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POSTED UNDER Lifestyle Lift REVIEWS

3 Days After Lifestyle Lift and All is Well (78 Years Old)

ORIGINAL POST

My 78 year old mother asked me to post. She just...

Ellemnop
WORTH IT$5,000

My 78 year old mother asked me to post. She just had this done in Des Moines on Thursday...we drove in from Minneapolis, as no one here does this procedure.

I went with her several months prior to for the consultation. Very professional. No hard sales pitch. I checked out the Dr. who was AWESOME! He has several decades of experience in his field. And even after I shared with her all the negative reviews posted on here, she still wanted to go through with it. So I had the Dr.'s office put me in touch with a few of his actual patients who had the LSL done. They were very positive. I was still nervous, but my Mom was determined.

The entire thing...from post-op pictures to clean up, took about 3 hours. Surgery lasted about 90 minutes. She did say she got a little queezy before they started, but assumes it was just nerves as they had yet to even touch her face when it happened. They gave her something for that, and she was fine. She said she was so calm once they actually started, she almost fell asleep! HA! She felt no pain at all, she said.

When they were done, the Dr. came out to the waiting room to let me know she had gotten a little sick before they started, but he also thought it was just nerves. He also told me how much skin they cut off...she had a saggy neckline...and said she looks so different, it was amazing. He was super nice and took me back to see her, saying "she will probably appreciate seeing a familiar face." When I saw her, she had two nurses cleaning and dressing the incisions and she was in great spirits. She already looked amazing! I said, "WOW, Mom! You have a jawline!" And the first thing she said was "I am SO HUNGRY!" (As per the nurses suggestion, we went out immediately and got her a malt.) They gave both of us instructions on caring for the incision and medications, and then made an appointment to change the bandages for the next day.

After getting her malt, we went back to the hotel and she slept for two hours then got up because she had some pain. Took one pain killer, which literally worked within about 15 minutes, then watched television until the wee hours. I kept asking her if her face was numb, as many people stated on this forum, and she said no. Besides the big wrapping around her head, she felt totally normal!

The next morning, she had her bandages changed and we went out for lunch and then went shopping! And the next day, we went to the botanical gardens. YES! She felt that good and was bored sitting around the hotel room. She never took another pain pill besides the first one. I have helped her wash the incisions, and I have to tell you, it's hard to even see them, they are so tiny!! No bleeding at all, either. She does have bruising on her neck where they gave her the shots. And she did say the first couple of shots were not too pleasant, but she says the dentist is worse!! Other than that, she can't believe how pain-free the entire thing has been. And so far, she has very little swelling.

I am posting pictures and I apologize for my lack of professional photographic skills. I will post more as things progress.

For the record, we are going on vacation Tuesday and Mom is coming along. Her only complaint so far is that she can't wash her hair until next week which is why she won't let me take her picture without the bandages yet!

Ellemnop's provider

Michael Hill, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Ellemnop rating for Dr. Hill:

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Replies (26)

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August 24, 2009
I would encourage the readers of real self to understand that a 90 minute procedure on a neck with the degree of obliquity shown is very unlikely to produce an effective and durable result. Showing a patient with a postoperative bandage is hardly considered representative of a result. I would also like to point out that although some patients may be pleased with their experience with this procedure, the ultimate goal of rejuvenative is to achieve a result that is cosmetically acceptable and which makes the patient feel that the procedure was worthwhile. Please post pictures at 6 months to a year for a realistic snap shot of the result.
August 31, 2009
With all due respect, Dr. Prendiville, I did say it was only 3 days after surgery (see headline) and I would be posting more photos as things progressed. I only posted because so many were saying how HORRIBLE the actual procedure was, so I wanted to show them, my Mom had the totally opposite experience. Originally, I had planned to post every month to show people what they get with this, but the core group hanging out on here are so unbelievably nasty, I just can't bring myself to log in, again. But as long as you have seen fit to hijack my post, I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage the readers of Real Self to understand that plastic surgery and the surgeons performing it are also in business. And like anyone in business, blogging is a way to further their own agenda. So please realize that the Dr's on here who post negatively against the LSL would not be in favor of losing business to a less intrusive, less expensive procedure if it's not something they offer. And also realize, their postings are simply their own opinion. Just like the surgeon with 30 years of facial surgery under his belt who performed my Mom's LSL told us the procedure he performed will last for 15-20 years. I'm just sayin'.
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August 31, 2009
Ellenmop, this is not a hijacking, it is dissemination of information. Let me say that if you and your mother are thrilled..... more power to you! As an experienced Surgeon, part of my duty is to treat patients with dignity, respect,and skill. The second part of my duty is to educate patients as to the most appropriate treatment choices available to them. Although it is theoretically possible for an individual to be happy with a Lifestyle Lift procedure, my colleagues and I have seen many dissatisfied Lifestyle patients. In fact, I have yet to see one individual who was happy. What I have seen is adverse scarring, unmet expectations, and unhappiness with money spent. Lifestyle Lift is a very good marketing company with a very appealing infomercial. It states that it offers a "revolutionary" procedure, with results in"about an hour", without "potentially dangerous anesthetics". Unfortunately, these claims do not ring true in a significant number of cases. Objectively speaking, the result obtained will depend on the Surgeon doing the work and the care the Surgeon puts into the individual case. This obviously varies for Lifestyle Lift. Even the best of Surgeons, when using speed as their main priority, will produce results which are inconsistent. Since I realize the appeal of well marketed idea, I think it only appropriate to educate the public that due diligence is necessary when considering facial rejuvenation. Good luck with the healing and let us know how your mother is progressing in the months to come.
September 14, 2010
I had it done on August 12th. It's one month and I absolutely love it. I was able to go back to work on August 23rd. I was still a bit puffy, but without having to explain to everyone What I had done, I just said I had some "filler." My scars are nearly gone. My MD was very highly credentialed and took time both pre and post surgery. Everything he said came true. What bothers me about all of these postings, is that people also have pain, swelling and bruising with a regular facelift. It's surgery, and you certainly can get a lousy surgeon with a regular facelift. Don't get me wrong, this procedure is not for everyone. Don't expect miracles. I had a bit jowling, and not a well defined jawline. Now the jowls are gone and my jawline is amazing. It's not going to take the lines away from the sides of your mouth. I was lucky. I din't have those lines. I'm just turning 55 and barely have any wrinkles at all. Research your doctor and ask for them to fully explain the outcome. I never felt a thing during the procedure. I took the pain pills and was uncomfortable for a few days, but after that, I was fine.
September 14, 2010
How does your mom look today?
September 16, 2010
She looks great! The scars disappeared months ago, though she still has one tiny, thin, barily visible red line around the back of one of her ears. It's not even an inch long, and unless you look at her head tilted under a light, it's not noticeable. And the Dr. recommended some kind of ointment for wrinkles she still had that were not addressed with the LSL...they were on her forehead...which she loves and has made a huge difference in her appearance, as well! (For the record, the ointment was not through his clinic, but through a totally different company...he directed her there, as it was cheaper.) Anyway...my sister is in her 50's...she's 10 years older than me...and has scheduled an LSL in January from the same Dr. She had a major weight loss about 9 months ago, and the LSL is going to address her saggy neck skin. So yeah...still really happy she did it!! And now a walking advertisement for the LSL in our family! Ha!! So how about you? Still good?
August 24, 2009

HOG WASH!! No one can tell anything with the bandages on - she went shopping, out to eat, going on vacation but won't let you take her picture without the bandages?!!! Something about this post smells!!

August 25, 2009

Oh, [RS bleep] off with your 'something about this post smells.' I am from Minneapolis. I am a Home Stager. I would give you my website and email, but I think you and your attitude smell. I don't want you contacting me in person. Grow up! Not everyone is out to get you.

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August 24, 2009
I agree with Dr. Prendiville, Lets see pictures in 5 - 6 months. Please keep us posted and hope your Mom continued success with the lift. Best, Chrystal Eckes.
August 25, 2009
I do believe I stated, it had only been 3 days! DUH! Happy you are all ready to jump on the bandwagon and denounce the procedure when I CLEARLY STATED I would be posting more photos as soon as possible. (She does not want to be photographed since she can't wash her hair, yet.) But right now, we are on vacation...only 4 days after surgery...and if I can talk her into it, I will post again this week. And continue to post updated pictures. For the record, I talked to two of the Dr's patients prior to and saw their results...one seven months after and one a little over a year, I think. They looked AWESOME!! And besides a little swelling and black and blue, my Mom also looks great. Kindly read the entire post before jumping on with your negativity. I know it's what you thrive on, but it's getting old.
August 25, 2009
I STILL say, that if she will go out to eat, shopping, go on vacation WITHOUT washing her hair, sit next to other patrons in a restaurant with her bloody, smelly hair but won't take pictures - you are being paid by someone to post this bull----!!
August 31, 2009
Yeah, I'm sure you would. Her hair is not bloody. Nothing bled after the surgery. No puss, no blood, no bandages. Does that dissappoint you, Ada? Wouldn't it be nice if everyone had a bad experience so you could have someone else to [RS bleep] with and share in your misery? I now have a ton of photos. But posting them on the web is another thing. She would prefer not to share her secret op with the world. Not to mention, we have been on vacation, and trying to convince a rag like you is not high on my priority list. Bummer you had a bad procedure. But just because your Dr. SUCKED and her's didn't does not give you the right to sit back and accuse everyone. Maybe you need to get a fix by Dr. Hill. I am sure he would do a much better job than your original Dr. Though I don't think he can do anything about your bad attitude.