POSTED UNDER Ultherapy REVIEWS
Ultherapy - Portland, OR
ORIGINAL POST
I'm early 50s and had full face ultherapy...
$3,400
I'm early 50s and had full face ultherapy (jaw/chin/eyes/brows) a month ago. At this point I'm optimistic. When I compare photos I think I see some changes, especially in the eye and brow area, although it is hard to tell as the before photos are much better quality (taken in the Dr's office) and the afters I took at home, in different lighting and much less clear.
I'll try to post again at 2 months, and at 3 will go back to the Dr for a follow-up, at which time I'll have another set of office photos taken and will post those as well. From what I've read, and from what my Dr has said, changes can continue for up to 6 months to a year. I hope that's true, will have to wait and see.
The procedure itself was painful, but not nearly as bad as I expected given what I had read. I took vicodin and it was totally manageable (I had fraxel several years ago and it was so much easier than that). I had some residual soreness esp around my brow and jaw (anywhere there is less fat is more intense) but that was very minor. I think this must vary by practitioner and Pt's pain threshhold. We are all different in this way.
I had no redness or swelling immediately following, but did have a tiny bit of bruising on one temple. Not very noticeable and hidden by my hair.
I did NOT see any change immediately following in tautness, firmness, improvement of skin tone etc. I should also add that my initial consult was with Dr. Key, but the Ulthera itself was administered by a tech. From what I understand, technique is the key factor in outcome, and the experience and skill of the person performing the procedure is the issue, whether MD, RN, or tech. I asked how long and how many times the practitioner had been doing THIS particular procedure and with what kind of outcome (like they will tell you the outcome is negative right, I know). There are also sites where you can check on your Dr's record: education/ complaints/ sanctions/ etc. These are well worth checking too.
I also had Pelleve done around my eyes and brows, and after I got home I realized that while I had paid to have Ulthera done there too, the nurse had neglected to do it! When I called they checked the record and saw I was right. This meant another trip in, and a different practitioner. Not very professional and could have been a costly omission had I not caught it. Other than that though, my experience was positive. Staff was knowledgable and pleasant. Dr. Key himself is a little... odd, but thorough and pleasant, and seems to know what he's talking about.
My overall assessment at this point is that if the improvements I'm seeing at this point continue for the next few months, the procedure will be worth it. If there is no further change, or very little, I would say for the price - no.
TBC..
kshine's provider
Replies (20)
June 24, 2014
WHY in the world are doctors still promoting this, seemingly everywhere? It's quite obvious that it is a ridiculously overpriced and useless procedure. Do they think we are all billionaires and have nothing better to do with our money? NO -- they are trying to pay for their overpriced paperweight machines, and anyone who says otherwise needs to look at pubmed.com and sites where docs themselves admit this is a primarily useless procedure. RUDE of them to not be upfront and honest about this with potential clients. When I do someone's taxes I don't outright lie and say that they will get tons of money back, no doubt. In no profession have I seen such blatant dishonesty as this. Really, it's kind of shocking since I grew up thinking that doctors and other professionals deserved the utmost respect. They have truly ruined my respect for the profession.
August 4, 2014
It IS sad that a few dishonest doctors can ruin the reputation of an entire profession. However, I have to disagree with you in terms of this procedure being useless. I have had wonderful results from a wonderful doctor. If you read my post, you will see that this procedure is ENTIRELY dependent upon the skill of the provider. Only a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist should be allowed to administer this treatment, because the targeted area is as deep as the area manipulated during a facelift. People need to do their homework and find the best provider possible.
August 4, 2014
I'm glad you got good results jersey - i am totally on board with the skill of the practitioner being the most important thing. dr key is a board certified dermatologist but rude and arrogant and just ...well... creepy. i don't want him near my face - which i happen to like actually - no matter what he has to say on the matter lol.
August 4, 2014
It's so sad that there are so many rude, arrogant and nasty doctors out there...I have experienced my fair share of them recently!!! Your face is entirely too precious to entrust it to just anyone...good luck with whatever you decide!!!
January 10, 2015
Perhaps only a surgeon or derm should be allowed to administer the treatment but first, this is NOT the case at all, and secondly, it works in few enough cases that now they are starting to warn people of it (too late for those who paid so very much money for it.) It is about far more than doing "homework" because it is such a new procedure that is not at all dependable and many of us were not told just how unreliable it is! I did a TON of research on how and why ultherapy works and believe me, it is not the fault of not doing the "homework."
September 22, 2014
Thank you for the photos. I think I see imrovement in both photos. Your neck line is definitely tighter. Also, look at the skin beneath your brows. It's tighter in the second photo. in the first photo the skin bows out a bit. In the second, it does not.
February 17, 2015
if we have to squint to see what the heck you are referring to, tilt our head, wonder if we need our eyes checked.....no, not worth it.
February 17, 2015
I don't think there's any difference.
While Ulthera etc isn't a substitute for a facelift,to get results this microscopic hardly justifies the cost people pay-in the thousands.
To really know if there was any difference we'd have to see these before/after photos taken with the same lighting.
I think we should be honest with both ourselves and others and say when they show no results instead of deluding them with "yes I see a difference" to be nice.
January 7, 2015
Yes, I've also discovered that Ultherapy is a total waste of money. Am insisting on a refund or I'm going to small claims court.
January 9, 2015
Thanks. I will wait a full three months before putting this doctor on notice. He is only a family practitioner and doesn't even do the procedure himself. He merely hides behind his technician but it's his practice and in my opinion he is accountable. I've had enough of throwing away money for nothing.
January 9, 2015
I don't believe they have to guarantee results in order for me to obtain a refund; they took $2,500 for a service; I received nothing of any value. I will attempt to get a refund, going to small claims court if necessary. I believe more patients should do this but most do not because they feel foolish about having thrown away money in this manner and do not want to go through time consuming and draining legal proceedings. I will start by writing a letter every month for the next three months before taking further action.
January 10, 2015
Thank you so much Peggythomson for reminding me (and others) of this! It IS insane -- really when you think about it -- that more people don't sue when receiving utterly zip for such a large amount of money. Whether you succeed or not please keep us updated, as when I look back at how very much I spent for NADA, yet accepted it as my own shortcomings, I realize that this is ridiculous. You are so right and I will remember this. I have to laugh at the amount of emperor's new clothes and how appropriate it is, all the time.
February 17, 2015
In which way is it operator dependant please?
Eg:would it be that one operator turns the Ulthera machine up higher then another or some other factor?
I don't want to get this done and spend all that money and get no results.
February 17, 2015
A laser is a powerful tool. I think there is a lot to know about how to use it, how much to use in what places and where not to use it. Also there is keeping up with new things learned about that particular laser.
February 17, 2015
I believe the technician who did mine keeps the level weak so as to avoid possible complications and that this is partly responsible for why this practice gets poor (very "subtle, i.e. invisible results.) And since it wasn't as painful as some people describe they do not offer any pain meds. I think you really do not the Ultherapy machine turned up high to get any results whatsoever but then there is greater risk with that. Again, do not do this. I am anxious about getting a real face lift and am not sure I would ever have one but in my opinion it would have been much better had I put the $2,500 I wasted on Ultherapy toward that.
February 17, 2015
seems like everyone except the dermatologists on the Liars I mean the Doctors show on tv keep saying that ultherapy is wonderful. The day they decided it was okay to advertise medicine on tv was the end of all that is ethical in medicine, and MANY realized this at the time. Now you have actual doctors on a tv show promoting their own products and doing thinly veiled ads for things exactly like ultherapy. Someone somewhere has to take a stand, please.
Replies (28)
i'll try to get another one that is closer tho and post again.
k
but no
not torture -_-