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

So Much Money, So Much LASTING PAIN, Results Are Nil

21 posts
Comments (23)
Updated 19 Jul 2011
Posted 4 Jun 2009
Not Worth It
Spent: $5,700 in Reston, Virginia

I had this 19 months ago - there is no improvement - NONE, in the 'after' photos that they took at the 1 week post-op when they removed the stitches the face looks a little smoother, but that was the swelling, when the swelling went, the results went.

I paid extra for neck lipo - plenty of bruising, swelling (RN friend said they should have put in a small drain) and my result is my neck/jaw line looks uneven - but still saggy and jowly. I didn't have much sag or jowls to start, but I ended up with almost exactly what I started with, just lopsided now.

The procedure was horrifying. 1 valium and they started in within 5 minutes. I was never relaxed or sedated. The numerous shots in the face and ears were horrible.

The PAIN - 3 weeks of burning biting pain all around my ears and cheeks that woke me up several times per night, I even cried in my sleep from the pain. I had to prop up on pillows for over a month. The ace bandage around your head - forget it! It caused tooth grinding in my sleep (I have never had that) The pain around the ears like burning ant bites, with occasional shooting pains as a bonus, was daily for about a year before it began to subside. I still have pain when I wear sunglasses or wear my cell phone ear piece. I still get the occasional burning and/or shooting pains. I now have lumps in front and in back of my ears so I had to grow my hair longer to cover my ears all the time now.

Yes, I called numerous times. I only got to see the doctor once after the surgery and got the same answer as everyone else - wait 12 months. At 12 months, they would not make another appointment for me to come in. Real Professional - Professional shysters that is....

Updated on Jun 4, 2009:



Updated on 28 Feb 2011:
3 year follow up:
As at the 19 month followup:
No visible results except lopsided appearance to my jawline that was not evident before (all faces are a bit assymetrical, but this is lopsided).
I still have lumps and shooting/burning pain around my ears and have trouble wearing sunglasses. Because of the lumps around my ears I will never be able to wear short hair or pull my hair back from my face.
It feels like I have little BBs under the skin in front of the ear, with the bulky lumps behind the ears.
The "Pixie Ears" of the ear lobes are a dead give away that 'something' was done to my face.
(look at any tabloid issue about bad plastic surgery, and it will show the Pixie Ears")

I am so sad that I did not go to a REAL Plastic Surgeon and spend the money on a 'real procedure'.
3 years later, I still regret this, and suffer from pain and discomfort.
I wish I had my money back.
The terrible memories of the procedure still haunt me.

Updated on 1 Mar 2011:


Updated on 19 Jul 2011:
NEW AFTER EFFECT - I now have Trigeminal Neuralgia - caused the the heavy scars.

Trigeminal neuralgia is horrifying pain -
and now I have to take heavy
anti siezure medicine 4 times
a day to try to control the neuralgia.
The medicine is ruining my life, my energy,
my personality.

Imagine every tooth in your
head hurting in sharp pain at the same time,
and electric shocking pains shooting along your
face, ears and up your head.---- that is trigeminal
neuralgia. absolutely debilitating and devasting.

It is now on both sides of my face and my family
doctor says it never occurs on both sides, and the only explanation has to be the bulky scars from this proecedure are now causing pressure around the trigeminal nerves.

The nickname for trigeminal neuralgia is 'suicide disease' because the pain is so over powering and horrible.


Anyone else having trigeminal neuralgia?
(at first because your teeth hurt, you try a dentist, and orthodontist, but it is far more than the teeth) You need to see a neurologist.

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

My Doctor:

My rating:
Poor procedure, no sedation, lots of pain during and after, no follow up care, no real results except pain, lumps around the ears and a lopsided jaw line, lack of follow up with medical staff, would not give follow up visits. Offered to 'fix' the results for another $7000.
Vote: 148 members found this review helpful

Comments (23)

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Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 5 Jun 2009
Hi LL, sorry LSL treated you that way. There are plenty of us here that has had the same kind of problems. Thank you for being brave enough to share your story. I think a lot of ladies that have the procedure and are not happy never post and don't know what to do once they have been dised by LSL. Many of us have tried, to no avail, stop this Marketing Firm that cannot deliver on their promises. And I think some women are so desperate for help that they will do just about anything including let the one year (not really any good guarantee) run out. 2nd opinions ladies, pictures and documentation of who you talked to and when and carecredit with whom LSL uses will listen to your complaints and remove charges IF YOU HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTATION!!!! But this being said, why put yourself in this position in the first place. Research more than one doctor or firm and choose from a doctor that will let you talk to existing clients. Hope you find some kind of inner peace, Chrytal
JoyceE (unregistered guest) 7 Jul 2009
I am so sorry for your problems. This facility should be shut down & all TV adds should be band.
lovely lady (21 posts) 26 Jun 2009
The more I read about everyone's LSL experiences, I wish I had seen this site first before I handed over a big fat check of hard earned money.
lovely lady (21 posts) 1 Jul 2009
I'm in! I am very unhappy with the LSL people and their empty promises, and the pain they inflict.
Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 5 Jul 2009
Dear Lovely, How are you doing now? I know how hard it is to deal with these guys. They act like they are going to help you and then... nothing. Did you get the "You look fine to us letter"? Yes, that letter was a real shocker to me, especially the last line where they insinuated that the real doctor I needed was a shrink. Yep, they actually did that. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Best, Chrystal
v costos (unregistered guest) 5 Jul 2009
I saw the commercial on tv about the lifestyle procedure. I am a skeptic, when it comes to these informercials, so I always it the internet to check up on the products. I saw how this great procedure took years off of these peoples' lives. I am not a young person and thought I would look great if I could have it done. But, after checking out the complaints from people who had it done, I will just stay the way I am. My advice to anyone who wants this done, check out the complaints first on the internet.
Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 7 Jul 2009
Smart Woman. I wish I had been as smart. I actually believed the hype and brochure that I was handed, but I was also taught from a young age that you could trust your doctors. A new time of time of awareness for all of us. Hopefully LSL will be stopped and help accountable for the harm and damage that they have inflicted on so many.
JoyceE (unregistered guest) 7 Jul 2009
Ditto to V Costos: I saw the commercial on tv about the lifestyle procedure, but I am a skeptic, when it comes to these informercial. So I always go to the internet to check up on the products. I saw how this great procedure took years off of these peoples' lives. I am not a young person and thought I would look great if I could have it done. But, after checking out the complaints from people who had it done, I will just stay the way I am. My advice to anyone who wants this done, check out the complaints first on the internet.
Optimistic Miss (unregistered guest) 7 Jul 2009
LSL is not the inexpensive, breakthrough, alternative to cosmetic surgery I had hoped for. It is just another expensive operation. One cannot get straight talk over the phone. Consequently, my afternoon and my gas money were wasted on an unnecessary appoointment. Wish I had consulted this site before I made the arrangements.
monalee (unregistered guest) 9 Jul 2009
I want to Thank you for being brave enough to post your private feeling and phycical condiction. I too was thinking about this procedure but because of your bravery I am one who is saved from the drama of being mared for the rest of my life.
LORIE FARNSWORTH (1 post) 9 Jul 2009
Thank you all so much for coming forth with your experiences. I am sorry this happened to you. If I ever decide to have anything "done", I will AVOID ever conulting LifeStyle Lift. Those commercials should be banned!
Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 13 Jul 2009
You are so very right, the commercials should be banned -- if the true outcome and TRUE number of happy vs unhappy patients were ever known, well you can imagine what would happen. Instead, even here we don't know when someone comes online and says oh, look at me, I love my lift, they hardly ever post pictures, sometimes you cannot even email them. If they do post pictures they are taken very close up or are out of focus. I am not a rocket scientist but I didn't fall off the turnip truck either. I don't want to assume that all women who post good results are LSL posers but, if the good results are all that good where are the pictures. I would want to show my new or freshened-up look. I truly hope for anyone out there considering this lift to also consider the risks that they are taking. Please view all the posts, good and bad. AND PLEASE, get a 2nd opinion on this lift, compare apples to apples on your "LSL"!
Patricia Gantt (unregistered guest) 16 Jul 2009
Sorry I did not know about this sooner! I had my lift 3 months ago. I have gone back to looking just the same, and I now have a lump on my face. So sorry I let my vanity get the better of my good sense!
mirmir612 (unregistered guest) 20 Jul 2009
Thank you all for being so honest about this procedure. I just watched the TV commercial and thought it sounded and looked tooooo good and toooo easy. I wish you all well.
Donna Brown (unregistered guest) 24 Jul 2009
I would like to thank all of you for sharing your stories and saving me money, pain, and heartache. After reading so many of them, I have reconsidered having ANYTHING done and now find myself looking in the mirror thru different eyes! God bless you all.
Monica Mitchell (3 posts) 31 Jul 2009
This is my 4rd day after the procedure. I'm still not presentable and I'm still taking meds for pain. I have been back to the doctor 3 days in a row so he can drain an area on my neck. My face is quite swollen. I will keep you posted.
Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 2 Aug 2009
Hi Monica, I am sorry for the problems that you are having with your neck. I hope you get some help and relief soon. Best, Chrystal Eckes
Monica Mitchell (3 posts) 4 Aug 2009
Thank you Chrystal
lovely lady (21 posts) 4 Aug 2009
Monica, Watch out for cellulitis - a nasty infection that is a big cause of post procedure edema/swelling, if you have redness or heat in the area - you have a serious infection (to be noted that there seems to be an unusally high incidence of infection with this procedure....) Get good strong antibiotics - perhaps go to your own family doctor to let them see what is going on. Drained 4 days in a row is very abnormal, even by LSL's low standards. Best wishes,
Macon5860 (3 posts) 27 Feb 2011
Again--thanks to each of you for your stories! I don't even think I will consider having something done by anyone. You guys have scared me to death. Maybe we should all just be happy with aging gracefully. Think I will--thank you again.
lovely lady (21 posts) 28 Feb 2011
3 year follow up:
As at the 19 month followup:
No visible results except lopsided appearance to my jawline that was not evident before (all faces are a bit assymetrical, but this is lopsided).
I still have lumps and shooting/burning pain around my ears and have trouble wearing sunglasses. Because of the lumps around my ears I will never be able to wear short hair or pull my hair back from my face.
It feels like I have little BBs under the skin in front of the ear, with the bulky lumps behind the ears.
The "Pixie Ears" of the ear lobes are a dead give away that 'something' was done to my face.
(look at any tabloid issue about bad plastic surgery, and it will show the Pixie Ears")

I am so sad that I did not go to a REAL Plastic Surgeon and spend the money on a 'real procedure'.
3 years later, I still regret this, and suffer from pain and discomfort.
I wish I had my money back.
The terrible memories of the procedure still haunt me.



----------------------------------
ORIGINAL POST FROM JUNE 2009:
I had this 19 months ago - there is no improvement - NONE, in the 'after' photos that they took at the 1 week post-op when they removed the stitches the face looks a little smoother, but that was the swelling, when the swelling went, the results went.

I paid extra for neck lipo - plenty of bruising, swelling (RN friend said they should have put in a small drain) and my result is my neck/jaw line looks uneven - but still saggy and jowly. I didn't have much sag or jowls to start, but I ended up with almost exactly what I started with, just lopsided now.

The procedure was horrifying. 1 valium and they started in within 5 minutes. I was never relaxed or sedated. The numerous shots in the face and ears were horrible.

The PAIN - 3 weeks of burning biting pain all around my ears and cheeks that woke me up several times per night, I even cried in my sleep from the pain. I had to prop up on pillows for over a month. The ace bandage around your head - forget it! It caused tooth grinding in my sleep (I have never had that) The pain around the ears like burning ant bites, with occasional shooting pains as a bonus, was daily for about a year before it began to subside. I still have pain when I wear sunglasses or wear my cell phone ear piece. I still get the occasional burning and/or shooting pains. I now have lumps in front and in back of my ears so I had to grow my hair longer to cover my ears all the time now.

Yes, I called numerous times. I only got to see the doctor once after the surgery and got the same answer as everyone else - wait 12 months. At 12 months, they would not make another appointment for me to come in. Real Professional - Professional shysters that is....
CMVO (1 post) 13 Apr 2011
Thanks Ladies I have been seeing the comercials for the life style lift and wondering if I should get this for my Mother for her B-Day . Because she has mentioned it to me several times . I also want to thank you for your bravery in posting the truth about the LSL. You have been very helpful .
lovely lady (21 posts) 19 Jul 2011
NEW AFTER EFFECT - I now have Trigeminal Neuralgia - caused the the heavy scars.

Trigeminal neuralgia is horrifying pain -
and now I have to take heavy
anti siezure medicine 4 times
a day to try to control the neuralgia.
The medicine is ruining my life, my energy,
my personality.

Imagine every tooth in your
head hurting in sharp pain at the same time,
and electric shocking pains shooting along your
face, ears and up your head.---- that is trigeminal
neuralgia. absolutely debilitating and devasting.

It is now on both sides of my face and my family
doctor says it never occurs on both sides, and the only explanation has to be the bulky scars from this proecedure are now causing pressure around the trigeminal nerves.

The nickname for trigeminal neuralgia is 'suicide disease' because the pain is so over powering and horrible.


Anyone else having trigeminal neuralgia?
(at first because your teeth hurt, you try a dentist, and orthodontist, but it is far more than the teeth) You need to see a neurologist.

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