Embarrassed and Disappointed - I Fell for the Commercials

Comments (28)
Posted Nov 16, 2009
Not Worth It
Spent: $4,500 in Huntersville, NC

I fell for television commercials, magazine ads, the one hour procedure, immediate improvement and the pre-procedure red carpet treatment.

I cannot see any noticeable improvement in my face. Several months after the procedure, I had a neck revision and six months following that procedure, I am stuck with what the physician describes as swelling that will eventualy go away. I believe at this point, I am stuck with a bad result, to put it mildly. If I had it to do over, I would have gone with a reputable plastic surgeon and not the "Lifestyle Lift" route.

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The procedures (2) were painful and I don't know how you can see immediate improvement when you leave looking like a mummy. Following the procedure, you will never be allowed to come through the front door. You will arrive through a rear entrance to wait to see someone and wait along with the other unhappy clients.

I am ashamed, embarrassed and disappointed. What a waste of my money, time and energy.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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Comments (28)

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
1,855 posts
17 Nov 2009
Again the ads got you. Why did not research before you, all these patients, underwent the LSL. Even on RealSelf.com, ONLY 29% say it was worth it. Why do you think you could get an acceptable result, just look at the stats. I recently re operated on a failed LSL from less than a year ago. In less that 4 days the improvement was dramatic. Maybe the boarded Plastic Surgeons should form a site of "We Repair Failed LSL's".com it might help. Best of Luck I feel for you Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, MIAMI
Stephen Prendiville, MD
491 posts
17 Nov 2009
Unfortunately, "disappointed 2009", you are not alone. I feel very badly for you and others like you. The amazing marketing, the great price, and the high pressure sales are very compelling. I would venture to say that the majority of patients walking into LSL have not sought another opinion or done their research..... to their detriment. The LSL patients I have seen all have several factors in common: little perceptible result, stigmatic signs of a procedure (pixie ears, wide scars, altered hairlines), 4-8 k lighter in the wallet, and a sense of shame for being sold the Brooklyn Bridge. Please educate those that you know about your experience.
Chrystal Eckes
431 posts
17 Nov 2009
I am so sorry about what happened to you, but if you look at other postings here at realself, you will see that you are not alone. Many others also have similar stories to tell. I hope that you will network with others on the board and stay in touch. I do hope that you get to feeling better soon. Best, Chrystal Eckes.
not a happy camper
2 posts
8 Dec 2009
I just wish I had researched this more. My husband wanted to give me this as a gift for our 25th anniversary. I have since found out that this procedure doesn't work for someone with a square jawline (according to the surgeon) when I went back in to ask why I still had the jowls
flyer
2 posts
1 Jan 2010
pain and scaring a year later??it has been almost a year and i still have extreme tightness and pinching behind my ears. the dr is trying to treat with kenolog injections, VERY painfull. the right side is responding a little, the left as bad as ever, 10 months since the surgery. i am very unhappy with the results as the pain is very bad, can not sleep, changed my life alright!
Bits
280 posts
3 Jan 2010
Dr Blinsky When I went in 2006, I didn't book because there was no diploma of the DR being a plastic surgeon. I did go to other Dr's, namely three (3). They wanted to sculpt me, but that's probably more my fault, because when asked, I told them about the promises of LSL. Comparing no wrinkles, small jowls, price for price, LSL seemd the better choice due to no risk factors. I'd never had plastic surgery & know nothing, except what they told me (small incison, 20 yrs better as far as how you look, small incision, all dr's are ' the best of the best plastic surgeons' with hospitial affiliations. I never knew you could call & get the dirt on a DR. I thought that was privelaged info.What I did do is call the LSL ctr at different times to ask if the Dr was reallya plastic surgeon & everyone of them said yes, including the DR. They KNEW what I meant! When the other Dr's I consulted with explained what they would do to give me approx 20 yrs back, I was horrified & practically ran. In retrospect, I got a lower facelift w/o my knowledge& could've done it w/ the other Dr's I saw. Call me naiive, but I didn't know! Here I am over 3 yrs later, still in pain, still not knowing what he did& how to fix it because they keep no records on us.He forgot his hippocratic oath somewhere, lost pride in his work or was frazzled to get the line of people done in one day. My left incison is straight down, just a line, nothing was done to hide it close to my ear creases, plus he pulled the ear down& sewed it to my face. One prominent Dr said they cut too far into my face & if there was ever a chance to rid me of the pain, they couldn't because I don't have enough skin to close. Was I duped? Yes. I can't believe a medical DR would do that to a patient for greed. His idea of a revision was to slightly open the right earlobe, pull it down& sew that to my face to make it even. I ran!!! Many Dr's later& $$$ out of pocket, nothing can be done for me. I healed nicely in the front, but the back of the ears are all jagged looking. I wish I could turn back the clock. All I wanted was a smile that didn't look upside down & they said It was because I had jowls. Guess what, I still had jowls when my swelling went down, still have fine wrinkles, but have horrible pain. They've changed their ads recently, it's no longer a 'lunchtime' procedure, or a 'go back to work the next day' procedure. I wish Congress or the AMA would make Dr's post that they are not facial plastic surgeons. It makes me ill to watch those LSL infomercials on TV, still luring in the unknowing women w/ their false ads. Horrible!!
flyer
2 posts
3 Jan 2010
well, i dont like what i am reading on these posts, but i have to agree, the organazation prompts the employees on how to handle complaints, keep the old clients seperate from new, do not allow the clients acess to the dr,and no record of complaint,i just finaly got on to email a confirmation of an appointment, so we will see what happens.the dr i am seeing acted like he had never seen scaring like mine before, and its very easy to see it on many of the pics posted, but not on the brochure!I am really just depressed about the pain and tightness, it affects all of my thoughts as it always hurts< and that is just not right. wish i could turn back the clock, not advised at any price. j
mcjrotcmom
7 posts
5 Jan 2010
I am so glad I started looking into this before I scheduled. i too liked the ads, i am 42 wanted to lift my jowls and sculpt my face a little. when I called the 800 number, they wanted to set my appt right away, & i explained that i had just had two stints put in Aug & was on plavix, & I didn't want to waste anyones time, he assured me i could go for the consultation. when I got there, like another reply, i was the youngest, & noticed they had a separate entrance for "post op" patients. Spoke first to the "sales" person, after I explained the fact that I could not go off the Plavix for 4 weeks, she did call in the doctor. he was very nice, pulled my face up with his finger tips, said I also needed jawline and neck lipo. Said that they could not do it b/c of my meds and they would have to put me in as a "medical exclusion" to the company, guess they have to have a reason as to why you didn't book on that day. I am again so glad I did more research before i did it. i am so sorry for your experience. who was your doctor in Huntersville, I met with a Dr Diaz, who was very nice but don't know how they treat you once your procedure is done
Open Heart
2 posts
6 Jan 2010
Thank You all for your frankness and open hearts to share the good and bad.I just went on a go see in San Mateo and frankly the shock sent me out the door. When I was told exactly what would be done.Unbelievable a procedure in one hour and back to work yeah right.I am sure the Golden gate bridge has been sold many years ago.What agency are we paying taxes to keep open that let this happen.Thank you all so much. Open Heart
Bits
280 posts
28 Jan 2010
At least you were told!!! Good for you

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