tbowen3

Supposedly "Weekend Procedure" Turned Nightmare

I researched the LSL PS credentials not LSL. I was concerned with the PS doing the procedure. The advertising is very misleading and I do admit it is my own fault for not requesting very exact details of my procedure. I truly thought I would be getting a "mini-lift" which requires less recovery time and smaller incisions however the procedure performed was a "traditional lift" which as you know has incision lines that run from the hairline completely around the ear and back behind the ear into the hairline. The cost of a "mini-lift" is generally cheaper than more extensive procedures so the cost wasn't what I was concerned with it was more the recovery time and invasiveness of the procedure. My complications with the extensive edema from infection (not surgery) intensified not only my pain but increased the abnormality of my features. I wasn't expecting incisions completely around my ears which as I stated felt "had been literally taken off" but as I said I should have asked for more specific details especially since I am a nurse. I recommend the PS @ this LSL office because he is a very caring MD. I do however say that the LSL advertising as well as the downplaying by the consultants of the procedures and recovery time is very misleading. I agree that I should have researched LSL more and am horrified by some of the stories I have read. The majority of complaints are against the PS as well as LSL. That's why I retracted my first posting, since I developed the infection the PS has done everything possible to help clear up the infection which was no fault of his. Once my infection clears up and the Bells Palsy resolves (which if your an MD you know is caused by a viral infection or inflammation involving Cranial nerve VII so probably caused by the same viral infection I had in my system that caused my infection which we thought was cellulitis until receiving the culture results) I think I will be happy with the work that this PS has done. So once again I am stating I recommend this PS especially after getting to know him (I have seen him every day to have my drains irrigated and gotten to know him as a person not just as someone you see briefly before having surgery). I will post my before and after pics when healed. And would like to admit that my first post was influenced by the shock of the more extensive procedure than I expected, the dire pain and edema from the infection which intensified the effects of the procedures as well as the other horror stories I had read. I am honest enough to admit when I was wrong and that is what I am doing; my judgement of the PS was inaccurate and hasty, however I should have researched LSL and ask more detailed questions and would have known the downtime plus procedure would be more than what I was expecting. Yes everyone should do their homework but don't give a good MD a bad rap because of association with LSL.

Chrystal I actually have improved greatly after daily trips back to the Huntersville office. I in fact did consult other plastic surgeons that I know prior to going to LSL. They wanted to do a "total" facelift with muscle involvement but I didn't want that. This is why I was so shocked with my incision lines and the amount of work that the PS did. I was expecting a "minilift" and got a "traditional facelift". My complications were due to an infection within my body and my immune system being already low since I had an upper respiratory infection for 2 weeks prior to surgery. The LSL MD actually rescheduled my surgery and had me on an ABT to assist with my URI. He has shown much compassion and concern since I returned the day I was in such misery. I have 3 drains to eliminate the infection and actually think I look like a person again. My ears that were lopsided look much better since the swelling and redness has went down. As for all of the advertisements and informercials I agree they are misleading about this being "simple" weekend or lunchtime procedures however if all of the PS that LSL employed in their franchise were like the Huntersville PS then people would be much more satisfied. He has treated me every day and is very caring and compassionate, he has apologized that I have went through such agony which is by the way no fault of his. I want to add I haven't been offered compensation to change my mind, I was taught to always admit when I am wrong and with my previous post I did a great injustice to a very caring MD! My healing will take much longer with all my set backs but I will post pictures of before and after when all bruising and healing is complete so everyone can make their own judgements. I have gotten to know this PS @ LSL and he is very knowledgeable as well as kind. I have met many other clients in the waiting room and most all have been pleased but all have stated how well they like the MD. It's refreshing to meet a caring MD as I work with many and rarely find them as nice and caring as Dr. D.

I have improved greatly and must say the PS @ LSL has turned out to be very kind and compassionate. My own ignorance caused most of my complications because my infection stemmed from the URI I had prior to surgery. As for my ears being taken off I feel like they were but I have researched facelift procedures extensively now and questioned some of the PS I know and am told this is the "traditional facelift" incision lines. My expectations were the "minilift" so I should have questioned more. And I am impatient especially when in pain so to me IV therpy is quick however with the drains and daily trips to the PS @ LSL I am recovering. THe pain has improved greatly and I am beginning to look like a person again. I still feel this is more invasive than what should be done under local anesthesia but I choose this route without alot of research so that's my fault. For the money I spent I think in time after my infection heals I think the PS did a great job! I now know him by the way because of daily trips to see him and he is genuinely a caring MD. I did check his credentials prior to surgery and checked for complaints/suits against him and there are none. I can see now that I mispoke, sometimes being a nurse I do that and regret it this is one of those cases.

I was told the same thing as your mom: a "simple procedure" with very little scarring. I was told just a small incision into my ear and up my hairline; they literally took my ears off! I have incision lines all the way around my ears and running from in front of my ears to about 3 inches behind my ears. I am not sure if I will ever look normal again! I would never have agreed to such invasive surgery done in a clinic setting. I can relate to your mom, my pain has been unbearable and now I not only have Bells Palsy with facial droop to my right side but I have cellulitis and have drains behind my ears one of which is already stopped up and not draining. I have made 2 trips back and return tomorrow. The MD had been really nice and apologetic but is not equipped to handle the complications I have developed.The PS @ LSL keeps insisting I can get better on PO antibiotics and doesn't want me to go to the hospital. Well I go back tomorrow to replace the drain that's not working, that is if I can get through the night without the temps of over 101 again. If not to the ED I go and I will make sure that LSL in some way reimburses all my extra expenses. By the way I am a Critical Care nurse and have had patients that look better than me at this point! Never again will I not go with an MD I know! I pray your mom gets some help!