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I am heartbroken and afraid that my face has been permanently ruined

ORIGINAL POST

Terrible Experience

Faerie_godmother
Had a Buccal fat reduction and micro lipo with Dr Ridgeway in June. I expressed being concerned about being left gaunt to which he assured me that he was skilled in this procedure and would not leave me looking that way. At first when I was out of surgery I loved the way it looked, I should have known that if I already loved it with all the swelling I had that it was going to be bad once the swelling went down. I went to the one month post op and still felt good about my face. It takes sometimes 4 month for all the swelling to settle. I’m now 6months out from the surgery and I couldn’t hate my face more. I’ve always wanted to change little things on my face or slim down my cheeks but I’ve never felt like this before. I am gaunt and hollow and weirdly uneven so that my mid face looks distorted and old. I genuinely feel sick to my stomach to look at my face at this point and have anxiety about going out. It’s so extremely drastic. I am heartbroken and afraid that my face has been permanently ruined. At this point I’ve been meeting with other surgeons about my options but it’s very hard to correct something like this and there is no permanent solution that won’t require some kind of filler or fat transfer for the rest of my life

Faerie_godmother's provider

James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS

James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 138 Reviews
PROFILE

Faerie_godmother rating for Dr. Ridgway:

Overall rating
James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS
Response from Dr. Ridgway:
Dear Ashley, I am very sorry to hear that you are unhappy with your results. Please understand that you are still in the healing from your surgery as you are 5 months and 2 days from your surgery. Unfortunately we have only seen you at your 1 week postoperative visit and have not seen you since. In no capacity is this the way in which we want your care or recovery to be. Please contact us so we can provide you with the care that you deserve and need. Respectfully, James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS

Replies (5)

December 10, 2021
I'm so sorry you're also going through this post buccal fat removal. I'm going to message you directly
December 11, 2021
January 19, 2022
What an absolutely awful response on so many levels.
August 4, 2022
Agreed. Condescending, gaslighting, probably a plant by the surgeon.
December 15, 2021
I like the way you look now, but I like a chiseled look.
December 15, 2021
I think you were pretty before your surgery and you look very pretty now. It's probably an unfamiliar look to you but to someone like me, you look great!
December 16, 2021
I hear you and totally validate your pain and your disappointment in your results. The truth is that removing facial fat is unwise and leaves many unhappy. Count me in this, my story is different and involves a doctor who did things without my consent. Doctors who do buccal fat removal should listen to the best out there who say it’s not an appropriate procedure. Tim Marten and others who are highly respected have said this. It should be banned and those who are defending need to take a hard look at all the many anguished reviews, support groups, Facebook groups who are desperate for a revision. Facial volume is how we keep from aging. It does make you wonder if the altering of our bodies makes us just a paycheck, when our long term best interest and good practice is not heeded. I am sorry for all these comments that are discrediting your pain and experience. You are right, your feelings are right and you are incredibly brave to post this transparent review. Sending you peace, strength, hugs..
December 17, 2021
Thank you so much for your kind words. I was so assured it would give my face definition and not leave me feeling sagging and hollow. I feel there were other things he could have steered me to since he’s the expert in facial anatomy and what would be the best with my face or even have taken less from my face. Instead I am left feeling like I don’t even want to leave my house.
Again I appreciate so much your kindness and validation in how I’m feeling
December 18, 2021
You’re welcome and know that you are not alone… hugs, I’ll be thinking of you…