It’s not always a writer that gets to say, “Ah ha!” This is one of those rare moments.
While I will indulge myself very briefly and savor the opportunity to feel “in the know,” the more important thing to do is to present updated information I ran across about the Lifestyle Lift, specifically that the State of New York has levied a hefty fine against the organization that brings you this variation of facelift surgery.
I hope I might be able to help someone avoid being taken in by those who prey on our dreams of looking as young as we feel.
If you browsed EmpowHer several days ago, you may have seen my mini-rant on some outrageous claims about the Lifestyle Lift. (If you missed the piece, go to: https://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2009/07/27/lifestyle-lift-may-indeed-impact-your-lifestyle.) Statements like “look 10 to 20 years younger in 45 minutes,” and, “go back to work the next day” drove me to do more research.
Alongside some positive comments on independent consumer Web sites were many more reviews from patients ranging from, “It wasn’t worth it,” to, “I was butchered.” I also saw images of asymmetric faces, droopy upper and lower eyelids, ugly twisted scars under the ears and even ears that look uneven and strange. I discovered more than one patient who said they didn’t feel comfortable out in public any longer. Talk about a lifestyle change.
According to an article published just last week on a skincare portal, the Lifestyle Lift organization paid their own employees to publish phony positive reviews of the facelift procedure. The skincare Web site reported that the scheme was discovered through emails from Lifestyle Lift explaining to workers what the company wanted them to do.
Apparently the State of New York investigated and ordered Lifestyle Lift to stop the fake reviews and pay a fine of $300,000. That sounds like a lot of money, but I wonder if the women who say they have been traumatized by their Lifestyle Lift experience will think it’s enough. Maybe other states will join in, investigate and levy additional fines.
If I hear more about the Lifestyle Lift, you can be sure I will write another update. Maybe others have information they will share as well. As far as I know, this company has not folded their tent, and the news I don’t want to hear is that one more person was taken in by their practices.