Patients of ‘Dr Lanzer cosmetic surgery clinics’ across Australia continue to come forward to Maddens Lawyers detailing harrowing accounts of their experiences.
One father and his son had the ear surgery procedure, otoplasty, where after nearly three years since their first surgeries they are still in pain.
Father, Justin Byatt, said that all he wants is for his and his sons’ ears to be fixed and for the doctors to be held accountable for their actions.
‘If I had known the pain we’d still be in and what the appearance of our ears were going to be I wouldn’t have had the surgeries. I just want the doctors to be held accountable and I want our ears fixed,’ Mr Byatt said.
Dr Ryan Wells performed Justin and his son’s otoplasty procedures at Dr Lanzer’s Malvern clinic, Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Services in 2019. Justin had returned to Dr Wells for further procedures to try to rectify complications in 2020 and 2021 without success.
‘After the 2021 appointment, which was just a quick procedure performed on a day bed, the problems were still not resolved. My request for another appointment to review my ears just went ignored by Dr Wells and clinic staff.
‘My left ear is still in a lot of pain, it feels hard and stiff, the ear is deformed, and the stitch is still showing. I can’t sleep properly or play sports. It’s really impacted my day-to-day life.
‘Unfortunately, my son has similar complications mostly in his right ear.’ Mr Byatt explained.
Maddens Lawyers Class Action Principal, Kathryn Emeny, leading the class action said that patients coming forward ranged in demographics such as age, gender and types of surgery.
‘Otoplasty procedures like those undertaken by Justin and his son tend not to get much of the spotlight but it’s important to raise awareness about the life altering consequences of otoplasty surgery going wrong. Imagine not being able to lie on your side to sleep at night because of the pain to your ears. In addition to not being able to sleep comfortably many people can no longer wear glasses, play any form of contact sport, or even hug someone in case their ears are bumped.
‘We have participants from all walks of life linked by these terrible experiences at the Dr Lanzer clinics. In the case of otoplasty procedures it is not uncommon for children to be impacted. On top of the physical and psychological harm, the financial impact can be devastating with many having to seek additional costly procedures to try to rectify their original surgery.
‘I want to highlight to anyone out there suffering - know that you are not alone. We are hearing from people continually, it’s quite astonishing the scale of the impact and harm,’ said Ms Emeny
Close to 1,000 former patients of Dr Lanzer’s clinic, Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Services, have now registered to participate in the class action. All types of surgery are included in the class action including liposuction, gynecomastia procedures, tummy tucks, otoplasty, fat transfers and face lifts.
Dr Lanzer operated cosmetic surgery clinics in Malvern, Sydney, Perth and Salisbury, Queensland. The defendants to the class action are Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Services, Dr Daniel Lanzer, Dr Daniel Aronov, Dr Ryan Wells, Dr Daniel Darbyshire, Dr George Wong, Dr Alireza Fallahi and Candice Wainstein.
‘We are advancing this class action on a no win, no fee basis so there is nothing to lose by taking part,’ Ms Emeny explained.
Impacted patients are encouraged to register confidentially online at https://maddenslawyers.com.au/drlanzerclassaction/ or phone 1800 815 228.
Media Contacts:
Sarah Sheehan, Communications Manager, Maddens Lawyers: 0401 904 570
Kathryn Emeny, Class Action Principal, Maddens Lawyers: 0439 385 349
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Key Facts:
Father speaks out after he and his son still suffer complications from ear surgery performed by Dr Ryan Wells three years on.
Close to 1,000 former patients of Dr Lanzer’s clinic, Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Services, have now registered to participate in the class action.
Contact details:
Sarah Sheehan, Communications Manager, Maddens Lawyers: 0401 904 570
Kathryn Emeny, Class Action Principal, Maddens Lawyers: 0439 385 349
