1 Star -- A Disappointing Surgical Experience With Lasting Consequences…read more
Choosing to undergo facial plastic surgery is a deeply personal decision. You place an enormous amount of trust in your surgeon, invest a significant amount of money, and hope to feel more confident in your appearance. Unfortunately, my experience with Dr. Heather Lee at Quatela Plastic Surgery in Rochester, New York, has been profoundly disappointing.
I underwent an endoscopic forehead lift and neck lift, and I am now approximately two and a half years out from surgery, still dealing with concerns that have significantly affected my appearance and left me exploring options for further correction.
My concerns are not minor details that disappeared with time. They are lasting changes that I continue to live with every day.
Eyebrow position and asymmetry: My eyebrows were left excessively high and noticeably uneven, creating an unnatural appearance. Dr. Lee attempted a revision approximately one year later, but unfortunately, the correction was unsuccessful and the problem remains.
Hair loss and changes to my hairline: I developed bald spots in my scalp where screws were placed, along with a higher, more recessed hairline. When I raised these concerns, Quatela offered hair transplantation for an additional $9,000. I found it extremely frustrating to be quoted thousands of dollars more for a procedure intended to address bald spots that developed following my original surgery.
Lasting neck discoloration and visible blood vessels: Immediately after surgery, my neck was completely purple. I have continued to experience discoloration, visible broken blood vessels, and changes in the appearance of my skin. I was subsequently charged for BBL treatment to address the broken blood vessels.
Prominent veins around my temples: I also developed noticeable veins around my temples and outer eye area following surgery. These changes have added to my concerns about the overall outcome.
What makes this experience particularly frustrating is that I have communicated my concerns to the office, pursued a revision, and continued looking for solutions. Yet, approximately two and a half years later, I am still dealing with the results and the prospect of additional procedures, expense, and uncertainty.
I have since consulted with four other surgeons while exploring corrective options. Revision surgery is complicated, and correcting the results of an earlier procedure is not as simple as starting over. That is a reality I wish I had never had to face.
I understand that every surgery carries risks and that no surgeon can guarantee perfection. However, I believe patients deserve to understand those risks, receive appropriate attention when complications or unsatisfactory results occur, and feel confident that their concerns are being taken seriously.
Cosmetic surgery is supposed to help you feel better about yourself--not leave you spending years trying to correct unwanted changes to your appearance.
I am sharing my experience so that anyone considering surgery at this practice will ask thorough questions about the endoscopic technique, potential hairline changes and scalp hair loss, eyebrow positioning, neck complications, revision outcomes, and the additional costs that may arise if the results are unsatisfactory.
I sincerely wish my experience had been different. If I could go back and make this decision again, knowing what I know today, I would give it much more consideration.