POSTED UNDER Deep Plane Facelift Reviews
A Decision I Have Regretted Every Day for 6 Years
UPDATED FROM Youngerat50
1 year post
Photos of scarring, hairline loss & roll of skin on neck.
$23,000
Providing pictures of bilateral hairline loss, unsightly skin roll on neck (later removed in revision which caused hairline to move back even farther & a plethora of complications) & scarring behind ears. Also have pictures of cobra neck & tilted ears. Hairline has not recovered 6 years post op and skin remains scarred.
Youngerat50's provider
UPDATED FROM Youngerat50
1 year post
Correction
Correction: My medical records do record the kenalog (steroid) injections. However there is no medical explanation as to why he is administering the kenalog injections.
My medical records also do not mention the consistent post-op tightness & pain or that one side of my mouth did not function correctly (weakness/non-responsive) for several weeks but instead repeatedly state “Patient is pleased. Patient has no complaints”. “No significant problems”
My medical records also do not mention the consistent post-op tightness & pain or that one side of my mouth did not function correctly (weakness/non-responsive) for several weeks but instead repeatedly state “Patient is pleased. Patient has no complaints”. “No significant problems”
Replies (1)
This is a major red flag: living in a fantasy world and having no connection to his patient's reality.
ORIGINAL POST
A Decision I Have Regretted Every Day for 6 Years
I underwent a facelift and neck lift procedure with Dr. Cross at age 55. I came in as a healthy patient with specific expectations for the outcome.
My Post-Operative Experience:
Following surgery, I experienced significant pain from day one. My medical records do not reflect this pain or the extensive steroid treatments I received over several months- I received more than 10 steroid injections every two weeks over several months, yet my records contain no mention of these treatments or the oral steroids prescribed. Instead, my medical records only document satisfaction with results. When I sent my medical records to pain management staff, Dr. Cross eventually provided me with a separate list of treatments, but did not update my official medical records to explain why these treatments were medically necessary.
The surgery left me with what I would describe as a skin roll on my neck and a much receded hairline. The area behind my ears has scarring that, in my view, resembles significant burn damage. I experience ongoing nerve-related sensations and discomfort that have not resolved in the six years since surgery and neurologists are still trying to address.
My Concerns About the Surgery:
My surgical notes are unusually brief for an approximately 5-hour procedure—slightly over one page, with most content dedicated to fat extraction and preparation. I did not see Dr. Cross before being placed under anesthesia in the surgery theater. When I woke from surgery, Dr. Cross was not present. A man was present in the operating room whose name does not appear anywhere in my medical records, which I find concerning. Additionally, I spent the night in a hotel near Dr Cross so he could check in on me the next morning, but he canceled.
Cosmetic Outcomes:
The visible results include what appears to me as a "cobra neck" appearance, a hairline that appears to have receded significantly, and ears that appear tilted back in a way that is noticeable to others. While there was initial improvement in facial appearance, these changes have not held over six years.
My Request and His Response:
When I requested a refund of my surgical fees to help cover ongoing medical expenses related to complications, Dr. Cross declined. Since I work in banking he compared his surgical outcomes to investments: "Banks try their very best to make proper investments for their clients, but they don’t pay the clients back if the investment doesn’t go as expected.”
Overall Assessment:
In my opinion, this surgery has been profoundly negative for my quality of life. I experience daily discomfort and visible changes I find distressing. I deeply regret having this procedure. I would not recommend Dr. Cross based on my personal experience with this surgery and its aftermath.
My Post-Operative Experience:
Following surgery, I experienced significant pain from day one. My medical records do not reflect this pain or the extensive steroid treatments I received over several months- I received more than 10 steroid injections every two weeks over several months, yet my records contain no mention of these treatments or the oral steroids prescribed. Instead, my medical records only document satisfaction with results. When I sent my medical records to pain management staff, Dr. Cross eventually provided me with a separate list of treatments, but did not update my official medical records to explain why these treatments were medically necessary.
The surgery left me with what I would describe as a skin roll on my neck and a much receded hairline. The area behind my ears has scarring that, in my view, resembles significant burn damage. I experience ongoing nerve-related sensations and discomfort that have not resolved in the six years since surgery and neurologists are still trying to address.
My Concerns About the Surgery:
My surgical notes are unusually brief for an approximately 5-hour procedure—slightly over one page, with most content dedicated to fat extraction and preparation. I did not see Dr. Cross before being placed under anesthesia in the surgery theater. When I woke from surgery, Dr. Cross was not present. A man was present in the operating room whose name does not appear anywhere in my medical records, which I find concerning. Additionally, I spent the night in a hotel near Dr Cross so he could check in on me the next morning, but he canceled.
Cosmetic Outcomes:
The visible results include what appears to me as a "cobra neck" appearance, a hairline that appears to have receded significantly, and ears that appear tilted back in a way that is noticeable to others. While there was initial improvement in facial appearance, these changes have not held over six years.
My Request and His Response:
When I requested a refund of my surgical fees to help cover ongoing medical expenses related to complications, Dr. Cross declined. Since I work in banking he compared his surgical outcomes to investments: "Banks try their very best to make proper investments for their clients, but they don’t pay the clients back if the investment doesn’t go as expected.”
Overall Assessment:
In my opinion, this surgery has been profoundly negative for my quality of life. I experience daily discomfort and visible changes I find distressing. I deeply regret having this procedure. I would not recommend Dr. Cross based on my personal experience with this surgery and its aftermath.
Replies (4)
This is horrible. Is it possible Dr Cross had a stand in for the surgery??? Very strange you didn't see him before or after. Unheard of really!! I am so sorry this happened to you!!
My surgery was his last surgery on the Friday of Halloween weekend. I want to clarify that he did mark me & each member of the surgical team introduced themselves to me while I was signing documents in an examination room. But once I was in the operating theater, a man who had not introduced himself was by my side & I asked him who he was. He said he was in all of Dr Cross’ surgeries & then I became unconscious. I saw Dr Cross mark me & then again two days later. I cannot hypothesize outside of those facts.
I did inquire with Dr Cross as to why his initials on my admission sheet were a clear KC, and on the operative forms they looked very different, almost like 3 C’s but he said he sometimes uses different initials/signatures.
I feel absolutely terrible for you! At the very least, he could have refunded your money so that you could use it to cover some of the costs resulting from the complications he caused. And comparing medical procedures to investments is incredibly arrogant and insensitive. Patients put their health and trust in a surgeon’s hands — that is nothing like making an investment.
Replies (0)