Allison M. Holzapfel, MD

I'm thrilled I found such a talented, caring doctor like Allison Holzapfel. I don't often write reviews but she deserved a glowing report. She handled an unfortunate situation where I had a cheek implant done elsewhere become infected and dislodged inside my mouth. The reason being, I had a hack job from another plastic surgeon's office where Silhouette threads were badly placed in my cheek area and the result was a disaster. Dr Holzapfel fit me in right away and scheduled the removal. The implant became dislodged in an area near my ear which was tricky to remove but I could not believe what an outstanding job she did to get that sucker out and wipe out all the infection. The healing was a breeze and I knew the minute I met her, she was off the charts, whip-smart, and on top of her game. Her bed side manner is outstanding. I went back for my follow up and barely sat in the chair and she walked in the room. She's beyond professional. I've never been so impressed with a doctor!
After I'm fully healed, I'm going back to sign up for a new procedure she does called a "gliding brow lift" and fat transfer to offset the cheek implant removal. If you're in the Cincinnati, Ohio area or looking for an excellent plastic surgeon I highly recommend you check her out.

My pics are 24 hours post op. The only pain is from the lipo in my belly for the transfer. My dogs jumped on it twice and I think that is why it's hurting.
Dr Holzaphel is amazing. She listens to want you want. I asked if she thought I needed a brow lift and she said no. I wanted a forehead reduction but she said I don't have enough hair on the sides for it to look good. Love her honesty!

Updated on 4 Aug 2021:
Very tight with swelling but minimal bruising. The most discomfort is behind my ears and my belly from the fat transfer. I’m thrilled with my neck! I just turned 57 in June and hated my sagging neck and jowls. I’ve never had much in the way of lips, but my philtrum had gotten so long and my top lip was rolling inward. I think it will look nice as the swelling decreases. I was worried about my nostrils changing shape but Dr Holzaphel makes the incision curve upwards so there is no pulling on the nose.

Updated on 4 Aug 2021:


Updated on 5 Aug 2021:
Today was supposed to be peak swelling but it’s actually less than yesterday. The incisions behind my ears are the most painful. The lip lift is absolutely painless. Dr Holzapfel curves the incision vs a straight line. No pull or distortion of the nostrils.

Updated on 5 Aug 2021:
Today was supposed to be peak swelling but it’s actually less than yesterday. The incisions behind my ears are the most painful. The lip lift is absolutely painless. Dr Holzapfel curves the incision vs a straight line. No pull or distortion of the nostrils.

Updated on 11 Aug 2021:
The rest of the sutures and staples were removed today. Swelling is continuing to decrease daily. No pain, still just a pulled feeling. I asked Dr Holzapfel if I was SMAS or deep plane and she did both. She said once she got in there, my jowls needed the deep planing. She is the full package! Well trained, compassionate and just so sweet! She was so excited w my results that she hugged me as I was leaving. I’m so happy I chose her! Her staff is so friendly and accommodating too.

Updated on 12 Aug 2021:
Split Pic on left 1 month ago w makeup on right today w no make up.

Updated on 12 Aug 2021:
Split pic didn’t upload small enough.

Updated on 15 Aug 2021:
Adding pics of my lip lift incision. Dr Holzapfel curves the incisions slightly into your nostrils. The benefits are a less noticeable scar, and no distortion of your nostrils or widening of your nose from a straight incision. One pic is a full on pic and the one is looking up my nose. My speech was never affected either! Swelling was minimal as well. I had tooth show w my smile prior but when I talked you could not see my teeth b/c I had little to no top lip anymore.

Updated on 25 Aug 2021:

Still have swelling in front of my tragus and down my neck. It’s improving daily. I’m back to work but have to wear a mask so no one noticed!

Updated on 27 Aug 2021:

People always say, "I should have done this sooner" and it is true. There really is not much pain and most come from the swelling which subsides withina week+ for most people. I feel better about myself and can wear hats again!!! At 74, I'm rid of that hang-dog look. Thank you Dr. Holzapfel for your patience, kindness and most of all your exceptional talent!

I am told that I am very young looking for my age, but my "turkey neck" seemed to hinder my own opinion of myself. Caused me to doubt my looks, my attractiveness. Dr. Holzapfel was wonderful throughout the whole process, concerned, supportive, upbeat. She did a master job on me, and I am super pleased with the results!

I'm three days from surgery and nervous. Why? well not because of the actual surgery itself but more for how it will look 3 months from now when my son gets married. I knew I wanted to have this done years ago when I saw my grandmother and aunt could hardly see with droopy lids.... my lids! I'm read!



Updated on 15 Apr 2013:
A close up of my eyes. I had fat removed from my stomach and redeposited/transferred to my eye trough area. upper bleph was done as well. I will post a pic of me before surgery with makeup.

Updated on 16 Apr 2013:
I'm home and watching Food Network. I feel great. I love the results already but I also know the bad bruising is yet to occur. I'm keep up the cool clothe on my eyes for 20 minutes every hour. Only pain is my stomach where they removed the fat to fill in the tear trough. The staff was amazing helpful and kind. So far I'm thrilled with the results. My daughter, 23 years old, says I look younger already! No pain meds at all.....yet!

Updated on 16 Apr 2013:
24 hours after surgery and still no need to take pain meds. I am taking Tylenol for my stomach where she removed the fat to be transferred under my eyes. I didn't take sleep meds last night either but probably should have as it was tough staying comfortable all night so I moved from chair to couch to other couch.

Updated on 17 Apr 2013:
2 days from surgery. Under my eyes is much more swollen but I'm feeling good otherwise. Had a check in with the doc and she believes it all looks good. Stitches out next monday. As for the ice packs I made my own. I bought the inexpensive masks with beads in them from Marshalls but found the plastic too stiff so I cut them open and put the beads into ziploc bags. This worked great. I just would take from the freezer and use a bit of gauze to pad them against my eyes. 15 to 20 minutes later they will have melted somewhat and I would know that time was up and would just place back in the freezer. I also made smaller ice packs using small plastic bags that you would use for pills. (in the drugstore pill holder section) put1/8 cup alcohol and 1/8 cup water into bag, squeeze out air and freeze. This becomes a soft slushy consistency. Put some gauze on it and place on eyes.
Broke down and took a sleeping pill last night and slept in the recliner and had a good nights sleep. Feeling good and just finished a batch of Jack Daniels salted caramels! Nice to have time to do whatever i want... within reason. Still not allowed to exercise for at least a week and no running for at least two weeks. Too many caramels will cause a weight problem!

Updated on 18 Apr 2013:
Three days after surgery and I'm ready for the swelling to go down. The eye lid swelling can cause some vision issues which is annoying when you want to paint or read or crochet, etc. Oh well, I need to be patient. The weather is great and the garden is beckoning but I will wait as i don't need to be bending over at this point.

Updated on 20 Apr 2013:
Five days after surgery and WOW are my under eyes yellow and still very swollen. Made a trip to the store with "snookie" glasses on but would prefer to not do that again until sometime next week. Too self conscious wearing sunglasses inside and they obscure my ability to see as well. Having a bit of trouble at times seeing out of my right eye which seems to be related to the swelling. taking plenty of vitamin C, occasional warm packs to increase blood flow and arnica cream to help with the bruising as well.

Updated on 24 Apr 2013:
7 days from surgery. Stitches are out! Didn't feel a thing either... like magic. My eyes are looking great. Still some red/purple bruising under eye. Most of the yellowing is gone. Even went to the store without makeup!

Updated on 29 Apr 2013:
2 weeks post surgery. Looking good. Have even gone out without makeup! I have found that adding a cover cream can lodge in the scars and make them more pronounced. Went to a party on Saturday with makeup and a business lunch as well. The outside edge scar/bump is the most noticeable. Still have soreness around eyes, numbness on lids and a sore and bruised stomach where the fat was take for the lids.

I researched doctors who specialized in eye lid droopiness which I have experienced in my right eye for a few years and found Dr. Holzapfel. I was excited to find out what may be causing this only on one side...however when I called the office to make an appointment the lady who answered the phone wanted to know what plastic surgery procedure I needed. I informed her I wanted to see the doctor about eye lid droopiness and not surgery. How do I know if I need surgery if I haven't seen the doctor yet? She then informed that if I think insurance will cover the eye lift procedure I am basically crazy because it won't. I just wanted an appointment with the doctor to start with. Wow I'm upset that I wasted my time finding a doctor and now I have to start over again....

Tomorrow will be another step in a long journey. My consultation last month was pleasant and informative. I left feeling confident that my needs were communicated, and that the desired outcome will finally be realized. My brows have descended from their naturally low position which also created laxity at the outer and inner eye; and the degree to which this affects appearance cannot be overstated. The eye area is the focal point of the face.

I had my brow tattoos removed recently which had been added along the upper edge of my natural brow. I also had the tattoos short in the center so I could draw the ends in the proper location even as my brows descended. My natural brows were extremely low and wide with their peak about one quarter of the distance from the medial ends. The tails were always low and with age they dropped and closed my eyes in along with the hooding of the skin. Their shape was unfortunate for my face shape and eye placement and even for my nose. The shape and placement of the brows has an outsized impact on the overall appearance of the face. For years I have plucked nearly all the hair of my brow hairs in an effort to "lift" them. I have also used makeup products to draw brows higher and to contour the skin flaps surrounding the eyes even after upper bleph.

This is not my first brow lift, but I had never heard of the "gliding brow lift" before last month so I will leave detailed information concerning my recovery here.

I am filled with excitement and am looking forward to being able to cut my makeup application time by over half. Nearly all my makeup application time was devoted to creating the illusion that the brow issue was not present. I am planning on powder brows after healing is complete. Relief is already washing over me.