Lifestyle lift before & after photos
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389 reviews
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Lifestyle Lift Cost $6,000 average cost

2 Years After my Liftstyle Lift and I Still Have Nightmares

2 posts
Comments (39)
Updated 16 Jul 2009
Posted 15 Jul 2009
Not Worth It
Spent: $4,000 in Schaumburg, Illinois

Initially I spoke with a young lady. She answered some questions looked at my face and said OH DEFINITELY this is what you need!! I was in my 40's. My neck had absolutely NO crapeing or sagging of any kind. I actually was there to inquire about a "reshaping" of my jawline. Thought I might be better off with a chin implant. NO NO NO she says this is the thing for you!!! Plus you'll get liposuction under your chin and you'll look like a million bucks! Sign here....

So the day comes and I walk in and the people behind the desk didn't even look up. Had to go over and ask if I was in the right place. Sure didn't look like a doctor's office. But hurray! I sure was in the right place. Have seat...for 45 mintues. Finally I get summoned into a room where another girl comes in and takes some before pictures saying they'll take another once procedure is done. This should be FUN! Before and After Yay.

Here comes the doctor. He's cute. Young and looks clean enough. He looks at my chin and sides of my face and says, "What results were you looking for?" Uh oh red flag. If he doesn't know then why am I here. I said I wanted more definition in my jawline. He said...here it comes...."You need a chin implant!" Something he said he could definitely talk to me about! I thought well great I'll just leave and make another appointment to discuss implants and that will be that. But in his next breath he says "So follow me..here we go!

Huh? Still going to do this procedure on me are you? Ok well you're the doctor I guess I'll just be a lemming and follow you right along. And unfortunately I did.

After about 100 SCARY painful shots around the entire parameter of my head there I was. Tears pouring down my face and finally somebody comes with a tissue to wipe them away. And the cutting begins. There's a reason you should be asleep during these things. You can feel and hear the cutting and tearing of the tissue and it's SCARY AS HELL. At one point I feel an intense sting and say OUCH! Another shot and they continue. Then suddently he's pulling what I assume is a muscle from my belly button up to my temple and stapling it in place. That really HURT! Oh yeah you bet it did. And I still had to have it done on the other side! Mommy!

I can't even believe I sat there through that whole experience.

Finally it's over and they put a huge bandage around my head and send me out the door. That's it. See ya wouldn't wanna be ya. My son came to pick me up and I collapsed in his arms. I literally almost fainted. Not only could I NOT go back to work he had to take 3 days off to take care of me.

Now mind you I really didn't experience any after procedure pain. The pain from those shots was more than enough. I was just nauseated beyond belief and sick at realizing what I'd just let somebody to do my face.

Worst experience of my life. I'll never have another thing done to my body that isn't abolutely necessary.

Came the day to remove the stitches and where's my after picture? I was to bruised from top of head to chest to have one take and this was 1 week later. Swollen and bruised and looked like I'd fallen off a 10 story building and felt like it too. Oh yeah and there's the tell tale scar that peeks out from below my left ear. That's always nice.

When I walked into the office there were clients there waiting to go in. They looked at me and 2 of em got up and walked out. The fear in those eyes was something I'll never forget.

So in conclusion I spent 4,000 for something I DIDN'T NEED even according the the doctor who did the procedure. Bunch of money hungry fiends who'll do whatever it takes to convince you this is what you need! Please don't do it.

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

Vote: 478 members found this review helpful

Comments (39)

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McKen58 (164 posts) 19 Jul 2009
Your experience is so similar to mine....the extreme number of shots...I kicked my feet and tears just poured down my face. It was too late to turn back and I was soooo mad at myself for doing this. I had been too trusting. I too, had that severe sting when they were doing the lipo...which was horrible....the pushing in and pulling out.....it was like being tortured. It was like an episode of 24....I yelled and they gave me another shot and then kept going. The Dr. said with an attitude.."What are you crying for?" I was in such shock because I thought I was going in for a "revolutionary procedure" with two small incisions....I could not even speak. Over 3 hrs later, my daughter (who was in the waiting room and thought I had died) came in , only to see my blood on the floor. I was bandaged so tight I thought I would just collapse. Trust me, this scam company will pay in the end. NYS already fined them $300k for their deceptiveness. That is just the beginning.
Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 20 Jul 2009
That is right, similar to my ordeal. Sitting in chair for over 3 & 1/2 hours for a one hour procedure. I too was so scared that I couldn't speak but I could hear the doctor and the remarks he was making. I am hoping that with the new 300,000 NY ruling that LSL will keep off the message boards and let the true results of good vs bad show up. Just like at informercialscams.com 218 complaints to what 20 good????? Now that is more like what I am thinking and supports what other Dr's here have said. This lift works for about 10% of the people who have it. Best, Chrystal Eckes
Robin Kelly (unregistered guest) 19 Jul 2009
Oh yes! They get you in that chair and there's no turning back! They don't say even ONE WORD about what you are about to go through! It's exactly that - torture. If anybody is telling you they go back to work the next day they are flat out lying throught their teeth. Your face is being cut wide open and if you aren't bruised and stiched up beyond belief then you're already dead. It's a chop shop straight up. And they WILL put you in that chair whether you need this procedure or not. I do want to add that MAYBE just maybe there are a few who could benefit from this. Severe issues with their neck that just makes life miserable. I can totally understand that. In these cases I might even recommend something like this. However with mega research before hand about the "clinic" near you. Ask for references, ask WHAT you are to expect and get it in writing. But when you undergo this extreme surgery with no anesthetic and it's something you DON'T need and makes absolutely no difference in your appearance then it's a crime to put people through it. A real crime. They will make you any promise you care to fall for.
diamonds (5 posts) 25 Jul 2009
Hello everyone. I went to Beverly Hills and had the lifestyle lift done. Everything went good with the surgery that day. I had very bad sagging in my neck area and my jowls were bad but the main reason i went to lifestyle was for the sagging around my mouth. My neck is great, also my jowls are gone but the sagging around my mouth is still there. Its like no change. When I talked with the doctor about it he said that I might need botox. I was upset, and after awhile he told me to come back in Nov and he will see how my mouth area is then and then he told me that if he does the surgey on my mouth area the only thing i would probley have to pay for is the surgery room. I want to know if this has happened to anyone else out there. I dont belive i should have to pay for the surgery room. Its not like if the mouth area was done and im just not happy with it. The mouth area was not done rigt or not at all. If anyone out there has been thru this problem could u please let me know what u did Thank you so much debbi
Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 26 Jul 2009
Diamonds, did they actually tell you that the LSL would help you with sagging around your mouth?
J K in VA (23 posts) 29 Jul 2009
that is what they told me...............
diamonds (5 posts) 27 Jul 2009
when the doctor came in and asked me just what i was wanting from the lifestyle lift I told him and showed him it was around my mouth area and my neck and then he turned me around to face the mirror and pulled up my neck and mouth area with his fingers. I could understand if area around my mouth was even 1% better but its the same and when i went back for my checkup and told him about it he told me that if he was to do the mouth area it would make my lips look funny. But thats not what was said to me at the start. Things happen and i just belive that if i already paid for something and it needs to be fixed i shouldnt have to pay twice.
Hephzibah (1 post) 19 Oct 2010
Sagging around the mouth. I believe this issue is this: Other than sagging with age you also have deflation. The doctor is probably correct in saying if he pulled up the sagging around the mouth it would make your lips look funny. This is where the hyaluronic acid injections come in...or plla...restylane. It's all about the cheeks. It's like blowing up a deflated balloon. If you'll notice some facelifts look very funny because they just pull back the skin. Ladies,we'd all do better to stay away from the knife and go for the injections. You won't look 35 but you will grow old gracefully. Also, in most cases there are no side effects. HA is good for you from the inside out and is non-toxic. PLLA is more permanent type of injection. Ideally, you should get a doctor who does both at the same time. The HA,hough short lived, gives immediate improvement and the plla generates elastin production under the skin so as HA breaks down over the months the plla is building. It's great. There is the pain of the injections but tell your doctor up front, No Pain, and he/she will numb you. Look for restylane injections on youtube and you can see how it's done. Don't listen to these guys trying to get rich quick...if they are rushing you they are not the doctor for you. It all gets more painfull with age. With the HA injections you can do a little at a time and just maintain good status quo after the initial procedure.
'hope ya'll listen.
Hephzibah
McKen58 (164 posts) 29 Jul 2009
No you shouldn't. Would you go to a hairdresser who has burned your hair when doing the color? No. It stands to reason that they don't know what they are doing.......stay away:)
diamonds (5 posts) 29 Jul 2009
Ty McKen. But I have no problem with the surgery that I had, its just that the mouth area needs done. My neck and jowls came out very well. The question I have is I dont think I should have to pay for the surgery room again. So I was wondering if anyone else has had a second surgery done on the doctor behalf and did not have to pay for the surgery room again.
glitrgrammi (unregistered guest) 7 Aug 2009
Wait just a minute here... I thought the advertisment said "no surgery required". None of these reviews sound anything like that. I took a friend of mine to have a facelift ($8,000) by a certified plastic surgeon. She said it was the most painful thing she has ever gone through (i.e. childbearing, heart surgery, etc.) BUT... her results were fantastic. I think I will just age gracefully, thank you. I'd rather take a vacation with the money; something pleasant to remember.
Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 9 Aug 2009
Well, I will have to say that the LSL was the most painful thing that I went through including past surgeries that I have had... I don't think any of these reviews should keep any woman or man from seeking out a Doctor for procedures but it should be a warning to really research the procedure including getting a 2nd opinion and talking to others who have had the surgery (of any kind). It would truly be a shame for any person not to seek out medical attention for a problem that they have because of any posting. There are doctors available that have the experience and training required to perform face lifts, etc. I don't think that it is vain to want to look younger or to have larger breasts, etc. On the other hand, as we have seen by the posts here it is necessary to be savy in the information required to make an informed decision about picking a doctor. I was taught from a early age that you could trust your doctor, but in this day and time, we see that this is no longer the norm. Best, Chrystal Eckes
RobinKelly (2 posts) 13 Aug 2009
I'd like to further add.... I really do think some women might benefit from this procedure. IF you have EXTREME sagging in your neck area. It's a major savings from conventional surgery. However, they will convince you that no matter how you look you can look TONS better if you get this Lifestyle Lift done. It's complete bullshit. As I mentioned in my original post I had absolutely NO sagging whatsoever. I just wasn't happy with my profile. This surgery did NOTHING WHATSOEVER to improve my situation and was utterly useless and I don't like even the tiniest bit differnt. OH well except for the scarring as I mentioned earlier as well. SO to conclude...Unless you have horrible sagging and draping in your neck DO NOT have this done to yourself. They aren't going to EVER tell you this isn't the procedure for you. They will ALWAYS convince you you will benefit from this no matter what. They run a business pure and simple. If they don't sell you something they aren't doing their jobs.
patzlaff (4 posts) 4 Oct 2009
Thanks for all the input. I have made a decision NOT TO DO IT. I can understand how we women can get caught up in all the "hyph" but is it really worth going thru all that unnecessay pain? My anwere is NO. Thanks again. Anita
eves comment (1 post) 22 Oct 2009
Oh my precious God. I am so glad I found this by accident tonight. I had just jotted the phone number down for Lifestyle Lift over the weekend. I had planned to make appt. for myself. I'm 65, but look 40. I just wanted to be tightened under the neck area. I have no wrinkles anywhere on my body, not even my face. I just have a short neckline. I hate my side profile, but I'm thinking I'll be loving it forever now. I pray for you ladies who have had such horrible experiences. I'm very sorry it happened to you. Thank you for your bravery in sharing with us. God bless you. Eve
Nena0101 (1 post) 5 Jan 2010
Dang!!! I want to know what your beauty secrets are for staying so youthful looking?! If I can avoid wrinkles early on (I'm 46 year young)I can stop watching all the testimonials about LieStyle lift.!!! Thank you all for convincing me not to romance the thought any longer...Peace, Love. Nena0101
laboon (6 posts) 11 Apr 2010
Hi Eve, I, too, was bugged with my neck (and jaw) area and saw the ads for Lifestyle Lift and stumbled onto this site. I thank GOD that I did. But what I did was find a fantastic surgeon~ a good book to read is "A smart woman's guide to plastic surgery". Anyway, if you decide not to have surgery, that's great- but if you want it, you can get it with fantastic results with the right information and Dr. I am ecstatic I did it! And I feel so horrible for all the women who have butchered by this awful company. Good luck with your choice ; ) Take care!
Interested1 (5 posts) 30 Oct 2009
Can you imagine having surgery, major surgery on your face with all the facial musculature and nerves and not having pain shots? I wonder how did you ladies think that out patient surgery was going to happen with out some form of pain medication? Its a common complaint but the only reason the surgery is so much cheaper is you are not in a surgical suite where an anesthesiologist is both of those things cost over 3k right there, thats why you are in an office suite having this done. I cant believe that people are allowing doctors to cut their faces open and not checking their credentials first, I can't believe that some people are letting someone they met when they were rolled into the room for the procedure. Its your face what were you thinking. My friend was back and work and was on TV a week later, she met with a surgeon and said no way would I let this guy touch me, met with the other surgeon who was a board certified plastic surgeon not someone who did a weekend seminar - and had great results. Its on the person who is getting this done to get the absolute best person they can, you need to research and meet with these people or any one who is going to be doing this type of procedure - do your homework!
Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 6 Nov 2009
Here is another link that you may like to read: http://www.antiagingcompared.com/lifestyle-lift -- this is just some of the hype that potential clients must overcome to get to the real facts of a LSL. Best, Chrystal Eckes.
rosencn (1 post) 29 Jan 2010
I just had the LSL 3 days ago. I'm pretty nervous after reading the posts here...its still too early to tell the results. Right now I look like a cabbage patch kid. But I was given pain shots. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and I wasn't as freaked out by the sound of snipping and stuff. Plus they give you a drug cocktail to calm anxieties. I had some fractional laser done on my forehead as well. There were many local shots given and the problem was that the shots numbed a small area so when they went over my forehead with the laser it was hit or miss over the numbed areas. So I had the pain of the shots and the pain of the laser. Mercifully it was pretty quick. I don't recall any pain during the lift and the neck surgery. They really downplayed the amount of pain I'd experience afterwards though. The first night was really rough after all the local anesthesia wore off. I felt a little nauseated and I was afraid to take any pain meds for fear of throwing up. With the sutures and swelling I couldn't even open my mouth very wide. By the second day I was able to take the meds and could sleep for long stretches of time and watch tv or amuse myself. The first night I could only sleep for short periods of time and could only think about how much pain I was in. I continued to swell up which I was told would happen. Most of the swelling occurs on the 2nd and 3rd day. Tonight I take off the bandages. My doctor seems good, and he gives more of the straight scoop than the sales people or even the nurse. My daughter ran into a patient who was getting a follow up appt. when she picked me up. The woman told her that the first few days I'll really regret having had the procedure but then I'll love it in the end. So apparently she was pretty happy with it.
agcalif (1 post) 12 Apr 2010
I am scheduled to have this LSL procedure done this week but having second thoughts. I did meet with the dr & checked on his credentials. I am very concerned and sorta scared on these injections. I guess it is painful. They told me the pain would be for only about 4 min until they take effect. Is this true? I am also concerned about the scarring. I had surgery and have keloids, wonder if it could happen in front of my ears?
Robert T (108 posts) 27 Jul 2010
Interested1 that's not true. I am in no way recommending lifestyle lift in fact I'd disrecommend it. Just look at the reviews, the lawsuits, the court orders. That says it all. But having surgery under local by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and it be relative painless is very possible as I have been through it. Look at my before and after pictures and my review (just click on my profile) Robert
Robert T (108 posts) 27 Jul 2010
Interested1 that's not true. I am in no way recommending lifestyle lift in fact I'd disrecommend it. Just look at the reviews, the lawsuits, the court orders. That says it all. But having surgery under local by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and it be relative painless is very possible as I have been through it. Look at my before and after pictures and my review (just click on my profile) Robert
Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 2 Nov 2009
Dear Interested, I did do my homework as I am sure other women & men also attempted to do. 2 years ago, you could not find realself due to all the fake websites that were hosted by you know who. Everything that I read made LSL seem like a new and innovative procedure that only involved 2 small incisions on each side of your ear in the crease and if you were having the neck area done, one small incision under your chin. In fact at the website hosted by LSL at that time, it basically stated that you could return to work with minimum downtime, commercials showed women having the procedure done and going out to lunch with their significant other. Another thing, they never say surgery... that is one word they try to keep from saying. In so far as looking up the surgeon that did my face, I did look him up at the State Board, nothing on there bad about him at all. The training provided to LSL employees who greet you in white coats (which make you think they have medical training but are actually sales people) give you a false sense of well being. Other surgeons use general anesthesia for procedures and you don't hear women complaining about being stabbed repeatedly in the face with needles. My point being that the procedure itself seems to be flawed due to the fact that most patients complaints are basically the same. We were never told about how many times we would receive shots in the face and neck and the extent of the surgery was NEVER discussed. Going forward though, I have to agree with you that had I found this website first, I would never, ever had LSL touch me. I believe that with the information available now any person reading these posts should get at least 2 medical opinions and not believe everything that they are told, get a board certified facial plastic surgeon and talk to other people who have had the procedure that they are considering. The target marketing of LSL is for a specific age group of women and they market it well. A spin factory... the commercials have changed from when I had my LSL but still I don't believe that they give the consumer the information needed to make an informed decision. Best, Chrystal Eckes
Granna (3 posts) 11 Nov 2009
I am so happy I decided to do some research on this Lifestyle Lift procedure. As I am writing this there are two advertisements I have cut out of publications in the Dallas area showing women who have had this done and lookin good. Horrors I am so glad that I have seen and read these postings I will be saving for a while longer for a board certified plastic surgeon,ya know the old saying "If it sounds to good to be true then it probably isn't. I think these people prey on the women who need a little work,not financially able to go to a plastic surgeon(too costly)someone who is still working and can't afford the down time of a face lift or the expense. Why doesn't someone sue these folks are why are they still in business? Why doesn't the American Medical Association or someone get involved and shut these folks down and stop allowing them to torture and butcher these women,almost myself? I am appalled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you to all the women who have had the courage to admit to getting taken and for sharing their frightening,gruesome experiences I say Than you from the bottom of my heart because I was set to call for an appointment so I could look really lovely for Xmas Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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