POSTED UNDER Ultherapy Reviews
Ultherapy Procedure-wow, That Hurt! - Denver, CO
ORIGINAL POST
So, I had the ultherapy procedure done today at Dr...
sflonglawJune 20, 2013
So, I had the ultherapy procedure done today at Dr. Atagi's in South Denver. I had 750 lines all on my lower face and neck. I was concered about the pain before I went in after reading reviews on here, but I wanted to get it anyway. I am 41 and I try to be proactive with my skin and prevent issues before they start. I took two 200 mg Advil beforehand. I really do not like to take any meds, so I opted out of taking anything else (big mistake). The pain was really really intense. And, I have had botox, filler, IPL, lasers, liposuction, etc. and I have never really needed pain meds for ANY of those treatments. This was by FAR worse than any of those treatments. I know everyone is different, but really, I do not think I would ever do this procedure again. Seriously, I think I would rather get a facelift at this point. I cannot describe how it felt except to say that it is kind of like an IPL (but way worse) that goes on for 2 hours and the laser gets deep down in the skin and can hit a nerve from time to time (ouch). I really really hate to discourage anyone on here from getting it, but for me, it was like being in a torture chamber for 2 hours. I am skeptical I will see major results. Honestly, next time I think I will just get surgery. The nurse who handled the procedure was awesome though. She was VERY nice and did say that out of all the paitents she has performed the procedure on, I was the worst with pain. So, maybe there is hope for the rest of you (i.e. maybe I am different). I always thought I could handle pain pretty well, but I guess not! I have never needed any numbing creams, never blockers, pain meds for anything else I have done. Anyway, I will post again in a couple months about my results.
Replies (5)
June 20, 2013
Oh, so sorry to hear you had such an uncomfortable experience. :( From what I understand the protocols/procedures for Ultherapy were changed a few months ago to try to make the treatment more comfortable. Did the nurse happen to say if they had changed over to the new protocols?
June 20, 2013
Oh yes this was definitely with the new protocols. I cannot imagine how it felt before they chanced it. Also my lower face is numb and I look a bit like a chipmunk. Do not plan on a special event right after.
June 20, 2013
Ugh, bummer. Ok, thanks for sharing this. I hope the swelling goes completely away soon.
June 22, 2013
Thank you for sharing your experience! So sorry you had so much pain. When I had mine done 3 weeks ago, to address the pain, the nurse gave me a shot of demerol and a valium. Then she put numbing cream on my neck and gave me lidocaine shots all over my neck. (my neck is what I had done). I know, it seems like a lot, but seriously, I barely felt the treatment. So glad I did it that way. I hope you see the results you're looking for. I'm still waiting. Lots of us have had the tingling and numbness for quite a while after the procedure. Just a heads up so you don't freak out if you get as well. It does go away after a while. Mine didn't start until about the 3 or 4 day after the procedure. I still have mine after 3 weeks....hoping it subsides soon. It's a little unsettling, but manageable. Good luck to you....keep us posted on your progress. =)
June 22, 2013
Thank you so much for sharing your information. Please, please post back and let us know your results. I live in the Denver area and am looking for a doctor in the area who performs the Ultherapy treatments.
June 22, 2013
I have found in all my years of being a medical device rep, that the patients that say they "can handle pain very well" is the BIGGEST red flag, those are the ones that need the meds...every time!
June 22, 2013
I think certain kinds of pain we can handle pretty well. I don't think all pain is the same. Like a nerve pain at the dentist verses childbirth pain headache pain, ya know? There are different kinds of pain so different kinds of reaction to it. That's my take anyway...=)
Replies (5)
Hi confusedSD,
Jill and I are both Community Managers for RealSelf. I was out of the office for an extended period of time so she was helping with the communities that I cover (one being Ultherapy) so that is why you have seen us both in here.
My advice is always the same for people unsure of treatment - keep doing your research on it, talk to other community members, discuss it and other options more with your doctors office, etc. until you feel certain one way or another. You will come to the right answer for you. :)
I had ultherapy performed on my lower face twice in two years. I enjoyed the result so much the first time, that when my jawline started to slacken a bit, I had the procedure repeated. The procedure definitely worked by thickening and tightening the skin. I did notice the results after the second treatment only lasted about six months. All and all, my jawline is still firmer then when I originally started. I have been able to hold off a lower face lift for 2 years and that was worth it. I would definitely use Ultherapy for the sagging skin my my thighs and knees if it were available!