Any way to improve scarring caused by a Lifestyle Lift?

I know many of you have probably seen my post already but my mom got a LSL because the doctor told her her neck would be tighter, then during the operation she heard him say oops because he cut too much.

Anyways, it's been about 2 years since, and my mom's scarring on the front and back of her ears isn't getting any better. Can anyone share anything they've done to get rid of the scars? This would be so helpful.

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6 answers to “Any way to improve scarring caused...”

A: Depends on the location and nature of the scars

By Brent Moelleken, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

The posts below were excellent. Just a few additional comments. If your mother's scarring is due to bad scarring but the incisions were placed properly under the right amount of tension, conservative treatment with steroid injections, silicone gels or sheeting and tincture of time may help. If the poor... more

A: Revision Surgery is Best but not only Option

By Kamran Jafri, MD - New York City Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hello Stephy, Very good advice given here so far. I would also like to add some additional advice. It would be very helpful to exam your mother to determine what the best treatment would be. Here are some options: 1. Kenalog/Steroid Injections: if the scars are raised or "ropey" appearing these injections can... more

A: If the scars are now 2 years old, perhaps she can have...

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

If the scars are now 2 years old, perhaps she can have them revised. Poor scarring can be the result of many things including genetics, infection, too much tension on the wound closure, technical issues like poorly placed sutures, etc.. She should probably go to a board certified plastic... more

A: I am sorry to hear about your mother's situation. This...

By Robert W. Kessler, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

I am sorry to hear about your mother's situation. This is happening far too frequently. The problem is two fold and you have identified one. Not only was too much skin taken but no deep structural support was provided to prevent the scar from widening. Skin can not be used as a support structure it is a veneer... more

A: I agree with Dr. Rand that this is a very difficult...

By Shahram Salemy, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

I agree with Dr. Rand that this is a very difficult problem and will likely require a revision procedure to address the issue. I would highly recommend to your mother to seek out a Board- Certified Plastic Surgeon to handle her care, and there are multiple outstanding surgeons in the Dallas-Fort Worth... more

A: When too much skin is removed and needs to be pulled...

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

When too much skin is removed and needs to be pulled tight to close the incisions, the scars will be thicker and worse. Possibly, they can be injected with steroids or treated with IPL to soften them but the only way to revise them surgically is to wait a few years until there is enough laxity in the skin to... more

Comments

Bits
258 posts
1 Jan 2009

Dear Dr's. My LSL scars in the front are straight down scars, nothing to hide the incision or in the fold, as I was told. I was never told I'd have incisions behind the ears& all of those stitches are bumps w/ stitches coming through. I also have bad tightening in the neck area, earlobes& ub=nder my chin , it feels as if someone is choking me. Most times, especially with weather changes, the pain feels as if my skin is being torn from my face. I've been back to Lifestyle Lift, called numerous times& the 1st 18+ months, I was told this is normal & takes longer for some. Some plastic surgeons won't even see me when I say I had a LSL. Others that have don't want to touch me, not knowing what was done to me. I am in treatment with a neurologist being given several different meds to see if that helps. The current one is 25mg Lyrica that makes me soooo tired& my neuro would like me to get to 50 mg. I have a sick Mom that I take to the doctors for treatment alot& I need to be clearheaded to drive. They hardly kept any records on me, no surgical report, yet they claim all LSL patients are done differenly as needed. I had a non medical person that determined I was a candidate for PS& wanted my depodit right then w/ an incentive of a discount. The DR, when I insisted on meeting him told me was a PS when I asked. He is not!! I was told a small incision as the girl put one index finger on eah side& gently pulled up. That was ok w/ me, all I wanted was my smile to be upwards, not upside done& the wrinkles more smoothed out, as they looked when she did that. My Dr. That did me was over 2 hrs behind schedule & in a hurry, I'm sure. He cut a line straight down my face& also my earlobe is sewed to my face. Can this be reversed without further damage? Thay offered a revision by the same Dr., but if he did a poor job then, why take a chance again& most Dr's& the neuro I see told me not to til I get some of the sensation lessened or gone. The LSL lasted 6 months! I was told 10 yrs. PLease advise me... Thanks