The Victorian Cosmetic Institute

4.6
based on 18 reviews

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18 reviews about The Victorian Cosmetic Institute

verified email - 07 Feb 2024

Botched fillers & hyaluronidase damage

It has taken me more than 8 years to finally feel comfortable and confident to post a review about the Victorian Cosmetic Institute. In 2015 I went to the Victorian Cosmetic Institute & was talked into having 4mls of filler injected into my cheeks & nasolabial folds to lift my cheeks by the self-appointed "cosmetic medicine specialist". I was told that the filler was temporary & would last anywhere between 12-18 months.

Once the procedure was over I looked in the mirror & noticed one cheek was higher while the other cheek was lower & further out from my nose. My nasolabial folds were arched, crooked, unnatural & everytime I smiled my cheeks would pop out like golf balls. I hated the results because the filler added volume instead of a lift like I was led to believe.

Just the thought of what I would have looked like if I had gone ahead with the 12 month "alternative treatment plan" devised by the "cosmetic medicine specialist" who recommended 12mls of filler costing me over $9,000 and 60 units of Botox every 3 months for $720 per treatment gives me nightmares.

Soon after I contacted the owner of the Victorian Cosmetic Institute and complained about the botched filler. They assured me it was easily & instantly reversible by injecting Hyaluronidase which is used off label to dissolve fillers. After several attempts over the coming days & weeks it was quite obvious the filler was still present.

On one occasion the Victorian Cosmetic Institute dissolved my tear troughs via the cheeks yet I never had filler in my tear troughs to begin with. On another occasion while injecting Hyaluronidase they also started to inject filler into my temple without prior warning. When I asked them why they were injecting my temple they told me they were compensating me for my troubles yet never mentioned that the temple is a danger zone & a risky area to inject.

In total I had 6mls of filler injected into my face within 19 days, yet on the Victorian Cosmetic Institute's website it states that 1ml of filler is enough for the entire face. On each occasion the Victorian Cosmetic Institute never informed me of the risks, dangers & complications associated with Hyaluronidase & never gave me a consent form to read and sign.

A few years later I had a consultation with the Professor of Plastic Surgery who is an expert in filler complications & he told me that if the filler hadn't dissolved by now then it was permanent. He gave me a referral for an MRI of the head which detects the exact amount of filler & the exact location of the filler. The MRI report stated that I still had upto 4mls of filler in my face even after all the dissolving sessions from many years ago.

On Dec 3rd 2018 I showed the Victorian Cosmetic Institute my MRI results who had no idea at the time that MRI scans can detect fillers. Their recommendation was more dissolving but in a larger dose so they flooded my face with Hyaluronidase yet never recorded the amount in my clinical notes.
When I went back for a follow up consultation on Dec 10th 2018 they contacted the radiologist in my presence who also appeared not to be aware at the time that MRI's can detect filler but suggested I get another MRI anyway.

Not long after, the Victorian Cosmetic Institute contacted me via email thanking me for bringing the MRI information to their attention instead of thanking the Professor of Plastic Surgery who he had previously corresponded with via email regarding my MRI results. For some unknown reason it did not occur to the Victorian Cosmetic Institute that the Professor of Plastic Surgery deserved all the credit for having known all along that MRI's can detect dermal filler.

Instead the Victorian Cosmetic Institute chose to capitalise on this information by making a YouTube video claiming they had made this discovery after doing quite a few MRI's (not sure how this is possible as they are not radiologists). They also stated in their email that they wanted to inject a very high dose of Hyaluronidase to try and dissolve the filler again for the 5th time.

In the meantime I noticed that my facial structure had collapsed, I developed deep hollows under my eyes, my cheeks caved in, my marionette lines were deep, long & dragged down. The corners of my lips sunk into my mouth & my skin was extremely loose, saggy & stretchy all the way down to my neck.

Hyaluronidase did not dissolve my fillers but instead permanently dissolved my connective tissue as it can't distinguish between the skin's own HA & the HA in dermal fillers. Hyaluronidase has aged my facial features by 10 years & only a full facelift & necklift can fix this.

In 2019 & 2020 I took the Victorian Cosmetic Institute to VCAT a small claims court requesting a refund & a corrective advertising order because their website falsely advertised that the temporary fillers they use last anywhere between 12-18 months. the Victorian Cosmetic Institute was granted lawyers on the grounds that their business reputation was at stake while I had to represent myself.

I cross examined them with over 90 questions & I presented over 100 pages of supporting evidence & documentation while he only had photos & amended clinical notes. The radiologist was also present in court supporting the Victorian Cosmetic Institute The hearing was held over 2 days & my claims were eventually dismissed by the judge.

the Victorian Cosmetic Institute who "specialises" in cosmetic procedures got away with not providing a patch test for Hyaluronidase and not providing a consent form for Hyaluronidase on each occasion amongst other things.

Just recently I was threatened on 2 occasions with legal action for posting Google reviews on the Victorian Cosmetic Institute. Their lawyers instructed me to remove each review within 7 days otherwise I would be sued for defamation in the Federal Court of Australia. I wasn't even given a chance to respond to each email when my reviews were both taken down.

27 Jun 2020

I just want to say a massive thank you to Liz for the procedures she has done on me. I have walked away feeling so great full for the results she has achieved on my skin. I wouldn’t go anywhere else and I thank her for my new found confidence which I didn’t think was possible. Thank you Liz!!

03 Nov 2019

great experience getting filler for the first time, put my pre existing worries to ease

20 Nov 2017

I am very pleased with my fat transfer procedure on face performed by Dr. Gavin Chan. He is exceptionally skilled and knew exactly what I needed to create a natural and youthful look.

verified email - 10 Jul 2016

I went to The Victorian Cosmetic Institute to have my first botox done. The staff were very very friendly, the waiting room comfortable with water and herbal tea available. I had an appointment with nurse Liz. She was very knowledgeable (she has been doing the injections for over 10 years now). She explained different types of botox and exactly how it worked. The total price was very much over what I wanted to spend, as I required many units to go into my vertical muscles between the eyebrows. I told Liz that's more than I could afford. She worked around my budget and provided temporary solution to get rid of as many wrinkles as possible. She even called up competition to find out their prices! The injections were literally painless and very quick. I also received a follow up phone call a few days later to check how I'm going. They are also happy to book you in for a follow up consult which is free of charge. The location of the Berwick clinic is a bit misleading on their website. They are actually inside the good life health club gym. Be careful, as there is another cosmetic clinic on the corner - no.26, where I originally went to. I think they are used to people coming there, as the lady promptly directed me to the correct building.

12 Aug 2015

The staff were really knowledgable, very friendly and went above and beyond for me. Highly recommend this clinic if you feel like a boost!......

10 Aug 2015

Staff are incredibly professional.... The results are amazing!!!'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

05 Aug 2015

Loveliest staff and fantastic treatment. I have had fillers and anti wrinkle injections, I always leave happy :)

04 Aug 2015

I'm always very happy, they really help you and do what is best for you! I wouldn't go anywhere else

Approximate cost: $400

verified email - 04 Aug 2015

I was very impressed with Gavin!!!! He was by far the most thorough surgeon I have met with regarding liposuction. I also love the staff here as they are super friendly and the service is exceptional!! I will definetely be recommending Gavin and the Victorian Cosmetic Institute to family and friends!!

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