What a long strange trip it's been.
September of 2021 was my first visit to this office for an ENT consult before a rhinoplasty consult. Lack of greeting. Price discussed before procedure discussed. Extra white coats in the room with no explanation. An unfriendly and unprofessional office. I posted a 2-star review here. Abraham (or staff) posted an apology and asked for another chance. So I went in again for a rhino consult.
My consult was on January 13. Abraham, himself, was fine. Digital imaging for a rhino didn't show much difference but did convince me a lower facelift/neck lift was in my future.
I met with Christina and paid an $800 deposit to reserve a rhino surgery spot on May 9. We also discussed with her a lower facelift, and she printed out a fee sheet for me. Red flag: I hadn't had a consult for a lower facelift yet, so clearly fees are not customized. The images from this meeting weren't mailed from the practice till late February (although the cover letter is dated 12/28/21, two weeks before the consult happened. Odd). The printouts convinced me that, yes, a lower facelift was a better choice. I called the practice and asked if I could change the procedure. Christina said she'd have to shift things around; a lower facelift takes longer than a rhinoplasty. She'd call me with options next week.
No call came. I called and left a message. The following week, still no call came. I finally called on Friday afternoon and got a hold of Christina. She said she couldn't change my procedure in May and offered to reschedule me for July. July wasn't possible for me. By now it was mid-March. I asked to be called if they had a cancellation.
Wednesday, March 30, Christina called with a cancellation for April 8, nine days away. I hesitated; such short notice would require some complex arranging at home and I had had no facelift consult. I'm sure a consult is just a formality to them, but after hearing Christina get shorter and shorter with me, I agreed to the surgery date and vowed to get used to the idea later. I asked for a facelift consult She said I'd had one already (no) and I would have my pre-op when I came in for surgery. (This is when they tell you how to prepare, to stop alcohol and blood thinners, etc.) I didn't think pre-op instructions on the day of the surgery would be helpful and asked for an appt a few days in advance. So Tuesday before a Friday surgery. Okay.
Christina asked if I wanted to be awake or asleep and I said "awake." She said I couldn't be awake because I was on Tramadol. I said, "No, I don't even know what that is." "It's a painkiller! It's in your paperwork!" I listed the meds I am on, and repeated "I'm not on Tramadol." She insisted (picture this in italics) "It's in your paperwork!" This was confusing. I know I didn't put it there. There's an error somewhere.
By now, the conversation had deteriorated. I was feeling bullied and thought it best I get off the phone. When I spoke to my husband, "Eureka!" It turns out that when I broke my shoulder last October, my orthopedist prescribed Tramadol. It's an opioid, and not something I am "on."
None of this office behavior had to do with Abraham's expertise, I told myself. So, with a spot on the schedule, I miraculously got all lab work and pre-op clearance taken care of by my Tuesday consult/pre-op with Abraham. Driving there -- I live over an hour away -- I got a call from the office canceling the Friday procedure because of "an emergency." My husband said my thoughts, "They're having an emergency in four days?" My PCP said the same thing, adding, "Plastic surgeons do not have emergencies.". Christina was in surgery and I asked that she call me back.
Again, no call came. Two weeks passed. No word. So I called and asked for my deposit back. It took two more calls from me and two and half more weeks to finally get my deposit back, minus $150, on May 6.
Obviously, I cannot recommend this practice. Abraham's fees are 30-50% higher than other Hudson valley surgeons, and equivalent to NYC's, despite his paying no hospital fees. I had consults at several offices and all of them respected me and none of them wasted my time. These appointments should be pleasant and exciting.
Please remember that this is elective surgery, paid for with your own money, and you have full control over your choice of surgeon. You deserve clear and considerate communication and care from a plastic surgeon's office. I've had plastic surgery before, years ago in Beverly Hills, plus several consults over the years, and never have I felt so bizarrely yanked around. I know these procedures are routine for them, but it is major surgery for me and absolutely terrifying. I should feel safe, heard, and grateful. And so should you. read more