In spring of 2004, I met with Dr. Van Beek to discuss the cosmetic correction to the appearance of my pectus excavatum (sunken chest) defect (a surgery that he specializes in). During that consultation a family member of mine was present and Dr. Van Beek described the making and installing of as prosthetic implant that he could provide that would give me a "typical" male chest result. At the time of the consultation, Dr. Van Beek reiterated that the only caution to this surgery was the occasional "edge phenomenon" wherein the edge of the implant my flip under and he would have to do a second surgery to correct. As stated in their consult paperwork, all related subsequent surgeries are to be included in the original physician's fees paid by the patient but the facilities fees are the patient's responsibility.
After designing and creating a chest mold for me, Dr. Van Beek performed surgery on me May 20, 2005, to insert the implant that he designed. I completed follow-up instructions and visits as he directed but after several months the implant began to slide down my chest and into my stomach.
After a number of follow-up visits, Dr. Van Beek felt that through a second surgery, he could cut the bottom protruding piece of the implant off and surgically resecure the implant in me. On October 14, 2005, I again, underwent surgery paying the hospital facility fees.
After completing the post-surgery instructions and follow-up visits with Dr. Van Beek, it soon became apparent to both the doctor and me that the implant was again falling into my stomach and abdomen. At the time, I was frustrated and asked Dr. Van Beek for a referral to another surgeon. Dr. Van Beek assured me that he could get the implant to stay in place and accomplish the repair by creating a new implant that had a textured surface. He also stated that he would correct the stretched stomach skin that was caused by the fallen implant.
On August 25, 2006, Dr. Van Beek performed a third surgery on me (Again, I paid all hospital fees) to install the new "textured" implant.
Once again, I followed his post surgery instructions and attended follow-up visits.
After a December 27, 2006, office visit with Dr. Van Beek, I alerted him by mail in a letter dated, January 13, 2007, that it appeared that he had installed the last chest implant upside down. I attended a follow-up visit at his office on January 25th, 2007, in which he vehemently defended his surgery and stated that he had done all that he could for me.
In a letter dated February 27, 2007 sent to him at his office, I advised him that I did not want to return to office because of how he had treated on my previous visit and requested that he refund the facility fees ($2180.00) for my last surgery so that I could put that toward the removal of the current implant.
In late March a received a brief written response from Dr. Van Beek stating that he was sorry for my trouble but felt that he had done all that he could for me.
In a letter to Dr. Van Beek dated, April 2, 2007, I advised him that this third surgery on me has left me with an implant that is once again sliding into my stomach and abdomen resulting in a hideous protrusion. I now wear an elastic wrap around my mid-section to help slow down the falling process of the prosthetic implant and prevent my skin from stretching. read more