Lifestyle Lift recovery. How fast and normal results?

I had a Lifestyle Lift on July 12. Today, July 18.  I am still experiencing swelling and pain especially on my right ear. The swelling is very hard and is causing me discomfort when sleeping. Is this normal? How long does it really take to recover from the life style lift procedure? Do you have any reviews or comments regarding this procedure?

rubysnow
1 post
27 Apr 2007

I was wondering if anyone knows of an instance where the procedure can be done by going into the hair line instead of in front of it. I am prone to scarring and those scars discoloring which gives me pause for having the procedure done -- unless incisions can be made someplace other than the visible part of the face.

aurichdean
unregistered guest

3 May 2007

I had a recent Lifestyle lift. I developed swelling at the angle of jaw within 6 hours. My doctor promptly called me. The next day, the pain was so bad I had to leave work early. It became evident in retrospect that I developed a serious skin infection that was probably missed early on. The antibiotics were changed on the 6th day post op. Within 24 hours the infection began to slowly go away. I am now 8 days post op. I am doing better but my neck is definitely swollen and I still have pus draining out from behind my ears. My doctor, who is board certified, called me and is making a special visit with me on the weekend. I travel an hour one way to have the back of my incisions drained. Although it is too early to tell, I think that the problem will resolve, within 2 -3 months or so. At the first sign of infection, of if the skin feels like it is burning, you must culture the area and determine what is growing. The broad-spectrum antibiotic I was placed on post op (Keflex) did not do the trick. If you develop an infection, treat it aggressively. So far the staff and doctor has been very supportive and he reassured me that he will do everything possible to correct the problem. By this I assumes he means if he has to go back in at a later date, he will do the whatever surgical procedure can be done to correct the problem at no charge to me. Hopefully, this will not be the case.

mims
unregistered guest

5 May 2007

I saw that the BBB is taking on lifestyle lift for making the claim that "You can remove up to 20 years in about one hour". Read this on MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18279507/ "NAD said Lifestyle Lift's claims of "look 20 years younger" is "unsupported." NAD wants Lifestyle Lift to change claims that you can return to work quickly "by disclosing quickly means in up to one week." NAD also takes issue with patient pictures, saying "the sagging neck and chin are amplified" in some of the before pictures and after pictures with a head "tilted up magnifies the improvement". I am interested to find out if these claims are true but it makes me wonder why stop there. seems as though every product company make big claims about their antiwrinkle cream or skin blemish remover

guest57
unregistered guest

17 May 2007

I ve had 2 c-sections and a rynoplasty ( nose reconstruction) My with any surgery there can be swelling and numbness with my c-sections it took 20 years and still have some numbness with my nose reconstruction I had numbness for almost 2 years and the healing took about 2 years which I was told that it meaning my nose  would change over the years not for the worse but the better. And it did. also with a nose reconstruction you can have a stiff upper lip for some months and I did and was not very happy at first but heck this was my first time having any type of work done. The Dr. also did some bone reduction under my eyes and I had some brusing but I was back to work in 4 days. not looking my greatest and not feeling terriffic either but I needed to work. So with my experience it takes time, and I would tell anyone doing surgery check it out look at the people sitting in the office ask questions and one thing for sure your expections have to be realistic. I am not a lawyer nor a doctor.

Deb from AZ
unregistered guest

20 May 2007

I just had the lifestyle lift and liposuction on May 11th, and so far am very happy with the results.  The liposuction was in the chin and jowls. Total cost was just over $4k.  Everything they told me to expect is correct and I have verified it with several web sites.  I also did my research prior, especially on my surgeon, Dr. {edited}.  I was on a wait list for her for 5 months for her.  She has been doing plastic surgery for 20 years, is board certified and had her own successful practice in AZ outside of the LifeStyle organization. 

My only complaint is they sort of downplay how quick you can return to normal activities.  Mine was on a Friday and I wish I had taken both Monday and Tuesday off work.  Luckily, I also am able to work from home, because 8 days after the surgery was the first day I felt I could go in public.  Yes I have bruising, but only around my chin and jowls where the lipo was done.  Still swelling in the neck and ear area, but again they told me to expect that as well as several other websites also say it is normal.  I get my stitches out on the 10th day which is tomorrow and am hoping that will help with the swelling.

Also ran into two women in the waiting room the day of my surgery, both in their 60's one was two weeks since surgery, and one was three and both overall happy with the results.  They told me what to expect in regards to swelling days 2 - 5, also warned me about fluid build up, which I had but was able to get right into see someone and have it drained.  Also a common side affect.  Again, you have to remember this is major surgery.  They cut around the ear and lobe around to the back of the ear and into the upper neck a bit.  There are two sets of stitches, one under the skin that will dissolve and one on top.  Skin is also cut off during the procedure.  I am confident I will still like the results for years to come and will be happy to report back here in 6 months.   From everything I have read, this is the same process as what you would get at any other plastic surgeon performing a lower face lift. 

The best advice, is do your research on the process in general and the surgeon.  If you're hesitant get a second opinion and price and weigh out your options.  This was cheaper than what I was quoted from a surgeon outside of LifeStyle Lift.  The difference was basically they would have put me up in a nice facility the first 2 or 3 nights, changed my dressing, etc.  I was able to do it all on my own with no problems, be in my own bad and was fortunate my husband took care of me during those first few days. 

smithsilver
4 posts
13 Jun 2007

My recovery took almost 2 MONTHS (NOT days). I was unable to go out in public for 3 weeks. I can't imagine ANYONE able to 'return to work' in 1 day after this procedure. I did have the additional lipsuction on the jaw area that added to my recovery time, but they told me to give it a long weekend and I could go back to work - NOT EVEN CLOSE! It was very frustrating and very expensive as it cost all of my vaction and sick leave and then some. I was in bed the entire first week with pain and swelling. From what I have read and heard about recovery from a 'traditional' face lift, I feel my recovery was about the same as if it had been a tradtional full face lift.

Christopher54
unregistered guest

18 Jun 2007

I am a 53 year old male, who put a deposit down for the LL in Fort Lauderdale last Friday. Still have a few days for a refund, however I am not scheduled for a "consultation" until mid August. After reading the horror stories I am concerned. As a male, I have very short hair and I am worried about the scarring around the ears. The "jowl sag" I have is minimal, yet was told I would need liposuction. (Not by the doctor (Westine), but a consultant) I just wanted to "tighten up" the loose skin which I began to notice when I turned 50. Are there other procedures besides LL or a full face lift for this.

guest
unregistered guest

20 Jun 2007

Has anyone had the procedure done at the office in Santa Ana, California? I'm scheduled for next month and have not been seen any reports from the BBB. Thank you

guest
unregistered guest

1 Jul 2007

This comment is for the African American Woman in Florida, and others who wanted to know if anyone of another race has had it...yes ... I am Black and I had the procedure this past weekend, Friday June 29, It is Sunday night here. I'm reading all the comments and I am very nervous, so far I have swelling, bruising, not a lot of pain, I am numb around the ears, I sort of look like a martian due to the swelling, I am icing and following all the directions, My ears aren't sewn, I still have my lobes, I took the week off, because I doubt that looking this way I could go back to work Monday, I fortunately went in for the consultation when they were having a special, so it costs $3,800.00. There are women of all races and ages having this procedure, I saw them in the office and I hope it works, I'm praying that it works. I had mine done in Michigan, I agree with everyone else, research it, follow your gut feeling. They gave me papers with my Dr.'s credentials, he looks certified, the office called me the next day to see how I felt and answered some of my questions, so we'll see...good luck

chipmunk
unregistered guest

3 Jul 2007

I was supposed to have a face lift done in the Westbury office of Lifestyle Lift. I put down a $400 deposit for the proceedure. I was told that the money was refundable within seven days of the deposit, or on the day that you meet with the doctor. Well, after reading the comments about Lifestyle Lift, I decided to op out of the proceedure. I met with Dr. {edited} of the Westbury office. I said that I did not want the operation, and he assured me that I would get my refund back. That was on 3/14/07. It is now July, and I still have not received my refund. I have made repeated calls, and have sent letters. I don't believe that there was ever any intention of refunding the deposit on the part of Lifestyle Lift. I am very surprised that a doctor's office would be treating a patient this way.

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