In a stunning move on Friday, California State officials suspended the license of Elk Grove’s Dr. Mahmoud Khattab for practicing outside the scope of his practice, gross negligence, and incompetence.

Dr. Mahmoud Khattab is the owner of Precision M.D. Cosmetic Surgery Center. Located at 9250 Big Horn Blvd #100, in Elk Grove, Precision M.D. Cosmetic Surgery Center opened in 2011 and began offering cosmetic procedures in 2014. 

According to Precision M.D’s website  Dr. Khattab is no longer seems to be practicing there. The website offers information on Dr. Shane Cuber. However, past clients do not seem to know who he is. This seems to indicate that Dr. Cuber was brought in very recently after Dr. Khattab’s license was removed. 

“Precision MD offers a wide range of aesthetic treatments to improve your appearance, as well as amenities to help you unwind and indulge yourself. Dr. Cuber and his staff of dedicated professionals will help you look and feel your best with Botox/Dysport, facial fillers, skin rejuvenation, laser hair removal, body contouring, chemical peels, and more. You’ll be treated with care and respect from the moment you walk through the door.”

License Suspended Amid Accusations

Documents filed by California State Medical Board Expert William J. Prasikfa claims Dr. Mahmoud Khattab bent the rules. The filing claims Khattab was not qualified to perform the less than safe procedures he carried out in his office. “The Respondent advertises his practice as ‘Precision M.D. Cosmetic Surgery Center’.  This is the name posted on the outside of hit building, it is the name printed on all the official documents and patient records, and it is the name under which he advertises on his website, on television, and online. But the Respondent’s practice is not an accredited surgery center, it is merely a medical office.”  Accusation-Khattab

Patient Complaints: Long Waits & Bad Service

Several of Khattab’s patients reported severe pain, surgical site infection, and discontent with the level of post-op care. In addition, patients complained of pain during procedures, as well as unprofessional confrontations with Khattab and other medical staff at the facility. Likewise, patients shared reports of dirty surgical areas, lack of pre-op screening, and a lack of focus on patient care.

Elk Grove Tribune reader Courtney Meek shared her harrowing experience after breast augmentation surgery at Precision’s Elk Grove office:

“He gave me two norco that day. His assistant, I honestly don’t remember her name, she wheeled me around to another building in back of his home office. I went in and just like the court docs said, there were boxes everywhere in this office.  I was heavily sedated and remember barely making it up on the table. My eyes kept closing and I zoned in and out and I remember him injecting me about 5 times in each breast, as he made the incision,  he told me “You have some of the thickest muscle I’ve ever seen while doing a breast augmentation.

He was literally shoving the bags in my chest and at one point I remember saying “That really hurts can you please stop.” He didn’t. A couple of days later my right breast split clean open and my bag was hanging out of my chest. I made an appointment to go back in.  He said, “Oh I need to stitch you up.”  When he stitched me up he didn’t give me any numbing meds or anything. I was in an extraordinary amount of pain for days. I was so angry. I wanted to sue but I’m a single Mom.”

Physician Scope Of Practice

The factual allegations listed in the complaint paint a grim, hazardous scene within the medical office

Although he is not a Board Certified plastic surgeon as advertised, Khattab performed surgeries in a back room in his medical office. Furthermore, allegedly, he had no hospital-admitting privileges at any hospital. The medical office also did not have a crash cart, nor did they monitor patients’ blood pressure during medical procedures.

The Healthcare sector, like most regulated and licensed industries, develops rules to guide providers. The scope of practice helps to identify the procedures and actions an individual physician is permitted to perform. A physician’s scope of practice is based on specific education, experiences, and demonstrated abilities. However, there are instances where healthcare providers bend these rules.

Dr. Michael A. Bain is a Board Certified plastic surgeon and the Chair of the Plastic Surgery Department at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and Irvine. Dr. Bain reviewed the medical records for several of Khattab’s alleged patients. Dr. Bain reported multiple violations of the Medical Practices Act or failure to meet the standards of care.

Request For Comment

Precision did not respond to a request for comments prior to the publication of this article. However, a note on the Center’s Yelp page read:

“Our current plastic surgeon is Dr. Shain Cuber. The physician you have referred to is no longer practicing at Precision M.D. We encourage you to review Dr. Cuber’s portfolio on RealSelf to review his experience and results. Dr. Cuber is a very skilled and well-regarded surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.” (Office Manager)

Author’s note: In full transparency, Precision M.D. Cosmetic Surgery Center has in the past had ads displayed on www.elkgrovetribune.com. The ads have since been removed.