Please do not go to Dr. Nargi if you are non-binary or looking for a reduction!…read more
Below is the formal complaint I made to the Montana Board of Medical Examiners after trying to handle my complaint directly with Dr. Nargi and her clinic coordinator, Tiffany.
To whom it may concern,
I had a consultation with Dr. Nargi in January of 2020 for a breast reduction to manage my condition of macromastia. My breasts significantly decreasing in my quality of life by; causing tension headaches at a frequency of four to six times a week, jaw and lower back pain, severe body dysmorphia, and anxiety. Although I am unsure of my original cup size (as I couldn't wear bras) I believe I was around an F or G cup (see attached photos). I mentioned to her that I had considered FTM top surgery and am non-binary but I wasn't sure about total loss of sensation. She said that we could do top surgery but also a very large reduction. Dr. Nargi, when asked if she could get me to a B-cup, assured me that my surgery goal was realistic and could be completed. On February 11th, 2020, I had a breast reduction for which I paid $5,733.00 (see included receipt) and with the knowledge that Whitefish Plastic Surgery doesn't do prior authorizations and I would have to request insurance coverage later. I woke up from that surgery as an E (see attached post op photos). I immediately made my dissatisfaction known to the provider, Dr. Nargi assured me that the swelling would take weeks to go down. In my two week and four week the same was repeated. After the four week post op, she scheduled a six month and told me that sometimes it can take that long time for the swelling to go down. At my six month, I was the same size. When I confronted Dr. Nargi about the discrepancy, she admitted that she had told me that I would get to a B and that my goal was surgically feasible. When I asked why it didn't happen, she replied, "I don't know." Dr. Nargi offered another surgery for only the cost of the surgical bra. I clarified with her again that my original goal was realistic, she confirmed. On August 20th, 2020, I had another breast reduction performed by Dr. Nargi (also in her clinic under local anesthesia) and reminded her one last time while she was marking me that I'd like to be so small "a sports bra could make me flat chested". When she walked out, my mother, Pamela Roth, asked if I wanted a mirror to see where she marked and warned me that she did not think it was enough tissue. I declined, believing that there would be no way Dr. Nargi would do it again. And I woke up from that surgery at a DD. I also had a post op infection and had to have the stitches pulled out as they did not dissolve and grew out of my breast tissue for six weeks after the procedure. At this point, I went to my last post op and didn't say anything else as I was not willing to have a third surgery under her. A previous patient of hers that I worked with also confided in me that although her breast appearance was great, she did not reach her reduction goal either with Dr. Nargi- she was looking at going to a different surgeon as well. My insurance also declined to cover the surgery, citing that lack of tissue taken making it a purely cosmetic procedure. In the two years since, I have had to continue to pay for Chiropractic care and massage therapy out of pocket (please see attached documentation). I have had episodes of disordered eating in order to make my breasts smaller as well as over-exercising and starvation. I have also had emergency room visits for migraines and pinched nerves in my neck. The most recent of which resulted in my primary care Doctor, Ivory Drendel, making a physical therapy referral and I have been going two times a week. Recently, with the help of my therapist, I have set another appointment at Lift Plastic Surgery in Missoula. I sent a letter to Dr. Nargi explaining my disappointment and asking for a refund to put towards the cost of my upcoming surgery. Dr. Nargi and her staff maintain that my surgical goal was reached and no wrongdoing was committed. Included in this packet are those emails as well. Dr. Nargi, for some reason, decided that I would look better with larger breasts regardless of my gender identity, diagnoses, pain, and personal request for my surgical goal. No one is immune from bias and my goal is that Dr. Nargi be educated on her own bias and non-binary healthcare to prevent another patient from having to go through what I went through.
