12/4/24: This is my third time posting on Google. For some strange reason my review keeps getting taken down. I honestly only keep re-posting because maybe my experience will give you the courage to be your own advocate if you think something is wrong after your procedure.
Dr. Luong performed a Panniculectomy on December 23rd, 2020. My incision became quite painful and turned red around the edges. Originally wasn’t scheduled to have my first post op until three weeks after surgery because Dr. Luong was opening up a new practice and the construction was delayed. I finally insisted I be seen in the clinic sooner than January 11th and they gave me an appointment on New Year’s Eve, along with 32 of her other patients. After waiting a long time in the lobby, I went to exam room with Dr. Luong and one of her nurses and explained to them the pain, redness and drainage. I went to remove the dressing for Dr. Luong to visualize my concerns. She said don’t remove it as there was no need and the redness that extended out from the incision completely normal. I had asked to be put in an antibiotic to be on the safe side, and was told no since I got an antibiotic during surgery that would “prevent” any infections. I was ushered out the door because they had many more patients to see. My next post op visit was middle of January because I kept being told construction was delayed and Dr. Luong or one of her colleagues at Midwest would not see me sooner. Over the next two weeks I became much worse. I ended up at Fairview Southdale with decreased level of consciousness, difficulty breathing and cement like substance coming out of my drains. My family was told by the ER nurse I was just having a panic attack and nothing was wrong. Even though she was aware of my situation, Dr. Luong proceeded with having a photo shoot at her new office before she finally came to see me at the hospital. Again the ER nurse reiterated in front of me to Dr. Luong panic attacks were making my vitals elevated and Dr. Luong agreed. Cannot describe the horrifying feeling when no one will listen to you as a patient, even when I have been a nurse since 1997 with extensive med/surg background. Within a few short hours of being on the floor under observation, I went into septic shock. Turns out I had an infection the whole time that progressively worsened but no one would address. I ended having seven more open abdominal surgeries to get rid of the infection and to correct the deformities. I missed months of work and my medical bills skyrocketed. I just had an eighth surgery yesterday by another surgery. There are massive amounts of adhesions and hernias from the additional operations Dr. Luong performed. I am told this will be permanent and will continue to need repairs for the rest of my life. I had done my research on surgeons before selecting Dr. Luong. When I would read all the negative reviews about Dr. Luong, I just chalked it up to disgruntled patients instead of taking their comments seriously. I am only writing this review in hopes of preventing any other patient going through the same nightmare I did. Find a surgeon who will listen to you and take action when you say something is wrong.
Taelor Hill
September 12, 2024
Called with a health question/request for a potential surgery and Dr. Luong was incredibly disrespectful and condescending. A simple "no" would have sufficed, but instead she talked down to me and kept repeating why she couldn't honor my request. Felt like she was berating me unnecessarily, it was honestly confusing.