Choosing a Facial Plastic Surgeon and an Anesthesiologist
It is important that the Facial Plastic Surgeon performing a facelift or neck lift has performed thousands of them. Dr. Portuese is board certified in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery) and board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His expertise is extensive with facelifts, mini lifts, and neck lifts. The surgery center where the procedures are performed is called The Seattle Facelift Center and is a Medicare Certified Surgery Center located at 1101 Madison Street, Suite 1280. This is adjacent to Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Medicare certification for an Ambulatory Surgery Center is one of the highest quality accreditations available. The surgical team consists of four registered nurses, who have been performing facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for 30+ years combined. The anesthesia that is used for this type of surgery is a general anesthesia performed by individually board certified physician anesthesiologists from Swedish Medical Center.
OUT OF TOWN PATIENTS
When patients are coming in from out of town to have their facelift or neck lift performed at the Seattle Facelift Center, there are four hotels located within two blocks of the office. Our office administrator can give patients assistance with hotel reservations. We do recommend that patients stay in town for at least 7 to 10 days for their postoperative care after a facelift, neck lift, or mini lift.
The Baroness Hotel |
The Inn at Virginia Mason |
The Silver Cloud Hotel |
The Sorrento Hotel |
FACELIFT AND NECK LIFT CONSULTATION
The consultation is important face-to-face time with Dr. Portuese. This is an opportunity for patients to ask questions and to discover what a facelift or neck lift procedure can and cannot do for them. At the Seattle Facelift Center, there is a charge of $75 for a consultation. This consultation will last approximately 30 minutes with Dr. Portuese and 30 minutes with the administrative staff. During the consultation patients will undergo an extensive physical examination of the face and neck by Dr. Portuese. Additional time will be spent with the office manager and patient coordinator and nurses discussing fees, scheduling, and sometimes reviewing computer imaging. During the consultation, some of the topics that are discussed are as follows:
- Patient’s medical history
- Patient’s physical exam
- Patients will express concerns and what they would like to change about their face and neck
- Realistic expectations will be reviewed.
- The technique of facelift, mini lift, and neck lift will be explained.
- General anesthesia.
- The Seattle Facelift Center.
- Pre- and postoperative care instructions.
- Common risks, alternatives, and relative expectations.
- Followup visits, costs, and scheduling.
- All previous operative notes, records, and any past medical history that is pertinent from an anesthesia standpoint.
- Any recent or past injuries to the face or congenital deformities.
- Allergies to any medications.
- Prescription medications and herbal supplements.
In summary, the consultation is the patient’s opportunity to sit down with Dr. Portuese and discuss mutual goals and aspirations with regard to changing the facial and neck structure for better fit and balance with the patient’s and Dr. Portueses goals. Dr. Portuese will examine the face and neck during the consultation and this is an excellent opportunity for patients to talk about what they expect from a facelift, neck lift, or mini lift and to make sure that their expectations are reasonable. It is very important that patients have reasonable expectations and that Dr. Portuese can deliver those patients reasonable goals with the surgery. During the consultation, Dr. Portuese also reviews with patients an entire book of before and after facelifts, mini lifts, and neck lifts that he has personally performed.