Ultherapy - Walnut Creek, CA

I am turning 50 in a couple of months and wanted to have a little lift to my jowl area so I thought Ultherapy would be a good option for me since I don't think I'm ready for a lower face lift yet. My friend had it done and I went with her. She got about 24 shots of lidocane in her face as well as a vicodin and xanax to help with the pain. She got immediate results and was very satisfied with the procedure. She had it done at a med-spa with a nurse practitioner for $3,500. I prefer to always have procedures done by a doctor so I did some research and found one in my area that would also charged $3,500. At the initial consulation he said they didn't use Lidocane, just the pain pill and xanax but when I came for the procedure he said that they had started using Lidocane shots as the patients complained too much about the pain. They numbed my face with numbing cream and I took my own pain reliever and a muscle relaxer as that is what I use for a chronic pain condition. I am very happy they put the numbing cream on because my friend did not get the cream and I think the shots hurt more than the Ulthera. I also brought my IPod and listened to music during the procedure which helped a lot.

The procedure was very painful around my cheek bones, temple and forehead but didn't hurt at all on my neck and lower face area. I think the pain would have been to much for me had I not had the Lidocane. The zaps last for about 3 seconds each so I tried to do breathing techniques and counting and get through the hard parts. I did get a couple of bruises but nothing dramatic. My face was also quiet red so for me this would not have worked as a "lunchtime" procedure. I'd say more like a weekend procedure as I was a little red and bruised for a couple of days. It has been one week today that I had it done and I went in for a follow up with the doctor. I can't tell much of a difference myself but he says that he can see a tightening of the skin and to be patient, that I will see results in a few months. So, so far I can't give it a resounding thumbs up or down...we'll just have to wait and see. The pictures I will post are of the day of the procedure before I went and then this morning. I am not wearing make up and I tried to get the same angles as well as I could. I'll post more photos as warranted. For now I guess I'd say if the money isn't a huge issue for you then go ahead and do it. Just be sure to get the numbing cream, Lidocane, a pain killer and anti anxiety meds and bring your IPod. I also advise to have all procedures done by an MD if possible because you are dealing with your face and why risk any harm being done by someone not as knowledgeable about the inner workings of your face. At my consultation the doctor told me I would be given a pain reliever and anti anxiety medicine. He said they did not use lidocane