luciacovelli
Luciacovelli
2 posts
Indianapolis, Indiana

“A cautionary tale... this could happen to you.”

Facelift: NOT worth it

Cost: $8,000
Pain: Worst possible
Facelift satisfaction: Poor1 Star Rating: Poor
I do not recommend my Facelift provider: Sign in or join to view provider name

I have been suffering the most extreme pain, disfigurement and severe problems with breathing,(positional airway obstruction) swallowing, neck extension and jaw closure since this facelift. It has been 8 years and progressing to life threatening status.

Jun 12, 2009Comments and replies (6)

10 of 11 people found this review helpful
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This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.
sunset2
2 posts
15 Jun 2009

Can another doctor not correct some of your problems?

Angellady65
17 posts
24 Jun 2009

Facelift if very general...what all did you have done?

Vickisue
55 posts
9 Sep 2009

Hello, Lucille's story can be read throughout the web. She had reversion surgery on issues concerning a Rhinoplasty(nose job). Went to Indiana University of Medicine from Massachusetts,particularly to see Dr.Epply. He was suppose to be expert in reversions needed for her situation. This was also on Cape Cod hospitals referral. Long story short,a face lift was decided along with the reversion. According to Lucille, he(Epply)let a student take over and he left the surgery room. Student cut a muscle in Lucille's neck and jaw area resulting in these life threatening conditions, that have worsen over the years. I've watched her Web-sight videos, read her documentation and court records and yes, she must sleep with a home-made devise she made to acquire air at night while sleeping. Her condition continues to worsen. The Doctor(Epply)is denying her charges,and I too cannot understand why he doesn't try to help her get this fixed, and be done with it all. She is not going away,or remaining silent. She makes this very clear. Apparently alot of legal back and forth has been going on for 10 years. Her accusations of malpractice and neglect,and his blacklisting her with other doctors who may help. Epply charges Lucille with ruining his practice and credibility, trying to obtain a Gag order in federal court. As to date,I do not believe anything has changed. This is a very sad situation indeed. Some on Dr. Epply side, others on Lucille's. Point being that any surgery can go wrong,leave you disabled,sometimes deformed and in this case claims of malpractice/neglect. It maybe too late for Lucille,since time is running out with her health. I honestly do not believe at this point she is strong enough to endure another surgery. She is very thin and my heart goes out to her and her daily struggle.I have wrote my best wishes to Lucille and she has been strong,and kind enough to write a thank you back.This is her crusade,to warn others never take any surgery lightly. Look what happened to me. She is also a wonderful artist. I have seen and enjoyed her work,also on her web-sight. Unfortunitly,this ordeal has stopped the music on that part of her life as well. God bless you Lucille.I pray your life gets better.

RJLupin
1 post
3 Oct 2009

This person has been harping on this issue for I don't know how long, and I think it's clear she is mentally ill. I can remember even years back pushing conspiracy theories on the web about all the doctors out to "get" her. She's been stalking the doctor that did her surgery, and also claimed that the guy who did the revision botched it, too (?) It's my belief that she's got some kind of psychiatric illness/body dysmorphic disorder and shouldn't ever have had any surgery to begin with.

roy1957
5 posts
10 Oct 2009

Having experienced a very bad outcome to a rhytidectomy procedure I can empathize with lucilles pain. I am on permanent disability as a result of my surgery and from what I have seen on lucilles web site concerning her cosmetic pastic surgery experience, she difinately has good cause to publicly air her outrage and suffering. My healing thoughts go out to you lucille. You are not alone.

Dider
24 posts
30 Oct 2009

Doctors post pictures and testimonials from patients who have good outcomes. We all want to think we will look that good and be that pleased. I cannot stress how important it is to go to a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon. However, even those doctors will have patients with complications. My heart goes out to Lucille. I would also say having worked with many, many residents in a different field, that I, personally, would never go to a University hospital for cosmetic facial surgery. The residents are there to learn. Even if Dr. Epply had stayed in the room, the resident could still have made the mistake. If you do have to go to one, ask around to find out who the best residents are and make sure it is one of them who will be assisting the staff surgeon.

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