WeightLoss Solutions Australia clients complain about lack of sufficient post-operative care

A flailing weight loss company has come under fresh fire from clients who claim they did not got what they paid for. Read what they said.

• 'Nothing out of the ordinary' in $140k deposits

A flailing weight loss company has come under fresh fire from clients who claim they did not got what they paid for.

WeightLoss Solutions Australia charged clients more than $6500 each for a “compulsory follow-up package”, which was purported to include 12 months of post-operative care.

Companies behind WeightLoss Solutions, headed by Felicity Jane Cohen, 60, collapsed last year, leaving creditors millions of dollars out of pocket.

Three of her companies are in liquidation, while another four are in receivership.

Many WLSA clients accessed their superannuation accounts to afford bariatric surgeries - with WLSA also charging them a $500 “administration fee” for facilitating that process.

Weight Loss Solutions Australia headquarters at Varsity Lakes on October 17, 2024.

In a closed Facebook group, created exclusively for clients of WLSA, administered by its CEO Felicity Cohen, one said they had been “completely ignored” by WLSA after their surgery.

“I tried multiple times to reach out, quite literally crying out for help,” she said.

Another said they were “almost 12 months post-op and still having issues getting in touch” with WLSA, while another said “all my calls and emails went unanswered”.

“Whenever I’d get in touch with them they’d say we’ll call you back but never would”, said another client, while another said she “even messaged Felicity herself and no response”.

“For what they charge it was a joke,” said another client.

“Hopeless, non-existent,” said another client of the support they received.

Ms Cohen, who previously blamed WLSA patients for her staff not being paid on time, replied to some of the comments, saying it was actually clients who weren’t returning calls and emails.

“Sometimes staff spend days calling patients with no reply,” she wrote.

“The onus rests on us all to ensure you get support.”

Weightloss Solutions Australia CEO Felicity Cohen. Photo: Supplied

Angry clients described her response as “gaslighting” and “blatantly pointing the finger of blame elsewhere”.

“Can’t go blaming the patients when it’s been an issue for years,” one client said.

“Look at yourself ... you have to take accountability.”

Ms Cohen wrote “the business is alive and well” and that clients were “welcome to ongoing support”.

“The staff changes have been a positive change,” she wrote.

“Sometimes change is necessary to move forward.”

Responding to the Bulletin’s questions on behalf of Ms Cohen, lawyer Daniel Wignall said WLSA was “committed to undertaking the post-operative care requirements”.

Originally published as WeightLoss Solutions Australia clients complain about lack of sufficient post-operative care