Quick Recovery, Minimal Scar Facelift
“When I decided that I needed cosmetic surgery I thought my only option was a facelift but there are several reasons why that would not work for me. I have a very busy schedule and a hectic lifestyle with teenagers at home, a husband that travels and a demanding job. I knew that I could not take off a month to six weeks for the recovery time it would take to heal properly, and the cost was more than I could fit into my budget. Furthermore, I didn’t need a full face lift.
Then last year I saw a commercial about a procedure called Quick Lift* and started looking into the possibility of doing that. It sounded perfect for me since it required little recovery time and would allow me to continue with my life…and it fit my budget. So I went for a couple of consultations and was told that I was a good candidate for this procedure so I thought I had found my answer. Then, after hearing his commercial on the radio I scheduled a consultation with Dr. Ditesheim and everything changed for me.
When I first walked into the office Jan gave me a warm reception welcoming me by name instead of asking for my name. I didn’t have to wait 30 minutes, or more, for my appointment but was received right away (they expected me!). When Lainie took me to the room where I would meet with the Doctor she chatted briefly with me to put me at ease and make sure I was comfortable, she even brought me a bottle of water. Then Debra came in smiling, bright and cheerful; she made me feel like we were long time friends getting reacquainted. I felt an instant connection with her while she asked me questions about what I wanted to do as she gathered some basic information and assured me of her great confidence in Dr. Ditesheim. Wow, I was amazed and I had not even seen the Doctor!
Then Dr. Ditesheim came in and sat in the chair beside me, turned toward me and had a conversation with me. We discussed why I was there, my lifestyle, hobbies, habits, family, work situation and activity level. It was obvious that he wanted to know enough to understand me and help me make the best decision. He was familiar with the Quick Lift procedure but as we continued talking he told me that I did have another option. As he explained about his lower face lift I felt like “this is it! He knows exactly what I’m looking for”. He told that the lower face lift would give me better results and last longer as well. He allowed me to ask questions as we talked and was never rushed or distracted. Best of all he told me that this better procedure was within my budget and he understood clearly about my recovery limitations. I have never been happier that I heard a commercial on the radio.
We scheduled the surgery for a Friday morning and when I arrived at the hospital they too were professional, pleasant and efficient. My husband was allowed to stay with me until I went to the operating room and Dr. Ditesheim came to visit before the surgery, met my husband and asked if we had any questions. After that I don’t remember much about that day.
The evening of my surgery I do remember getting a call from Debra checking on me to see how I was doing and to make sure everything was going as it should. By Monday when I went back for my follow-up visit I was already up and around, just moving a little slower. I did skip church that Sunday but was back at work on Monday and by day six I was pretty much back to full speed. My healing went well, the scars are almost invisible and I look like a younger, more rested version of my adult self. I no longer have the parentheses around my mouth and I don’t have the turkey skin from my chin to neck.
Dr. Ditesheim went beyond my expectations and when all was said and done he had done everything, and more, that he had promised. The results were so close to his predicted outcome it’s uncanny. I’m amazed at how different I feel in public now, especially when attending formal and business events. I feel attractive and confident for the first time in years.
Last week I went for my six month follow up and everyone seems more like family now. I was a little disappointed that it won’t be necessary to go back. However; if I want or need any other cosmetic procedures I will only go to Dr. Ditesheim.
I recommend Dr. Ditesheim to anyone young, old or anywhere in between. The respect and care received from everyone in his office is unsurpassed and the predictability of the outcome is more important than I realized. If I had not chosen Dr. Ditesheim I shutter to think what may have happened, because I have heard stories since my surgery about others who went the route I started to go and their results many times have been less than they had hoped for and some have even resulted in negative results that required additional surgery to correct. That could easily have been my story. Instead I have even better, longer lasting results than I dreamed of and some new friends. God does work in mysterious ways and I thank Him for leading me to Dr. Ditesheim.”
*The “Quicklift” is a procedure that is advertised by an opthalmologist in Charlotte. The advertisement suggests that the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, not in an operating room, takes little time to perform, has minimal scars and promises a quick recovery. In contrast, this patient elected to have a “short-scar facelift” procedure. The surgery was performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, in an operating room under the care of an anesthesiologist (MD). The procedure lasted just over two hours, the patient returned home and returned to work within the week as promised. The scars were limited to the crease in front of the ear and around the earlobe. There were no scars above the sideburn or behind the ear.
Before and 6 month after short-scar facelift with minimal scar technique: The “sagginess of the cheek skin” is gone, the jawline is defined and the neck has a more youthful shape. The scar is limited to around the front of the ear and blends easily with the skin. The lower eyelid hollow has been “softened” with filler to smooth the transition from the lower eyelid to the cheek.
