Selecting the right cosmetic surgeon is a choice that you live with for years, if not your entire life. A successful procedure will make you feel more like yourself and give you greater confidence for years to come. On the other hand, selecting the wrong surgeon increases your chances of having poor results, which can lead to additional costs, time, and heartache.
When choosing your surgeon, there are a few key points to keep in mind:

• What credentials should my surgeon have? Making sure that your doctor has received the right training focusing on your issue. General plastic surgeons work on the entire body, and facial plastic surgeons perform work on the entire face. Dr. Liu is an oculoplastic surgeon and has completed an ASOPRS fellowship, making her one of the most highly qualified oculoplastic surgeons in North America. When you are having any procedure done near your eyes, you want to make sure that you have a surgeon that was trained in the eyes, and general and facial plastic surgeons typically have inadequate training in this area.
• Ask detailed questions. Make sure that your surgeon answers all of your questions clearly and is willing to spend the time with you to address all of your concerns. A physician that cannot give a clear answer as to how many of a particular procedure they have performed or how their training qualifies them to perform a procedure should be chosen with care.
• What do other patients say? While a referral from a friend or colleague can be helpful in narrowing down a physician search, it is important to try and get a well-rounded view of the physician. Look online at their reviews at websites such as RealSelf.com, Healthgrades.com, and on Google and Yelp. Getting the full picture of other patients’ experience with a physician can be helpful in putting your interaction with the doctor into the correct context.

A Silhouette InstaLift is typically performed using only local anesthesia in Dr. Liu’s procedure room.

It is difficult to provide pricing before a patient has had a consultation with Dr. Liu. The cost of a procedure can vary depending on what a patient needs and what the surgery will entail. More importantly, many patients come to Dr. Liu believing that they need a certain procedure, only to find out during the consultation that a different procedure will provide a better outcome.

A Silhouette InstaLift typically takes about 30 minutes – 1 hour from start to finish.

A Silhouette InstaLift performed by an experienced surgeon should not leave any visible scars after the procedure.

A Silhouette InstaLift is not a substitute for a traditional facelift. The results from an InstaLift are less dramatic than a traditional facelift, but can be an excellent option for patients with only mild to moderate facial laxity (sagging skin) or for those patients that do not want to undergo a traditional facelift (a much more involved procedure, with a significant healing process).

A Silhouette InstaLift is generally a very safe procedure. When considering any procedure, it is important to inform your surgeon of any abnormalities of your general medical health.

It is important to remember that while all surgery carries some risks, even when performed by the most highly trained surgeon and at the best facilities. Below are some of the more common risks associated with the procedure:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Infection
• Inflammation

The likelihood of serious complications arising from the procedure is typically influenced by both the surgeon’s skill as well as the patient’s individual response to the procedure. Certain complications can be avoided by cooperating fully and completely following your surgeon’s instructions. With patience, a willingness to cooperate, and a qualified surgeon, the complications of a Silhouette InstaLift and any associated risks can be dramatically reduced.

The procedure should be scheduled for a time when you can relax for 1-2 days. To minimize any bruising, it is best to avoid taking any blood thinning medications for at least two weeks prior to the procedure. If you are on a blood thinning medication due to a specific medical condition, you will need to discuss this with Dr. Liu and your primary care physician prior to stopping any medication. Dr. Liu’s staff will review a list of common medications, supplements and vitamins that can cause your blood to be thinner.

Please note that Dr. Liu expects to see patients back in the office a few days after a procedure to ensure that the healing process is going as expected and that you are on track for a good result. Do not plan any travel immediately after your procedure.