1. Since the day of my revision surgery in 2001, most of the activities I used to do without second thought have become nearly impossible. For the past few years, driving more than a few miles is out of the question. I cannot breathe when I lift my head to see the road. Desperate to maintain my independence, I padded a pair of toast tongs to apply the continuous pressure necessary to overcome the tension that pulls the platysma muscle down, and the internal structures of the throat with it. However, an extreme degree of force is required to make this work. My shoulder finally gave out.
10/05
2/07 
3/07 
4/07
2. Necessity being the mother of invention, I found these very strong little clamps and fashioned a device to clip the flesh below the angle of my jaw. Attached to a head band, the extreme tension fixed in place by my surgery, which opposes normal anatomical function, is relieved by this upward traction which supports the deep structures of the neck and repositions the tongue base to to a more normal position. The force necessary to make this work must be stronger than the tension fixed into the muscle. I would never subject myself to such trauma without a compelling reason. This was the only way I was able to lift my head enough to drive and breathe...a compelling enough reason.
3. I use a different method at night, which pushes the displaced tongue base into a more normal position and opens the airway. None of these devices are comfortable, but I cannot breathe without them. The clips are quite painful, but they are better than the torture and stress of struggling for every breathe.
3. A Lying down. face is relaxed, but neck contracture makes sleep and breathing impossible. .(April 2006)
A 
B 
B Padded toast tongs used to apply continual pressure on neck opens airway. I wake every time it moves out of position.
4. With the clips and headband, I was able to stand up straight to my full height for the first time since the day of my operation in 2001. I have had to live hunched over, using every possible compensatory posture to draw breath, swallow and close my jaw. If I had to wear a cervical collar for any reason, I would asphyxiate. I have called this life threatening fact to the attention of every doctor I consulted. They have no reaction. The single acknowledgment regarding this issue came from a doctor I have never met. He reviewed my medical records, x-rays, pre and post op video and photos and concluded that the doctors I consulted know what is wrong and how it happened. If you are wondering why I have not asked this doctor to surgically release the platysma muscle, a procedure that would literally save my life, it is because he is a forensic pathologist. While his expertise may ultimately prove that my life was sacrificed upon the alter of cosmetic surgery, he is helpless to save it. Those who can, choose to turn a blind eye.
4. 
I continued using this device in spite of its obviously injurious nature, because I had no alternative. The survival instinct is powerful, and I did whatever was necessary. The moment I put this on with sufficient tension, I was restored to the fully functioning healthy person I was before my surgery 6 years ago. I cannot describe the elation, the freedom from pain, the absolute relief of being able to stand tall, with my head up and breathe at the same time! The relief of closing my jaw and relaxing my face for the first time in 6 years was indescribable. The instantaneous relief of the constant and unbearable pain and pressure in my ears was incredible! Freedom from the TORTURE of struggling for every breath and the cessation of chest pain and other physiological responses the body suffers from trying to draw breath through a constantly narrowed airway was MIRACULOUS. I could walk, even run! How could I NOT continue to use the clips up until the last possible moment? Anyone would do the same. Do you think this remarkable transformation could have been achieved with surgery? Of course.
5. I was buying time. After one month, I developed necrotic areas on my face. The condition was ominous, however, I did not seek medical attention for this. The repercussions were more acceptable than exposing myself to another futile and humiliating medical encounter. I have experienced enough injury to body and soul by those who have deliberately turned a blind eye to the life threatening condition I have coped with for 6 years. I refused to subject myself to additional psychological abuse in the guise of "medical help".
Remember, according to the "experts" I consulted, there is nothing wrong with me. In spite of x-rays and pulmonary function tests that prove otherwise, the so called "experts" claim my inability to breathe, swallow, lift my head, close my jaw, straighten my spine are all mere "feelings" upon which I am "fixated"... just "something to hang my hat on". Most likely, they will find or invent some disorder with which to label my methods of survival as "unnatural behavior". They will never acknowledge the fact that they are responsible for leaving me to whatever means I must find on my own to survive.
I refuse to hide what they have forced me to do to survive, even if doing so invites their scapegoat brand of psychiatric labeling. The feedback I receive from intelligent people assures me that most recognize reality and truth when they see it. For those who choose to believe the word of "authority", let them. Hopefully, they will never suffer with medical conditions caused by negligent treatment; or if they do, will remain blissfully ignorant of the fact, and ever the good "compliant" patient.
5 
.(Feb. 2007) 6.
6. Don't let the appearance of the sagging skin fool you. The sheath of muscle beneath the skin is thin, taught and surgically fixed into contracture. I cannot lift my head or close my jaw. "Detachment" of the skin from the platysma/SMAS layer beneath was due to massive swelling after my rhinoplasty, done 8 weeks after my 1st facelift at MGH. Doctors at MGH denied this tissue damage, contrary to extensive photo documentation. My publication of the photos on the Internet resulted Dr. Joel Feldman initiating a lawsuit to force removal of the photos.. His intimidation tactic was unsuccessful. Dr. Eppley's revision in 2001 is responsible for creating the contracture. See Explanation 
Upper left: necrosis - Feb. 27, 2007 (w/ear traction)
Mid & lower left: Necrosis as of Feb 28; last day I was able to wear the "suspension device". Note swelling in jowl area from trauma of clip. Upper Right: 2/27-Neutral posture, jaw forced closed. Breathing impossible. Cannot stay in this position more than 30 sec. Inner structures of throat pull down, jaw pulls open with force impossible to overcome. Mid & lower right: Only way I am able to breathe, manual application of 2 lb continuous pressure on platysma, to stabilize this sheath against the angle of the mandible. *** Force is necessary because this sheath of muscle beneath the skin is so taught, pulls down with such force that it slides out of the firmest grasp. If these tissue planes were adherent as they are supposed to be, as they were before edema from the rhionoplasty destroyed the newly forming fibrous connections of an 8 week old facelift, the lax skin would be pulling down as taught as the platysma.. Any surgeon should be able to discern this.
***TISSUE BENEATH THE SKIN (SMAS/PLATYSMA) THAT BELONGS ABOVE THE ANGLE OF THE MANDIBLE WAS TIGHTENED WITHOUT ANY RELEASE, thus pulling it DOWN. The medial fibers of the SMAS and platysma were fixed in vectors of tension which OPPOSE normal movement of the deeper mimic muscles. However, the skin ABOVE this layer is DETACHED from it. Every plastic surgeon knows that it is the adhesion of these two tissue planes that makes a facelift "work".. Without adhesion, the skin on top does not move in unison with the SMAS/platysma beneath. It is the adhesion of these tissue planes that are responsible for facial expression, as the mimic muscles move.
Note: I created this page on Feb. 23, 2007. I am compelled to document the TRUTH, the reality of my physical injury and denial by plastic surgeons of a condition any surgeon can easily elucidate. To the doctors who took the time to order tests and validate my breathing and swallowing disorders which they correctly attribute to my revision surgery, I am deeply grateful for their sincere effort to help me. They must realize by now that, in spite of the documentation of positional airway obstruction and dysphasia, these findings will always be overshadowed by the mere words of the "experts" who can ignore diagnostic evidence when they are intent on keeping such iatrogenic injury from exposure. I want people to see what I have been FORCED to do TO KEEP BREATHING.. TO SURVIVE.
Update: October 2007 - I am no longer able to use the clips and head band, as the necrosis made this impossible. It took months for those areas to heal by secondary intention. I debrided the wounds myself and was fortunate to have a supply of antibiotics available. The areas have huge scars, but that is the least of my problems. In continuing to use the hooks in the ears, I now have necrosis which threatens to eat right through the cartilage. Traction with these hooks relieves the torturous pain and pressure in my ears present since the day of my surgery. These necrotic areas are quite painful and I am only able to tolerate the hooks with use of tiny pieces of Lidocaine patch under the hooks. For obvious reasons, I will not be able to use this method much longer. Methods I have used to continue breathing, swallowing, lifting my head no longer provide enough support to the inner structures of the neck to prevent constant episodes of aspiration and airway obstruction. It is impossible to survive much longer with progression of this condition.
