Khoa Lai, MD

Great & nice doctor...! Provides you the best solution and relieves your concerns. ☺️

I went in for a breast reduction consult and he did not even try to go through my insurance. He told me they wouldn't approve it and to jump through more hoops (pain medication, physical therapy, etc.) before going back to him. I had records of back pain for over a decade. I also had read my own insurance policy on the matter, and he was unwilling to listen to what I had to say about what my specific policy stated. I went to another plastic surgeon in Carmel and they got me approved with no issues. He also did not have any bedside manner, and was telling me I had scoliosis and made me feel uncomfortable by describing my breasts in detail to his assistant out loud (stretch marks, acne, etc.). I have heard good things about him from others about mastectomies, but I definitely do not recommend him for what insurance my consider "voluntary" procedures.

Let me just start with saying I almost NEVER leave reviews however, if my review can keep a woman from being treated the way I was treated then this is worth the time and effort. If I could give 0 stars I would. Dr. Lai was short and kept interrupting me as I answered his questions and seemed annoyed with my questions. When I asked him for pictures of his work he said he had some but then said that I hadn’t exhausted all my options that insurance likely wouldn’t cover my surgery anyway and that “men have back pain too and they don’t have the option of breast reduction surgery to treat it” and that I needed to try physical therapy, medication, etc. (most of which I have done in some capacity but according to him none of what I had done was acceptable for the insurance claim) then he had his assistant come in and he called out measurements and other findings of his exam then had me stand in front of the mirror and open my gown then proceeded to pinch the skin just above my nipple to pull my breast up and said this is what a lift would look like which side do you like better I said the lift side and I started tearing up because I was upset and uncomfortable then he grabbed my breast and had me stand sideways and said “you’re breasts are the perfect size for you body and frame” as he held up one side for me to see in the mirror. He grabbed his binder of before and after and showed me a before and after picture and asked me which side I liked better I said after to which he replied “well that’s pretty much the exact size you are” at this point I was crying and felt kinda violated the way he was just grabbing me. He said he didn’t even think I was actually a G cup (the bra I had on is a 38 G and I still have a crease in my side boob when I’m wearing it which suggests maybe it is too small from my previous bra fitting recollections.) At this point I’m full blown crying his assistant says nothing and I told him we were done here and that I was leaving to which he replied “you don’t want to listen to what I have to say?” I said no please leave, so they both left the room and I got dressed and walked out. I’m mortified, I’ve already gas lit myself enough about whether I need this surgery but my constant back pain (FOR YEARS) is just getting to be to much I’m constantly uncomfortable. He at one point mentioned my right shoulder was lower than my left which can cause back pain and that I likely had scoliosis, told me my 17 years of chiropractor visits don’t count, and insurance would want to see that I had EXHAUSTED all of my nonsurgical options and deflected to answer questions based on my specific policy. Apparently my 38 G breasts would only be eligible if I was a 4’2” 80lb frame (his words). Please do NOT go to this doctor for elective procedures. Frankly at this point you couldn’t pay me to see him for ANY procedure. I only did a consult with him because he was the closest covered by my insurance and was recommended as a first stop by my PCP. They even took my copay at the beginning of the appointment, I’m guessing I’m not the only one that has ended an appointment early so have to get that money before your client walks out and refuses to pay for horrible service.