been down for a while but hey, I would see the results by now!!!! And what kind of people are working for FIG.??? A bunch of LIARS if you ask me!
9/12/07
I’m really sorry that the treatment didn’t work out for you. I’m an employee at fig. and we have over 19,000 patients. There are always going to be those few who do not respond to treatment. I can honestly say (I’m not lying) that we have thousands of successful patients going through our clinics each day. I’m one of them. I started my treatment in March 06 on my inner and outer thighs and have had great results. I think it’s a shame that this site is plastered with negativity when in reality the successful experiences far outweigh the non-respondent few. I would encourage you to talk with your provider about your experience and about not seeing the results you want. Or if you would like, please contact me directly through this site and I can put you in touch with the right people. I will try to do whatever I can to resolve your concerns.
9/12/07
I haven't found any posts from men yet. I'd like to work on my love-handles since they seem to be made of perma-fat :{)
Any thoughts?
9/13/07
I’m an employee at fig. and I would like to help. First I have to ask, have you had your rest period? If you started in June, I would guess you may be on it right now. If after that time you don’t feel better, my advice to you would be to make and appointment to talk to your provider. Let that provider know your questions and concerns. I know this must be very upsetting to you right now. My guess is that if you’re calm, they will be also and be more able to help you with an action plan. We really want to make sure all of our patient’s at fig. are happy. If the talk with the provider doesn’t meet your expectations or if you simply feel like waiting isn’t going to help you, please contact me through this site and I will help you get in contact with the appropriate people.
9/13/07
Bob –
Although I don’t know if any of the posts you are looking for are on here, you can check out http://www.fig.com/beforeAfter-ML.html for before and after photos of men that have had their love handles treated. You may also want to check out http://www.lipotherapyinstitute.org for other factual information about lipodissolve. I would recommend going through a consultation to find out if you’re a good candidate for this procedure and to receive a plan of care from one of our nurses. Please contact me if you have any more questions!
9/17/07
Well I had my final consultation last night, I look a lot worse, I've gained a total of 11 lbs, over 2 inches in my stomach and 1.5 inches in each thigh. Wow what a treatment for $5000.00 She kept saying something about having to complete treatment to be eligible for the refund, so I gave her my Dr note, she said ok we will start the refund process. It was kind of funny because I asked them for a copy of my medical records and she started to tell me that BS story about the copyright laws and she had to contact corporate to get permission to do that. I said I figured you would tell me that again so I did a little research and found the laws for that. I printed them out just in case you wanted to tell me you couldn't and it also tells me how to file a complaint just in case you don't make me a copy of them. She didn't know what to say. She told me to wait a few minutes while she finds out what to do, and them came back with a copy of my file. HAHAHA
But they didn't give me the whole thing. They gave me all the forms they fill out and forgot to make me copies of all the notes they were taking. There were quite a few pages of those notes. Are they allowed to keep those from me? We were already driving home and I started to really look through my file. That's when I noticed they weren't in there. I called them and told them I wanted a copy of my entire file and they said that those notes were not part of my records, they are only for the nurses or doctors, not for me. I asked her well if there not part of my medical records then why are they in my file??? I told her fine I will be filing a complaint tomorrow.
Can they keeps those from me? If not I'm going to run back to the office ASAP .
9/17/07
I feel the same way. Where did you get your treatment done?
9/20/07
I am a man and I posted back in June. I am very happy with my love handles or lack there of now. I recommend doing your loves.
9/20/07
Wow.... I thought it was just me with the excessive pain and weight gain for no apparent reason. I was told to stop exercising because it was too hard for the nurse to pinch my fat, then after I gained even more weight from not exercising, they refused to treat me because of my weight gain (I was told to lose weight and come back in a few weeks after I was done losing it). I am soooo unhappy with the results. I have had 5 treatments in two areas, and four treatments in another area (started in December of 06, and still not done.... imagine that), but really don't want to continue driving over an hour to the clinic, receiving a stomach full of injections, and spending the entire weekend in bed because I'm in so much pain and can't even rollover without assistance. If anyone starts a class action suite, count me in. Oh, and never mind the big bulge in my upper abs that they caused and can't seem to get rid of (looks like a mini breast implant sticking out of my left upper ab. I really do look worse than I did when I started. I haven't been seen in almost 3 months (they told me to wait for the doc to call..... no call yet, and I still can't seem to get some of this weight off even after working out 5 days a week and cutting out sugar, bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes). The "temporary" swelling is gone and I still look worse than I did before. Thank God I took my own before and after pics. Remember, if you start a class action suite, count me in.
9/20/07
I'm interested in the class action law suite. Count me in.
9/20/07
Wendy –
I’m an employee at fig. and I’m so sorry that this process has been complicated. I have gone directly to our Patient Relations Manager about your situation. She said a patient relations rep. has been trying to reach you regarding your refund and he will be trying again today. You may also contact him at your earliest convenience so that this can be resolved immediately. Please contact me through Real Self if you have any questions or if I can be of any help.
10/4/07
I paid 4000.00 up front in June of 06. I have been to all my appointments and have seen no results even though of the shot givers said she did. When the first round of all the shots were finished and I saw no results, they then said I needed more and they were not charging for them. Good thing because I was not paying anymore.I have one more appointment in a couple of weeks and then have to wait 3 months for a final consultation. I am truly dissapointed. My husband is not happy either considering the 4000.00 we paid. I plan on asking for a refund and that is why I am going to finish out the whole process. Also, it never happened before but this time I still have the knots in my stomach where I was given the shots. Usually they were gone within a short period of time. Does anyone know why this would happen now and not before. Thanks for any help and a class action sounds good to me.
10/4/07
Hi Rita,
I'm glad you're giving the whole treatment process a go from start to finish. I work for fig. and I talk to a lot of people who quit too early and don't allow the treatment to take effect on their bodies. They are then not satisfied and want a refund.
Then, there are many people that i have personally spoken to, that are dissappointed at the end of their treatments, not realising that their fat cells are still dissolving months after their last treatment.The knots too dissolve during this period. At the end of this resting period, patients are amazed by the final results. I talked to a man who was upset after his last treatment and several weeks later at over 50yr old, he now has a nice 6 pack.
This treatment is not a quick fix. It does require patience. I'm glad you're sticking with it. Best of luck and let me know if there is anything i can help you with.
10/5/07
I began receiving treatments in Overland Park, Kansas in September 2006 in my upper and lower stomach and my arms. I was working with a personal trainer and dieting at the time, so looking back, I realize now that I was seeing inch loss from the exercise and diet, not the injections. In October, one day out of the blue, I broke out into hives. I visited my doctor who asked if I had taken any new medications, but I did not mention Lipodissolve. After reading the blogs, I realized now that it was most likely an alergic reaction.
After my 9th injections, my husband's job relocated us to New Jersey in January 2007. As you may know, Lipodissolve does not have facilities in New Jersey or anywhere on the East Coast. So unless I came back to the OP area for vacation, I could not finish treatment. I never did make it back to my follow-up to do my measurements and take pictures after the 9th injections. I noticed around March, that I started to gain weight like never before. I had rolls of fat where I never did before. My arms are bigger than my husband's arms now. I have not made drastic changes to my diet, so I am wondering "what is going on?"
My husband said my stomach and arms to date are worse than before I started the Lipodissolve.
I never made a connection between the weight gain or the hives until I recently visited Kansas City in August. It was coincidental that a friend mentioned to me that there was a news story on Fox about a possible class action suit against Lipodissolve. I was in total denial. But a lot of what had been on my mind about the current state of my body surfaced. So the day before I flew back to New Jersey, I called what is now "Fig" and told my story. I was asked if I wanted a refund off the bat. Strange! I asked if they were receiving a lot of refund requests, she immediately answered, no. She said that before I could even be considered, I would have to come in for a follow-up so that they could assess whether I would be eligible for a refund. I told her I was flying out the next morning. She said she could not get me in before my flight. She told me to call and talk to someone in accounting the next morning and she would explain that I moved and that my circumstances prevented me from finishing treatment. Never did she mention the weight gain or my hive incident. I made the call and during the last week in August, I was submitted for a refund. I was told it would take 90 days.
So here I am today, 20 pounds more than I was last year when I started, and after reading the blog, I am wondering how much luck I am going to have with Tonya.
I wanted to thank you for your honesty. I thought I was alone in my horrible experience. I also plan to post this on the blog where I receive your information. If you have any advise or updates, please let me know.
10/5/07
For everyone out there wondering about a class action suit, there is one in progress with the Kansas Attorney General's office. I spoke to a Special Agent Webster. The phone number is 785-368-8439. That is only if you were so fortunate to be treated by the Overland Park, Kansas Office. Apparently, she has has quite a few calls about Lipodissolve, oops, I mean Fig.
You will need your records from Fig including before and after pictures, your original contract, proof of payment, amount of payment, and anything else you can think of to prove your case. She was extremely helpful.
As I stated in an earlier blog, I put in a request to have my money refunded back to me, but I was told that I may only be eligible for a portion, because though I did move from to an area where I could not continue treatment, I never made it back to be evaluated for a follow-up. So as far as the weight gain and the hives, I may have to go to a local physician to help my case with the weight gain, and request my previous records from my Kansas City physician to prove the hives.
Either way, I feel hope anyone who inquired about a class action suit will use the information I provided.
Good luck!!!!
Erica Ware
10/8/07
Randi,
apparently you haven't really read the posts as many people that had the lipodissolve were at their ideal weight including myself (5"3 at 118 lbs) size 2-4. lipodissolve does not work for everyone.
11/2/07
I have had lipo dissolve and like you i have had probelms, but i only went through three shots because it started to deform my stomache. I have spots in my tummy where the injection ate away the fat but it only ate it away in one spot, so my tummy has indents and bumps from where i was given the shot. I lost no weight or inches. Is there anything i can do? Any suggestions?
11/8/07
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.
11/8/07
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 provide me with your full name. You can do this by clicking on my name and contacting me there.
I will be sure to take your details to the people who can help resolve your concerns. We strive to provide a pleasant patient experience on all levels. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
11/26/07
I am interested. What state are you in?
11/28/07
First of all, if you believe that a class action lawsuit is a way of getting your money back, you will be surprised. The legal team will get a big chunk of whatever the settlement is. That is why lawyers like tort cases. They are usually guaranteed money for them. Not to mention if they can find enough plaintiffs to make it worth their while. Next did anyone do their research before getting their Lipodissolve injections? That's like having brain surgery without checking the references of the neurosurgeon. If the perfect body was easy to achieve then everyone would have one. Why do you think cosmetic surgery is so popular and dangerous? Lipo, facelifts, breast augmentation, tummy tucks etc.. do not last forever. If they did the would be a lot less cosmetic surgeons. As far as allergic reactions are concerned, all medication have side effects. For that matter you could get stung by a bee, have an allergic reaction, go into anaphylactic shock and die before anyone could help you. So before any medical procedure do you research, get references, ask questions. If you don't do any of these then you get what you paid for. People get into the cosmetic surgery business to make money not to make everyone perfect. People become lawyers to make money not for the betterment of mankind. If you are not happy with your body then spend your money on a physical trainer. It will help your body and your mind. I'm an R.N. who is 5'11" tall and at one time weighed 180 lbs. I lost weight without cosmetic help and got down to 145. My husband didn't like it. He missed the 38D's and the cushion, he can't stand to see a woman with a bone protuding on any part of her body. So I put 10 lbs. back on to make him happy.
12/5/07
I am currently in the refund process. I could write a book on my horrible experience with Lipodissolve or Fig.
I was lured in by the "guaranteed results" program, which should be "guaranteed results or wait a year to get a refund if any".
After doing NINE treatments on my lower abs, love handles and inner thighs, I did not see any results and requested a refund. I was at that time told that I should double up on my treatments and that they had a laser to help with the excruciating pain. I would have to commit to 3 more treatments, each one month apart. At this point I had already been going to them for 10 months. I was told that it would take 6 treatments, two weeks apart. That would be 3 months, not 10. So I choose to start the refund process. I scheduled my final eval and when I showed up they were closed. They had changed their hours and changed my appointment without telling me. awesome.
I was quoted 60-90 days for the entire refund process. I had my final evaluation on July 16th. This was either 1 or 3 months after my last injections. It's been so long I can't remember. My file and pictures were reviewed by a medical review board and sent to corporate on August 27, 2007. From that point I was told that I had 45 more days left. After 45 days I called back, to find out that the person handling my refund had transferred. I was told to contact Curtis Natalie, and that someone would give him my file and have him call me. From then on I have only spoken to customer service at corporate with varying answers. I was told:
The refund process takes 90-120 BUSINESS DAYS.
My file was in the "final" refund process. This was from Sept until now, December 5th.
My file was recieved by the corporate review board on Sept 21st, sept 24th, and sometime in October.
At this point I have filed a complaint with the BBB. I recieved a letter stating the amount of my refund, which I sent to them on Nov. 21. Now my refund is at accounting. I am told (from Jamie Baker) that from today, it will take 40 MORE DAYS for them to credit back to CareCredit. She also told me that unless I respond to the BBB with a "satisfactory response" about Fig, my refund process will be postponed. I told her that the BBB is NOT getting any satisfactory record until I have my refund in my hand. I called CareCredit, and they told me that once they recieve the refund 40 days from now) it will then take them 4-6 WEEKS in order to send me their refund because that it how it takes for them to verify that my refund is legit. I was told from Fig that CareCredit refund takes a couple of days, complete lie. DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY SAY!
Since October 22nd, I have been calling twice or so a week, left numerous message with Curtis Natalie and have yet to recieve a phone call from him. At one point, I recieved an email from him, stating nothing I needed to know or had asked, replied in 5 minutes and never heard from him again. In my file notes it states that he tried to call but "was unable to reach me". Yet I had no missed calls and no message from him. I feel that he is too ignorant to use a phone. All the numbers must confuse him.
So to date my refund will take about 7 MONTHS! This is far from the 90 days max that I was quoted, and was documented in my paperwork. Not to mention endless hours of my time calling corporate and getting the run around. This on top of the 10 MONTHS or treatment with absolutely no results. My stomach is actually bigger than when I started, with no weight gain.
You can also send feedback to fig at www.figlistens.com. not that it help but at least you can let them know how horrible they are doing.
Feel free to contact me mycutepiko@hotmail.com
12/8/07
Not to pass judgment or to offend anyone but does anyone really buy what these people are trying to make us believe? Honestly, most of the entries I'm reading are trying to get me to believe, "through diet and exercise on my own, I lost the weight. It wasn't the fact that I injected chemicals into my body that was advertised to DISSOLVE FAT. Oh no, although I was never motivated enough to exercise on my own (or let's face it, you would have never gone to Lipo Dissolve in the first place) and never mind the fact again I INJECTED A CHEMICAL INTO MY BODY THAT DISSOLVES FAT, for the first time in the history of the world, someone lost 4 inches off of their waist by walking 1 lap around a track!"
Take this mycutepiko who sounded off above me; She says she "was lured in by the 'guaranteed results' program, which should be 'guaranteed results or wait a year to get a refund if any'." Now I don't know about anyone else but if I drive by the gas station, and I see a sign that reads "free air", that won't lure me in. Me having flat tires lures me in, so don't spin it piko; you were chunky. That's what got you in the door.
You go on to talk about how many injections you have had over the next 10 months and by your own account you can't remember if it was 1 or 3 months after your last injections that your file went to corporate. I'm not a doctor but I would think this would make a big difference in any swelling you may have had; I say this because I have had tatoos, bee stings, flu shots, allergic reactions, and whatever else you can think of that would compare to these injections.
Then you go into the BBB. This is one of the most crooked organizations on the planet. If the BBB doesn't charge you who issue complaints, how do the pay their employees. Now I know that some of you believe that the BBB is comprised of good hearted people who only want to make a difference and look out for John Q. but face it, THE BBB CHARGES COMPANIES TO JOIN THEIR ORGANIZATION. A COMPANY MUST PAY THE BBB REGULARLY TO STAY IN THEIR GOOD GRACES! There are a number of companies that I have personally complained about to the BBB, but when you research them on the BBB website, nothing; not one issue (because they are members). With as big of a problem as I have with the BBB, Jamie Baker seems to have told you the truth. The BBB is a 3rd party mediator. They speak with the company, then you, then the company again. You must agree (a.k.a. give a satisfactory response) to the BBB for the issue to be resolved; i.e. get refunded. That's not the companies policy; that's the BBB.
We'll skip over the personal attacks of the employees that you have posted their names for now (while you remain anonymous, kinda seems like a sucker punch to me) and go right into how much time and effort you've put into this.
I buy none of that! Like I said at the beginning of my little rant, if you were really that motivated you wouldn't need Lipo Dissolve in the first place! It reminds me of that Head & Shoulders commercial, "but you don't have dandruff." "I know"
To conclude, you mention your stomach it bigger now then when you started, with no weight gain. I can think of only a couple of things that could cause this.
1) gas. Take some beano.
2) Get a new mirror. Some how you have warped it but (good news) if you turn it sideways, you should look thinner.
3) they're fatty nodules that are swelling because the Phosphatidylcholine and Deoxycholate is working! Slow your roll! Being in a hurry isn't your style (again with the motivation or lack there of)
Now for the personal attacks. You make Jamie Baker out to be some hired thug. "She also told me that unless I respond to the BBB with a 'satisfactory response' about Fig, my refund process will be postponed." We don't know who Jamie Baker is. For all you know she may be a single mom with three kids, trying to help people by working for a company that tries to make you happier with yourself.
"Since October 22nd, I have been calling twice or so a week, left numerous message with Curtis Natalie and have yet to receive a phone call from him. At one point, I received an email from him, stating nothing I needed to know or had asked, replied in 5 minutes and never heard from him again. In my file notes it states that he tried to call but "was unable to reach me". Yet I had no missed calls and no message from him. I feel that he is too ignorant to use a phone. All the numbers must confuse him." Did you ever stop and think maybe Curtis was deaf? Maybe that's why he emailed you? But then again, after reading some of these postings, I wouldn't want to talk to mycutepiko either.
-Bottom Line-
Although I seemed to focus on only what the blogger before me wrote, you can see the same tired and worn out excuses as to why these people have been wronged all over the place for a full spectrum of issues (not just Lipo Dissolve). By the companies own admission, this doesn't work for everyone. If you research the internet, you will see that anywhere from 4-10% of the population will not respond to this treatment. It's unfortunate that in this country the minority will scream and pout until people pity them. Poor you. Not even pumping fat dissolving chemicals into your body could help you with you self image. You have to go and tell your story to the world and point the finger at everyone else and say it's their fault. If you would spend less time searching for "the magic pill" and blaming others for your insecurities, but more time exercising and eating right, you might get those results your looking for. I completely agree with "Red". If everyone could get the perfect body by getting a few injections, super models would be paid minimum wage.
12/8/07
I wish I had read all these blogs about 4 months ago. I started taking treatments because I had surgery a year ago and had kind of a "pooch" in the front. Other than that, I am not terribly overweight. They told me I was an "ideal" candidate because I really did not have to get rid of much. However, I thought while I was at it, I would go ahead and take care of my back area, too, since I was getting a little flabby. Everything was going fine (although I was not yet seeing any results) until I called yesterday to change my appointment to this morning. They made the appt. for 11:00 at the Brentwood, MO location. When I got there, they were closed! I tried to call the office and got the message that their center is "currently closed" then simply "Goodbye," and I was disconnected!! I drove to one of their other locations--same thing. So have they just packed up and headed out leaving me with a $4000 bill to GE Money??!! I think it's time to get the media involved. Has anyone else heard anything?
12/8/07
Same sentiments here....I went to the Dallas location today and found the "closed" sign and got the corp 800# "closed" message. I just initiated a dispute with CareCredit. This is ridiculous!
12/8/07
I did the same. I contacted KSDK news station to ask if they heard anything. They informed me that fig had just filed for Chapter 11 two days ago and closed their doors yesterday. I also filed a claim with the Missouri Attorney General's office, but I do not have much hope. I did call CareCredit and they said they would be sending me a dispute form, but made no promises. This makes me sick. I went through a lot of pain, and I am making payments now for nothing, and I have a long way to go to pay back $3500.
12/9/07
THey went bankrupt and all of them are closed except in CA.
12/9/07
I would be curious to know whether you get your refund at all now since they have closed their doors and filed bankruptcy. Please e-mail me and let me know if you do since I am going through the same thing.
12/9/07
Did you ever get your refund? I just want to know if anyone ever did. As you know, they have closed their doors and flown the coop. It will be up to the courts to decide now.
12/9/07
We noted this news story about Fig bankruptcy. We will contact the company to learn more.
12/10/07
I'm concerned over CareCredit's approach toward disputes, I too was told to wait for a form; however, I've never had to "wait for a form" to file a dispute with any other credit card co. She said there were no other options to getting the form...they seem to have plenty of options for getting your money. I'm not thrilled, nor displeased with my Fig results, and I will pay for services I receive, BUT in this case there are no longer services to recieve, so it is extremely frustrating to consider paying for something you cannot get!
12/10/07
In regards to CareCredit, the first thing to do from their phone menu is to send a letter to the following address stating your intent to dispute a charge. They need to have something in writing from you to get the process going. Of course, there's still no guarantee that we'll get our money back!
GE Consumer Finance
P. O. Box 981438
El Paso, TX 79998-1438
12/10/07
I called CareCredit this morning and I was told that all disputes must be submitted in writing to GE Consumer Finance, P.O. Box 81438, El Paso, TX 79998-1438. I paid $9,000 and like Dallascust, I would be happy to pay for the services that I have received. I am concerned because I have already paid off the balance owed to CareCredit and do not have any leverage what so ever.
12/10/07
So Friday December 7, 2007 fig. filed for Chapter 11! This is all over the news in Dallas, what about other States? I know that there are many centers around the US. All of the patients don't know there options. How do we get our treatments? All of the employees that are without jobs just before Christmas none the less! Oh, how horrible. If anyone knows anything please keep me updated.
12/10/07
Well, after reading all this I have my explaination of why I can't get any answers from the corp. hqtrs. My wife and contracted with Fig-Scottsdale, AZ. in Dec. 2006. Bought an $8500. package of 72 treatments. Looks like she was lucky to get half of them done. They did work for her. I am going to go by the office in Scottsdale and check, but expect them to be closed. If so I will file a complaint with both the Phoenix, AZ BBB and State Attorney Generals office. Looks like we all need to get together and form a class action on this company.
12/10/07
I have tried to contact the new office here in Louisville,Ky and they have closed already. I signed a contract for a nice sum of money to be available to me for the treatments. Now, I'm not sure if I have to pay that back or not.
12/10/07
Just received this e-mail from FIG:
We are sorry to report that, due to economic conditions beyond our control, fig. closed its operations on December 7, 2007. The company is currently consulting with counsel and will likely seek legal relief under the bankruptcy code to ensure it preserves all options including the ability to reorganize and continue operations.
Current patients undergoing treatment will be contacted by the company regarding continued treatment options or making a refund claim.
All pending appointments for consultations and treatments have been cancelled for the foreseeable future.
Please check our website www.fig.com for the latest information.
Please DO NOT respond to this email as it will go unanswered.