POSTED UNDER Lower Facelift REVIEWS
52 Years Lower Facelift and Neck Lift and Lower and Upper Eye Surgery - Paris, France
ORIGINAL POST
I decided I wanted a lower face lift at 50 but...
Amanda1707April 14, 2016
$28,255
I decided I wanted a lower face lift at 50 but have waited 2 years whilst researching. I had this done by Dr Olivier De Frahan in Paris. It is only 3.5 weeks in so I cannot comment yet on the outcome but I have my fingers crossed. The clinic where I had the surgery was fantastic and it was my birthday on the day of the surgery and the staff bought flowers which was lovely however the doctor didn't even wish me happy birthday. Without a doubt my eyes are a huge improvement as my lids were pretty loose and I have no eye bags anymore not that these were terrible but they were on their way. I am still very numb around the jawline below the ears and I have a double chin so I am hoping this is swelling as I didn't have one before only some loose skin. I have a completely numb ear as well only the lobe is normal so I am hoping this will also improve. I was told I would get the cut under the chin in the consultation but afterwards there wasn't one but the surgeon said it was not necessary so I am hoping this is also true. The front scars on the ear are closing nicely but still quite a lot of scabs behind the ears but this is reducing day by day and bruising almost gone on my face so all in all not bad and no horrific stories to report but I know it was very expensive and this did not include the flights so I am just hoping now that my double chin will disappear so I can see my new jaw line x Good luck to all the ladies out there having had surgery and to those about to !!! I do think for all those thinking of doing it don't rush in like I did as my relationship with the doctor is far from close and I had to google everything what I had to do, in fact I am still googling!!
Replies (10)
April 28, 2016
Hi Amanda - I hope you are feeling a bit better as your healing progresses. I remember reading about your doctor in Toyah Willcox's book - she seemed very pleased with him and she looked great on the cover photos, although I suspect there was a little airbrushing involved ;-).
The submental incision decision seems to perplex some surgeons - my (first) surgeon said at consultation that it was necessary, then immediately before surgery he said he wasn't sure if he was going to do it, but when I was unbandaged it turns out he had done it (badly). I had a lot of problems with it so I wish he hadn't done it. You may have had a lucky escape (but surely some sort of partial refund is called for - after all over £23K is a LOT of money).
Best wishes for a successful outcome x
The submental incision decision seems to perplex some surgeons - my (first) surgeon said at consultation that it was necessary, then immediately before surgery he said he wasn't sure if he was going to do it, but when I was unbandaged it turns out he had done it (badly). I had a lot of problems with it so I wish he hadn't done it. You may have had a lucky escape (but surely some sort of partial refund is called for - after all over £23K is a LOT of money).
Best wishes for a successful outcome x
April 28, 2016
Sorry I was converting from euros for some reason - converting from dollars it's still about £20K I think? I wish this website would let people post the price in the currency they paid!
April 28, 2016
Yes I was thinking about asking for a refund, I don't know anyone that paid as much as I did then I had the flights and the hotel to think of, and I am not that happy with the result , although only 5.5 weeks in , I have a baggy neck , jowls and a nice large lump on the scar on my left eye, which I am hoping the antibiotic cream will sort out. He gave me no after information so have googles everything and not been out or applied makeup since the op so I do believe I am due a refund. I will email him and ask ! sorry your incision wasn't good.
May 9, 2016
Hiya yes getting there I still have a lot of healing to do and still very red and sore behind the ears and still have a lump on my eye, asked about the refund but no comment as yet. He has communicated quite well recently though , I guess time will tell !
September 9, 2016
I have decided to contact a lawyer to see if I can retrieve some of my money back as it was all my savings around 20000 pounds . I am so disappointed and 6 months down the line I have taken photos and my jowls are still very obvious , my neck is in fact bigger and the wrinkles are unchanged , all I have to show for it is large protruding scars behind my ears with short hair in the same place. It was such a stressful time and such a painful process to look in the mirror now and see the same image is just something I cannot accept. My neck is still numb so I keep telling myself that my neck will go down and it is swollen but I think I am kidding myself. If anyone knows of any good lawyers that would be worth contacting I would be grateful bearing in mind this surgeon is in Paris. Thanks in Advance.
May 3, 2017
I visited this dr 10 years ago. Didn't show me any before and after pics nor seemed that interested. I went back for a second consultation and was told to send a £3k deposit to an address in Paris by open cheque. The alarm bells began to ring and as such came to the conclusion this man was only interested in how much money he could make and not his patients.
May 3, 2017
Dr de frahan, works from a consulting room in London, doesn't that account for something - surely you must have some rights covered by UK law?
UPDATED FROM Amanda1707
5 months post
52 Year Old and Had a Lower Face Lift and Lower and Upper Eye Surgery
Amanda1707August 26, 2016
It has now been 5 months since my surgery which I had with Dr Olivier de Frahan in Paris on my birthday in March. I wanted to write this review because when I was looking for information on this surgeon there was very little, however I chose to take the plunge with him and have to say 5 months down the line , my hair is growing back , not many signs of the surgery scars although obvious if you actually look around the ears. On the down side I cannot see a lot of difference to my face, all that money and pain which there was a lot of seemed to be a waste of time. I paid 20000 pounds in all with the flights and hotel stay and the surgery which was 18000 euros and extra for the hospital. I had to stay in Paris which is very expensive for 10 nights and my husband actually ended up taking my stitches out after we had returned home on the surgeons instruction. The surgeon did not do the cut beneath my chin as he said he was going to and did not even wish me happy birthday when he came to the hospital the next day 2 hours late.
Not one of my friends or family have noticed any change to my face which is a real shame, my husband says well at least it did not go terribly wrong but he could have done more so it showed. I have asked Olivier De Frahan for a refund as he did not do the cut under my chin which he suggested and charged for but he said you cannot give refunds in France , something to do with insurance, he has offered for me to go back and him do it, but why would I do that , I never want to see that man again!!! The only thing I can be grateful for is that he did not make me look terrible which I know some people have experienced which is awful but the money saved up and the pain is enough to put me off forever. I have waited 5 months to say this as I thought I would give it time but I have no tightness or anything telling me there is going to be change so I guess I need to be happy with what I have now !!
Replies (14)
August 29, 2016
Hi Amanda - sorry to hear that your experience and outcome with this surgeon was unsatisfactory. His bedside manner and aftercare sound appalling - especially the backstreet office and cigarettes on the desk! He sounds completely unethical (well criminal really) refusing to give you a refund for a procedure you paid for but he decided not to perform. I also thought he was supposed to be a top surgeon, but maybe he's "past it" now, and should retire? Well done for writing your review and helping others to avoid him. As you say, at least you weren't actually botched, but it's not easy building up the courage and funds to undergo facial surgery only to come out looking no better (and with added scars). Sorry again that you went through all that pain and were treated with such arrogance. Hope you can move on from the awful experience x
August 29, 2016
August 30, 2016
I had the same story with my chin , unfortunately ! I had it done 7 month ago , now improvement with my double cin , neck is better , but overall it was not worth doing at all , all trouble and pain I been throug !
August 30, 2016
But it was not your doctor , it doesn't depend upon doctor , it is our skin , none structure , my doctor was number one in Russia , but I was not happy !
December 16, 2020
Yes really i saw that! Its not about the dr. Its about many things maybe skin ....etc. Coz i saw many people went to dr. De frahan and the result was perfect and i saw one of my friends went to very good dr. In usa but the result was bad but he is a good dr
September 4, 2016
I think you should contact a french lawyer and ask advice if you can return some money as your surgeon did not perform what you agreed - the cut under the chin and the neck lift. I attended 2 consultations with Dr Olivier de Frahan in London but turned him down and had an operation with Dr Jesper Sorensen and very happy with the result. Very sorry that you had but do not be upset - he did not do anything worse, just as some legal advice and plan another operation. I amd sure you can return some money if you find a good lawyer. Find on the net an English speaking French lawyer! go ahead! good luck.
October 4, 2016
Hi tswaffer - when was your procedure with jesper s? Glad it went well - i am planning to consult with him. Does he show before - afters at consult? X
September 6, 2016
Sorry that's very disappointing but you are right at least you are not botched thank goodness
September 7, 2016
I know I have been living in hope for the last 5.5 months that things would change and someone would notice but never mind. Just annoying as spent so much money on it and was so excited to have it but yes at least I am still me ! x
October 4, 2016
I've read so much of this lately (barry jones gang) the 'old school surgeons' are a law unto themselves it seems. It makes me sick to think what they got away with before the days of review sites. Thank you for posting your review x im sorry it wasn't a good result, hopefully you can get a revision but definitely after some of what i have read on here i am glad you were not botched and are unharmed - seriously, wild west out there x
October 4, 2016
so true thats what I keep saying. I saw someone this week and he said it was old school, I think google needs a bit of updating as well .. I have asked again for some money back on what he did not do but he is not replying now so I will give it a little longer and then go down the lawyer route I guess ...
October 4, 2016
Definitely go down the lawyer route, you have nothing to lose. It's insulting the way he has tried to fob you off. I would be livid. Google definitely needs updating - although I don't blame you going to France, I travel to the states for work and there are about 700 facelift specialist surgeons in new york. Here who do we have to choose from? About 3 people outside of the 'old boys' network who are pitiful when they feel like it it seems. X
October 4, 2016
Ps that is also of course unacceptable that he is not replying to you - he has to provide you with a duty of care for a certain amount of time and follow ups. He also cannot agree to one thing and do another that is essentially fraud. There are laws which protect you when having surgery in the EU I think - google travelling for surgery EU. I saw something about it recently. I would go to town on him if he did this to me. I'm angry on your behalf. Honestly what is wrong with half of them!!!!!!
UPDATED FROM Amanda1707
6 months post
I have decided to contact a lawyer to see if I can...
Amanda1707September 15, 2016
I have decided to contact a lawyer to see if I can retrieve some of my money back as it was all my savings around 20000 pounds . I am so disappointed and 6 months down the line I have taken photos and my jowls are still very obvious , my neck is in fact bigger and the wrinkles are unchanged , all I have to show for it is large protruding scars behind my ears with short hair in the same place. It was such a stressful time and such a painful process to look in the mirror now and see the same image is just something I cannot accept. My neck is still numb so I keep telling myself that my neck will go down and it is swollen but I think I am kidding myself. If anyone knows of any good lawyers that would be worth contacting I would be grateful bearing in mind this surgeon is in Paris. Thanks in Advance.
Replies (8)
September 15, 2016
I am very sorry keep us posted as to what happens and I hope you find a lawyer to help you
September 15, 2016
I recommend you to contact the Law Society and ask them to recommend a suitable solicitor who is specialising in such matters. The law society is the best authority for English solicitors so they are the best authority to give you any legal recommendation. I am a lawyers
, so that is my professional recommendation. Good luck. Tanya
, so that is my professional recommendation. Good luck. Tanya
October 19, 2016
Hi Tanya I have been looking for a lawyer for so long now and hitting a brick wall. All the lawyers in France seem to only want to deal with a company , I tried the law society in the UK and they said I had to contact France, in your professional opinion do you know where else I can try, the surgeon is just ignoring me now. thanks in advance.
October 19, 2016
Hi, I do not know why you think that French want to deal only with a company. I do not know French law but I am sure there are English lawyers who are qualified in both countries : https://www.searchlock.com/search?q=French+and+Englsih+qualified+lawyer
I do not know French law but if you call to any French - English qualified then they should help you. First of all ask for a free 30 minutes consultation. with a French -English lawyer. It is an usual offer for a law firm. Try them and write to me if they do not want to help, then you can contact me. Tanya
I do not know French law but if you call to any French - English qualified then they should help you. First of all ask for a free 30 minutes consultation. with a French -English lawyer. It is an usual offer for a law firm. Try them and write to me if they do not want to help, then you can contact me. Tanya
September 16, 2016
Good for you Amanda. Don't give up on this - once you find a French-speaking lawyer and get started it should become easier, but may take a while. France must have a similar body to the GMC in the UK who can maybe tell you if de Frahan is correct about not be "allowed" to give you a refund for a procedure he didn't perform. Best of luck.
Happy belated birthday! Please continue to keep us posted as you recover. :) Will you be posting your photos? I'd love to follow your progress visually.