Quick Recovery and Happy with Results So Far!

I had a LSL on Friday May 8th in Franklin TN. When I first went for a consultation I was met by "Barbie" (or whatever) the sales person and was given the consultation that I am sure is pretty consistent through the clinics as they are franchised. She talked to me and two other women at the same time at first, and then took us each individually into a separate office where financials were discussed.

After she and I discussed my options, I told her that I would not make any decisions until I had met the doctor and had all my questions answered. She asked me to wait a few minutes and then the Dr. came in. He said and discussed the procedure. I asked a lot of questions. He told me that there were possible complications including numbness, scarring (ketoids?), facial paralysis etc. Although it sounded scary, I know that there are many possible complications to even the most simple procedures so I asked as to the percentage of occurance of the complications, as well as the Dr.'s personal track record of severe complications.

After feeling informed and comfortable with the Dr.'s experience and demenaner, I scheduled the procedure. He told me to please call him at any time if I had additional questions. I was very nervous before I went in as I had read this website and knew that some people had very poor outcomes, but after an additional call to the office I decided to proceed. This is not my first experience with plastic surgery (I had a blepharplasty or eye lid lift) so I was probably better prepared than someone who had never gone through a facial surgery.

I did not sleep at all during the procedure despite being orally medicated. The needles hurt when he administered the dental block. They gave me sponges to squeeze and believe me, I did my share of squeezing. After that I did not feel anything except the occassional twinge of pain, to which the dr. injected more anesthesia. My neck became sore because it was turned one way and then the other for so long (my procedure took about 75 minutes) but other than that really nothing. I talked during most of the procedure.

I was happy to have the pain medication once the anesthetic wore off. I took the percocet for 3 days and felt like staying in bed and hanging inside watching movies etc. The day after surgery I went in to the office to have my incisions seen and dressing changed. No big deal. I was given basic instruction on wound care as well as an instruction sheet. Basically neosporin, keep it clean, keep it wrapped as much as possible first week, nothing unexpected.

I had a lunch appointment the following Wednesday but had warned my lunch partner that I might not be able to make it because I was having a minor surgical procedure the Friday before. However, I felt well enough to go, did not have noticeable swelling (I could notice but others didn't) and I could hide the stitches with my hair.

I had my stitches out the following Friday. I sat in the waiting room with women waiting for their consultations and I said I had just had it done. The women were really surprised at how well I looked (please note, I ONLY had the LSL not any other procedure like lipo or eye work). I am also younger than many of the patients (mid 40's) so I probably looked younger to begin with and after the surgery than many.

Stitches out, a little ouchy, but no big deal. Pictures taken. I was advised not to smile or put an expression on just as I had when first being photographed so they could get objective before and afters.

Tomorrow will be my third week 'anniversary'. I am attaching pictures I took this morning after all sorts of requests both positive and negative. I am not swollen or bruised and have been putting neosporin on every day so as I said, my experience has been positive. I did have some bruising behind my left ear for several days, but it is gone. The clinic suggested eating a cup of fresh pineapple twice a day for a week before the surgery to minimize bruising. Wasn't sure it would work, but cut fresh pineapple every day and it seems to have helped. Even if it didn't I guess I am stocked up on Vitamin C!

I am sorry for those of you who had negative experiences. I can tell you I have had a bad experience with a doctor in the past and I know how difficult it is. Please though, do not make me the bad guy.......I am just honestly reporting my experience because I thought that was the purpose of the board. Good luck to those of you who are seeking help or recovery. I retained good counsel after my 'bad' experience and won a malpractice suit, which isn't easy to do against a world class hospital. I will never be the same as I was before the negligence, but I am alive, vibrant and grateful for all the gifts I still have including the love and support of family and friends.

I am happy to help those who want to discuss but please, you can hate the procedure, but please don't hate that I did not have the same experience. KJ