001
3 posts
Schaumburg, IL
“The life-style lift recovery is longer than they tell you”
Lifestyle lift: NOT worth it
Pain: Severe
I had my LifeStyle Lift done On July 12, 2006. I had the bags removed from under my eyes as well as the lift. It would be better if they told you that most people will need some time to recover. There was no way I could go out in public for about 2 weeks. My eyes were black and swollen. My whole face was swollen. I still have a lot of discomfort especially on the back of my ears. My right side was more of a problem than the left. It is still swollen.
The scars on the back of the ears are pretty awful. They tell you afterwards that it might take up to a year to completely heal.This should be told up front. A tech took out the stitches and did have bleeding after this was done. My left ear had drainage for about two weeks. I did have to have my right ear aspirated 3 times because of fluid build up. Am not convinced that the office help really have medical training. In fact they gave me the opposite information over the phone. I had called about the severe swelling, it was fluid, but they told me that as long as it was hard, not to worry. They should have told me to come in as hardness is a sign of fluid build-up.
The after care needs some attention. As I said, I still am having trouble sleeping or even having the phone on my ear. The least amount of pressure causes much discomfort. This may all be pretty standard, but their ads lead you to believe that you can resume normal activities in a short period of time. I think it would be much better if they told you the truth. Am I happy that I had it done; can't say for sure. Still have swelling under my eyes and most of the swelling has gone down on my face (not behind the ears). Friends tell me that I do look better than I did.
If I had known that the recovery time would be this long, sure wouldn't have had it done in the summer. Would have waited until January when there are fewer activities. (I live in Indiana). Am a golfer and have only been able to go out a couple of times. Honesty is always the best policy. I had the procedure done in Schaumburg, IL. Unfortunately, after the procedure, I found that the Dr. who performed the procedure is on probation in Pennsylvania.
Aug 9, 2006Comments and replies (120)
2 posts
3 Feb 2008
i'm waiting for an appt for consultation in the little falls, nj office and am nervous after reading all the unsatisfied results. has anyone had any experience - good or bad - with the little falls n.j. location?
unregistered guest
9 Feb 2008
i just saw the infomercial, and immediately had to go online and research this miraculous, affordable, face lift. after reading all of your comments it doesn't very good, but i still don't understand why those who have had this done, won't say what exactly is the "miracle lift" procedure? what is the difference between the miracle lift and a traditional face lift?
unregistered guest
10 Feb 2008
I have an appt with Dr. Alex Gross in Cumming, Georgia in a few weeks. My dermatologist referred me to him..sayiing he is the doctor who trained the locals on the string life procedure. Anyone out there have any experience with this Doctor??? thanks!
unregistered guest
10 Feb 2008
I had the LSL lift done in St. Louis on 12/26. I had complications, swelling, (my head was the size of a beachball) bruising, needed fluid aspirated twice, had to buy a wig to go back to work 9 days post-procedure due to facial bruising my short hair would not cover. I walked around like a scarecrow for a week or so till the neck pain was tolerable... You are right, the healing time is longer than they describe. Co-workers say I look a LOT better. I avoided photographs for years due to the turkey neck and drooping, so have little to compare with my "current" face. LOTS of discomfort. LOTS of tightness, but each and every time I went for a follow up (I'm a nurse, I am a firm believer in follow-ups) I saw the physician. He has been honest in his assessments, reassured me that my worst fear (infection) is not founded, and assures me the healing process is coming along as expected. I STILL feel pulling and a clawing sensation inside my right cheek. I STILL have swelling behind my ears and the ropy things so many people describe, which I guess are the sutures behind the ears holding up the face! I have changed my hair, which I prefer very short, but now wear longer to cover the obvious and often painful "bump" on my right cheek, which is also a suture. I have been assured this "bump" will self absorb in about 6 monts. We shall see. Overall, I would not call LSL a slaughter house, as some have done. I guess it is what it is, an economical way for working women to try to beat the clock. I would imagine it works most of the time, although the healing and aftermath are not what I expected. I mean, they have been in business for several years in St. Louis, with the SAME physician, whose record from what I could ascertain (on line, the Board of Healing Arts site, professional registration, gives any disciplinary actions a physician has ever faced, open to public) is clean. Would I do it now, if I knew what to REALLY expect? Probably not. I probably would have gone for the traditional lift. Still, I am not sorry with the current results. Many of my co-workers are following my recovery, considering it themselves. I keep them posted. Best wishes to all of you who read this. Make informed decisions.
unregistered guest
12 Feb 2008
I had a Lifestyle lift in March 2006 in Falls Church, Va. I'm very pleased with my results. My ONLY complaint: I'm a pretty tough cookie and when I went in for my consult, they told me that many people return to work the same day. I was confident that if anyone could, I could. I had the procedure done on a Friday and figured I'd be good to go on Monday. Pfffft. First of all, I barely made it home from the procedure (it's a 1 hour drive). I was in pain and felt ill. I came home and went to bed and felt like absolute hell for a week. Would I do it again? Absolutely. I just would have appreciated a little bit more honesty.
unregistered guest
18 Feb 2008
I'm so glad I read these comments. I've been going back and forth for a long time between seeing a real plastic surgeon or just life style. The money difference keeps me goning back and forth. But when I read the "real" stories, thank goodness for the internet, I think better to wait and save. It seems like for every one thing good you read about life style you read two bad things.
unregistered guest
19 Feb 2008
I have been trying for about 6 months to find out what it cost to have the lift done and am told over and over that I have to go to a free appt. to be told. I live about 400 miles from the place in New Mexico that does the lifts. Can any one tell me about what this cost Thanks Judy
unregistered guest
21 Feb 2008
I returned to work one week later and my coworkers raved and raved about how "Pretty" and how "rested" and "I want some of whatever you're having". I never still told anyone I had it done. I just had a neck lift and lipo under chin and jowls. 2 weeks later I still have some swelling and neck feels very tight...painfully so, and still some swelling under my chin and at temples. But it looks terrific! I just wish they would have been more honest about how long it will be uncomfortable, but then, maybe I wouldn't have had it done and would never have known how fabulous it looks. I do look at least 10 years younger! My clinic has a mandatory one month follow up where they take the after pictures. I know why they wait a month. It looked great at one week with LOTS of swelling. It will look so awesome in two more weeks. Just praying that my neck muscles relax...I anticipate it won't be nearly so tight when all the swelling is gone. I will re-post at one month.
unregistered guest
22 Feb 2008
I am scheduled for a LSL in late March,2008 at Maitland, Florida. I am worried after reading some of these reports. Is there anyone out there who has had the procedure done in Maitland, Florida? Thanks, Jan
unregistered guest
26 Feb 2008
Would be interested in hearing from those who have had the procedure in Albuquerque NM.