Why are there horror stories with Ultherapy?

Question

Considering having ultherapy. On realself there are impressive photos with happy patients. There are also unhappy patients with horror stories and photos to back them up. Can any physican advise why there are these horror stories with excessive fat and volume lost from ultherapy Is it operator error? I would like to have the procedure but the horror stories with photos give me pause.

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS · Answer

Great question and one that we get asked a lot. Our practice regularly treats patients with ultherapy every week. We show our before and after pictures of patients we have treated to show expected results and the procedure is performed by myself and other trained staff members who I personally supervise. The procedure is safe to perform and the science behind the technology is solid. That being said, the results will vary depending on the patient and as with any cosmetic procedure, the patients expectations of results have to be managed accordingly. There are many different types of providers and practices that are allowed to use the device so my feeling is that unhappy reviews come from patients who did not get 'expected' results and the clinic/spa/location did not adequate take care of patients afterwards.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

You will note that those of us with years of experience doing Ultherapy do not see the types of complications that are described in posts here and other places. It is indeed difficult to explain the discrepancy, but possibilities include:overtreatmenttreatment with some other device supposed to be the same as Ultherapy (there are none)combination treatments, with outcomes erroneously attributed to Ultherapytreatment by unqualified providersRemember before & after photos have to be standardized (same camera, lighting. pose, etc.) in order to make a fair comparison.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I am a national trainer for ultherapy and get great outcomes. I have had no issues with this device.  Those who use ultrasound devices but not "ultherapy" can get complications or if they do not follow typically protocols. I suggest seeing an expert.  Best, Dr. Emer.

T.G. Khan, DO, FACS · Answer

There are defined protocols for Ultherapy depending upon the part of the body being treated.  I feel strongly that if the transducer is placed on one area for too many applications, perhaps there can be some untoward side effects - but I have not experienced this because I follow the protocol listed on the patient screen to the exact amount of lines and placement recommended. I have achieved excellent results and feel it is the best non-invasive skin lifting and tightening device on the market. I have performed this treatment on my patients, friends, family, and my wife - I certainly would not do so if I felt it would give them permanent damage  - I wish you the best of luck your research.

Steven Yarinsky, MD, FACS · Answer

Overtreatment by inexperienced nurses, aestheticians and doctors can and likely does occur, as do complications from the same providers. Overtreatment can cause changes like excessive fat loss. An ethical medical office should review potential side effects with patients before Ultherapy treatment' Side effects have been extremely unusual in our office. The most common side effect is under treatment- requiring an additional Ultherapy treatment(s) to see the best results. Bruising, swelling and temporary skin irritation can occur. And some people simply should not be treated- like those who are better candidates for a facelift, and those who have unrealistic expectations! Ultherapy is best for those who have early gravity effects of aging, not significant jowls and neck skin laxity. Since 2012, Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery, PC has been the Albany, NY and Capital District area office of choice for Ultherapy. We are the only area office top rated and listed on the Ultherapy.com website an "Ultra Provider". "Ultra Provider" designation by Merz, the manufacturer means my Ultherapy certified staff and I have more expertise and experience providing Ultherapy treatments than any other office in our region. In fact, Christina at my office is the only area Ultherapy technician to receive advance training at Ultherapy corporation headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. What does this mean for you? Ultherapy is an effective tool for non-surgical facial and neck (and for treating other areas "off label") skin tightening. In the right hands it can do wonders to rejuvenate your appearance. Improperly used by poorly trained doctors, nurses or other staff located within or outside a medical office, the results can be poor and complications can occur. Since Merz/Ultherapy (the manufacturer) does not provide guidance on how to choose a provider or who is allowed to do the procedure, when it comes to choosing a provider, the catchword is "buyer beware". I imagine the overall "worth it rating" on RealSelf would be 95% for Ultherapy if poorly done treatments and patients who have unrealistic expectations of the results that could be achieved could be sorted out.

I offer the analogy of a "hammer", a tool that can build a nice house or beautiful piece of furniture. But in the wrong hands the "hammer" can hurt someone if you hit them over the head.... You get the picture. Choose your Ultherapy provider with care.

I offer the analogy of a "hammer", a tool that can build a nice house or beautiful piece of furniture.  But in the wrong hands the "hammer" can hurt someone if you hit them over the head.... You get the picture.   Choose your Ultherapy provider with care.

Edwin Ishoo, MD · Answer

First, you should actually consult a board certified dermatologist, facial plastic or general plastic surgeon who is a certified Ultherapy provider to provide you with best assessment regarding appropriate treatments and expectations of outcome. Secondly, given your concerns about Ultherapy based on what you read online, I strongly urge you not to have Ultherapy because I believe you are predisposed to being unhappy with the results. There is no evidence of the various claims of injury which if true would certainly have resulted in legal action against manufacturer of the Ultherapy machine and a recall of these machines. That has not happened. Seek a qualified doctor for your evaluation and not a "medspa".

Why are there horror stories with Ultherapy?

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