Ever wondered what Tribunal Court is and what is it for?? I stumbled across this piece of information following my predicament for which I shall share. But first the story :) Btw this happened almost a year ago.
I've always dislike that bulge on my inner thighs, hmm don't we all? Basically there are 2 things which you can do, one get treatment or two exercise and eat healthy. I do maintain my diet and exercise on weekdays but it wasn't fast enough for me. I go crazy on weekends and splurge on food A LOT.
We all know treatments can be expensive and worst you don't see any effect or difference. Age plays a part too in the fat scale.
I went to this Aesthetic Clinic in regards to my "condition", unfortunately it's expensive to correct......
One day the doctor contacted me says she has this new machine that can correct my "concern". She sent me a brochure and asked that I come in for consultation. After consultation and seeing how convincing she is, I decided to go for the procedure - Cool Sculpting. I did my own research (unfortunately not extensive enough), some complained there are no result, some complained that area of treatment hurts, some commented that they see huge difference. Like any other person, we hope that we are the one who see the huge difference.
During my consultation, doctor said that my "concern" isn't as serious as I thought and I should get the result I want in one treatment. She doesn't think that I even need two. She also mentioned that the bruising will subside within a week or two and the effects of the machine can be seen within a month and full effect in 3 months. Convincing eii?? Read on!!
The supplier of the machine came in together with the Doctor's assistant. The supplier was the one who did my thighs placing the suction and all. After awhile the doctor came in and said to the supplier that she did not place the suction on my problem area. The doctor adjusted the suction and place another metal plate to cover my problem area. My right thigh obviously got more treatment time than my left as the suction cup fell out a couple of times and they had to redo it and restart the timer.
Once treatment is done, both thighs felt numb and they assisted to massage both areas. Doctor asked to come see her again in a month for a follow up. I came again a month later, my bruising did not disappear instead it look like 2 rods had been bashed on my leg. The doctor look baffled by my condition and claimed that I was the only who experienced this as all her patients are fine and do not exhibit any symptom. She then repeated the procedure on my right leg for free.
After 2 months.
After 4 months.
After 11 months (Today).
Concerned I decided to get a second opinion from another doctor, according to the doctor I have a case of frostbite and this is from exposure to too much cold. Now it has become a form of pigmentation that cannot go off by itself and I need the assistance of laser and I would require a minimum of 7 sessions at RM 600 per session for both legs.
I went back to see the doctor again 3 months later. She denied that it's frostbite just some bruising, and that doctor just wanted me to spend money. Her initial statement was that bruising will go off within 1 to 2 weeks and full result within 3 months and if the bruising does not go off by May we will discuss compensation.
I went home wrote her an email to at least get proof on the said compensation instead I was replied by more lies. She now changed her statement to Hemosiderin Bruising and it may take months to years to dissipate and full results are seen within 4 to 6 months and the review in May has been changed to June. I have a feeling that she increase the recovery and result seen period to suit my case and provide her with a cover. She refused to provide me a full refund although I have demanded for one seeing how she messed up my thighs and I do not see any difference.
To proof the doctor wrong I went to another clinic. This doctor educated me on a couple of things (Oh well too late now). Zeltiq is the only machine that is capable of doing Cool Sculpting and it is from USA. Any other machine cannot give or produce the same result as Zeltiq and in my case causes complications. I chose Mi-Cool because it was a cheaper option and I quote the good doctor ("Mi-Cool is a sister of Zeltiq, Korean brand, producing the same result but at a much affordable price"). Zeltiq machine cost a fortune that is why Cool Sculpting done with a Zeltiq machine is expensive and result is definite. So ladies please stay away from any Cool Sculpting machine except Zeltiq no matter the price/promotion. Complications might not happen to everyone, you might be the lucky one but I would not suggest on taking any chances.
The doctor took a look at my thighs and said that I have Post Inflammatory Inflammation and I would require a number of sessions with Pigmentation laser. This would not have happen if it was treated earlier. I explained to her that my doctor was in denial.
I wrote another email demanding my money back, but of course she refused saying some bruising subside faster than others and she will continue to monitor my progress. But 3 months and counting is too much right?? Who asked her to give empty promises and now that I know she is using an imitation machine that caused the complication, I will definitely not let it go. I contacted Kementerian Kesihatan as well as Tribunal Court in an attempt to get back my money. I filed my case with Kementerian Kesihatan first then Tribunal Court, I am not sure which will help but I file with both. Unfortunately since she is a doctor Tribunal Court will not be able to help.
Any of you who have any disputes with items that you purchased or membership charges you can go ahead and file with Tribunal Court. For example, you sign a package for facial but you are having allergic reaction to products they use. You speak to them and they refuse to refund your money, you can file with Tribunal, get the form, fill it and post it to the Facial Shop via registered post. You would need that signed registered consignment to go to Court. Without it, the judge will throw your case out. There will be no lawyers, only you and the defendant; you both will be at each others throat in front of the judge and in front of other complainers. Now that I have explain about Tribunal let's move on.
Since I am unable to file my case with Tribunal, I thought my case was doomed and the doctor is going to get away. Fear not, this is where Mahkamah Tuntutan Kecil comes in. Before that I went to see another doctor just to be sure. This doctor took a look at my thighs and said your thigh is actually sunken in if you look at it properly. I was like WERTTTT!!!!! He said hold on let me call the expert of Cool Sculpting. The lady walked in took a look at my thighs and said this is a poor job done. The mark is cause because the wrong suction size is used and also an imitation machine is used. She explained that Zeltiq is the only machine in the market capable of doing Cool Sculpting and producing result. I said yeah I know, I was educated by another doctor -.-". The bruising will fade away but in a few years time. The only thing that he can suggest to me is to apply pigmentation cream and demand my money back.
Kementerian Kesihatan was taking their time to follow up on my case. Typical! I headed to Mahkamah Tuntutan Kecil in Jalan Duta, and collected Form 198. You only need to submit 1 copy and not 3 as said in many blogs. Once you filled in the form, before I forget you can only claim maximum of RM5000, even though you think you deserve more or have paid more. When you walk in the Mahkamah go in the glass door on your right, go to counter 5 submit your form and get a number. Then you need to wait for Counter 3 to call your name to collect your form. Once they called your name you need to go to Counter 10 to get a receipt to make payment. Unfortunately for me I had to wait 15 minutes because the system did not capture my case. Then you need to go out to the glass door across the hall. Head to counters 7 to 11 to make payment, you do not need to take any number. Once you have made the payment you will need to wait 3 working days for the court to send you an email on the hearing date.
I am scared not because I did anything wrong but because this is a court, it kind off intimidates you, and not to mention I will be going up against the doctor in front of EVERYONE which can be pretty embarrassing but I am prepared to strip down my pants to show the judge the pigmentation marks. Now i just need to wait for the letter from Court on the hearing date. I waited for almost 2 weeks then I called to check on the status. Apparently after I made payment they did not update the system so status is pending. I would need to go back to show them the receipt again. Before I went, I received an email from the doctor replying to KK stating to give her time and she will respond to me. I waited and waited until I almost couldn't wait anymore then an email a lawyer came. Hmm interesting! In that letter state that my claim is baseless and bla bla bla. Come the last point it says due to the doctor's goodwill, she will refund full amount that I paid for. MISSION ACCOMPLISH!!! Of course she took her own sweet time to produce the cheque but I got it eventually.
My advice think properly before you go for a treatment, do as much research as you can. But best of all nothing beats the natural way of exercising and eating healthy. Look at the hassle just because I wanted the easy way out. I urge anyone that have been conned or given fake treatments or even experience side effects after treatment to come forward. There is nothing to lose especially if you have tried to get a refund and failed miserably. Worst come to worst you lose the case in court. But hey at least you've tried!! We should not let unscrupulous service providers get away with dishonesty just because we are afraid of inconvenience. I hope my experience can help those who are deciding on doing Cool Sculpting treatment or those who had been hoodwinked. I have stumbled and fell on a mistake and I do not wish anyone to do the same. I also hope to guide those who wants to file a claim because it's frustrating if there is no one to guide you on what to do.
I am unable to paste anything here due to certain clause in the letter I signed. Guess you'll just have to take my word for it :)
Was trying to use Google Map and this little rascal rested his head on my hand. Not to worry, I stopped the car before taking this picture. Too adorable not to. 
