Fat and enzymes ruined my face - San Francisco, CA

Dear Redroxi, I'm sorry that something happened for you to be so unhappy and spend so much money which just goes to show that more money doesn't mean better quality as I paid less than $3000 for a facelift in Costa Rica in 1995 and my experience was lifechanging in a positive way and yes, there was a minor problem with the ear attachment which he fixed the following year at no charge and with some extra services so I would go back but now he charges the same as many doctors in my area and now I am more aware of all the risks involved. Also, in 2010, I had a little silicon put in my lips and I was very unhappy as it was about $800 and you couldn't see any difference in the before and after pictures by Dr. Swanson in Clearwater who I went for a free consult and he talked me into that and I had no idea what I was doing at the time. Over time it seems like there might be a microcosmic difference but certainly not worth the money and I haven't done anything else until I actually see someone's before and after pictures from the doctor i would go to and now I want to do the fat transfer (not necessarily in my lips but around the mouth and eyes. While I understand you are clearly upset, I don't think it is fair to make a blanket statement about this procedure without providing before/after pictures that show anything as I can't tell anything from your pictures and I have seen a lot of amazing before and after pictures on the real self website. I appreciate that you are trying to warn others but please understand our position of having to make decisions from people who make claims (positive or negative) and then don't show clear pictures and more often, don't follow up on their story. Had you seen before and after pictures done by this doctor? I don't understand if a doctor is doing these procedures on a regular basis, why can't they provide a substantial amount of pictures to prove a procedure has beautiful and lasting results and it is very easy for them to mask a person's identity so that is no excuse. If you don't want to publicize your picture, I understand but is there anyway you could get someone to help you share the problems you discuss and still retain your privacy? I'm just not convinced without seeing pictures; however, you have convinced me that I will insist on seeing a surgeon's before/after and even be able to talk to someone as that's how I came to know about Dr. Lev. I will also share my results as I have previously shared many pictures of the issues which I want to resolve.

PS...it should be a warning if it is hard to find out any information online as I found out this one doctor I had a consult with was able to get all this bad information about a lawsuit he had taken offline so I would tell everyone to do their research, don't be in a rush, and try to get people to share their experiences positive and negative on sites like this because the doctors have a way of getting it taken down as part of the settlement which was the case with a doctor in Tampa I would share upon request as it was not my experience but told to me by another doctor actually.

Chellamia...here is a link to photos I put in when I asked a question of docs at realself. Hope the link works, write me if it doesn't. I will send a private message with my phone number and email and you can call or write me if you want to know more. I didn't post the pictures when I wrote the review because it was much too difficult for me as I am sure is the case with others. Its been 3 years now, so I have come to more acceptance at this point, but it is still painful & hurtful to let other people see photos of me. I wear sunglasses nearly 24/7, even today. If this ever happens to you, which I truly hope it doesn't, you may finally understand how difficult it is mentally to cope with posting results that are bad. Good results are easy to post...bad results are just too hard to deal with for most of us. Its been over 3 yrs now and this is still hard for me to do. In the photos at the link, the first pic on the left is the after of my left eye. They got reversed by mistake. And I didn't have a good, clear closeup of a before pic for that eye, so I just posted the right eye as they looked pretty much the same "before" on both eyes. Here is the link: http://www.realself.com/question/upper-and-lower-eyelid-surgery BTW, my husband is a retired physician from CA and we have been married over 35 years. I have no axe to grind with the doc who did the FT, not an "ex" anything. In fact, he was recommended to me by my son-in-law...an anesthesiologist in Encino CA. (He won't be recommending him anymore after my experience).

I am sorry that you have had such a terrible time. As women we are always trying to improve and its disappointing when we dont get what we want. But honestly, you really don't look bad at all. But of course, we are always harder on ourselves. regardless, I hope it all works out and you get what you want. that is what matters most. Your happiness. Good Luck and Stay Positive!

I am very sorry to hear your story. Mine is the same. It's been 1 month and 2 weeks but it's obvious that the doctor changed the symmetry of my face making me look older. People at my job have noticed and asked me when will my face go back to normal being I keep telling them it's swollen. Also, my husband says it looks deformed. One of my cheeks is much bigger than the other. My cheeks are lower than they were. It appears he removed the top part of my cheeks leaving droopy fat hanging down the lower cheeks. Than as my best friend pointed out, I have a hollow line running horizontally down my face right behind the droopy fat. I'm devastated. My doctor like yours has taken no responsibility and is asking me to wait. First he and his staff stated I would be back to normal in 2 days. Then 3 months and now he's saying a year. He just goes off on tangents when I last visited. He also placed botox on my forehead and one of my eyes has been halfway closed. This cost me a fortune. I saved for a year. He hasn't accepted responsibility for anything. However, your doctors sites sound exactly like mine. I regret this incredibly. Now I have to begin saving money and searching for a new doctor to repair this if possible. I'm scared and sad. Please let me know how it's going. Thanks

Dear Roxie, I really could help you in any way. I don't work for Dr Niamtu and I don't promote his business but in my hearth I do believe he can help you. I pray to God that one day you will find time and go see Dr N and I pray that he will find a solution to fix it and will make you happy. Until that day I wish God will keep you strong and patient. I am thinking of you most of the time but I have no power to help you. Blessings.

Redroxie, when you first wrote 200ccs I thought the extra 0 was a typo. That's way too much. 200ccs of anything sounds way too much. I found something as well you might be interested in - infrared light therapy. It doesn't heat the epidermis like lasers do. These light therapy treatments are the safest you can get as far as dermatology treatments go. If you get a machine and sit under it regularly for 3 months then it could improve something without risking further harm?? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2687728/ "Our results further suggest that IR radiation may result in beneficial effects on skin texture and wrinkles by increasing collagen and elastin in the dermis through stimulation of fibroblasts. Thus, treatment with IR radiation may be an effective and safe non-ablative remodeling method of the skin"

How can I thank you enough for writing such a heartbreaking review? I can not accept the idea of doctors refusing to fix their mistakes. Thank you so much for exposing the risk associated with this procedure. I myself stayed with a bump on my lips for years done with Restilane by a doc in LI so I totally emphasize with your pain. It was agonizing for me to try to put lipstick on uneven upper lip. However I do have a very strong  feeling that you will be able to fix and to like your face. I am not a psychic but I do get vibes. I will pray that God will show you soon the best way to get beautiful revision.  Speaking about beautiful, from the pics that you've posted YOU ARE A VERY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. Some women will pay a lot to look just like you. I wanna give you an e-hug and I can not wait that day when you will write back to me to tell me that you are HAPPY with your result.

I just read your story and it infuriates me, the doctors attitude and how he continues to destroy other faces and you are still in pain and suffering. I hope you sued him, I hope you won, I hope he learned a lesson. I am so mad and sorry for you because I know in my heart, I could not handle this, I would be destroyed inside and out and probably would just curl up and die. I hope you got better with time.

It is terrible but YOU chose the Doctor and YOU signed a release prior to him doing the surgery saying that if the result is not exactly as you expect or have discussed, you cannot sue him and will not get a refund. You will feel more at peace if you just enjoy the results that you do have, which look lovely, and don't work yourself into an angry frenzy. Angry people are ugly anyhow.

Yes,we all chose the doctors and signed the papers,but it does not mean we cannot warn the others. Fat graft ruins lifes and should be banned. Take care of your good mood and be so kind and do not teach us any lessons.