Thermage hype or reality?

As a plastic surgeon who does a lot of Thermage, I get upset when I hear stories about cases where it was painful and ineffective. If it is excruciating, the settings are too high! That is where complications occur and it doesn't work better either. And if there is a lot of loose skin, it isn't going to work anyway. Thermage is NOT an alternative to a tummy tuck or a facelift.

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I never posted my experiences before in the web but writing this thinking it may help somebody like me, who is having sensitive skin and can't use any creams or products on their face. In fact Thermage is the first and only cosmetic procedure I ever had in my life, as I have very sensitive skin and can't use any products including moisturisers. Had my Thermage for face on 9 May 08 in Sydney, thinking it is waste of money after reading all the reviews in the web. But I have to admit, it really worked for me. I am 40 yr old (Indian)women have thin olive skin . Had little bit saggy eye lid and slightly saggy skin in my cheeks, few fine lines(visible wrinkles) in my forehead and had bunny lines near my eyes. I did not expect to see drastic change in my face after thermage but in two weeks time (today 20 May 09), I my self can feel the difference in my face in the mirror. My skin is tighter all over the face and surprisingly my saggy right eye lid vanished with more youthful look. Not sure, if it works for everyone the same way but it really worked for me.

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I have had a Lifestyle Lift and I really don't think that I would do it again. The results at first were good, but I think that it might have been from the swelling. What they don't tell you in the consultation is that they give you about 10 to 12 shots all in the face to deaden it before they start cutting on you and they cannot give you a topical anesthetic so that the shots don't hurt. They just get you in the chair and it is like a suprise attack of all these shots in your face really fast. It really hurt..............and then the after care of it was exhausting. You have to spend nearly every hour that you are awake taking care of it. I had my upper and lower eye lids done at the same time and also had the sagging skin under my chin "tacked up" while I was at it. I think that it wound up costing me about $7000. Can't remember exactly because it has been a couple of years ago and they quoted a seperate price for each thing done. My ears are pulled closer to my face as a result and it is very hard to wear earrings and forget trying to sleep in earrings.................I also have scars all along my face in front of my ears and on the back of my neck. I just really wish that I had tried going the dermatologist route first.

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So what is the right canidate? Can anyone be specific? Obviously it is not for anyone with a lot of lose skin. Maybe there should be a simple questionaire that a person can fill out (online) that will give a ball park estimate as to yes or no to thermage. That being said, Would I be a good canidate?: Age 48, male (look young for my age) Don't smoke, avoided the sun most my life, do drink some Never been overwieght (I have very little body fat)doing atkins diet now for hi colesteral Exercise regularly No saggy skin. small face Labial folds are getting too prominent, eyes are bagging some, I have small chin, neck skin is a little loose but not hanging. I hate my downward gaze.

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For anyone who would like information. I had mesotherapy done for a double chin area. It is done with needles. Of which I am NOT a fan at all! If you get someone who is good with the needle, it's not absolutely horrible. You do swell up - A LOT, and it can be itchy for some people. But after about 3-5 days the swelling goes down and in about two weeks you can see a difference and in about a month it looked incredible. I had it done about 4-5 years ago and the double part of the chin has not returned. So, while it is uncomfortable and somewhat painful for that session, the results are great, long lasting, and inexpensive compared to other options.

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