Gregory J. Vipond, MD, FRCSC

To start things off I wanna say that I've always want to get my nose and lips done. When I was little I didn't know about cosmetic procedures til I got older and at first was afraid of the idea of a needle or a knife or being put under. But now that I'm even slightly older than I was you can say I finally got a back bone (pun intended). I'm first starting off slow and getting the most minor thing done first out of the 2 which would be the lip augmentation. My first time getting it done was the day after I turned 20 (September 15 of this year). Why? Well ever since I was little I was teased by brothers, friends and cousins who meant no harm in the teasing but rarely knew how I felt on the inside about my insecurities. They would joking call my "Ms. Pouty Lips" or say "you sometimes remind me of a really pretty bird" because of how much my nose droops down like a birds does and how it has a hump at the top. My family is pretty sarcastic so I have relatively thick skin for joking around but when it comes to looks I try hard enough to look my best without anyone pointing out my flaws. It all came to a hault when I had went to a beauty audition (the name of the audition is private-sorry) and they rejected me.. For the 6th time in a row. I even have lost 40 lbs for this specific audition as still no luck even getting past to the 2nd round. The first round is based only on looks so that just proved to me I wanted a change for the best. 

My experience was pretty normal I'm sure compared to everyone else's. My doctor was very knowledgeable. I actually got recommend to go to him after my mom went there who got recommended by a friend before hand. The day I had my consultation was the day I had my procedure done. He put numbing cream all over my lips and let me sit there for what felt like forever. Finally he came in and injected me. I won't lie- it stung pretty bad. He said it's natural especially for the first time which I could understand why. He also gave me a very small amount of botox for above my upper lip which *Bonus* helped me with the gummy smile I have so I don't smile so harshly. After the procedure I drove myself home and put ice on it and only used one pill of Tylenol extra strength for the pain. The swelling looked so wierd and had me worried that it'd stay that way forever but it went down, of course, by like the 3rd day. I recommend taking at least 3 days off of work or school so that nobody sees your "puffiness" and "redness" if you don't want anyone to know. I also recommend staying indoor for the same reason as well. I'm the type of person who doesn't want a lot of unwanted attention, especially for something as embarrassing as fixing a flaw of yourself. I'm a shy girl, what can I say. Also- avoid any salt or high in sodium things, your Dr. will explain why but it helps a lot! 

So anyways, 3 weeks pass and I return for a follow up. I liked the change in my lips but didn't quite love them yet because I felt they were not that changeable looking. However I'm glad the Dr. put less in me rather than more the first time because then its hard to redue what has already been done. So the doctor repeated everything he did last time but no botox. He put a very small amount near the middle and corner of my upper lip like I wanted and bam! I was all done and happier than every before :) the second time also didn't even hurt that much and I didn't even need to ice on my lips or take Tylenol. Better yet, the swelling even went down in 2 days instead of 3. The Restylane is so amazing and doesn't make your lips look bubbly of puffy 24/7 like Juverderm does to lips. I even have my Cupid's bow on my lips that I love :) I would totally recommend this to anyone who feels they need it for the right reasons. It's also the first ever FDA approved injectable which make it even more awesome! My doctor was also amazing and I'd probably won't go to anyone else but him for my lips :) hope all this info helps anyone out there. Sorry for the book I just wrote about my experience, there was just so much to it and more. Thank you!

I'm very happy with the results of the facelift. There was almost no real pain, just some discomfort. There was very little bruising and the recovery was quick. I felt fully informed before the surgery and well cared for following. Dr. Vipond is skilled and kind and has a great office staff. I chose him after interviewing three other doctors.

Face and Neck Lift - Arcadia, CA

I had little bumps and my pores were enlarged. Also, I had sun damage on my cheek bones.

I had eyelid and neck procedure with the eyebrow lift on January 4,2010.

As a man having this procedure done, I was somewhat reluctant, however,my experience was exceptional in that the doctors and staff were all extremely professional and the results, I must say,I am totally happy with. My kids love my new look! No more "turkey neck".

Updated on 26 Dec 2010:
On January 4,2010 with Dr. V as my surgeon, I had the following procedures: Facial Liposculpting, Upper eyelids, Lifestyle Lift, Neck and LiposculptingPlatysmaplasty.

It's been almost a year now since my surgery and I can only say that my experience with Lifestyle Lift was exceptional. The surgeon/doctor Lipond kept me informed throughout the whole procedure, I would recommend him to any of my friends! The general staff at the Ontario facility was very professional and informing. Looking back with all of the apprehension I had, the whole event was well worth the outcome.

I had upper and lower eyelid surgery. After four months, there is a scar on the end of one eye, the discoloration has not gone away from the upper lids, the suture scars have lumps, there is a 'pocket' under one eye now, the skin in the center of my eyes was pulled down to create a freakish look, my eyelids still hurt, and I don’t look like the person I was BEFORE droopy eyelids! YES! I do have eyelids now, but that is the ONLY positive thing I can say. My upper lids (under my eyelashes) face outward as if he pulled it up too tightly, which prevents protection to my eyes, AND, I cannot raise by eyebrows and keep my eyelids together!

This doctor totally changed the way I look and it is NOT better. But, when I went for my check up after three months, I told him all this, and he said "Well, you looked like a tired old man when you came in" (I am a woman, btw) and then he said all of these things will go away.

Well, I am supposed to see him again for a 6-month check, and all I want to do is SCREAM! I am as embarrassed of my face NOW as I was with saggy lids! I want to SUE HIM! He doesn't seem concerned about the skin he pulled together between my eyes that made me look like a freak! But then, he is working for LifeLift and probably doesn't care! He is an ENT doctor, according to the technician, but all the plastic surgery he knows is blepharoplasty and neck lifts because that is all they do at LifeLift.

NOW WHAT DO I DO? WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? I spent all this money and HATE every day of it!



Updated on 29 Jan 2011:
It's been a year now and things don't look any better. This doctor was not a fine skilled surgeon for sure! He doesn't work for LifeStyle Lift anymore. At my last visit he offered to inject botox at his new office (at my expense) to fill in the mess he made between my brows. I declined. The scars are bad still, some of the discoloration has gone, but I HAVE to wear my eyeglasses to cover up most of the 'garbage'. I wish I had read more reviews about that place before I chose it. My eyes are so sensitive to air that I almost never can go for a walk anymore. I will never be able to close my eyes and raise my eyebrows, which is why I don't have the ability to protect my eyes from things lashes are supposed to protect them from. Have surgery if you want, but don't go to LS Lift! EVER! The doctors work for practically nothing and for good reason.

I was sent to Vipond by a doctor from my insurance to fix breathing problems. He totally botched my nose and justify that to make me breath better he had to make the nose bigger and stronger.... totally disaster. I had to have Dr. Jay Calvert and Dr. Nassif try to fix it !!! Never less to say thousands .....dollars and tears........