Super shady place. I should've known when I asked twice about the pricing and they said they couldn't tell me until I came back for my 2nd appt. I pull up to the bldg for my 1st appt and am shocked by what I see. The office is in an old house, in desperate need of paint, and cheap lettering nailed up as the practice's sign. So I tell myself to not judge a book by its cover and proceed. I meet with Serge...I like him. He did NRT, and I wondered how this can tell him much of anything, but I believe and have faith in people until they prove me wrong. The Dr tells me he's found things going on with my body, yet I won't get the results until I come back for the 2nd appt. That surprised me, but I go with it. At the 2nd appt, the front desk staff hands me my "report of findings" and says to read it over, then I will see the Drs. DoctorS?? I was not aware of another Dr. As soon as I begin reading I smell the BS seeping from it. My findings - barrier in the nervous system, spleen, small intestines, adrenals, brain/CSF, knees. It recommends I take 5 diff. supplements. Since there is no detail on my findings, I figure I'll discuss it with the Dr. The rpt discusses the 3 phases of health restoration - Step 1 takes 6-9 visits, step 2 is 30 weeks, step 3 is TBD. This is to prepare you for the last pg, the investment. It was recommended that I go back for 24 visits. Yes, 24. The real kicker is the amount. They wanted $1380, paid up front, or in mo. pymts. It then says supplements will run you $75-$250 a mo. What's funny, is this is all a "recommendation". I go back to see the "Dr" and a woman comes in and says she's Dr. Stacey, she's going to go over my report with me, and from what I decide at the end will determine if I see Serge. It didn't yet click that I wouldn't be seeing Serge unless I paid $1380. She asked me if I have any questions before she goes over the report. I told her I read the report, but I am not prepared to come back for 24 appts and I certainly am not going to pay $1380 upfront for the appts. I came into this thinking I would get info from the Dr as to what he thinks is going on, and then his recommendations on how to fix it, and I would go about helping myself at that point. Her response, "so you're not going to do the plan? " I said no. Her demeanor changes, she proceeds to go over the report, and quickly jumps from page to page. I get no explanation on the findings, she tells me 9 of my 13 organs are functioning under stress, that my body is that of a 60-year-old (I am 35), I am sensitive to wheat, soy, dairy, sugar, corn, gluten. These are the most inflammatory foods out there. It is too coincidental that these and only these food types were mentioned. At the end, she asks if I have any questions. I tell her I did an ALCAT food test and asked her opinion. I said I've read that igE sensitivity testing is the best and IgG is not accurate. She has a blank look on her face and says nothing, knows nothing. I almost said "what type of doctor are you??" Her final response "we only do NRT here". She then proceeds to say "OK, I'm going to take you up to the front now." I say, "I'm not going to see Dr. Serge?" She says no. I say, "so you're telling me I have to pay $1380 in order to see the doctor again?" She says yes. I am in utter disbelief. I've given my personal history and health records to this Dr. Serge. I've provided and divulged personal information. I've explained how food sensitivities are wrecking my health. To find out that he refuses to see me unless I commit to this 24 visit plan is gut wrenching. I feel completely taken for a fool. Why can't I pay for an appointment to go over what he thinks is going on? Why can't I pay to come to as many appointments as I (the patient) feel is necessary? I cannot comment on Dr. Serge's capabilities as a "doctor", since I never was "allowed" to work with him, but I CAN comment on the shady way this business is ran. UPDATE: Their reply is hysterical. Not sure WHY he references paying $42.50/50 per follow up when that is COMPLETELY irrelevant when you are FORCED to pay for 24 visits. Who cares how much they are EACH when you MUST pay for 24??!! That is ridiculous!!! Telling a patient they are forbidden to see a doctor ONE more time unless they pay $1380??!! What a joke. I wasn't expecting my last visit to be free. I would obviously pay to see the doctor. I think the good reviews are from one of two things: 1) the patient is gullible and thinks committing to this type of payment program is necessary for their health, and/or 2) they do not already know how to eat a healthy diet, begin to eat better with Dr's recommendations, feel better, and think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have contacted 2 other naturopathic drs and they were both very upfront about their fees, and # of visits are up to the patient. read more
