Facial Paralysis FAQ

Dr. Chaboki provides the finest in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery at affordable prices, and participates with most insurance plans. Plastic surgery covers a broad area of medicine, which includes both reconstructive procedures and cosmetic procedures. If your procedure is medically indicated, some portion of the cost may be covered. The office accepts insurance in applicable cases and will, if you wish, contact your insurance company to find out if your procedure will be covered. Insurance coverage varies greatly for patients, however, surgery for Facial Paralysis may be partially or fully covered.

Generally, a minimum of 2 weeks are allowed from the consultation to prepare for surgery. Select procedures may be performed earlier. Nonsurgical procedures may be performed at the same time as the initial consultation.

Yes, it’s generally preferred to combine procedures. First, by combining surgery, insurance may cover a portion of the procedure, and you may save money on fees. Secondly, tissue modified from one area may be used for another surgical area, such as fat transfer and face lifting. Lastly, the recovery process following surgery would only be once, and you minimize downtime by avoiding two separate procedures. Commonly combined procedures with surgery for Facial Paralysis include the following:

• Eyelid Surgery
• Brow Lift
• Facelift
• Fat Transfer

Strenuous activities or exercise after plastic surgery will increase the risk of bleeding, swelling, and bruising, until an appropriate healing time has been allowed. This restriction during the recovery period varies based on the operation performed and patient’s medical condition. Light activities, such as slow walking, may be performed soon after anesthesia. Heavy activity, such as aerobics, yoga, cycling, running, heavy lifting, or similar vigorous activities are allowed after 2 weeks from the procedure. Contact sports are generally allowed after 6 weeks from surgery.

Most patients plan at least one week off from work. A longer period of recovery may be necessary for combined procedures.

Surgery for Facial Paralysis is relatively quick surgical procedure. The length of surgery may range from 1 hour or longer.

Dr. Chaboki performs a complete history and physical on all patients prior to undergoing cosmetic treatments. Surgery for facial paralysis in Washington, DC may usually be safely performed on many chronic, stable medical conditions. However, surgery for facial paralysis may be delayed or cancelled as needed for patient safety. Dr. Chaboki will work with his patients to help find a safe, appropriate plastic surgery option for them.

Smoking adversely affects your recovery. One may develop pneumonia, and treated areas don’t heal as well or may become infected. The blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the tissues shrink up and prevent the necessary healing of the area. Patients must stop smoking for a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery to decrease the risk of these complications, and continue smoking cessation after the procedure.

Downtime after cosmetic procedures may be a few hours to several days, depending on the specific procedure and areas treated. Office procedures are performed under local anesthesia, if any anesthesia is required. Surgical procedures are performed with either IV (twilight) sedation or general anesthesia and require a longer recovery period. Anesthesia normally wears off within the first 24 hours after surgery.

Dr. Chaboki practices facial plastic surgery at several DC area surgical facilities to accommodate his patients. Cosmetic treatments such as Botox Cosmetic and minor procedures with local anesthesia are performed in the DC office. Surgical procedures with IV (twilight) sedation or general anesthesia are performed at accredited facilities with a board-certified anesthesiologist.

• Georgetown University Medical Center
• MedStar Surgery Center