Weight Loss Solutions Australia patient Vicki Collins finally receives refund after speaking publicly

A former patient of a failed company behind Weight Loss Solutions Australia had a surprising phone call from the business after her sharing her story. READ WHAT HAPPENED:

A client of a failed Gold Coast weight loss company has received an apology and a long-awaited refund – more than a year after cancelling her surgery.

Debts of almost $3 million have been unearthed by liquidators of two companies behind Gold Coast business Weight Loss Solutions Australia.

Toowoomba mum Vicki Collins booked a gastric bypass procedure in September last year, handing over more than $4800 to WLSA, with fees to the surgeon and hospital taking the cost to more than $23,000.

While the surgeon and hospital refunded her money Ms Collins, she said WLSA did not return a single cent of the $4800 – despite her contacting the company almost every week since.

Former WLSA patient Vicki Collins of Ipswich (right) with her daughter Kelly Rubesaame.

Responding to questions to WLSA CEO Felicity Cohen, lawyer Callum Viel of Hickey Lawyers said his client was “not familiar with this patient’s story”.

Yet on Monday – two days after the Gold Coast Bulletin published Ms Collins’ story – the business phoned the Toowoomba mum to apologise and make good.

“They called and said they were really sorry for mucking up my payment and that they would put it in my bank,” she said.

“It’s great, really good. It was money that I never thought I’d see again.”

Weightloss Solutions Australia CEO Felicity Cohen. Photo: Supplied

Ms Collins, who is battling poor health that’s kept her off work, said it was a relief to finally get her money back after her story appeared in the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“It’s great, it couldn’t have come at a better time,” she said.

“Thank you so much for your help.”

Online reviews for Weight Loss Solutions are peppered with accounts of people claiming not to have received refunds, often losing thousands.

Some patient reviews claim their surgeries simply didn’t work.

Mr Viel’s letter said Ms Cohen refuted the reviews and denied allegations the business has failed to refund patients’ money when required.

“Each and every patient is different, and each procedure is different,” the response said.