Facial Sculpting FAQ

Buccal fat reduction is an outpatient procedure performed with IV sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure usually takes about an hour. Patients require a soft diet during the immediate recovery period. Most patients plan at least a few days or one week off from work. A longer period of recovery may be necessary for combined procedures. Regular exercise or similar strenuous activity is generally allowed after 2 weeks.

Patients may have poorly defined bone structure due to the excess facial fat. By performing buccal fat (cheek) reduction, the cheeks are allowed to be more prominent. The buccal fat is located in the mid-face, between the lips and cheek bone. Small incisions inside the mouth are used to remove some of the extra cheek fat. Maryland and northern Virginia patients may appreciate the results after a couple weeks, once swelling resolves.

Jaw reduction with BOTOX Cosmetic is performed in the office without requiring anesthesia. Treatment is performed in a few minutes. Patients may choose to return to work the same day. Some temporary minor bruising or swelling may occur in treated areas.

Excess or large masseter muscles on the sides of the face create a masculine or square face, which is less desired by women visit Dr. Chaboki in Washington, DC. BOTOX Cosmetic placed in these jaw muscles will gradually shrink the muscles over time. Patients typically may see results after one month with masseter reduction and require 2 to 4 treatments per year for maintenance. Overlying sagging skin could also tighten gradually over newly shrunken muscle in some patients.

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. Our 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, facial sculpting procedures are usually generally not 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 facial sculpting surgery include the following:

• Rhinoplasty
• Facelift
• Fat Transfer
• Chin Implant

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, is allowed after 2 weeks from the procedure. Contact sports are generally allowed after 6 weeks from surgery.

Most patients plan at least a few days or 1 week off from work. A longer period of recovery may be necessary for combined procedures.

Facial sculpting surgery (cheek reduction or neck liposuction) is a relatively quick surgical procedure. The length of surgery may range from 1 hour or longer, if combined with other cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Chaboki performs a complete history and physical on all patients prior to undergoing cosmetic treatments. Facial sculpting procedures such as cheek reduction and neck liposuction are usually safe for patients with chronic, stable medical conditions. However, these procedures may be delayed or cancelled as needed for patient safety. Dr. Chaboki will work with his cosmetic 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. 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