Lifestyle Lift
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[edit] Company
Lifestyle Lift was founded by David Kent, DO. Prior to founding Lifestyle Lift, Dr. Kent's medical practice focused on otolaryngology head and neck surgery, facial plastic surgery and hair replacement. Dr. Kent completed an osteopathic residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and facial plastic surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. R. James Koch MD joined Lifestyle Lift in 2006 as Medical Director and oversaw medical training for the company. Prior to joining Lifestyle Lift, Koch was a full-time faculty member at the Stanford University School of Medicine where he served as Associate Professor, Co-Director of the Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, and Co-Director of the Fellowship for Advanced Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.[1] Koch has resigned from the organization in 2010 and was replaced by three regional medical directors: Dr. David Santos MD, Pacific and Mountain Regions; Dr. Jason Swerdlov MD, Southeast and Northeast Regions; Dr. Carlos Farias MD, Midwest Region.Within the company model most Lifestyle Lift surgeons work full time for the company (46 of the current roster of 82). However, some are local surgeons hired working on a part-time basis to perform cases at Lifestyle Lift and their own private practices nearby. However, all medical evaluations are performed by the doctor prior to surgery. Numerous reviews can be viewed at http://www.realself.com.
Company literature claims over 100,000 completed surgeries. However, there are almost 200 reviews of the company out of over 100,000 customers—some of them negative—on RealSelf.com which Lifestyle Lift sued for trademark infringement (the case was settled); Lifestyle Lift has attempted to sue other companies based on trademark infringement, including informercialscams.com (now defunct). Lifestyle Lift patients are surveyed after their procedure in order to improve experience and results. Lifestyle Lift had been featured on many positive newscasts from major local affiliate networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox News. In 2008, Lifestyle Lift was the subject of an 8 part mini series by the CBS affiliate in Atlanta featuring 3 dissatisfied Lifestyle Lift patients, and former employees and their complaints against the company.[2]
[edit] Procedure
The Lifestyle Lift is advertised as a minimally invasive short flap face lift performed under local anesthesia. There is no published description of a "Lifestyle Lift" but it is believed that the procedure involves the SMAS layer, which is consistent with contemporary techniques.[3]The Lifestyle Lift is an in-office procedure that company literature claims takes about an hour to complete. However, in many circumstances, it is reported to last several hours when additional procedures are performed. Because its procedures are performed under local, not general, anesthesia Lifestyle Lift centers do not need to be ACHA, JCAHO, AAAASF, or AAAHC approved ambulatory centers. The majority of elective plastic surgical cases involving anesthesia in the United States are performed in ACHA, JCAHO, AAAASF, and AAAHC accredited facilities; the benefits of accreditation have been promoted and mandated by the American Society of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The procedure is a modification of the SMAS-procedure (sub or superficial muscular and aponeurtoic system). This means that the layer above the muscle and connective tissue are involved, helping to minimize frown and smile lines. Procedures with greater elevation of the SMAS have not correlated with a more extensive result.
The procedure involves an incision made along the temple hairline and continuing down around the front of the ear. The typical incision makes an S shape. The incision is made in front of and behind each ear. Once these cuts are made, the skin is pulled, excess skin is trimmed off and liposuction may be used to reduce fat from under the chin.[4] Then two circular sutures gather up and tighten the stretched muscles. To enhance the neck area, the neck skin is pulled up and liposuction is done if needed.[5]
[edit] Branded face lifts
Several branded face lifts are available in the USA, which mostly target consumers through infomercials. Lifestyle Lift and Quick Lift have nation wide marketing campaigns.[6]The Lifestyle Lift and Quick Lift have a few similarities:
- Both procedures have an incision that starts at the front of the ear and goes under the earlobe and then behind the ear.
- Both can be undertaken with local anesthesia and mild sedation.
- Both involve removal of excess skin.
- Both address aging changes in the lower third of the face.
- Both require additional procedures to fully address the neck if muscle bands are present (i.e. neck lift, platysmaplasty, liposuction)
- In the Quick Lift the SMAS/platysma is elevated using a "purse string" suture which moves the SMAS/platysma upwards. This suture is anchored to deeper tissues in the area immediately in front of the upper ear. The suture used absorbs over several weeks to months as the tissues heal in place.
- In the Lifestyle Lift the SMAS/platysma is plicated (folded onto itself) in various locations and vectors using a permanent suture.[7]
[edit] Legal issues
[edit] Astroturfing charges
In July 2009, the New York State Attorney General's office charged Lifestyle Lift with "astroturfing," or posting fake consumer reviews on the Internet, and reached a settlement in which Lifestyle Lift paid $300,000 in penalties and costs. According to the Attorney General's office, Lifestyle Lift employees were instructed to create accounts on Internet message boards and pose as satisfied customers. Lifestyle Lift created web sites such as MyFaceliftStory.com, designed to appear as if they were created by independent and satisfied customers, according to the Attorney General. They also attacked genuine customers who posted critical messages about Lifestyle Lift on web sites, and took steps to get those posts removed. The attorney General’s investigation discovered emails specifically instructing employees to engage in illegal activities such as these.[8][9][10][11]This campaign followed the company's lawsuit against RealSelf.com (the case was settled), a website that solicits anonymous consumer reviews of cosmetic procedures. Many of the reviews submitted by customers were negative. Lifestyle Lift claimed that RealSelf's practice of allowing competing cosmetic surgeons to advertise as offering a "Lifestyle Lift" was a trademark violation. The courts deemed the website's activities to be protected First Amendment speech.[12][13]
Lifestyle Lift has faced numerous complaints about the accuracy of their advertising. Lifestyle Lift has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox News and in newspapers and magazines across America, some of which were critical of their practices. Lifestyle Lift posted real patient testamonials which were sent to them by hundreds of satisfied clients.[14]
[edit] 2010 lawsuit
In March 2010, a lawsuit was brought against Lifestyle Lift alleging wrongdoing for the death of a patient in their Waltham, Massachusetts facility due to reaction to local anesthesia.[15] That office has since been relocated to Burlington, MA.There was also a class action lawsuit in Ohio which was dismissed by the court as having no foundation.[citation needed]
The Florida Attorney General is currently investigating Lifestyle Lift for Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices with regard to their advertising (http://myfloridalegal.com/__85256309005085AB.nsf/0/065138FEFDEFC44D8525772300508B80?Open&Highlight=0,lifestyle,lift). Allegation or issue being investigated: violations of F.S. 501, Part II, Unfair & Deceptive Trade practices in relationship to the marketing of cosmetic surgery, specifically facelifts. Fictitious testimonals that were actually created by paid customers and employees. Case Number: L10-3-1106.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.biomedexperts.com/Profile.bme/723818/R_James_Koch[unreliable source?]
- ^ CBS Channel 46 news segment on Lifestyle Lift
- ^ Rogers BO (March 1971). "A chronologic history of cosmetic surgery". Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 47 (3): 265–302. PMC 1749866. PMID 5276837. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1749866.
- ^ Prado A, Andrades P, Danilla S, Castillo P, Leniz P (April 2006). "A clinical retrospective study comparing two short-scar face lifts: minimal access cranial suspension versus lateral SMASectomy". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 117 (5): 1413–25; discussion 1426–7. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000207402.53411.1e. PMID 16641707.
- ^ Procedure Lifestyle Lift Guide
- ^ Saint Louis, Catherine (3 June 2009). "A Face From an Infomercial". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/fashion/04SKIN.html. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
- ^ Lifestyle Lift vs Quick Lift
- ^ Press Release, July 14, 2009, Attorney General Cuomo Secures Settlement with Plastic Surgery Franchise that Flooded Internet with False Positive Reviews; Cuomo’s deal is first case in nation against growing practice of “astroturfing” on Internet; ’Lifestyle Lift’ Will Pay $300,000 in Penalties and Costs to New York State
- ^ NY AG: Facelift firm placed bogus online reviews By Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press, Seattle Post-Intelligencier July 14, 2009
- ^ "Attorney General Cuomo Secures Settlement With Plastic Surgery Franchise That Flooded Internet With False Positive Reviews". Ag.ny.gov. 2009-07-14. http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2009/july/july14b_09.html. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ "Company Settles Case of Reviews It Faked". The New York Times. July 15, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/technology/internet/15lift.html.
- ^ "RealSelf and Lifestyle Lift Reach Settlement"
- ^ "Lifestyle Lift Holding, Inc. v. Real Self, Inc. | Citizen Media Law Project". Citmedialaw.org. http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/lifestyle-lift-holding-inc-v-real-self-inc. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
- ^ Lifestyle Lift vs NAD
- ^ "Face lift chain sued over woman's death". UPI.com. 2010-03-04. http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2010/03/04/Face-lift-chain-sued-over-womans-death/UPI-88021267728573/. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
