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Lifestyle Lift Cost ≈ $6,000 average cost

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“Lifestyle Lift/save Your Money!”

earthgirl 14 posts

Comments (32)
Updated 13 Apr 2009
Posted 11 Apr 2009

Not Worth It

Spent: $5,500 in Houston, Texas

All in all I'm post surgery 8 months and after many call ins and run a rounds I'm totally back to square one. I was told I was a great candidate and now my neck is a mess. I've posted my photo here, I have some other scarier photos, but can't get them on my computer to share with you.

When complaining they wanted me to come in on three different occassions, which for me is driving 400 miles one-way. They simply couldn't care less about that!

The surgery 20 lidocane shots, so painfull..tears coming out of my eyes, My doctor says.."Oh, stop that",you want me to stop!" I got an infection on one site, and extreme adema, they do not install drain tubes, so my skin got stretched to the max, stupid, since your trying to improve your skin.

I had to call and ask to have medication called in twice, once for edema and once for my infection. They do not provide adequate facial suppport/strap, just a lousy ace bandage no real ice packs to get you going..they don't even have an ice maker.

I used carecredit and have a dispute going, LSL HQ says they have my dispute and they will review it and answer back..like asking the fox to tend to the chickens..They said I have to go back to the clinic for them to take action.

(I have a background in nursing and dental surgery.) P.S.Talking to an ex-employee of LSL she said it's really a "In and Out" burger joint!

I would love to put this all behind me, I don't even like spending my time writing this report. Oprah needs to learn about all of the complaints out there. These people are out the make a fast buck and then probably go for backruptsy when the law suits start piling up! Reading other reviews, some are written too soon after procedure, it takes time for the edema to go down, your skin looks tighter while swollen but has a great potential to droop again once the swelling leaves.

I've cried many tears over this. Read the reviews from people who aren't still swollen and tight. Best of luck to all of you. The commercials are wonderful and sound to good to be true..if you have a very minor concern it might work..but if later you have a problem...they will do everything to off load you!

Find an expert who cares about the patient and spend the extra money. Pam

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

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Vote: 139 members found this review helpful

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Rhea (17 posts) 15 Apr 2009

State medical boards can't or want help. I filed a complaint to the below website, maybe if enough people file it might just help to stop these crooks. Worth a try. Lifestyle Lift and the FDA According to the Center for Devices and Radiological Health of the FDA, "Lifestyle Lift is not cleared, per se, by the FDA as this is considered a medical procedure. We do not clear procedures but rather the devices used. Therefore, the actual sutures used for a Lifetstyle Lift would be the items under FDA regulatory authority." A representative from the FDA's Office of Communication, Education and Radiation Programs (CDRH) states, "For any adverse events related to the actual procedure [Lifestyle Lift], please report to the MedWatch program through either the toll free number of 1-800-FDA-1088 or through the website of http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/index.html ."

Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 17 Apr 2009

Welcome to realself. I hope you find friendship, compassion and friends while here. You do have to watch out for the "OTHERS" (wanna be LSL posers) who pretend to be patients but are not. There are many here who will help you and offer as much info as we can. I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. Why don't you try writing to Carecredit instead of going through LSL. I have it on good info that they refunded all monies to one lady even the back payments. Be sure to get all your records and photos from LSL. Best of luck to you, Chrystal.

JoJo (139 posts) 4 May 2009

may I ask if the picture is a before or after?? Sorry, I don't mean to be insulting, I assume it is a after pic?

rukus (12 posts) 4 May 2009

I also had the LSL on March 10, 2009. The surgeon showed me what I would look like after but I only looked that way until the swelling went down. My chin area looks the same as before and I am stil wrinkled on my neck and there is a sunken in place under my chin. The healing has taken a lot longer than anticipated. I still can't sleep on one side of my head because the ear is painful and I have not regained feeling in either side of my face. I will be lodging a complaint. I overheard the surgeon saying he wanted to do six LSL a day and thats the way I was treated like it was an assembly line. I never saw the doctor again afer the surgery.

earthgirl (14 posts) 6 May 2009

The photo I provided in my"Save your Money" input is 7 months after my neck/jaw lift...pretty poor results!! Pam

rukus (12 posts) 14 May 2009

I also had this Dr.He was not concerned for my welfare at all I never saw him again after the surgery.My skin has also drooped back to where it was before and I have a sunken in place under my chin. Behind my ear keeps swelling. I haven't complained to them because after reading all these reports I know it would do no good. I had my surgery March 10,2009.

earthgirl (14 posts) 15 May 2009

Hi Patsy, I suppose you are refering to my Houston Dr.? I did complain to HQ/LSL and also disputed my carecredit account. I was treated much better, the Houston office has a new manager who was responsive, I did however start complaining to the HQ. I emailed some of my recent photos of my problem. I saw the Dr. last week and he said that I need a platysmalplasty, most of the time the lsl will take care of the neck, but I am one of the not so lucky ones, so in a couple of months I go back to get this procedure, of course it isn't without additional cost but it still is much cheaper than having it done somewhere else. The platysmalplasty is done under the chin and involves pulling the two neck muscles closer together in the middle of the neck. So, you should call the Houston office and talk to the manager, take some photos and email them..and stay with it. I will report my final result to you all. Remember, to keep your cool and ask to be treated fairly. P>S> If you are planning on the LSL buy a couple of quality facial compression garments and take a cooler with ice and ice packs, frozen peas. (I didn't have the garment... the ace bandages aren't going to do the trick and discuss having a drain if you retain fluid and are older)..I will be sure to have everything this time around! Best to you all, Pam

Rhea (17 posts) 15 May 2009

Are you insane?? Don't go back for any procedure, it could be a lot worse the second time..I wouldn't let any of the LSL touch me again or charge for a 2nd procedure. Go to a real PS..this company is not safe.

rukus (12 posts) 16 May 2009

I would be scared to have any additional work done by Dr.Palmer, he is strictly in it for the money. I heard him saying he wanted to do 6 lifts a day and the other Dr.could work on a client that had a medical problem, I think it was her blood pressure. I am mostly dissatisfied with the folds from my mouth to chin. They promised these would be taken care of but they weren't. I am going to get some fillers. Good luck with your procedure. I hope you have gotten a second opinion.

earthgirl (14 posts) 17 May 2009

Thank you Patsy, I am going to see another PS to see what he thinks about my problem.I would love to talk to you I could call you.. Here is my regular address pamejame at yahoo Hope to hear from you. Pam

rukus (12 posts) 25 May 2009

Pam my e-mail is lucasrukus@yahoo.com. I hope your second opinion turns out good, I'm still in some pain so I think I will skip any more surgery. I don't know how I will feel a year from now. I would like to get some radisse fillers in my folds but i'm not sure.

earthgirl (14 posts) 17 May 2009

Rhea, I been doing some searches on regular facelifts done by other than LSL and am seeing a lot of the same complaints. I will be seeing another PS, to advise me. Thanks for your concern. Pam

Rhea (17 posts) 18 May 2009

I had LSL and then a regular facelift and it is wonderful, the cost difference is the cost of being put to sleep. After care, 5-6 visits, peels, make up, etc. None for LSF. If you are in Texas, I have the greatest doctor and his staff are the best.

earthgirl (14 posts) 19 May 2009

Thanks Rhea, I am in San Antonio, where are you? Please do send me your info. I was contacted by a writer for the NY times today, wants to do a phone interview..did you get contacted? Pam

Rhea (17 posts) 20 May 2009

I'm in Dallas, I too was contacted by NY Times, had the interview yesterday. Hope she can start the ball rolling to get the word out about the LSL scam.

earthgirl (14 posts) 21 May 2009

Hi Rhea, You mentioned a doctor to consult, would you mind providing that info to me. Thanks very much

cohenpr (9 posts) 21 May 2009

Patsy, it's been my experience in working with board certified plastic surgeons that those doing face lifts tend to do only one a day, certainly not 6 a day. And for anyone with an unsatisfactory result from a practice, why in God's name would you go back to the same people and have them work on you again? That completely baffles me. If you took your car into a repair shop and they did a poor job, would you go back to them? most people would not. If you took your child to a pediatrician who proved him/herself to be incompetent would you take your child back to that pediatrician? I doubt it. You deserve the same care for yourself. Just my opinion. Anne

Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 16 Jun 2009

That has been one point I have been trying to make all along -- having the same surgeon redo what he messed up to begin with. Why in the world would I or any one with an ounce of sense want to see that same MD (or DO) that messed up the surgery to begin with. That is why when my "lift" went south, I went back to the main office that I had the surgery with. They did not want another surgeon to see me, they wanted me to go back to KK whom originally did my "LSL". They pay the surgeon on commission, so if another doctor has to see you I guess they have to pay that doctor too. Plus you are using valuable surgery time taking away from the paying clientele. I saw a new commercial today, I swear, if I didn't know better, I'd be on the phone trying to get info on the procedure. The new hype now is Do Something For Yourself, You Deserve It. Along those lines. It is very easy to get sucked in by the advertising and I hate it that I fell for it the first time, but it being my first real introduction to plastic surgery and it being so new and improved, how was I to know that I was falling in a Trap of which no one could help me escape. I only hope now with the additional info that is available that people can make an informed decision without getting caught up in the hype. Best, Chrystal

MicaMica (1 post) 24 May 2009

I was contemplating having the Lifestyle Lift done in Houston but after reading this, I am not going to do it. Scary! The LSL story is definitely a story for 20/20 or Dateline. Have every dissatisifed customer call them. Use the power of the Internet.

rukus (12 posts) 25 May 2009

cohenpr: You have me mixed up with earthgirl. I don't know why there is a mixup, I may have commented in the wrong box or signed my name in the wrong place on this page but I am definately not doing any more surgery. I had mine in March and I still can't sleep on one side of my face without pain and my scars are still red and painful. No one trip to Dr. Palmer was enough for me you need to address earthgirl.

cohenpr (9 posts) 25 May 2009

Patsy, that was for you--it was a response to your post that a doc does 5-6 face lifts in a day, and I was mentioning that the good face lift docs I know only do one in a day. I know there's a fabulous facial surgeon in Dallas: David Genecov. he does facial repair surgery on kids with terrible deformities. Heaven knows if he can fix those things his face lifts are fabulous. I actually watched him do one three years ago in his OR.

rukus (12 posts) 27 May 2009

cohenpr: Oh I misunderstood. I am ok with the way I look right now. I am just dissappointed it didn't do what they promised or correct the area I wanted done the most. The sunken in place under my chin where they did the lipo bothers me, but not enough to have any more surgery. I'm still dealing with pain in my ears. But thanks for the info.

Chrystal Eckes (621 posts) 16 Jun 2009

Hey Patsy, why don't you do a bio so we can get the info on your lift and doctor. Each and every bio helps another person in making the decision to do / not do this lift. It sounds like you have some pain behind the ears and a place under the chin but how was the experience for you... like would you do it again? Where? Yea, I am nosy. I had mine done here in Atlanta and I am still singing "Turn Back the Hands of Time". (so I wouldn't make the same mistake!) Best, Chrsytal.

rukus (12 posts) 23 Jun 2009

Yea I'll do a bio when I get home, right now i'm on vacation in Estes Park Co.

earthgirl (14 posts) 24 Jun 2009

I am going to have the platysmaplasty done this fall, it should take care of the underside of my chin and neck area. That muscle is separated and needs to be pulled back together, this is not part of the standard LSL. The other areas of my face look pretty darn good as it turns out at 9 months out. I haven't had any pain in months, it is normal for your nerves to react to the trauma and reroute their signals. So, try not to think about the weird feelings, and in time things should get back to normal.

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“Lifestyle Lift/save Your Money!”

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