Many of you have seen the Lifestyle Lift commercial featuring Debby Boone, but what exactly IS a Lifestyle Lift?
Here's what some board certified plastic surgeons have to say about what an LSL is and isn't:
"Lifestyle Lift is a corporate brand term that encompasses a range of cosmetic surgical procedures on the face and neck. The term firming is used instead of surgery. The cost varies based on the array of procedures you choose, such as a cheek lift or a cheek neck lift with upper and lower eyelids." ~Thomas E. Kaniff, MD
"Most legitimate plastic surgeons will tell you that the results seen on television for what is a lifestyle lift is actually a combination of different procedures and that you will not attain the advertised image if that is all you pay for. For example, some have had their eyes done and/or botox and fillers. These are not standard. The lifestyle lift is for the most part a skin procedure." ~Phillip Chang, M.D.
"The Lifestyle Lift is a facelift procedure that has incisions both in the front and the back of the ear. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and mild sedation if requested.
It is not a purse string suture or suspension procedure. It is a plication procedure. This means that the SMAS/muscle layer is pulled up and folded onto itself and sutured into place (much like folding a pant leg onto itself to make a cuff). Extra skin is then removed and sutures are placed to close the skin.
As for duration, many surgeons argue that the plication procedure does not provide long lasting results and should not be done. Others feel it is worthwhile but are sure to point out that you need to select the right patients for it. I have met many patients that had results last less than 6 months and others over a year." ~Kamran Jaffri, M.D.
"The basic Lifestyle Lift procedure is a short-flap SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) procedure that hasbeen a proven, well-established facial plastic surgical procedure for more than 30 years. The procedure lifts and secures the sagging skin and deeper muscle tissues from the lower face and neck. The incision is neatly concealed along the hairline, in front of and behind each ear. Excess skin is trimmed and the incision closed. Liposuction may be used in the neck area if needed.Patients receive oral sedation prior to the procedure and the incision line is numbed with local anesthesia. Patients are comfortable, relaxed and alert throughout the procedure. Some patients nap through the procedure.
The short-flap SMAS has become an increasingly popular procedure among surgeons for many reasons including safety,efficacy and cost. Each individual is different, but unlike face creams, fillers and Botox, Lifestyle Lift results are long lasting.
To achieve the most satisfying results, our physicians customize the recommended treatment to the specific needs of the patient, which may include additional procedures such as blepharoplasty, liposuction or laser treatment." ~Farhan Taghizadeh, MD
"Lifestyle lift is a registered trademark owned by a company known as Lifestyle Lift Holdings based out of Michigan. The company owns centers throughout the country that offer a facelift-like procedure. Surgeons are recruited in a local area to perform this procedure at a Lifestyle Lift Center. The Lifestyle Lift company lays out a heavy marketing campaign in an area and over the internet to recruit prospective patients. These patients are then generally screened by non Physicians and sometimes non medical personnel who appear to make preliminary decisions about the acceptability of a prospective patient." ~ Stephen Prendiville, M.D.
"There is no actual Lifestyle Lift. When I visited their booth at a national plastic surgery convention, their salesperson informed me that any surgeon who performs facelifts (regardless of specialty) can become a member of the Lifestyle Lift team by either 1. Paying a monthly marketing fee for patient referrals or 2. Working for the company full or part time in one of their surgicalcenters.
The quality of Lifestyle Lift surgeons varies, just as the quality of facelift surgeons varies. I'm sure that some are very good. Certainly, one can argue that any surgeon who performs a procedure frequently will become better at doing that procedure." ~Ronald Friedman, M.D.