A Disappointing and Painful Experience…read more
I trusted Melissa with my face for nearly a year, receiving neurotoxin injections without issue. I had even considered working at the clinic she co-founded with her husband, Dr. John Bourrous. Unfortunately, my experience took a devastating turn in the weeks leading up to my wedding.
Melissa had previously done filler in my upper cheeks, which went well. Seeking subtle improvements before my big day, I mentioned some concern about the area under my chin. Melissa recommended a Silhouette thread lift to tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of a double chin. She assured me it was quick and easy -- something she routinely performed on herself and Dr. Bourrous. I was hesitant given the timing, but she confidently told me the swelling would resolve in just three days and it would be perfectly safe so close to the wedding.
The day of the procedure, I checked in, had some photos taken, took a Xanax I had provided myself, and the treatment began. Only afterward, at checkout, was I presented with a consent form explaining essential aftercare instructions and restrictions I had never been told about in advance -- including a soft food diet, no dental work for 10 weeks, and the need to sleep upright. I had a dentist appointment scheduled just two weeks later, not to mention my wedding and extended honeymoon. Had I known these risks and limitations beforehand, I never would have proceeded.
In the days following, I experienced intense pain and distress. The swelling never went down, and the dimpling and puckering in my skin worsened. Rather than slimming my face, the procedure left me looking wider and, honestly, unrecognizable to myself. Despite following all aftercare instructions exactly, I was devastated by the result.
Melissa told me to follow up the following Monday, but by then, the emotional and physical damage was already done. The follow-up care for the complications was sloppy, inconsistent, and lacked any real resolution. There was no meaningful follow-through or accountability for what had happened.
To make matters worse, the medical record lists Dr. John Bourrous as the provider who performed the procedure -- yet it was Melissa, an LPN, who carried it out. This discrepancy is deeply concerning and raises questions about transparency and proper documentation.
It ultimately took a full year of working with an ENT specialist to correct the damage and restore normal tissue function. The impact on my appearance, confidence, and emotional well-being was profound.
Warning to others: Do not allow anyone to rush you into a procedure -- especially so close to an important event. Always insist on receiving all risks and aftercare requirements in writing before consenting. I learned the hard way that trust and polish do not guarantee safety, skill, or ethical care.
