Cosmetic Surgery: Promises and Pitfalls™

Lifestyle Lift and Similar Mini Face Lift Procedures

OUR APPROACH

• We have had no personal experience with Lifestyle Lift but we have also found no scientific studies in the literature supporting their claims of the safety, the effectiveness, and the longevity of this particular technique.
• We individualize our treatment of each patient after a thorough consultation with the surgeon. If lesser procedures are appropriate then we recommend those methods. However, if a more major procedure is better then that is what we recommend. For example, if a patient has descent of facial fat pads, but very little skin excess, than a limited or modified lift may be appropriate with all the advantages of such a lesser procedure (less downtime, less expense, etc.).
• We individualize our treatment of each patient: if lesser procedures are appropriate then we recommend those methods. However, if a more major procedure is better then that is what we recommend.
• We limit our procedures to those that are proven safe and effective in scientific studies as well as our best medical judgment about the best method for any given patient.
• We use local anesthesia for major surgical procedures, but in order to assure patient comfort and safety we combine the use of local anesthesia with twilight sleep. Twilight sleep is administered by a CRNA, who continually monitors our patients during the procedure.
• The surgery is carried out in an accredited office surgical facility or hospital. Our surgeons are credentialed at a major hospital to perform all procedures done in the office facility.
   

OVERVIEW

There is no standard facelift procedure -- many techniques are called a “facelift” with varying degrees of safety, effectiveness and longevity. It is our experience that minimal surgery produces minimal and usually temporary results. Bargain procedures can often result in disappointing results which may require additional surgery increasing the expense.

Any physician can offer any procedure and minimal procedures can be done in an office setting using only local anesthesia. However, a consumer should consider comfort, safety, effectiveness, longevity, surgeons credentials, and the general acceptance of a given technique by the medical community.

Any procedure that sounds too good to be true should be approached with caution. Research the surgeon's credentials, hospital privileges, and reputation, as well as, accreditation of his/her surgical facility. Multiple opinions can be extremely valuable, and should be sought for any elective surgery.
 

July 2009 Update:

• From the Office of the New York State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo - Attorney General Cuomo Secures Settlement with Plastic Surgery Franchise that Flooded Internet with False Positive Reviews
• From the New York Times - Company Settles Cases of Reviews it Faked

More related articles on this website written by our two Dallas plastic surgeons:

• Cosmetic Surgery: Promises and Pitfalls - Credentials -- an explanation of the medical specialty boards
• Cosmetic Surgery: Promises and Pitfalls - Three Most Important Questions to Ask When Considering Cosmetic Surgery
• Cosmetic Surgery: Promises and Pitfalls - Facelifts: All facelifts are created equal?
• Pollock, H., and Pollock, T., Management of Face Lifts and Progressive Tension Sutures, Aesthetic Surgery Journal. (January, February) 2003, pp.28-33.
  

 
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