I am one of the "lucky few" who has now had the LSL TWICE. The first time was last December, when I had upper and lower eyes, LSL, and lipo to the throat done. After the initial swelling subsided, I was thrilled with the new me.
About 6 months after the surgery, the right side of my face let go and sagged again, leaving me lopsided. I met with Dr. {edited} again, who advised me to wait it out for more healing to take place. A couple of months later, the left side of my face let go, giving me back the matched set of jowls I'd started with, along with the marionette lines. I also noticed that there was a good deal of loose skin under my jaw. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper.
Once again, I met with Dr. {edited} at the LSL office in Waltham. After some discussion, he agreed to redo the LSL (at their cost), but advised me that the loose skin under my jaw was also muscle sagging, which would require a neck lift to remedy. I agreed to this, at a cost of $1,000.
As had been the case the previous time, I asked for and was given the first possible cancellation ... just a week later. (There are ALWAYS folks doing the last minute chicken dance, so this is the best way to get in QUICKLY ... and have less time to chicken out yourself.)
It has now been 2 weeks since my second surgery. I am still quite swollen and the bruises are evident unless I wear make-up, but my jawline looks infinitely better. Having had such a "crashing" disappointment last time, I am not yet ready to call it a success. I want to say that this type of outcome can happen to ANY cosmetic surgeon, and any one of them who claims that he's not done work over is either a complete novice or is not being truthful. After all, they are working in human flesh, not stone or steel.
I did research on Dr. {edited} before the first surgery, and would not hesitate to recommend him to others. What I would NOT recommend is having the work done at a LSL office. The reason for this is that, under the LSL corporate policies, the docs are limited to specific medications and specific doses. In essence, they are prevented from having the ability to meet their patient's specific needs, as they arise.
I had a problem with the meds BOTH TIMES. Last year, they were giving a shot of Versed (if you've had a colonoscopy, you've probably had this in combo w. Demerol), then doing the novacaine injections. The Versed knocked me out for most, but NOT ALL of the work being done. I have far too much recollection of the LSL on one side, as well as the lipo. I begged for more medication, but was told that it could not be given, and that the reason that I had broken through was that I was having so much done at the same time.
Before the most recent surgery, I was told that the Versed is no longer used. Instead, I was given a small pill to swallow, then a crushed up pill to put under my tongue. They also gave me another medication to get my BP down. I don't know which is which, but they were Clonidin, Hyroxin (aka Atarax), and Triazolam (aka Halcion). The meds did NOT kick in before the shots started. There are a LOT of shots & they are PAINFUL. I finally "passed out", and work commenced. I have no recollection of the LSL work being done, but woke to find that the Platymaplasty was ongoing and my pain was NOT under control AT ALL. I could not stop myself from crying as surgery continued and no more meds could be given under the "corporate policy".
The bottom line here is that I think you would be better off going to Dr. {edited}'s Worcester office, where HE is in charge of what meds are given.
To add to what others have said re recovery: Plan to be zoned out on pain meds for at least 3 days. I tend to develop allergies to opiates after that sort of time frame, and then have to switch to just XS Tylenol. Unless you don't care what others think (and I really don't!), you'll probably want to stick close to home for 2 weeks. Before you have surgery, you might want to invest in some Covermark make-up!
I am age 54, fair skinned, former smoker.
Sorry for writing a book here!
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Posted to Boston lifestyle lift on 25 Sep 2007