“Look at my lifestyle lift nightmare! unhappy with scars and results”
Lifestyle lift: NOT worth it
Pain: Worst possible
I went with a friend for the consult. The mrg walked in the room and introduced herself as a Lifestyle Lift Professional Medical Consultant. She told me that she needed us to watch a film about LSL. Which we did, and were impressed at the credentials they claimed.
The mgr came in the room after the film and ask me to stand before a mirror. She proceeded to stand behind me and take my face and pull it back while we both looked in the mirror. She stated that this is what you will look like after procedure. She also stated that depending on what I have done they can take, 10 and up to 20 years off patients faces with this minimal invasive procedure. The mgr reminded me that they have a 95% success rate, and that this is done under local anesthesia, so I would not be put under. This was a plus to me as from having a medical background I am aware of the danger of general anesthesia.
I ask about pain, and was told most people don't even have pain and sleep during procedure. I ask about scars and she told me they would be hidden and minimal. I was told that if I signed up today I would save $1200. I paid almost half down that day and paid rest in full at day of procedure in cash. I was also that day taken into a plush waiting room offered cookies, juice, coffee, etc. This will make a point later on to readers.
The day of the procedure I was taken to the back room and given a 10mg valium. Later as they were waiting for the valium to take effect a woman came in the room and ask me to sign a consent form. I have no idea what I signed. Then the Dr. came in the room. I had not met this Dr. before the day of surgery. The mgr came in the room and said I am going to hold your hand. I was told this was like being at the dentist. I was also told that it will be quick like 45 minutes to an hour. I was also told Dr. C is quick so it may not take that long.
Then Dr. began to inject my face starting with chin with extremely painful injections -- there were so many I lost count. The shots were horrible. I was told at this point that this was the worst part. I began to shake and the valium was not effective at all.
Dr. C then cut under my chin. I thought "Hey nobody told me about this!" Then he stuck a metal rod in my chin, I wanted to scream as this rod ran against my jaw bone and down the front of my neck. I yelled I feel this! Dr. C said you are doing well and that he has had to stop surgeries before because some people pass out. He then injected my face with more needles. I felt a warm wetness between my breast and realized later that it was my blood that was going down my blouse, even with the drape they had on me. My thought at this point was my God! What are they doing! This is not going to be a one hour lunch time procedure and not minor at all!
The Dr. told me to be still as he turned my head and begin to cut into my face. Blood filled my ears I couldn't hear on that side, they kept using something to clean my ears, but as soon as they did the blood would fill my ear up again. The smell was horrifying! It was the smell of my flesh and hair burning. I still get sick to my stomach when I think about it. I wanted to run! scream! something! The Dr. gave me no comfort, he began to state how in his private office he gives what is called a twilight sleep.
At the end of the procedure I was weak and shaking uncontrollably, the MA or whatever she was kept asking me if I was ok. No! I was not ok, I was sick, I was terrified, I felt like I was going to faint. The girl gave a juice drink after my face was wrapped, and a RX of Vicoden ES 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours, and a RX for ambien to help me sleep. Then I was quickly wisked out the back door.
Later that evening the medication wore off and I was in horrible pain. I have had 3 major back surgeries two C-sections and a shoulder surgery in my past and this was incredible. My face bleed through the bandages and covered my pillow with blood. I sat up in the bed and rocked back and forth thinking my God I should be in the hospital or something! "This can't be right."
Needless to say I called the office with no return calls the next day. It was if I had dropped off the planet earth once they got my money. Before I had the surgery they called constantly, now I couldn't even get a call back. I insisted to talk to someone. When I did I was told this is normal.
I went back to have my stitches removed and was told everything was fine, even though I had these knots all over my jowl and neck area with swelling, and oozing stiches. (I was never told about any knots or oozing before I decided to have this procedure.) Nor did I see a Dr. that day. I ask the tech are you sure these stitches can come out, she said yes they have to or you will scar. She then told me to message my neck and the lumps would go away and to start using a scar cream. She gave me a mirror and my husband was with me when the sutures were removed and she said how do you like it. I didn't have time to answer when my husband interrupted and said she was beautiful before and what have you done to my wife!
My husband was in such disbelief day one of surgery when I came home he took a picture. The next day when bandages came off he gasp and said "My God what have they done to my wife!" He was mortified. I assured him it will get better. (Hey they promised me it would) I heard him from my bed on the phone with his mother and others saying they butchered her. (Some things in life you never want to hear and that was one of them.)
It didn't get better only worse. I have been called Frankenhead, scarface, etc. I don't go out unless I have to. I don't go to my husbands work functions or social places anymore. I am ashamed. I have an infection that at this point no one knows what is causing it, and am told I will probably end up in hospital on IV therapy. Antibiotics start to lessen the swelling then full force it comes back. Last time I saw Dr. C 7/09 I said fix this, he said I can't I don't even know what this infection is.
Note: My last visit was almost 4 months post op. There were many people in the office waiting for the procedure. They would not let me in the waiting room. They quickly wisked me into another room. Then quickly out the back door after seeing Dr and office Mgr.
The Mgr said oh it is not that bad. My reply was, well if it is not that bad let me go in the waiting room and show my face and see how many people out there decide to stay. She said no not all people heal the same, and you are the only one with a complaint. I reminded her that I have had surgeries before and pulled my pants down in the back area surgical site and showed her my back scar which you can barely see. Then I said next excuse.
I wish I had went to that waiting room, I wish I could have saved all those innocent people from the lies. I requested my pictures ASAP or I was going to come & sit in their waiting room until I got them. They sent my pictures, all dark and hard to see and I am still waiting on my medical records!
I plan to pursue this with all my heart, soul, and mind. I want to join with others who have went through this living hell, as they must be stopped. Realself, thank you for being here and allowing us to be able to warn other women of what can happen to you if you choose this procedure. God Bless.
Aug 7, 2009Comments and replies (69)
55 posts
7 Aug 2009
Hello Morgan, I am so sorry for your negative experience. I too have had an aggressive and negative surgery. Mine on my upper/lower eye lids,changing my appearance from soft and pleasant( pretty) to hardened and hollow, unattractive. I too rarely go out in public when I return to my home state, to visit family. It changed me so much,that I have walked past old class mates,and old friends,I knew for years. They don't even recognise me. It raped me of my genetic appearance as well. I don't resemble my family members anymore. They still have the almond eyes,where mine are wide, round and hollowed. It is hard to deal with emotionally. So are the after affects. I live out of my home state now, and it helps. No one knows me here, and the depression of people not recognize me doesn't hurt. Once you manipulate tissue in one area, other areas can change in us too. For me the loss of facial fat. I know volume is lost with age, but this surgery also added to that. My surgery was 7 years ago and I still become depressed at times. Like you, I wish I'd of done more homework on the procedure and surgeon. Sometimes I wish I'd of never done it all.I am on this web-sight now in the hopes of finding some revision. Unfortunately, not much has improved in my area except costs have risen. I've also wrote a review and warned others of the Plastic Surgeon that performed mine. I'm not sure how much good it does. You will find some people have had positive results from your same surgery.I know this plastic surgeon ruined my looks, life and self esteem. Depression, regret and mad at myself for believing all surgeons know what they were doing. Unfortunately, until I found this Web-sight, there wasn't much out there for those of us with negative results. My surgeon is still in full practice, and her Web page shows before and after pictures. Others will have her perform surgery. She maybe good at some procedures, but eyes wasn't one of them. Nothing like hindsight. Legally? There isn't much you can do, unless your grossly disfigured. Juries don't have much sympathy for a vain woman, that "elected" to have plastic surgery. The emotional,and depression it causes, isn't important to them, or they figure it's what we get for vanity.I know, I checked on this as well. With all the hype to get a nip and tuck now a days .More woman and men have plastic surgery done annually.More now than ever before. However, it is still a "hush hush" deal, and if it doesn't go well,there isn't many options.Counseling is something that many of us could have used,still needed, instead of dealing with this alone. Not to mention the costs. If you come from modest means to begin with, and the cost of your first surgery took everything you'd saved for along time, don't even try to find away to pay for reversions. At my age, it would be like taking out a mortgage, and I don't have another 30 years to pay it back. The lesson I try to give, is do your homework. Don't assume if the surgeon is board certified it means they are expert on all procedures. If they don't keep up on new procedures,or don't have allot of experience with them, your going to pay,and pay.Board certified doesn't always mean they have extra training,or required to take it.My surgeon would never suggest anything after my negative results. Except tell me to "give it time". I knew time wouldn't fix this mess. She would never admit to any error on her behave,when I told her my eyes don't stay closed during sleep. Or how it changed my appearance to the negative.She had her money,and when she got tired of my calling her office,she simply became unavailable. But not to those in the waiting room. I wish you luck in your pursuit. I hope you can stop other woman from using this doctor, or getting his procedure. Most of the surgeons on this sight are against any mini or lifetime lift. I also hope there is something you can have done to reverse your outcome, but that's easier said than done. Be careful with that as well. Stay well
337 posts
8 Aug 2009
Hello to you both. I have had a Botox disaster (see my review) and feel the same despair and depression that you both do. Not only is my appearance dramatically changed for the worse, so has my personality. I was happy and outgoing person and now I am quiet and withdrawn. Aside from work, I stay home as much as possible. However, I have hope that it will not be permanent. Your stories made me cry. I wish you both the best of luck. I
377 posts
8 Aug 2009
Morgan, I am so very sorry that you have had to suffer this kind of torture. There is absolutely no excuse for what has happened to you. I hope that you start to heal soon and that your face gets better. You certainly have something to complain about. Thank goodness for realself. I hope other women take heed and read these posts and think twice and get a 2nd opinion before even considering going in to have a consult. For women considering this procedure, please get a 2nd opinion. Compare apples to apples and read the doctors Q&A section here. I know the slick tactics used when you go in, the hard sale, you'll save this much if you sign today and pushing papers in front of you when you have already been medicated. I wish you well. Please keep us informed and let us know what happens. Best, Chrystal Eckes.
1 post
8 Aug 2009
I thank you one and all, because I had a appointment and something in the back of my mind told me not to rush into this. You won't believe how often they kept calling for me to reschedule. However I decided to do a online search for complaints and I'm glade I did. You've saved me from rushing into this operation. God Bless you all Sincerely JoAnn
50 posts
8 Aug 2009
Morgan, I am sorry to read your experience with LSL. Your trial is horrible. I had a Lift done by a reknown P/S who told me that he gets customers through LSL but "Doesn't do what they say they do." He does it right. I opted for a general anesthesia because I am a "pain baby". I could'nt imagine going through the surgery being awake. It was worth the $1,200 extra. What troubles me most is that your doctor isn't with you,on your face, to tell you what is happening and what he can do for you to make it better. Please keep this site updated. Go back and "bitch" to them that your not happy, you feel terrible, and THEY HAVE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY! I'm serious, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If they don't respond, tell them outright that unless they don't make you happy, you will take it to another level. In otherwords, become empowered because one voice can make a difference. Please keep us updated. You are a beautiful woman and you deserve to feel you are, no matter what.
3 posts
8 Aug 2009
I have to thank you and the others for honestly posting your experience. I've seen the infomercials and my mother had the procedure. She looks like she still needs a facelift, I don't see the dramatic results they show on TV. I will never do this procedure because the results don't seem favorable from this website, and they leave people hanging, just like my mom. They want more money to fix.
18 posts
9 Aug 2009
I have a horror story as well about LSL. The good news is that a class action lawsuit has been filed against LSL. Please let me know if you are interested and I will send you the contact info.
unregistered guest
10 Aug 2009
The pictures aren't that clear, but if it's as bad as you say I would do more than complain, I'd sue. Have you been to another plastic surgeon to get an opinion? Is it the procedure, or an inept doctor using the procedure? Good luck
14 posts
10 Aug 2009
I want you to know that I have taken this to the next level. Only after many attempts to resolve my situation with LSL to no avail. The plush waiting room is not something offered to me by LSL anymore, with the cookies, beverages, and cable TV. I only had the pleasure of the that beautiful waiting room twice. Once while waiting for a consult, and the next when waiting for my surgery. All other visits I was whisked quickly into a room by a receptionist the minute I signed my name. Then quickly whisked out the back door as not to be seen by others. The reason I say that is my last visit seeing I was almost 4 months post op I ask why can't I go out the front door? Only to be told "it is because you are post operative." I replied "it has been almost four months." I felt like a circus animal to be hidden from the public. Last time I signed my name the receptionist said stop! As I headed to seat myself with the others waiting. She said we can take you back right away. The only replies I am getting now from LSL is the ones for my pictures and records. Only after saying I will be willing to wait in your waiting room till I get them. The pictures were sent by mail and copied ASAP. They are so dark you can't even make them out. Then I called for my records and said if you don't give them to me, I will come sit in your waiting room until I get them. They were sent next day "Urgent mail!" I told them look I won't even, say anything to anyone in the waiting room, as I won't need to, but if ask I will not lie. Yet I don't feel words are necessary as my face speaks for itself. I still may be sitting in waiting room as I have ask that my pictures be emailed or put on disk for me so I can view them without all the darkness. Which I was promised to get that day of phone call via email by the Mgr. Yet have not received. I plan to join the class action law suit, and I plan to also start a Malpractice as well. I also plan to help anyone I can with any action they plan to take against this horrible injustice! So realize that I have got the wheels turning and will continue. I will not stop till justice prevails! Bless you all, I am here for you if you need support. We need each other, and in numbers we will be heard.
377 posts
11 Aug 2009
I have just heard that Morgan has been admitted to the hospital for a raging infection. Let us all wish her a speedy recovery. Hang in there Morgan! Best, Chrystal Eckes