Treatment Provider

Michael A. Epstein, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Call Doctor
Call Doctor
Reviews you can trust, from real people like you.      
How it works
  • Our highly-trained Review Moderation team evaluates all reviews before they're published to ensure they're written by people like you and not a member of a doctor's office.
  • This multi-step process takes up to 24 hours from review submission to publication.
  • Doctors can't pay to have reviews removed or hidden.
  • Reviews are only removed at the reviewer's request or if they violate our Terms of Service.

If you have questions or believe we should re-evaluate a published review, let us know.

Sort by:
*Treatment results may vary

Four Month Update Necklift

This is my 4 month post op neck lift review. I had a neck lift only. I never had turkey waddle, but had a loosening platysma and crepey skin. The surgery corrected the platysma issue. Following surgery my neck skin was still crepey : ( I decided to change my skin care routine. I use a combo of retinol, prescription tretinoin and night cream blended together on my neck. I also use the Isavela neck band nightly. It should be noted I stopped the neck band after 3 weeks. I decided to call the manufacturer (Isavela) who stated benefits could be gleaned for protracted use of their product. I had nothing to loose and wanted the best post op result possible. At four months I'm pretty happy. My neck looks almost as good as the face (that hasn't been surgically touched: too scary for my taste). I also do Microneedling with a Dermapen (on the face and neck) every other month. While I cannot tell you which of these things has helped, or if it is all incidental, things are progressing and I am getting closer to the results I was shooting for.

61 yr Old Excellent Neck Lift

Just went out in strong Arizona sun to check profile. Things were looking good! Even if you don't have a lot of sagging skin, if your neck is the thing that bugs you, it's worth it!

61 yr Old Neck Lift

Just a quick update. I had my neck lift on Dec. 2, 2014. I still have much healing yet to occur. I no longer have the slightly loose platysma, but my neck skin is a bit more crepey than I would like. I don't think it is fair (to anyone)to judge a final outcome until at least 3 months post op. The biggest advantage is if I am posing normally I don't see an ugly neck that is side lit. I posted a pre op photo. I sent it through my iPhone where it wasn't upside down. I think results look more dramatic on patients who have substantial skin and fat removed. I was not a candidate for such. If I pushed to have this done I might have had a classic "wind tunnel effect." I think procedures of this sort are should be highly individualized. Admittedly, some women will get this procedure done and look 20 years younger. Mine was more of a minor tweak. No one has noticed I've had anything done. That was my goal.

Provider Review

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
1535 Lake Cook Rd., Northbrook, Illinois
Call Doctor
Call Doctor
Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Yesterday I had a neck lift performed by Dr. Epstein. I researched his background thoroughly and determined he is a highly credentialed doctor with excellent patient and peer reviews. My profile was one of the few "tells" of my age, being that my platysma muscles slackened so that the looseness could be observed in indirect light. In my opinion, this spoiled my appearance. Typically, most patients opt for a lower face lift in conjunction with a neck lift. While I am 61 years old, a face lift would likely make my face appear unnaturally tight or drawn. In my estimation a neck lift was the only procedure required. While Dr. Epstein has sterling credentials if he had recommended more than I felt I needed I would have walked. He first began by discussing the lowest cost, and least dramatic procedures. These included Botox to the neck to relax neck muscles and/or ThermaRF which I believe utilizes radio frequency ultrasound to tighten tissues. While the ThermaRF would tightn my neck, it would not mitigate the slackened platysma muscles that were part of the sculpted neck of my youth. As stated in the beginning of this narrative my procedure was performed yesterday. To my amazement I have experienced little to no discomfort. In addition to the platysma repair, a small amount of fat was lipo suctioned from beneath my chin. The doctor's nurse, Erin, advised that I eat pineapple and papaya beforehand to mitigate swelling and inflammation. I have allergies to these foods, thus I opted for Quercetin and Bromelain supplements. The Doctor's Best brand is very good. I believe Erin's suggestion was very helpful to my recovery. Additionally, you will be provided with an extremely detailed packet of pre and post op instructions. Furthermore, you will need substantial medical screening for the purposes of patient safety and eligibility. It has only been one day post-op and I have minimal swelling and discomfort. I have significant bruising, but it should be noted I have always bruised easily, insofar as I have thin fair skin. We removed the cotton dressings today and my neck profile looks like that of a twenty year old. I am delighted and would highly recommend this doctor. An added footnote to my remarks: I once owned a business in the Northbrook area. My clients were the best. My clients also demanded the best. A business person or professional of any variety will not receive and maintain a 5 star rating in Northbrook unless they truly are top notch. I'd be neglectful if I failed to add that the good Doctor 's staff: Erin, Jill and Elyse are wonderful professionals who will treat your concerns with courtesy and dignity and are extremely helpful in answering any questions you may have.