“Let the pictures tell the story. my ears were symmetrical pre-op, can you see the difference”
Lifestyle lift: NOT worth it
Cost: $7,000
Pain: Worst possible
Pain: Worst possible
Lifestyle lift satisfaction: Poor
Not only was the surgery done and feeling every moment of the scapel, I came out looking like Scissorhands had done the surgery. The scar behind one ear is pleated, that is right, pleated, and oh so obvious. I am humiliated in public, embarrassed to be around anyone. If you are in an intimate relationship, just imagine your husband touching these keloid scars, your self esteem shattered. You are violated, humiliated, an scarred forever. I begged for more medication, the Dr, without saying a word just kept cutting, and cauterizing, smelling the stench of my own skin burning, feeling the burn of the cauterizing insturment, hot and painful. Continuing trying to numb me, one needle after another.
Ear was shortened, stitched to face, scarred and draped
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Dec 21, 2007Comments and replies (37)
204 of 207 people found this review helpful
This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.
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20 posts
21 Dec 2007
Oh, my goodness! I don't even know what to say about this. All I can do is reach out to try to give you a virtual hug and tell you that you are a beautiful person because you are willing to share your experience with others and give from the heart. I wish I were a doctor to give you knowledgeable advice, but I am going to guess that the scars will get better and you will not be disfigured as you think you are now. Please try to have a happy holiday.
unregistered guest
1 Jan 2008
Are lifestyle lift scars always in front of the ears. That would make it impossible to hide even after it heals wouldn't it? Having such a bad scar as a result is the main reason I feel research/interviewing doctors/interviewing past patients of the doctor you are interested in and making sure your doctor goes over everything with you BEFORE the surgery is so crucial to a good result. to GwiI too hope like the poster above that your scars heal well and become almost invisible. (There are some creams and treated coverings you can buy now online that are made specifically to help scars heal better.)
unregistered guest
11 Jan 2008
The doctor should have addressed your pain (and apparently tried, with the comment that he continually tried to numb you.) It's sad that he couldn't do more to take the pain away while you were under the knife, but general anesthesia is never given in the case of lifestyle lifts, from what I gather (and I'm no expert.) However, scars pictured within a week after surgery are BOUND to look bad. That isnt really a big shock or surprise, especially since you shot them at an extreme closeup. They are going to look bad for a while until the sutures are out.....and for several weeks afterward. Those pictures did not deter me from the procedure. It always surprises me when people expect to have a surgical procedure but get upset when there is any downtime or surgical scarring whatsoever. This is life folks.....nothing is painless, quick or simple. Especially not procedures designed to change the way you look. I would be more interested in seeing pictures at a proper angle of the before and after neck and lower face. Also, I'd like to see them taken a month after surgery, not a week. Maybe then we could see if the improvement was worth it. Good luck to you. This may wind up better than you think after all.
unregistered guest
21 Jan 2008
Oh my God. I am so glad I read your post. I was thinking about the Lifestyle lift, but after seeing your photos, there is no way on this earth I would even consider it. Thank you for sharing your story, as sad as it is, at least you are helping people see the truth about this surgery, and the potential long-term damage. I hope and pray that your condition improves, and that you will have peace again.
unregistered guest
31 Jan 2008
Your incisions are very fresh in the pic, they should heal up better and flatten out in time. Also, your incisions look like all the LL ones I've seen, in front of the tragus, other face lifts are also that way, depends on the what Drs. prefer, and the shape of the patients tragus. And, then again, to be fair, some people swell more, skin reacts differently. And true, he should have tried to get you numbed better, anxiety can be one reason it is harder for some to get as numb as they should be. Also, fact is more and more face lifts are being done this way now, not just the LL. It is getting to be more popular. I also agree, the time for many, many questions about any plastic surgery is BEFOREHAND. Have you gone back for your 4 week visit? If so, what did he have to say about your concerns? Many times there can be scar revisions, and cortisone injections into the scars. Not an unusual thing in scarring from incisions.
unregistered guest
8 Feb 2008
After reading this I will save my money and pay 2-3 times as much if needed for a board certified plastic surgeon. I just saw an ad for this on T.V. and decided to search on internet. Thank you for posting. Hope your scars heal to your satisfaction and if I were you I would go to a plastic surgeon for any revisions you may want done. (No, I am not with a plastic surgeons office!).
unregistered guest
8 Feb 2008
I saw this LL procedure on an infomercial. It sounded so good. New it had to be too good to be true. What the real problem here is because these plastic surgery procedures are even available, like face lifts, this LL, all the rest.... Well, it's because we have plastic surgery available that so many women feel the need to go under the knife. Since so many get it done and the woman next to you is falsely looking younger than you because of surgey, you in turn feel older than her! But, guess what you're not! She's the same damn age as you... It's a viscous cycle. If this crappy 'FAKE' profession did not exist no one would be having these crazy surgeries done and everyone would grow old gracefully. It's the pressure we as women are put under that we feel compelled to do this! And, men have ALOT to do with it. They are always wanting the younger woman. The old farts that make women feel this way need to be hung. It's such B/S! And, I know it's the way it is, it will never change, and just more and more people will continue get these things done. It's really pathetic. I hate to sound so angry here but what I see on this forum and other stories, all these woman trying to find youth but end up destroying their otherwise nice faces and health. It's very sad what this world is like. The human race we are....
unregistered guest
2 Mar 2008
OMG...I can not beleive what I am seeing. I am looking at the commercial thinking that maybe I can get it done for my mother who's 66. But, after seeing these horror stories I think maybe not! You could definately sue...you were abused and disfigured and I am SOO VERY SORRY this happened to you...I hope some how, some way, you can recover from this and that this wont ruin the rest of your life...OH GOD BLESS YOU! I am so sad to see this :-(
unregistered guest
9 Mar 2008
Thanks so much for sharing your story here. I hope that time will heal your scars, keep the faith. One thing that I wanted to point out to everyone is all of the people on the LLL TV add had their makeup put on profesionally by make up artists. Makeup is a very powerful tool and a good artist knows how to cover up blemishs/scars very well. I think I will just live with my sagging skin and grow old gracefully with hopefully a positive attitude. After all I am still the same person regardless of how I look and proud of my accomplishments in life and the wonderful friends that I have. I hope things will get much better for you in time.
unregistered guest
16 Mar 2008
I had the Lifestyle lift in 2004 along with having my upper and lower lids done. I was 53 at the time. The surgeon did not remove enough fat from under my eyes so they were redone (at no charge). My eyes are still fine now but the sagging neck is back with a vengance. Also, my ears were reconnected crooked. Nothing anyone else can tell but dangle earrings don't hang right. I would NOT do this again as I expected the results to last longer. Probably should have done the eyes only and waited for the rest.