Strongly DO NOT RECOMMEND Dr. Steely for your plastic surgery needs. I was referred to Dr. Steely by several friends who had used his services in the past and were pleased with their outcomes. My initial consultation was positive, and I decided to move forward. In April of 2024 I underwent surgery to remove excess skin from my arms and legs following weight loss. Although the procedure took longer than expected, I was discharged later the same day.
In the days following surgery, I noticed the drain in my left leg was not functioning properly and reported this at my follow-up appointment. Dr. Steely assured me this was normal and scheduled a second follow-up for drain removal. During this visit, I informed him that the incision had opened and was draining down my leg. He removed the drains and later explained that a small piece of the drain (indicating about 1.5") had broken off and remained in my leg but insisted it was not of concern. This was witnessed by a friend who had driven me to the appointment. In reality, the drain piece was listed as a "19.5 x 0.4 cm segment of clear flexible plastic tubing" (more than 7.6 inches) in the pathology report after it was surgically removed from my leg following a severe infection I developed.
Four days later, my leg incisions became red, swollen, and emitted a bad odor. Despite reporting these symptoms, I was advised that this was expected and instructed to keep the area clean. At no point was I offered intervention other than to put me on the same antibiotics that I had just finished, such as imaging or timely surgical management. At my next appointment, Dr. Steely referred me to Wound Care for follow-up as he was leaving on vacation. The Wound Care physician immediately admitted me to the hospital with a severe bilateral leg infection. I required extensive antibiotics, major surgery to remove the infection and broken drain, a week-long hospitalization for sepsis, 8 rounds of antibiotics, and months of outpatient treatment. I incurred substantial medical expenses and lasting physical damage - significant scarring, nerve damage, weakness, etc. In my opinion, Dr. Steely dismissed my concerns and expressed no meaningful sympathy for my experience. .
If you are seeking a qualified plastic surgeon, I recommend conducting thorough research beyond reading online reviews or relying solely on personal referrals. It is important to verify the surgeon's credentials and inquire about their experience with the specific procedure you are considering. In my case, I experienced significant complications following surgery, which I believe resulted from inadequate attention to my concerns and insufficient post-operative care. Based on this experience, I would advise prospective patients to prioritize their safety by asking detailed questions and ensuring their chosen provider demonstrates a commitment to patient well-being. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Dr. Steely's services. read more
