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FAQ's
Take a moment and think about everyone you know and the unique characteristics of his/her face. Whether it's their skin color, thickness, tone or the length of their neck or the definition of their chin, you can easily see how unique and individual all of our anatomy is. Through years of clinical experience specifically in the field of Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Jafri has developed Custom-Lift™ to address the needs of his patients in a customized and individualized approach. We all don't look the same so why apply the same procedure to each and every patient? This is the basis of the Custom-Lift™ experience and why we encourage you to explore more and learn more about this exciting, fulfilling and personalized approach to your Facial Cosmetic needs.
Custom-Lift™ is a customized facelift (rhytidectomy) performed under local anesthesia. The exact specifics of the procedure will vary from patient to patient based on their unique anatomy and needs but all the procedures involve these basic principles:
1. Removal of excess/loose skin from jawline and neck
2. Tightening of the SMAS and Facial muscles utilizing Cranial Suspension techniques
3. Precisely outlined and camouflaged incisions
4. Performed using local anesthesia only – no general anesthesia or heavy sedation needed
5. An approach that optimally combines the best elements of a traditional deeper facelift and the more recent advent of superficial lifts
6. Quicker recovery than from more invasive deep plane lifts
1. Removal of excess/loose skin from jawline and neck
2. Tightening of the SMAS and Facial muscles utilizing Cranial Suspension techniques
3. Precisely outlined and camouflaged incisions
4. Performed using local anesthesia only – no general anesthesia or heavy sedation needed
5. An approach that optimally combines the best elements of a traditional deeper facelift and the more recent advent of superficial lifts
6. Quicker recovery than from more invasive deep plane lifts
Also known as a MACS (minimal access cranial suspension) this a procedure readily performed under local anesthesia that is an ideal option for patients with mild to moderate signs of aging. The incision is limited to the front of the ear where it is easily camouflaged utilizing the patient’s natural anatomy. Results are very natural and durable.
Traditional Facelift techniques are varied and well utilized. Typically the SMAS layer is pulled up and sutured to itself (plication) or a section of SMAS is removed and the dissected edges sewn to each other (SMASectomy, imbrication). Other techniques utilize deeper plane dissections below the SMAS layer (composite, deep plane facelifts). The relatively recent advent of Cranial Suspension techniques offers a new and exciting approach to elevating the SMAS layer in a natural and long lasting manner. Cranial Suspension techniques take into account that the SMAS layer as a whole will continue to gradually descend as time goes on resulting in gradual return of aging signs. By anchoring the SMAS layer to a deeper and more resilient Cranial layer of anatomy the SMAS is more resistant to inevitable aging and descent. In addition by using a “purse string” suturing technique tension is evenly distributed along the SMAS resulting in a natural appearing result. With a background in Craniofacial Surgery Dr. Jafri is intimately experienced with Craniofacial anatomy and has had great success with the Craniofacial Suspension techniques.
Cosmetic Karma™ is a service established by Dr. Kamran Jafri to provide a means by which you the patient can help someone in need. A portion of the fee of each and every procedure performed by Dr. Jafri is donated to help provide Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery for patients who have experienced disfiguring Facial Trauma. Primary focus will be on victims of domestic violence and those living in poor and undeveloped countries. However it is Dr. Jafri’s goal to have patients involved in the process as much as possible – so if you know of a case that may require the help of Cosmetic-Karma™ please tell us!
Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good!
Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good!
The Doctor is double board certified. He is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (ABOTO-HNS) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). He is also certified in Skull Base and Craniofacial Tumor Surgery. He has dedicated his studies, training and professional practice specifically to the art and science of Facial surgery.
The consultation visit is a very important in step in the process of electing to undergo a Facial Cosmetic / Reconstructive procedure. During the consultation you will meet only with Dr. Jafri (not a consultant or non-medical personnel). During this the Doctor will get a chance to get to know you and your concerns. Also a medical and surgical history will be obtained and reviewed with you. Your facial anatomy and skin type will be carefully examined as this is crucial in the decision making process for yourself and Dr. Jafri as he advises you on what procedures will be recommended and which ones will not. You will have the opportunity to ask the Doctor any questions you have and express what your goals are. Based on the proposed procedures they will each be discussed in detail with you so you can make an educated and informed decision about electing to undergo the procedure. An album of before and after procedures performed by Dr. Jafri is available for review and you can also be put in contact with past patients who he has worked with.
“It will take as long as necessary to accomplish the surgical goals that have been set out to be accomplished” – this is Dr. Jafri’s philosophy when asked this question. For most patients this means from 45 minutes to a little over an hour. This is due to the years of experience that Dr. Jafri has devoted to this specific area of Facial Plastic Surgery. Other procedure such as fillers or botox can be performed effectively and safely in 20 -30 minutes.
Facelift surgery is performed on any individual who is healthy, has positive motivations and a good understanding of what realistic / natural results they can achieve for their unique anatomy. Most patients who elect to undergo a facelift procedure are typically in their 40’s to 60’s. One of the largest factors to consider is your anatomy – a procedure will be outlined for you based on your specific needs.
No. The goal of the procedure is to create a natural and effective improvement in the areas of concern. Dr. Jafri takes great pride when his patients report that friends and family remark “how rested and refreshed” they look or ask if they have “lost weight” or “been on vacation”.
The incision utilized is based on the customized procedure appropriate for you. All incisions are designed to be minimal and camouflaged within natural anatomical features. The goal with Custom-Lift™ is to obtain maximal results with minimal surgery.
Any procedure from the simple process of drawing blood to major complicated craniofacial/skull base surgery has its own inherent risks, benefits, alternatives and reasonable/realistic expectations. Based on the procedure you elect to undergo these will be reviewed with you by your Doctor so you can make an informed and educated decision about your Facial Cosmetic / Reconstructive procedure.
This is a surgical procedure and like all procedures recovery time will vary from patient to patient. After having performed several thousand procedures under local anesthesia Dr. Jafri can honestly give you an estimate of how much time to plan for your recovery so you can plan accordingly. Our goal is to disrupt your day to day function as little as possible so that you may enjoy a smooth, comfortable and safe recovery while getting back to your normal routine as quickly as possible.
The Doctor is available for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Scheduled follow up appointments will depend on the procedure you had. It can vary from one day to one week after your procedure.
Dr. Jafri will see you to exam you, check your progress, answer any questions you have and make sure that you are cared for in a professional and personable manner from start to finish.
The type of procedure you have will determine what to expect in the post procedure time period. This is surgery so swelling, some bruising and tightness sensation is to be expected. During your consultation Dr. Jafri will be able to review the details of the recovery process with you. The Doctor is also available 24 hours, seven days a week for any questions you have during the recovery process.
Drains are not utilized based on Dr. Jafri’s clinical experience and as supported by the medical literature. A light, comfortable wrap type dressing may be used based on the type of procedure you have done. It is typically worn overnight only or for up to a week again based on your anatomy and the procedure performed.
While the head and neck area has excellent blood supply and low incidence of infection all patients are required to take postoperative antibiotics. Not only does this help provide appropriate antibacterial coverage but studies have shown that use of antibiotics in other head and neck procedures may in fact help hasten the recovery process. Pain medications and / or a sleeping medication are optional and usually not utilized by most patients. They are provided to you since your comfort in the postoperative period is essential. In fact many patients have reported using only regular strength Tylenol in the postoperative period.
Yes. You will be provided with a list of medications, herbs, etc. to avoid 2 weeks prior to your surgery.
Since the procedures are performed under local anesthesia you can eat a light meal before the procedure. Afterwards you may resume a normal diet although it has been our experience that patients having a facelift feel better eating a soft diet (pasta, rice, hearty soups, etc) for 1-2 days after their surgery.
Dr. Jafri is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. After your treatment you will be given a phone number to contact him with any questions or concerns you may have.
Certain conditions are absolute contraindications to surgery while others are relative and others not of importance to the specific procedures. The only to way to determine this is to review a thorough medical history with Dr. Jafri in the office. If needed a medical clearance will be required from your primary care doctor – our philosophy is simple: do things well and do them properly keeping the safety of the patient first and foremost.
By utilizing a precise and customized approach to your unique anatomy and performing the procedure in multiple planes of dissection the results can last for several years. The biggest factors in the longevity of the procedure are your genetics, overall health, sun exposure / damage and smoking.
Various pre and post procedure supplements can be used to maximize your healing process. These are available for you during your consultation meeting. Also you will be given specific instructions based on the procedure to help you experience a smooth and maximal recovery process.
For most patients it is advised to wait at least 2 weeks prior to resuming normal exercise regimens. In the first two weeks walks and light activity are encouraged to help with circulation and the healing process.
Again everyone is a little different but as an overall guideline:
1. Chemical peels/Dermabrasion: 7-10 days
2. Fillers/Lip augmentation: 7 days
3. Surgical Procedure: 4 weeks
Most patients have used these guidelines to get the results they want and have time to look and feel their best for the big event. With the exception of certain fillers the more time you give yourself the less stressed and the more comfortable you will be for the event.
1. Chemical peels/Dermabrasion: 7-10 days
2. Fillers/Lip augmentation: 7 days
3. Surgical Procedure: 4 weeks
Most patients have used these guidelines to get the results they want and have time to look and feel their best for the big event. With the exception of certain fillers the more time you give yourself the less stressed and the more comfortable you will be for the event.
Absolutely! The surgical procedures are designed to tighten facial / neck muscles and remove excess, loose skin in a natural and effective way. While some patients may see improvement in fine wrinkles and deep folds these areas are better addressed with non-surgical techniques such as fillers or chemical peels. These non-surgical procedures are routinely combined with a facelift procedure to provide a customized, complete improvement in your facial cosmetic appearance.
There are a broad range of injectable fillers available for cosmetic use. They are typically used for deep folds (nasolabial folds), lip augmentation, fine wrinkles, facial contouring, brow lifting and cheek contouring. The various fillers used all have there pluses and minuses and Dr. Jafri will discuss each with you to help you select the best one for your specific cosmetic needs.
Chemical peels are a topical application of various chemical compounds to the facial skin to address a wide variety of cosmetic concerns such as skin tone, skin coloration, sunspots, acne, fine wrinkles, etc. The various compounds used vary in the depth of penetration of the skin and therefore the results seen. Dr. Jafri will discuss with you the specifics of each modality and help you choose the combination that will best suit your cosmetic needs.
Lip augmentation is performed to improve the appearance of the upper and lower lips. It may be as simple as using a filler to enhance the cupid’s bow (the two arches on the upper lip) or more extensive to provide a pouty, sexy lip or elevation of the corners of the mouth. In most cases fillers are used very effectively and implants reserved only for cases that require a drastic change. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Botox can also be utilized to enhance the appearance of the lip and the wrinkles around it.
Liposuction is the application of controlled negative pressure through a small cannula device that allows select removal of fatty deposits. In the head and neck areas it can be applied to the area under the chin and along the jowls. Facial liposuction is not as invasive as full body liposuction and does not involve large amounts of fluid / blood loss as can occur in full body liposuction. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Platysmaplasty is a procedure wherein a camouflaged incision is placed below the chin to gain access to the loose skin and muscles under the chin and that extend down the anterior neck. This procedure can be used to improve the appearance of the infamous “turkey neck”. The procedure is performed using local anesthesia.
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin from the upper eyelid area in order to improve “saggy lids”. It can be combined with a brow lift procedure. It is performed under local anesthesia.
A LBL is a surgical procedure designed to improve drooping eyebrows on the lateral portion of the brow complex. It can be combined with blepharoplasty to improve the appearance of “saggy” or “droopy” upper eyelids / brows. It is readily performed under local anesthesia.
Why Choose Dr. Kamran Jafri as Your personal Cosmetic Surgeon?
1. Dr. Jafri is Double-Board Certified and has dedicated his career specifically to Facial Plastic Surgery
2. Physicians from across the Country and Europe have come to observe Dr. Jafri work and learn Surgical techniques from him. Dr. Jafri has been an invited lecturer and expert on various topics in Facial Plastic Surgery both in the United States and Internationally. Dr. Jafri has also treated Celebrities, Models, Media Personalities, Businessmen, Professional Athletes & Everday People across the Country.
3. Due to his extensive experience and expertise, the Doctor has often been called upon by his Colleagues to consult on difficult cases or provide revision surgery for less than ideal outcomes.
4. His warmth, kindness, sense of humor & personable nature are greatly appreciated by all of his Patients.
5. You will benefit from his straight forward, honest and thorough approach to the Consultation process.
6. Dr. Jafri is one of a select few Surgeons in the World to have sought and completed training in Head & Neck Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery and Craniofacial/Skull Base Surgery. This high level of expertise and experience provides an exceptional cornerstone to his Surgical practice.
7. His Practice is centered around You, the patient. Everyone in the office is there to make sure that your entire experience from start to finish is Personalized, Professional and Enjoyable.
8. Dr. Jafri is constantly exploring all the various techniques and procedures that are out there and takes great pride in determining which are worthwhile for you.
9. He has performed thousands of procedures and this vast experience is used to benefit you in providing the best and most exceptional care possible.
10. Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good! The Cosmetic Karma Service provides a wonderful way for you and the Doctor to work together to help someone in need!
1. Dr. Jafri is Double-Board Certified and has dedicated his career specifically to Facial Plastic Surgery
2. Physicians from across the Country and Europe have come to observe Dr. Jafri work and learn Surgical techniques from him. Dr. Jafri has been an invited lecturer and expert on various topics in Facial Plastic Surgery both in the United States and Internationally. Dr. Jafri has also treated Celebrities, Models, Media Personalities, Businessmen, Professional Athletes & Everday People across the Country.
3. Due to his extensive experience and expertise, the Doctor has often been called upon by his Colleagues to consult on difficult cases or provide revision surgery for less than ideal outcomes.
4. His warmth, kindness, sense of humor & personable nature are greatly appreciated by all of his Patients.
5. You will benefit from his straight forward, honest and thorough approach to the Consultation process.
6. Dr. Jafri is one of a select few Surgeons in the World to have sought and completed training in Head & Neck Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery and Craniofacial/Skull Base Surgery. This high level of expertise and experience provides an exceptional cornerstone to his Surgical practice.
7. His Practice is centered around You, the patient. Everyone in the office is there to make sure that your entire experience from start to finish is Personalized, Professional and Enjoyable.
8. Dr. Jafri is constantly exploring all the various techniques and procedures that are out there and takes great pride in determining which are worthwhile for you.
9. He has performed thousands of procedures and this vast experience is used to benefit you in providing the best and most exceptional care possible.
10. Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good! The Cosmetic Karma Service provides a wonderful way for you and the Doctor to work together to help someone in need!