POSTED UNDER Ultherapy Reviews
Ultherapy/ Permanent Nerve Damage/ Brachial Plexus
UPDATED FROM JGM123
Nerve study results & neurologist commitment on cause.
$4,500
I felt I should add these med documents /results so those who feel this nerve damage isn't possible, can see that opinion isn’t shared by all doctors. These are copied from my personal medical records. Im sharing these nerve studies, and doctor’s assessment in hopes that other docs/providers and potential clients better understand the potential damage HIFU can cause. This should serve as a cautionary measure prior to getting Ultherapy on your neck (or anywhere for that matter), as it can injure nerve trunks and cause permanent nerve damage distal to the trauma/injury...Neurologist understand nerves/ nerve damage and this is what my neurologist concludes.please know that those that are injured suffer a great deal. In my case, the Manufacturer emailed me they had nerve heard of this (paraphrasing) but their FDA Maude database reports prove they were not being truthful, as they had multiple similar injuries reported by the compliance officer (handling my complaint) prior to my injury-(aka lied to me /my provider as best I understand & I don’t think I misread their emails)-know that this can happen to anyone that has 160-170’ heat applied to their body-and that could be you! If u had this w no adverse events great-consider yourself fortunate! Educate yourself and go beyond the Manufacturer’s marketing materials... no one else should go through this...it’s horrifying on ALL human levels. These r my opinions and results. I’m not defaming anyone (but clearly not a fan for obvious reasons) - just stating facts as I have personally experienced them.
UPDATED FROM JGM123
MAUDE EVENT ABOUT ARM INJURY (possible AE) after ultherapy- Event dated 4-23-19...Please seek the hlep of an experienced neurolo
On 5-14-19 the FDA MAUDE data base posted an Adverse event from a patient stating they are experiencing "severe pain in my right arm after therapy to my lower face and neck..." after Ultherapy 4-23-19. PLEASE seek medical assistance from a neurologist/ someone with experience with brachial plexus injuries/ upper extremity specialist. I am NOT a doctor (I have my Master's degree in Occupational Therapy so my educational background includes a lot of anatomy and neurology, etc...). Based on your description your experience seems similar to my experience. If this individual is on real self and reads this...PLEASE carefully explain Ultherapy to your doctor (use the manufacturer's information to explain what you had done, and show them where the device was placed on your NECK. Injury on the neck CAN and DOES present in the arm and hand. Think spinal cord injury-an injury to the spinal cord will impact body parts below the level of the injury (CNS vs PNS), While the manufacturer's "white paper" states anti-inflammatory meds may interfere with the results of the Ultherapy procedure, bc Ultherapy's stated mechanism of action is via the body's inflammatory reaction to the multiple wounds (burn healing process), and consequent healing (scar tissue-My words)- I strongly urge you to discuss steroids/ anti-inflammatory meds to calm the inflammatory process your body is going through, with your doctor. Again, I am NOT a doctor but you must properly explain to your doctor what your body has gone through so they understand what they are dealing with.....Note:" Ultherapy White Paper (1001504DOC Rev D, 1000674DOCB, 1002845A, 1002845B)". Ulthera/ Merz has been made aware of serious, permanent nerve events impacting major motor and sensory nerves the arm, that occur after Ultherapy "neck"/ "face and neck"/ arm treatments. I have yet to see any warnings regarding this issue. Forget about looking young(ER) or refreshed....you may be permanently paralyzed, have palsy/ partial use of your extremity (arm and/or hand). If the phrenic nerve (in neck) is impacted the diaphragm could be injured (we need this to breath). IF nothing else; let my experience and pictures provide a platform for discussion and education about what CAN GO WRONG.I am not writing this to upset or scare anyone. If someone had great results, good for you; I'm happy for you. My goal isn't to engage in a debate about good or bad aesthetic results- it is to educate about POTENTIAL ADVERSE EVENTS, as adverse events DO occur and this issue should not be brushed off as if it is a non issue. Why this issue is not more proactively and fully disclosed is beyond my (ethical) comprehension. PLEASE HELP ME TO HELP THIS PERSON (and others)....This could be a serious, permanent nerve injury that requires not only specialized care, but timely care because nerve injury healing is TIME dependent and informed decisions need to be made within timely guidelines. PLEASE TAKE THIS INJURY SERIOUSLY and tell your doc(s) what you did. At the time of my injury, I did not think of "Ultherapy" as "trauma" so when asked, I said NO trauma, but approx. 170' F heat to your tissue IS TRAUMA....It does not matter that it came from a so call "medical device"....it IS TRAUMA and causes injury. I hate seeing this happen to yet ANOTHER person. Shameful!
Replies (5)
Thank you for your voice in the wilderness. It's educational, and impactful.
Thank u tuffy2u. Hope u r well...
Poor you. They do not publicise the people that suffer- it's a money making machine. I tried Ultherapy a couple of years ago, and while I did not suffer as badly as you, I also had a bad experience with welts that took months and months to heal on my neck, I thought they would never go....it actually took about 6 months to finally go back to normal. Would have been quicker to go through the recovery of a face or neck lift!
I'm done with these machines myself. Ultherapy did nothing for me, but I'm happy with that because I hear of these horror stories. I did Informa once and that one is scary. The person zapped me in the wrong place and sent an electrical current on top of my head and I had horrible reddening of my entire body periodically. It all went away.
Ultherapy is a waste of money I also had a full course of face and neck and did not see any difference. I should of saved my money towards a Facelift
Sorry to hear that and personally, I agree w your assessment base on my own experience, and opinion of outcomes. Some on this site love it, some hate it! I am very pleased u r not injured. I can’t buy a nerve/arm! Trust me-I tried...it’s not a viable option! Chalk your procedure up to an expensive learning lesson and be thankful if u had no deleterious/ permanent damage. Sometimes no result is a blessing. I wish u well!
The ones on this site who love their results aren’t heard from again after the initial post then come back on months later trying to warn others.
I stay away from these trends too, after reading about this. I did Ultherapy. Zero results and expensive. Then tried Informa, zero results and I ended up with some temporary problems that did go away. I’m done with these machines that promise the moon. Good luck to you.
Thank you! I am not familiar with Informa, but glad your problems were temporary. Like I have stated previously, sometimes NO result is a positive result (although a waste of $$ is never a positive experience). I appreciate your well wishes and wish you the best....
My whole body turned red from the informa and it lasted for many months. When it happened, it would all turn beet red and last about ten minutes and my whole body would be on fire. that is nerve damage. I was thankful it finally went away. I can't stress enough for people to see a plastic or derm dr for their face. The med spas are only good for facials or massages. That's it.
I will read up on that informa procedure as I am not familiar with it. I'm not interested in getting it, just want to understand what you had done; I'm curious. Burning/tingling/lightening flash twinges, pain, loss of feeling and movement (among other symptoms) are associated with nerve damage. Manufacturers/ providers should uphold the highest ethical and medical standards, PERIOD! The Hippocratic Oath IS applicable to the cosmetic/plastic/aesthetic industry (including med spas)--but I do agree with your assessment. You are very fortunate to escape any permanent injury....sounds like you had a lot of inflammation (full body beet red) after that procedure...inflammation has the potential to set the body up for a neurological mess! Whatever you choose to do in the future....I truly hope that you have good and safe outcomes!
After the 3rd session, I felt a very painful zap go across my head to the crown area. The person admitted she did something wrong. I had her stop immediately. My whole face a few hours turned beet reed for about 10 minutes. it went away, but on the 3rd day, I would randomly start turning red all over my body for 10-15 minutes, 1-3 times a day, every day or other day. It was embarressing and I could not tell when it happened, except that my body would first feel like it was on fire, then turned red. I did go to the plastic surgeon after and he told me it would go away. He was very unfamiliar with the machine. I'm just thankful it finally went away completely and hasn't come back in a few months. The doctor at the med spa did call me and did his research and said he never heard any complaints associated with this machine. But after hearing what's doing on with the Ultherapy business, and my own personal experience, I'm done with the machines. With the exception of lasering from a doctors. That's it. I did do 5 treatments on the lower half of the face. It was expensive. Not one improvement. Proceed with caution if you do this.
I could not find information on that informa....? What is that...now Im just curious. Did u do 5 informa treatments? I’m not sure...BUT I have no intention of doing Informa, or Ultherapy again for that matter. If I understand correctly Ultherapy isn’t FDA approved for anything, nor is it cleared to be used down the full/extended neck, the area where the arm/hand nerve fibers begin (brachial plexus). I think it is cleared for the submental AREA on the neck, (that neck tissue) which is not the same as the extended neck?? Maybe I’m wrong?? But that is my understanding and the manufacturer would need to address the proper area on the body that the device is cleared to treat/zap during treatments if I am wrong. No worries tho, bc I won’t be doing informa, even if it sounds like the best thing in the world! Also, I’m not trying to be a rude or disrespectful, but just bc a doc hasn’t “heard” of any problem doesn’t mean there r not problems, or that problems have not been reported. Again I know nothing about informa per se, just using a generalization about medical devices (even pharmaceuticals for that matter). Common sense and independent thinking/problem solving/ clinical reasoning is sometimes discarded even when someone should reasonably know differently. Sometimes it seems no one wants to take responsibility for any problems, and everyone is quick to hide behind someone else...bottom line is I’m glad u r ok! I have NO plans to try informa and sorry for what u have endured. I agree-choose products, procedures and practitioners with great care- and research! Marketing materials do not always convey everything we need to know...so independent research like what we read on RS is a great service for those seeking more information. Unfortunately I didn’t know about RS until I was in panic research mode to learn more about side effects...I think that’s how some of us find out about this site? Sorry for being so long winded! Be well!
When was your last session?
friendly6971- I had ultherapy in 2016. I had it one time.
Ohh.. do you have any idea how lucky you are? Not kidding but this forum was screaming- very disturbing, I felt so bad for all of them. Congratulations to you though!
JGM123, I’m reading your post, you were damaged by ultherapy too? This happened after one session? Omg, this is too much.. I can’t talk much about this though- so sorry this happened.. I really understand what it’s like.
Friendly6971....I am a bit confused? lucky how??? Congrats why? I have perspective, but certainly do not feel lucky? I feel like I am missing something here???
Thank you for your concern....If you have experienced damage- I am sorry...I understand, as well. I really empathize....
My comment was intended for “Eccomiatsf”.
Lucky on how she escaped those God awful complications & congratulations on how lucky she is because of that.
Lucky on how she escaped those God awful complications & congratulations on how lucky she is because of that.
Thanks Friendly6971. Learned my lesson the painful and expensive way.
Understood! I’m Pleased for anyone that has positive results/no permanent adverse events.
Ive never heard of anyone who’s ever had good results.. I’m still waiting - I’m reading and hoping everyday I’d stumble upon someone.
Trying Googling "Forma." I agree with you 100 percent. The dr at the spa became very involved, but these companies are not going to admit if they got anyone else with the same side effects. I'd also stay away from the Plasma pen too. I've seen so many people with horrific looking results. What bothers me the most is they use Christy Brinkley for the spokes person and she looks great, but you have to remember she has had botox and fillers and that is not a result of only the Ultherapy. When I had Ultherapy done, I got no results, then tried the In Forma, not results. Yeah, I'm done with these "miracle" machines and just stick to the plastic surgeon or derm dr. Take care of yourself too.
Oh, how are you feeling? I meant to ask that earlier. Also, there was another person on here with really scary things going on with the Ultheerapy.
Got it! Forma is RF verses HIFU or Micro focused ultrasound (not sure how they market the ultherapy device these days?). Seems like a similar "pitch", different device...so that "collagen building" message must be working! Sorry it did not work for you...but glad you were not permanently injured. I am dealing with my situation the best I can...some days better than others....I try to have perspective....but when I see the same type of injury I have experienced reported on the FDA MAUDE website (yet again), it truly ignites a lot of frustration & anger within me....it seems inexcusable that this issue is not more transparent.... I am not the only person that has lost the use of an upper extremity (brachial neuritis/nerve damage/neuropathy etc) after ultherapy on the neck. Every time I see a new report that explains (another) situation so similar to what I experienced/experience in my R arm I feel dumbfounded, for the lack of a better word. In the recent months there was a report of "brachial neuritis"- makes me sick to read that because I know exactly what that person is going through...one of the most painful experiences of my life....(and I'm no Spring chicken-LOL). Thank you for checking in on me; I can tell you are a kind person. Ultherapy followed by a series of Forma treatments seems like a lot of heat & inflammation to your face and /or face and neck....inflammation can set off a myriad of reactions in the body, and some of those reactions can cause serious, chronic health problems. Please stop while you are ahead. I have come to the conclusion that if you want to correct something, just have surgery...
How did the co2 work out for u? R u happy w results? Ur skin/ body seems to be very resilient! I hope u had a good outcome! Funny u used the term “snake oil” bc I almost said that! Some folks seem to do ok w the various med devices...however some do not. I have seen attorney websites that Offer counsel for potential Ultherapy law suits.
You should pursue it. I am very happy with my results and no more med spas for me. I"m done with that. I did do a series of vampire facials by the way, by RN's. I had to do 5 of them. It was very expensive. I had results, but it only lasted for about 6 months. You have to do vampire facials once a year to keep up with it. A series of 3 run $3,000. I don't think so. LOL.
This forum was filled with ultherapy damages- posts all gone now.
Yeah. I think they took mine down. I’m lucky, spent a lot of money with zero results but thankfully no damage on my face/body. Christine Brinkley looks great, but let’s remember she did fillers as well. That result is not what we will achieve. Misleading.
Hmmmm...who is taking the post down? RS? Interesting? I’ve seen some removed stating the post didn’t comply w RS rules or something like that...I would think if someone is sharing their experience, as they believe accurate, that should not be against any RS rule? In terms of Christy B, clearly she is beautiful! I don’t know what all she does-I know she has wrote and/or spoken about doing Botox in the past (I believe it was that neurotoxin but not positive so if I’m wrong it is not intentional and hope someone corrects). At present, it appears she does the neurotoxin from Merz and Ultherapy (as she is a celebrity spokesperson for the company, as I understand). She has her own skin care line (or did??) and a wig /hair piece line...and I’m sure a passé of makeup artist etc...? I’m not a celebrity so idk, Just making an assumption based off of my own perception, which could be wrong! If so, I apologize! Maybe she just has great genes, period! Clearly, the average person’s access to the resources she has is not attainable! Kudos to her...she seemingly has a multitude of beauty/aesthetic resources, and the recent Merz campaign to “own” little beauty “tweaks” sends a marketing message that appears to be designed to encourage others to not feel shameful or embarrassed about getting these treatments (paraphrasing the marketing message). I would trade CB’s broken wrist for my neuropathy ANY day! Sort of ironic-I wonder if she even knows about people like me...or others that have experienced upper extremity damage (neuropathy, palsy, paresis among additional AEs, as stated in Ultherapy’s most updated post market reports/IFU). Generally speaking, IMO a broken wrist is a piece of cake c/t what I ended up with! I would not want either, to be clear! Also, I realize her injury was not the result of a procedure, it was a fall I believe. I assume her fracture should heal and I hope she regains full function w no neurological damage or permanent pain etc... I send her well wishes and hope her current & future aesthetic journey never mimics anything remotely similar to what I have experienced. I’m not anti aesthetic anything as this is a personal decision-however I am pro full disclosure, medical/legal ethics, fair balance and transparency! This is just my opinion and not meant to disparage any person or any organization. Be well, and be well read, prior to any aesthetic procedure (non-invasive does NOT mean non-injurious)...thanks for the interest in my post! Happy holidays and good health.
Stay away from Forma. They took my post down. I had horrible results, very scary things happened.
I have zero intention of doing Forma.....I did read a little about it out of curiosity bc someone mentioned it. Sorry you had horrible results....I hope you were able to find some solution to correct your results.....
It went away in time. Lesson learned. I went to a dr and he said it would go away in time and it did.
So happy your issues resolved (and lesson learned)! Unfortunately that has not been my experience. Great news that got better! Congrats to u!
That's scary in itself. We go on here looking for recommendations.
Sorry, it’s not something I personally recommend. Others may have a different opinion, tho. It’s always good to do your own independent research prior to any procedure. And yes it was, and continues to be a scary journey!
UPDATED FROM JGM123
Pictures of arm
Pictures to help understand what happened. These pictures are of my shoulder area pre and post treatment. If you “google” brachial plexus” you will see the nerve fibers in the neck and better understand how this can happen. Very life changing event.
Replies (5)
Do you think the ultherapy caused this? Had you had the flu shot recently? I’m asking because this happened to my dad from the flu shot. It’s just so rare. I’m sorry you are dealing with this. They told my dad he’d never have full motion again. He went on disability. He went to every therapy appointment and religiously did his exercises and he’s made a really good recovery. Not 100 percent. But he golfs very well. We taped him to support him. I’m just really curious about all of this now. I was seriously considering this treatment and now I feel like I wouldn’t do it. More info please.
Good question, but no i did not have a flu shot. I am very familiar with what you are speaking of...there is a "National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program" for folks that react to issues such as what you are referring to. If you have the time to google "brachial plexus" and look at all the nerve fibers in the neck it might help understand how trauma in the neck can present in the arm. Thank you for the suggestion and well wishes, but NO....that isn't what happened to me. Trauma happened to me (and others). If you review the MAUDE database you will see that the Ultherapy manufacture (Ulthera/Merz) has reported events like my injury; which is unfortunate. Interestingly, my event is NOT listed on the MAUDE database (last i checked) so who knows how many others are NOT listed. The FDA has acknowledged that device manufacturer (not referring to any specific manufacturer) have not done a great job at reporting events, and the FDA has not done a great job holding device manufacturers accountable for the reporting. What it boils down to is the FDA database is only as good as the device company's ethics...Reporting adverse events can negatively impact the manufacturer's business and, as we have seen with other devices, safety issues can result in the FDA taking a device off the market. So, asking the "hen to guard the chicken house" becomes a tricky business, in my personal opinion. The FDA has been working on this issue the past year or two so hopefully it will get better. Like your dad, I will NEVER have full motion again. No way could I golf-so good for him! I have had excellent medical care also! In terms of you getting the Ultherapy treatment, again-that is a personal decision for you to make. I know I will NEVER do it again. I suggest you read the MAUDE data base, the Ultherapy Instructions for use, Rev B (the one with post market surveillance reports). Mostly, i think utilizing a good dose of common sense about what 165'F (convert the C' used in advertisements to F') actually does. As I now understand, the DEEPSEE device is NOT protection against nerve damage- i have watched company training videos myself that clearly state that nerve fibers can not be seen.....(Reference Merz advanced training institute out of Canada, Ms. C. Ward-I found it on the internet a few months back). I suppose my finial thought is....with the known risk of nerve damage, including neuropathy (permanent nerve damage), you should consider all possible outcomes during your decision making. Good for you for doing your research; that is my goal in going public about my experience. Trust me, "Rare" isn't "rare" when it happens to you! I bet your dad would agree with me on that! The neck is ripe with vessels, to include life sustaining vessels. The last time I checked the FDA submission papers, the full face and extended neck is NOT a cleared area for this device to be used on (actually it was denied)..."submental" tissue on the neck is not the same as FULL neck tissue. My personal opinion is not to get this procedure....but I also respect the fact that others feel differently....I feel it is more dangerous and risky than the manufacturer publicly admits...again, that is just my opinion based off of my personal research (being very extensive bc I can and do read)....Be well and be careful no matter what you choose to do....seems that aesthetics has become the wild, wild west cash cow! Glad you are "curious" and asking for information prior to getting this procedure; you are being a smart consumer....read everything you can find...the good, the bad and the ugly! It is your body and you should consider all of it when making a decision. I wish someone would have directed me to read some of the information I am sharing with you....Best of Luck-and do your own research, do not rely on the company's glossy hand out in your Ultherapist's office and make a decision based on that alone ...I'm pleased that my post has been thought provoking for you....that is my goal! Best wishes to you and your dad!
There are many women out there that don’t know about this website- their probably using Google or another site for reviews and I’m really not seeing everyone’s negative results on any major websites.This site was packed with horrible results and now their gone.
Possibly some should also think about putting up your reviews on a wider scale other then here to help the ones that are even thinking about it will now think twice like all of you would have liked.
Unless websites are taking them down,I’m not finding a lot of negative reviews- there should be tons of them.
I’m so sorry for your pain inside and outside, I know.
Possibly some should also think about putting up your reviews on a wider scale other then here to help the ones that are even thinking about it will now think twice like all of you would have liked.
Unless websites are taking them down,I’m not finding a lot of negative reviews- there should be tons of them.
I’m so sorry for your pain inside and outside, I know.
I understand & share your concern! Thank u for the well wishes!
Thank you for all the time you have taken to write this and research it all. Sending you good thoughts for healing
Thank you for recognizing my efforts. Physically I’m at maximum medical improvement and working on accepting things beyond my control. My emotional journey continues and reaching out to others via this forum is an outlet for me, at this time. Most folks seems compassionate and genuinely concerned, and looking for honest feedback about other’s aesthetic experiences. I hope my experience encourages others to do their homework b4 any aesthetic procedure, no matter how (benign) a procedure is marketed by a manufacturer. Non invasive does not mean “non risky”...that play on words can be misleading, In my personal opinion. Thank you so much for ur wishes for my future healing! It means a lot to me when others to express such well wishes to me, a complete stranger. Ty and be well. Have a happy day!
Thx for your review and helping others like me who are thinking of getting UT. Yes, the brochure and advertisements with Christie Brinkley make it very tempting in turning back aging. But what a high price to pay when things go wrong. I agree that the whole "MedSpa" business is a cash cow, and preys on women who will pay big bucks to look slightly better. The more research and reviews like yours help so many to make better decisions...
Years ago I had 3 CO2 procedures to tops of my hands to get that "baby skin " look that the spa promised. My skin is now very thinned out, very little subcutaneous fat, same aging spots. UUGGH
Years ago I had 3 CO2 procedures to tops of my hands to get that "baby skin " look that the spa promised. My skin is now very thinned out, very little subcutaneous fat, same aging spots. UUGGH
Thank u for your kind reply and also a bit of education about your CO2 experience. I don’t know much about CO2, but the sharing of information will benefit all! Whatever u decide to do (or not) I hope u have an amazing outcome. My vote for UT is no but that’s just my opinion, based on my experience and subsequent research. Thank u for your input!
Replies (5)