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Dr.Placik is #1 for Male Cosmetic Surgery - Arlington Heights, IL

Thanks, Gavrick, for coming to my 'defense' -- I really have felt attached here, for the most part...to answer the comment above, thank you for the compliment! The stiches were made behind the ears and are either not visible at all or very faint. No one has ever said anything to me about it and I wear my hair short. There were also stitches down the front side of each other and were a slight pink line that ran just next to the ear for about two inches. At first, while my beard grew back, I used light cover-up but the pink scar lines faded completely after, maybe, six weeks and they aren't visible at all. And, Dazed, thank for the most welcome bit of levity here! It gave me a laugh and I never know what to expect here when I get a message alert :)

Any 'before' pics I have are represented in the two color shots I've posted., They were taken in December of last year; as I said, the b/w pics were taken in April. Really, I've identified myself and already have posted four photos! I'm not on call to post more photos on demand etc. In four to six weeks, I lost 20 pounds after surgery. A big part of it was that I didn't have much appetite while I was healing so the weight came off and then I was careful not to pack it back on and then when the doc cleared me for the gym after three months, I started up again and now go 5x week. The swelling was gone after four weeks, mostly after the third week. The only 'honeymood' phase could be was immediately the surgery when I was so shocked at the positive change in my appearance...it was simply the dramatic difference which everyone noticed and commented on, even if they didn't pinpoint it as face work. One said, did you cut your hair, that sort of thing. Some people I told, a lot of people I didn't. But if anyone asked directly, I wouldn't lie about it. I believe I said above that I lost the weight immediately after the surgery but didn't say that I returned to the gym at the same time. If you revisit what I wrote, I think my words might be clearer. The doc was strict on not doing weight training for three months but I could start to do light cardio around two and a half months, which I did, with his OK and with that of my cardiologist. Part of my'chiseled' appearance post-surgery came from the lower face lift having another unexpected benefit, it eliminated forming jowls and thus giving the appearance of a wide, clenched mouth and jaw and my frown line turned up, enchancing the overall effect.

Did you go to Dr P with your concerns and did he offer to make whatever revisions necessary and/or at no cost of his services or a reduced fee covering op room, etc.? Again, I can only speak of my personal experiences with him and his staff and in my reviews spanning months I didn't find any negative reviews from patients. But of course, as with anyone or anything, no one is perfect and less than perfect results can occur. In any event, I hope you are able, or have, done whatever revisions you feel necessary and are now pleased. But I am curious if you did speak with Dr. P about this and his response...?

I did lose weight after the surgery. I took of 20 pounds and kept it off, plus started going to the gym 5x a week, because I was so motivated by the positive results of the face lift and wanted to get max. benefit. So I guess it would be fair to say that part of my looking better in the 'after shots' is due, perhaps to a smaller extent, from weight loss, but I wouldn't say it's the primary reason for looking so much better...it just didn't hurt! LOL

Thanks, Kirsty, for your comment above. I am the first to agree that healthy skepticism is a very good thing, particularly when it comes to evaluating doctors for cosmetic elective surgery. One wrong move, one wrong doctor, could alter your face or body for life, so, no, we each have the responsibility to take charge of our choices, choose our own doctor, make our own evalutations, do the leg work and research and then, make your decision...or not. I've been surprised that on this forum I've been accused of posting old photos as new and so forth...what could I possibly get as a benefit from doing so? I'm not a shill or stooge for Dr. P. And, again, I wasn't paid and, in fact, I offered to write a testamonial and include before and after photos -- he didn't ask me. And I didn't get paid a penny for doing so. Believe me, as a professional person, I'm not exactly thrilled about posting my story about a face lift publicly AND including full-view facial shots (eyes not pixilated or disguised) for the benefit of readers here. I did it because I was so pleased with my results, as "kudos" to Dr., P and his staff -- but, most of all, to possibly help and inform others who are interested in face lift surgery, particularly other men, for whom this is far less common and discussed publicly and privately. Frankly, by putting myself out here like this, I have everything to lose and nothing really to gain, as the surgery itself is my 'reward' '-- I'm only here to give information and illustrations to others wanting info and personal stories about cosmetic surgery. I have no agenda, except to say, once again, make informed choices after you do your own research, etc. There isn't a day goes by that I regret having done it. My social life, my professional life, my confidence, my spirit, have all skyrocked due to the positive results of the face lift. I look at least ten years younger than I did before, I don't look 'tired' all the time as I did before and when I walk into a room, people look at me...over the last five years or so, I felt more and more invisible as I aged and felt unattractive. So whether it's a combination of the actual surgicial results, and/or increased confidence, it's all come together to have made it a 100% positive experience for me. Yes, it was pricey and I had to stretch my pennies to make it happen and pay it off, but I have and it was well worth it. It was a once in a lifetime event for me, the results will last as long as I do and I figured, better spend the money on the surgery instead of a cruise, a vacation, a car or something else which will last for awhile, bring me some pleasure or happiness, but my face surgery is something which benefits me every day. I can finally look sqarely into the mirror with confidence and like what I see. And I can't think of any greater benefit than that.