I Survived Diane, Tales from Ex-employees, Ex-employees share their experiences and answer questions Options

[TooTrue]

I just heard about the show and watched a few episodes. As a former employee, I can tell you it was like experiencing one flashback right after another. In fact the link arrived in my inbox from another ex-employee with the quote "OMG, she hasn't changed a bit!"

I could write a novel regarding my experiences with Diane, but to start the topic I will limited it to a few highlights:

First of all, for those who think the show is fake with bad acting - this is REALLY how she is. Scary, but this is actually a toned down version of her. I have friends who are actors and I know how they stage reality shows, BUT Diane is naturally this way (the only thing natural about her).

Topic contributors - if you worked for Diane, are a former client, or vendor, please share your stories. Now is your chance to vent, make others laugh, and to be thankful you no longer have to deal with the crazy, plastic lady.

Questions - if you have questions about some of Diane's antics, feel free to ask. Finally a forum to share the stories. I always thought I should write a TV script about everyday life in the office because you couldn't make this stuff up!

Ideas for the producers:

1) How Diane preps the staff when she will be out of the office for a few days (aka What, you're spying on me, I'm supposed to be spying on you.)

2) What it is like to be a Vendor working with Diane (aka I never signed a contract, oh that contract. I'm suing!.)

3) Exploring the business mind of Diane (aka What do you mean it won't sell, somebody must agree with me) (example: buying $10,000 in medical textbooks for the spa thinking patients would buy them) So many examples, ask me about more.

4) A highlight of Diane's clothes (aka The see through pants - "Their age appropriate, I'm only...")

5) Diane's decorating sense or lack thereof (aka Diane Redecorates the office again) - fantastic opportunity for conflict with Dr. Lee as Diane loves to redecorate within 6 months of finishing the last remodel. Oh, and feng shui is her favorite. She fired our marketing director because she didn't agree with the decorator that the books in a library are too busy and should be moved. Oh yeah, it was just hours before a very large open house event at the spa.

6) Following the employees to happy hour where too many drinks lead to loose lips (aka OMG, I thought we were the only ones left in the bar)

Enough ideas and background for a start. I look forward to hearing from other victims, I mean ex-employees, and viewers.

[guiltypleasure]

Completely embarrassed but had to watch. I know D from derm shows and she has quite the reputation among industry professionals. She loved to share her patient list as well as their procedures.

Was this common when you worked for her?

BTW, she and her husband sent out sexy and completely inappropriate Xmas cards. Wish i kept one to share

[guiltypleasure]

Do you have any of the postcards?

[TooTrue]

The idea of confidentiality did seem to elude Diane. She talked about it conceptually, but then she loved the idea of listing our clients to bring Hollywood stars to La Jolla. The idea was that they could keep their privacy by going out of town. She didn’t realize that violating confidentiality wouldn’t create an effective marketing campaign for privacy. We witnessed her discuss patients with other patients or vendors, BUT she would turn around and reprimand an employee for not reminding patients we had a back door to "sneak out."

Sorry no old picutres.

[Esthetician]

I used to work for her. SHE IS NUTS!

As for the comment about her spying, she would be your best friend and ask you to give dirt on someone else. You better change the spelling of her name though. It is spelled D i a n n e. She wanted to fire someone for spelling it with only one n.

[TooTrue]

You better change the spelling of her name though. It is spelled D i a n n e. She wanted to fire someone for spelling it with only one n.

You're right!!!!! I completely forgot. Oh well, she can't fire me because I quit "her" a while ago. She was furious because nobody leaves her. You can only go when she fires you.

[TheBlonde]

Ok this is the best forum ever! I worked for Dianne as well and the first time I met her she walked right up to me and shook my hand and flashed her fake smile. Then she proceeded to point to the wrinkle in my 22 year old forehead and said I needed some botox for that. She is straight up nuts!

[TooTrue]

I can believe that! It was so Dianne (let me spell it right this time) when she pointed out her date's flaws. Even funnier was her comment to her spa manager "If I were you I would have done my teeth before my boobs."

I had to counsel her on interview ethics and well HR laws on a frequent basis. She didn't realize that as soon as she pointed out a potential procedure to employees or patients that they would quickly engage in a conversation about her, oh lets say unusal look.

[guiltypleasure]

Really can not believe I watched another segment or that I am posting to this, but....

Seriously she was so annoying at derm shows always talking about her success. Well, I guess it is true that money can not buy taste. Her home is as tacky as her greeting cards. Animal prints can work if done tastefully but that place was too much. Red, zebra, black, glass.

[TooTrue]

Are you surprised that her home was too much? I think the words "two much" describe Dianne perfectly. She is perfectly coordinated with her home.

BTW, her old medical spa is in a beautiful spanish style building in La Jolla and I will never forget her adding a fountain with very large glowing blue rocks with lighting that changed from amber to other hues. So no, money doesn't necessarily buy taste or decent decorators.

[hoops]

WOW, you guys are the best dishing out the skinny on this chick! I've been watching the show and my first thought about her, and I don't know her and haven't worked for her, was that she was a complete
b!atch!! I mean the kind you want to smack in the mouth.

[TooTrue]

You got it!! I saw working for her as a daily course in Dealing with Difficult People only instead of studying cases I had the chance to live it every day. Practical experience over theory.

[hoops]

You got it!! I saw working for her as a daily course in Dealing with Difficult People only instead of studying cases I had the chance to live it every day. Practical experience over theory.

I think someone who has been there --done that, is the best judge!

[Royal]

The woman is so unprofessional! When Gary found that mascara in her trunk, all she had to do was to say "oops!" and apologize to Ronnie for blaming him. That would have been the professional thing to do. She's a total narcissist and completely unreliable! I'm glad I never worked for the bitch.

[latochia]

i think i like all the cast and hope the show stays aired

[hoops]

i think i like all the cast and hope the show stays aired

I'm conflicted! I think simply because Dianne was such a b!atch the show should be cancelled --just dessert for her. However, on the other hand, what entertainment this show provided, delicious fueds and cat fights, I want to see more. Damn my viorism!!

[Jerryben]

I know some of the lyrics are "You know we hustle hard, Getting money the fast way to living large".

[Monrocsol]

i think i like all the cast and hope the show stays aired

People this is a show. I am glad it is what it is and that it takes me out of myself. The cast is perfect from Dianne to Mel. Don't change anyone, bring more people in. The crazier they are and the more addicted... the better!

[Mamafindy]

Okay, here it is in a nutshell.....when the three front office people came forward and complained to Dr. Lee and the office manager about Dainne they said fire the three? Do they no watch any of these shows? Seriously? Dianne is a plastic surgery addict and looks terrible! Dr. Lee should be ashamed of the way she looks, especially if he partakes in any of her procedures. I would be ashamed anyway. I worked in the medical field and would never let one of my employees look like that. She is so fake! On top of that she's a witch. She's a backstabber. If I had three employees coming to me and complaining (even if they were doing their jobs properly) I would seriously take into consideration what they were all complaining about!!!!! I would also, however, look at what they were doing in their jobs. Looks like, to me, he needs to revamp his WHOLE office and get some REALLY real looking and acting people in there. That being said, if they were all normal looking and acting, would we watch? Be honest. It could make for a very boring show. Still, Dianne needs to get out of there. I think she is majorly conceited, over plactic fixed, and just plain a witch (being nice). Dr. Lee needs to wake up. He is looking at the wrong people. If ya'll worked for him before and that snotbag (Dianne) was with him then, he needs to look at the whole picutre and find the common denominator and get rid of it! Goodbye Dianne!