Since I was a baby, I have had a mole on the right side of my chin area. As time went on, it grew and became sensitive. I went to see Dr. Tess. I am exceedingly happy with my procedure and how my face is healing. In a few months, I don't think I'll be able to tell there was ever a mole there. I was terrified to have this done. Now, knowing how painless it was and how it looks, I wish I had done it sooner. Thanks to Dr. Tess and all the staff! read more

Just left this place for a cortisone shot and can't recommend it enough! The girl who initially took me to the back was super sweet and nurse Angela was the one who injected me and was very helpful and informative :) The ladies here are super gorgeous and really nice and made me feel very comfortable and taken care of!! Everything you'd want in a med spa :) read more

If you have been looking for the right dermatologist, this is the right stop! I found Dr. Tess and Dr. James around 2019/2020 and am so grateful I did. They are by far the best Dr. Team I have ever met and been treated by. You can really trust their recommendations, expertise and I can guarantee-- you will always see results!! I'm calling now to make my next appointment! read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Tess since around 2007 and have been thankful for the continued dedication and care of Dr. Tess and her amazing fam team, Rick and Angela. At first, I worried about getting fillers because I don't like the overfilled look, and grateful for a natural approach. As a woman of color who experiences hyperpigmentation, glad for the treatments options they have as well. I admire Dr. Tess's ongoing dedication to researching the latest procedures to look youthful without surgery. I highly recommend M Beauty Clinic for derm needs, and regen medicine! read more

Current review 8/16: I am so pleased to have a scar-free face! Dr. Tess and her staff ensured my experience was comfortable and efficient. Follow up meeting today with Dr. Tess went very well and I may do another procedure or two, just to further mend my facial scars. This is such a professional business that really goes above and beyond the standard operations to make sure customers leave HAPPY. They saw my Yelp review and immediately addressed the issue. I recommend Dr. Tess to anyone looking to heal acne scars, get anti-aging treatment, or anything in between! They have such an extensive list of services that anyone, male or female, can find what they are looking for. Happy happy happy. Updated 6/9/2015 Consultation with Dr. Tess herself went very well. She offered to give me two of their Time Machine treatments completely free of charge. I am very happy that she understood my concerns and did not try to sell me anything or just brush me off. Customer service at its best. She spoke to me professionally but also in a concerned manner that definitely seems genuine. Dr. Tess wants her customers to be happy and that's a rarety! Will update after my treatments. One is this coming Thursday and the second will be in a few months. I hope these treatments will erase my ugly and embarrassing acne scars so I can look in the mirror and not stare at them! Thank you, Dr. Tess, for helping me with this. Very impressed with the customer service here thus far. Original review--May 2015--1 Star I received treatment for my acne scars about a year ago. This included the derma roller and laser treatment--5 sessions total (if my memory is correct). These treatments were very painful and I have a high pain tolerance. Not only did this hurt every single time despite whatever "powerful" numbing cream they put on my face prior to the procedure but I see zero results. My scars haven't improved in their appearance at all and I went in to get this treatment for an improvement in the appearance of my face, not to pay $5,000 to have zero results. I've taken proper care of my face, worn sunscreen and hats every time I go in the sun. This was the requirement to maintain the results of the procedure. I've done so and I do not see any positive results. I've waited month after month since this terrible procedure for results to appear and they haven't. For the money I forked over in hopes of finally being confident in my own skin, this is incredibly disappointing. I've requested a "consultation" and better hear back. I cannot emphasize enough how disappointed I am in this business. After years of embarrassment from the acne scars on my face I wanted to finally look in the mirror and be happy with what I saw, instead of focusing on my ugly scars. read more

Tess Mauricio, MD - Does this look like the result of $5,000? No. - Dermatologists Near Me - San Diego, California

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I found this place online because I've been suffering severely with TMJ and I haven't been able to open my mouth in months. I read somewhere that Botox can help with that. The minute I called, the customer service was SUPERB. They had got me in the next morning (amazing) The best part happened when I entered. What a cute place!!! The purple walls, the cute chandeliers. Ugh seriously the cutest place ever!!! Then Dr. Tess came out and was seriously the CUTEST THING ever!! She started doing a boomerang, right then I KNEW I was in the right place. So down to earth, funny and REAL. I got called back and the lady who was helping me ( I wish I remembered her name, but she has a beautiful pup named Bella and was just so amazing) anyways, she was absolutely amazing and so sweet. She even asked me about my severe dry skin that just recently I started dealing with. She brought Dr. Tess back to take a look and they both recommended this magic potion that gave me IMMEDIATE results. It literally saved my skin. They were so easy to talk to and non judge mental. I will definitely be back for other services and highly recommend them for any beauty needs. read more

I am so happy to say that Dr. Tess is now my new Dermatologist. I have gone to other places for skin care, and none of them compares to the care and attention that Dr. Tess gave me. I consider myself as someone who takes good care of my skin, and I have a great skin care regimen, but I know that I needed more than what I am doing at home. Dr. Tess' office has a great list of services from facials, to injectibles, supplementation, and stem cell treatments. I consulted with Dr. Tess to put me on skin care and a wellness track, and I am so happy with the plan that she designed for me. I also went home with three types of supplements to make sure that I also treat my body and skin from the inside out with her line of oral supplements. If you are looking for an expert to help you with your beauty and skin care needs, I highly recommend you making an appointment to see Dr. Tess. Note: There is $250 appointment fee to see Dr. Tess, but that fee can be applied to any treatments you decide to get. If you go and expect to spend at least $250 or more, it is well worth it! Also, Dr. Tess also has a Beverly Hills office where she treats her regular Hollywood celebrities, and Dr. Tess has been a guest on the show, Dr. Oz. She is an expert! read more

I don't agree employing family members either. This is nepotism. If something goes wrong with your treatment, they are all going to cover for each other. You'll never know the truth of what really happened. And, I'm so disappointed to see some reviews here, where people seem to care more about what kind of music is playing in the background... or the staff being friendly, than what's being done to their face. This doctor is pricey for our Chula Vista and National City area. You guys fail to see that behind that pretty smile, is a very smart business woman. She is in this business for the money. read more

I am extremely happy with Dr. Tess and her team. I've had a couple treatments in a few weeks and the results are great. I would never be caught without makeup before treatments. I have really bad brown spots caused by sun damage and Melasma (and very dry skin). Now my skin is hydrated and the brown spots are lightening:) I haven't worn much makeup in weeks. I still have a way to go but I am LOVING the results. Shout out to Rick for being honest and very professional (and funny). He has performed my treatments, IPL and Vampire facial and is very good at his job. He made me feel very comfortable and let me know exactly what to expect. The office is very clean and are taking precautions with our "new" world dealing with Covid. They make sure they protect you and the staff. I highly recommend Dr. Tess and her team. read more

I had a series of treatments on my face with a device that uses radio frequency to improve tone and texture. Angela did the treatments and she was meticulous and thorough. I was told that the improvement in my skin would be gradual over time and it was. I am very happy with the results. It has been over a year and my skin is still much smoother. Dr.Tess treated my young adult daughter for hyperhidrosis (excessive under arm sweating) using Botox injections. My daughter is ecstatic with the results and is no longer embarrassed by constant sweat stains on her clothing. We love Dr. Tess and her contagious positive energy! read more

Came here once in 2016 and once now. Very friendly staff and nurse. Came in for a cortisone shots to spot treat some pimples. Since the procedure is very short, they were able to schedule me in right away. Front desk staff was very nice and friendly. Veronica, who gave the initial consultation was very nice as well. Educated and advised on a few recommended treatments, but at no point did I feel she was trying to pressure me to purchase a product or treatment. Was very upfront with prices when I asked and was ready to answer any questions. Angela the nurse who assisted me was great as well, very friendly and knowledgeable; cortisone treatment lasted 5-10 minutes. I was in and out of the office within 30 minutes. read more

I have had a few things done here in the past. Some were pricey, some not so much. I say it was ok, because I didn't think anything they did was extraordinary... everything was just ok. The part that bugged me was the lack of attention to detail in the office and rooms. Knobs missing from some furniture, camera system that was almost duct taped together, and a poor quality looped video of her tv appearances that is playing in almost every room. I wonder though... if this obvious stuff doesn't bother them, are they being detail oriented when working on my face/body? read more

I received Botox injections, I became so ill for the next few days. I call the office and explained that I have had Botox twice before at a different Drs office. and had no adverse reaction. They told me that it was normal. I think they use very cheap injectables. Also a very good friend of mine had a skin tighting treatment , Dr Tess shot the laser to close to her eye and she said it was like someone hit her with a cattle prod. She called her office and the sent her to her eye specialist who told her there was no damage. Days later after being very uncomfortable she went to see her doctor who sent her to a eye specialist that told her that her eye had been damaged due to the laser. Shady practice read more

I first visited at their National City opening about a year ago and then followed up with a consult at Scripps Ranch in 2013. The staff is nice and accommodating. I just have an issue with the $$$ charge for consulting with Dr. Tess, then for most of us, including myself, having to decide if I want to use an RN for services (not a problem if that's my preference), as well as the focus on the Filipino celebrities to attract clients. Do other Cosmetic surgery practices do this too? (singers, actress/aethetician types, etc etc.) I had a good consultation with this office regarding scar removal, skin tag and future treatment planning for Anti-Aging, but I'm opting to go to more established Cosmetic surgery clinics. I feel that there's a lot of nepotism (Dr. Tess, while a sweetheart, seems to be employing her entire family) and the recent advertisements make me feel like I'm taking part of a GMA Pinoy - type practice (I'm Filipina BTW) and this Pinoy-celeb marketing is just a total turn-off. I want a good practitioner who offers competitive pricing, free consultations and not so gimmicky - Celebrity obsessed marketing. I don't really care if their newest facialist-esthetician was a Filipina celebrity! Initially the big draw for myself and friends to consider her practice was that she was 'of color' and understood Asian skin needs. But that is no longer my motivation to consider services here. This is a nice, warm bunch of staff at these clinics, but I feel that the marketing is taking away from what my expectations of a Cosmetic surgery/Anti-aging practice is. I also look highly to the appearance of the main practitioner/MD for a reflection of aesthetic tastes, if its tasteful, dated, overdone, etc etc. I wish her success and think she's a genuine person, but the marketing and image and consultation costs altogether make it a 'no' for me. read more

I have been going to the Scripps Ranch Dermatology & Cosmetic Center for the past 7 years. I've always had oily, acne prone skin and after high school it got worse. And I'm talking about the huge, painful, cystic kind that get under the skin. WHAT A FREAKIN' NIGHTMARE! My experience at SRDCC has always been a great one. The clinic is decorated so beautifully and has a nice homey feel, which is a great change from the typical medical office. The 30 minutes that I do have to wait to be seen is usually spent with numbing cream on my face which I don't mind & is expected. During this time you're offered a variety of snacks & beverages which is a plus! As for the staff, they're wonderful! I was able to clear up my acne with PDT's & acne lasers. A few cortisone shots here & there. I couldn't be happier! I live off of the basic acne kit which keeps my skin clear & is affordable. When my skin was at its best.. I opted for Philosphy & Murad which is all the rage at Sephora. But I broke out again. =( Lesson learned & I'm back on Dr Tess' skincare. I haven't had the need for anti-aging treatments yet. But when the time comes.. I wouldn't trust anyone other than Dr Tess & her staff. PS. They also sell Latisse here =) read more

I just had a co 2 fractional procedure done. I was worried looking on line at all the horror stories. I got scared to death reading about all the pain? this tells me the right Dr. is the most important question you should ask yourself. Dr Mauricio was the right choice as well as her staff!!! I had no pain, she was so good so professional and knows what she is doing as well as her beautiful RN sister. Today is day 2 and Im up and fine. The down time of 2 weeks is not because of pain but because your old skin is pealing and your a little swollen. If your a chicken like me go see Dr Tess she is fantastic. Have her do your lips at the same time. As women get older our top lip shrinks, she does a beautiful natural look. No fish lips. If a Dr tell you their will be pain thats the wrong Dr. I can assure you NO PAIN!!! The office is great vikki Del mar, Ca read more

I wanted to update my review. I have been doing IPL's for few years and the I went in on Friday for another IPL. I talked with Angela regarding some other issues I'd like to address (rough texture, a few breakouts) she recommended doing the Refinity peel prior to the IPL. I am thrilled with what the IPL and peel did for my skin. No downtime and my feels great! I have been seeing Angela R.N for over 3 years now for Botox and IPL. Being in the skin care industry for over 10 years I have been to my share of offices for both of these procedures. Angela takes her time to discuss the recommended plan for that particular treatment. She takes into consideration my last results and what I am looking for at that time. I have been very happy with my results of both procedures each time I have gone in. Their back office staff is also very helpful and accommodating to my needs. I will strongly recommend this office, and Angela R.N to my friends! read more

I have never written TWO bad reviews before - but need to for this one. Long story short, after all of my hundreds of dollars spent on laser treatment. The result? 10 times worse the amount of growth from before I started! Would have been better off doing nothing. When I ask about it - they prescribe you another $200 cream NOT under any insurance! Never again! read more

I went to see Dr. Tess having once before tried Botox and fillers and had not been exactly thrilled with the results. What a difference! I first met with Veronica who explained treatments and. cost. She was very cognizant of the fact that I am on a budget and between us we worked out a plan that I could afford. I then met Dr. Tess. She was very caring and listened to me. Then began the treatment, Dr. Tess was so gentle that I did not experience much discomfort (totally different to my previous experience. THEN she showed me a mirror. I was so delighted with the results that I had to take a couple of "selfies". I am 66 years old and now feel that I look at least ten years younger. I feel more confident than I did before this treatment. Thank you Dr. Tess and your wonderful staff; I will be back. read more

This gem is tucked in a coldesack on Carroll Centre Rd, cross street is Black Mountain Road. You walk in the clinic and it feels like your walking into someone's house, not a clinic. I love the purple walls and the chandeliers definitely catch your eye! The first treatment I got was the Venus Freeze, which is definitely not cold. It quite the opposite! Its VERY warm, but a good warm. First the gel is applied and then on goes the massaging of the right side of my face. It felt good. I took it all in- the ambiance of the room, the soothing music in the background and the sweeping of venus freeze on my face. I literally feel asleep! Lol. So once my right side was done, I was in awe of how the right side of my face was slightly lifted. Wow! You could definitely see a difference. 2nd up was the Hydra Facial. After this treatment, my face looked soft, clean and definitely hydrated! I definitely recommend coming M Beauty. The quality of service and results can't be beat. And who doesn't love looking good?!?! read more

From the get go, I was hooked. The clinic is beautiful. Every person I encountered in the office was so welcoming. They all truly made me feel at home. I would recommend this place to any and everyone, especially if you want to feel better in your own skin. My consultation was great, not rushed, and I never felt like I was being pushed into any decision. Veronica was so sweet and understanding. Thank you all so much for making my experience with you so wonderful. read more

I've been following Dr. Tess for years since I work at a News station and she's been on several times and I finally booked myself an appointment after talking to the amazing manager Valerie from M Beauty! I had such a wonderful experience, Dr. Rick was amazing and Dr. Tess is just the most amazing person: super knowledgeable, friendly, and with the perfect skin. Now I'm obsessed and can't wait to go back! Thanks M Beauty team! read more

This place overcharged me on my first visit and when I noticed it the lady said they cannot put it back in my card and instead to schedule another procedure done so I can get back my money back????????? beware of this place! read more

I am writing this review, because although you may think someone on TV should be reputable..as seen on The Doctors...I was highly dissapointed. I received Botox for the First time, 8 months ago, for some forehead wrinkles, her face rejuventaion, and a little rejuvederm. I got the special totalling $999. Did not see any difference with the other procedures. The botox although it did dimeinish my forehead wrinkles, was not done properly, and made my Eyes sag and look 10 years older. ( I have a high eyebrow arch) My eyes were saggy and looked like I was giving a mean look. I was told it was due to my low forehead. I recently went and tried Viva Wellness With Michael Tunack, at our consultaion I told him what had happened, and he assured me it was due to the procedure being done wrong, to avoid the eyebrows and eyes from sagging. You have to to a botox eye lift procedure at the same time. Where they relax the pulling forces around your eyes, brows, and also treat the forehead all at the same time. I was nervous the same thing would happen again, but I HATE my forehead lines. So I believed in what he said and went for it..can i say AMAZING RESULTS! HE WAS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! I spent $ 179.00 total out the door for this, and will never go anywhere else. this is something that just needs to be done twice a year, and I couldnt be happier. Dr.Tess at MBeauty is a waste of time, they overcharge, and do not do the Botox correctly. Hope this helps anyone with the same issue. Thank you, Bobbi P read more

Staff was reallly nice. Only downfall was having to wait 30 minutes to be seen and then more waiting.

Absolutely love Dr Tess and her staff. I have been going to their office for seven years now and highly recommend them. I have been for several laser treatments as well as Botox and continue to look and feel great. I am 50 this year and will continue to see Dr Tess. read more

I had Juvaderm filler in my lips and Botox done by RN Angela and I am so happy with the results! Dr. Tess, Angela and the whole staff have gone above and beyond to make sure I am 100% satisfied. I will be back, Thank you! read more

I have been suffering with severe acne since the age of 13. I assumed that I was just like most teenagers going through puberty and experiencing a dramatic change in hormones. Going into college, my acne still persisted and was becoming very bothersome. Because I was getting older, the scarring from my acne wasn't healing as fast either. So not only did I have acne, but I had scarring from the acne as well. I wasted money on so much makeup just so that I can cover up my acne and the scars that came along with it. My self esteem was very low and the acne was painful. I have tried minocycline and birth control pills, but they did not work for me at all. My acne still persisted and I was still getting the same amount of breakouts prior to using them. I have tried all kinds of different acne washes, creams, serums etc... all of which have barely helped my skin. Nearly 10 years ago I had heard about Dr. Tess and her clinic that she just opened in Scripps Ranch. A few of my friends have been to the clinic for their severe acne and recommended that I go check this place out. With their acne clearing up very rapidly I called to make an appointment for a consultation. Angela, the lead RN and manager gave me a free consultation and we talked about my history with acne in detail. She took a look at my skin and recommended that I try their P.D.T acne laser treatment, also known as Photodynamic Therapy Laser. The P.D.T laser is known to give results that are just as good as Accutane but without the awful side effects. The treatment was painless because she had applied numbing cream to my face prior to treatment. The procedure took less than 10 minutes and then she handed me some after care instructions for me to take home and explained them to me in detail so that she can clear any confusion that might come up when looking it over at home. Within the first treatment, my skin was getting noticeably clear. My face was less oily, my pores were smaller, and my breakouts weren't as frequent. I was amazed! This is the first time ANY treatment has helped this much. I was becoming hopeless until I found Dr. Tess and her M Beauty Clinic. I received a couple more treatments afterward, and my skin kept getting better each time. After my last acne laser treatment I was barely breaking out, something that was very new to me. I have not had clear skin since I was 13 and now I am shocked at how clear and smooth my face is! After finishing the acne treatments, Angela started to work on my acne scars with their Skinfinity laser. After the first treatment, my scarring was less noticeable, my face became less red, pigmentation was even, AND my skin was more smooth and supple! I have a couple more treatments of the skinfinity and I am looking forward to how flawless my skin will look! M Beauty has definitely changed my life for the better and I can finally hold my head up high with confidence when I am out and about. Also, their staff has EXCELLENT customer service, they listen to you and take care of your needs. They're all so very knowledgeable and are always happy to answer any questions you may have and they make you feel at home. I am so glad that I did not have to resort to Accutane and its potential dangerous side effects. The laser treatments here are phenomenal and they really deliver amazing results. Although I have gone to the clinic only for acne problems, they have other treatments for a variety of skin problems. The regular patients that I see there have seen some amazing results with their other treatments also. The level of care at M Beauty is top notch, and rather than giving me something generic that a normal dermatologist would do for any acne patient, they tailor their treatments to treat YOUR specific needs all around. It truly is awesome how they treat their patients. They're personable, relatable, and easy to talk to. I can see why their patients (myself included) are very comfortable here. It's a very welcoming atmosphere and they are amazing at what they do. I can go on and on, but I think you get the idea. M Beauty Clinic is AMAZING! Thank you Dr. Tess and M Beauty! Now I look and feel as good as I do on the inside! read more

In a really long story short: I've had acne/keloid scars for basically a good part of my life - almost a decade (to my 22) of years just hiding my body because I was so highly self conscious of having them. I've been to numerous dermatologists in different states where I've lived that often told me there wasn't that much they could do. But when my mom and I finally went to see Dr. Tess (in the summer of 2015) who she's heard so much about, their team was very proactive. From Veronica who was our consultant to Dr. Tess' siblings - Rick and Angela - and Dr. Tess, herself - everything just happened so fast and it was such a blessing that they said 'Yes' right away and that there were treatments that was very much possible and affordable. By the new year (2016), after about 7 months of consecutive treatments - from the Refinity Peel to the Tri-Beam Acne (among others) - my scars were evidently flatter. So I am just really grateful (a lot grateful)...Compared to where I started, I used to completely cover up with baggy clothes or T-shirts even if it was in a 100 degree weather. Now, I'm not as embarrassed to go outside in a sleeveless dress or a tank top so I definitely have Dr. Tess and her team to thank of course. I was also recommended to use Dermablend (which I use with the recommended sunscreen). Sometime in the near future, I do plan to go back for more maintenance treatments but I think the newfound confidence alone with showing skin - like a normal person would which I've deprived myself of for the longest time - has changed me dramatically in a good way. They are such a blessing and I have a lot to thank them for and this is just a very short way of articulating how grateful I am to them. read more

While surfing the internet, I was hooked up by Dr. Tess mauricio's website about the free sample of the lifeline stem cell skin care. Rignt away i sign-up for the ptomo and pay a single dollar for shipping. But i was dissappointed cuz the free sample i ordered did not happen. I ordered the product , i think more than a month now and they said, it was shipped with in 7 working days. But untill now i haven' t receive it. I really, really dissappointed. Im an avid followers of her show. read more

Dr. Tess Mauricio is an accomplished and thorough professional. I have received several treatments from her and her team. I found the experiences very satisfying and my results have been subtle, yet proven to take years off my face in appearance. I would recommend her services to anyone who desires to have a more youthful appearance and boost one's self esteem. I had a no scar neck liposculpture and it was absolutely painless and the recovery time was effortless with results that were truly transforming. It's just an amazing process. read more

Fabulous doctor with fantastic results! Definitely recommend this facility very fairly priced and excellent attention to detail.

I have been a patient of Scripps Ranch Dermatology & Cosmetic center for over 3 years. My experience has been wonderful. The staff is always pleasant and friendly. I am never left in the waiting room for long periods of time. The results I have seen have been remarkable. As an African American woman finding a place that could work on my skin without leaving scars or damaging my skin was invaluable. I would recommend Dr. Tess Mauricio as well as Angela Mauricio to everyone I know. read more

Doc & I getting younger with Dr. Tess Mauricio. Best dermatology team in all of San Diego. If you are in need of Dr's who utilize the latest technology & materials available, do not hesitate to give this practice a call for a consultation. We all will age, so why not do it gracefully! #drtessmauricio #aginggracefully read more

I have been to the Scripps Ranch location on several occasions for different procedures. With every visit I have experienced amazing kindness, professionalism and the concern for comfort. They always followed up after my appointments to make sure everything was okay. I love the fact that this is a family owned and operated business. Every staff member really cares about the client. I would highly recommend Tess and Angela, anytime. As soon as I am able, I will be visiting them again... read more

Over the course of 4 years I have been a patient of Dr. Tess and have always had amazing results in the procedures I have done. Botox, lip enhancement, skin resurfacing, and my latest regenerative stem cell therapy procedure have all changed my life in a positive light. My results have always been amazing and I cannot express how professional and caring Dr. Tess and her staff are! She is Americas favorite dermatologist and will forever hold that title! read more

M beauty is amazing. Their staff is all very nice and they do an excellent job. I personally have seen Lacie (RN), Angela (RN), and Dr. Tess and I love them all! Val works at the front desk and she is so sweet and helpful. Everyone in the office is great and I love going in to see them. read more

This place strikes me as a shady business. I called over the phone and asked how much would it take for the treatment i was looking for. They said unfortunately they wouldnt be able to tell the pricing over the phone, and they gave me a sound reason: they need to personally take a look at me and do a consultation to make sure i have a customized plan. Sounds legit. But having been to numerous beauty clinics this just sounds very purposeful to me. It sounds like they are gonna give me a customized price instead of a customized plan, meaning that if you are a student, or below middle class, they will sell you less and price you less as well, and vice versa. It also sounds like they are going to sell me things i dont need or i ain looking for since i will be sitting in the clinic already. For whoever looking for beauty treatment out there, ask youself, if you are running very honest business, would you at least tell your customer the price range of whatever thing they looking for? read more

I waited more than 24 months to write this review: I had Tickle Lipo on my upper arms in 2013. I was so so happy to have this procedure performed on me, because I have always been self-conscious about my arms. After the surgery my arms were understandably swollen from the procedure, and they seemed proportional. However, as the swelling subsided that's when I noticed that my left arm was thinner than my right arm. Dr. Tess or her Husband also took more fat out from my left flank than my right one. I am mentioning her husband --because he is the Anesthesiologist who gave me the numb medication. However, I was not aware that Anesthesiologist also perform surgeries. They are husband and wife --and I heard that he sometimes helps her with the procedures. Also, I religiously wore my garment. I even purchased an extra one, because the very first one i got was too big. The day after my surgery, I went for my first follow-up and I told Christine that my garment felt loose. She then sent me to the office near/in Del Mar to get a smaller one, because they didn't have one in National City. In a few weeks, the second one i got also felt loose. I then proceded to buy one out-of-pocket, because they didn't have an XS size garment for me to wear. I was fine with that. I wanted to follow the instructions to the T given to me by Dr. Tess. I went back for my second follow-up and I requested to see Dr. Tess, because by now --I was really noticing that my left arm was thinner than my right arm. I had requested for Dr. Tess to fix it, and she made me out to be a perfectionist with extremely high expectations. I of course, refuted her comment, and stated that I just wanted to be happy with my results. Two weeks after, I went back for my 3rd and final follow-up. I again requested to see Dr. Tess, and informed her that I was willing to pay the expenses for a revision. She said to me, that If she went in to fix it --that I wouldn't heal properly. I was so upset, because she didn't explain to me the reason as to why "I wouldn't heal properly. Instead, she made me feel as if I was taking her precious time, gave me a hug, she said her goodbyes and left the room. Also, my surgery was to take place in or near Poway in a state-of-the-art facility --Well, 2 days before my surgery the staff at the front desk in National City informed me that my surgery was to be done in Del Mar. Definitely, that place was not suited to perform liposuction. I was told that they had decided to do the surgery there, because I was only having my arms and flanks done. And lastly, when I first went for my consult in National City---Christine was my point of contact for all the forms, phone calls, etc...she would call me almost daily to see if i had decided to go ahead and proceed with the surgery. However, after my surgery was performed --rarely did she follow up with me. I had to be the one calling and making sure my appointments were in place for my follow-ups. I do have to mention that Dr. Tess called me on my cell phone the same day of my surgery at night to check-up on me. I have consulted with other Doctors and I will soon have my arms fixed, because they are not evenly in size. My left arm continues to look thinner than my right arm. Also, more fat was taking out from my left flank than my right one. Since my surgery was done under local anesthesia I was awake the whole time, and I do recall Dr. Tess' husband liposuctioning my left flank. He is much taller and bigger than she is--I believe he got carried away with the cannula, and neither of them made sure if the sides were even. I will never return to her office, and I will take my money and business elsewhere. UPDATE: Yelpers, on July 30th, 2015. I had my revision on my upper arms. Also, I went ahead and splurged on upper, lower abdomen, and waist liposuction. So far so good. I will continue to update this review as I continue to heal. It took me a while to find my surgeon ----If you guys are interested on who did my surgery --please private message me. I will give you my surgeons information. He is very methodical, attentive, friendly, and will NOT try to sell you things that you don't need. He is also very honest. In addition to that, he is a double boarded surgeon with over 20 years of experience as a physician AND surgeon. Don't hesitate to ask me for his information. You are in good hands with him. His staff is so so friendly and very genuine. Once I heal, and once he gives me the green light --I will go ahead and do a Mommy Makeover with him as my surgeon :-) UPDATE: Yelpers, it has been 8 days since my surgery. I am still swollen as expected. However, I can already see a difference in how my clothes fit. Private message with any Q's. UPDATE: Almost 3 weeks since my surgery! I love my early results! I am happy! :-) UPDATE: Yelpers, it has been a month since my surgery! I continue to heal, and I continue to be happy with my early results. Private message me with any questions. read more

I was a patient 6 years ago after meeting Dr Tess's staff at the Escondido Street Fair. I was given a $100 certificate towards a $500 price quoted electrocautery session for facial skin tag removal. Pricey yes, but I was impressed with her knowledge of pigmented skin. The price included all follow up appointments and went without a hitch. Forward to now, 6 years later and what a difference a TV career makes!! I phoned for my appointment and when I asked about pricing was told not to worry, that the same price would be fine. I called again on the day of my appointment to make sure that I could come early to have numbing cream applied, ( This procedure is like having a flaming, shocking needle poke you repeatedly on the neck and face!) I was then assured there would be no problem. Let me assure you there were problems!! To begin with I was left waiting 70minutes in the waiting room with other clients who had arrived after me but were seen first.Then, after reminding staff of my presence (the 'new front staff people' had forgotten me!), I was finally taken to the back and asked to wash my face of the numbing cream I had received from 'the new girl'. Then another back office staff member came in with a clip board of at least 5 pages for me to fill out. I reminded her that I had already waited 80 minutes, had never been asked to fill out anything, and was appropriately numb for the procedure then! (the numbness wears quickly once removed. She apologized for the new staff who should have taken care of the paper work but non the less wanted me to fill out the forms while the numbness wore off. She then told me the Dr would be in to give me a quote for the procedure. WHAT? I had already discussed the price with the receptionist not once but twice! and the quote came to $700! plus the MD, upon seeing me for the first time in 6 years said the skin tags were more numerous than before (They were not and I have the pictures to prove it!!) and additionally gave an $8000 quote for tickle liposuction of my thigh and hip area! (unsolicited I might add!) This back office staff member told me that Dr Tess was in high demand now but that I could have a Nurse perform the job for $200 without any further waiting. WHAT!! I was so angry and frustrated that 2 hours into my appointment I was being bamboozled into paying a higher price that the tears started to flow. I had taken 10 days off from work to heal since the scabs leave me hideous for that length of time and now I was trapped!! Even so I gathered up my things to leave but was halted by the office manager who apologized for the misunderstanding and the lack of training of her front desk staff and agreed to lower the price to $500. Again more waiting while Dr Tess attended her other patients, probably the same ones who had arrived after me. While very quickly cauterizing the tags, Dr Tess told my what a great price I was getting, but never mentioned all the hassles and hurdles I had endured and NEVER apologized! Dr Tess was in my room for a total of 25 minutes ( she excused herself for 7 of those minutes) and then said she hoped I would return in a year to avoid the higher price for more skin tags!! No follow up was offered, even though some tags were missed. At the last appointment I was able to return to complete the removal process, Not this time! I will never set foot in that office again. Dr Tess while skilled at what she does, is not the only game in town and I will NOT pay her outrageous fees or substandard treatment ever again. Buyer beware! $$$$$ does not always mean better or even good service!!! I am an RN and have worked in the Medical field for over 30 years. Those year have provided more than enough experience to compare both price and experience. I have met and know too many Physicians to count. While Dr Tess is pleasant, she is responsible for all that goes on in her office and should be held accountable. Money is not everything, the patient experience should count for something. Dr Tess has a thing to learn about making money. Her reputation should mean more to her. read more