Case Description

I saw a doctor at a walk-in clinic in Vancouver about a small red bump on my lip. He insisted I have it removed & sent in for testing as it might be cancerous even though he didn't know how to diagnose it. I said it's probably a blood vessel and not cancerous. I said I was single, highly adversed to scarring, and very very self-conscious. He said whatever it is surgery will get rid of it. He promised I wouldn't even notice a scar and again insisted surgery. He did not warm me of any implications with having surgery on the lips (sensitive in the cold, sensitive to sun exposure, constant discomfort, etc) nor gave me the option to see a plastic surgeon (who's properly trained in that area). He is only a general surgeon who decided to work on my lip himself even given my concerns. Now my lip is deformed! (very evident he does not have experience with surgery on the lips) with major scarring, and the unnecessarily large cut has left me in constant pain. I'm falling into a state of depression.

So my concern is:

1) I was not informed - He withheld important information from me regarding the long-term implications of surgery. He did not tell me about that part of my lip being hard and sensitive forever. That I would feel permanent discomfort. Sensitivity to the cold AND sun. Possible disfigurement. He only addressed scarring only after I specifically told him my concern.

2) He was not property trained in that area - The cut was unnecessarily large and the stitches were in all directions. Bump was 2mm in diameter on the outside but the cut extended to the bottom inside of the lip which wasn't even operated on! (now constantly painful rubbing against my teeth and tongue). The skin is now on two different levels. The cut opened up a day after surgery and another doctor confirmed he missed a stitch entirely. Major scarring and deformity now.

3) He gave me no alternatives to see a specialist - No referal to a dermatologist who may be able to diagnose the bump to avoid surgery given my high adversion to scarring. No option to see a plastic surgeon to remove the bump who is trained in facial surgery and to minimize incision & scarring to the lips.

I honestly feel he misled me into letting him operate on my lip either for monetary gain or he wanted more experience in surgery with the lips. Is there anything I can do? Please please help. Even if only for advice. Thanks.