How The West Was Won! By Suzanne Takowsky

Throughout Greater Los Angeles...Beverly Hills to Woodland Hills...Orange County to Ontario...Riverside, Brea, Upland and the Inland Empire...California Surgical Institute has under the guideship of Medical Director, Dr. Tarick K. Smaili garnered patient accolades as the West Coasts' answer to the Fountain of Youth.

In a city of people obsessed with achieving physical perfection. And, dozens of surgeons lined up to help them accomplish their dreams. What counts most when ‘undergoing the knife' is the qualification of the surgeon who is holding the knife. Dr. Tarick Smaili is a Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon, Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. As a Diplomat of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Smaili has forged ahead in his surgical profession as an innovator... sought out by patients and peers alike for his extensive hands-on training and expertise in procedure and technique. As an active member of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the California Medical Board, Dr. Smaili has received numerous awards and acknowledgements for his medical publications and presentations, allowing him to stay current in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery advancement. A native of Ohio, Dr Smaili attended Wayne State University for his general surgery internship and surgical residency - one of the most intensive surgical programs in the nation. Wanting to further his surgical training, he completed two post graduate fellowships: One in micro surgery and another in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery fellowship at the renowned RUSH Medical Center, in Chicago. As Medical Director of California Surgical Institute - the fastest growing private cosmetic surgery partnership in California - his vast patient referral base consists of a local as well as international clientele. Dr Smaili's philosophy and approach to patient satisfaction is based on high surgery standards and patient safety.

Some of us have noted on our ‘wish list' to visit a plastic surgeon. Regardless of what we hope to improve, reduce or remove... California Surgical Institute offers options best suited to accomplishing those goals. Dr Smaili along with an advanced operating staff consisting of five Board Certified Surgeons, six Board Certified Medical Doctor Anesthesiologists and, more than 80 office staff, are trained to guide you on your - "New You" quest.

Q: What sets California Surgical Institute apart from the array of other plastic and cosmetic surgery offices?

Dr Smaili: Three things: First, our motto - "Artistic Mastery of Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery." Plastic surgery is definitely an art and it takes a qualified surgeon with good eye/hand coordination and good decision-making to have an artistic eye. Second is patient safety. We have fully accredited surgical centers, state-of-the-art facilities, the most advanced medical equipment available and a surgical, medical and office staff considered the best in the industry. Third is our commitment to patient care. From the moment a patient walks into any one of our offices, the atmosphere, the friendly smiles of our staff, the comfort level patients feel - start to finish we want our patients to enjoy a truly caring, competent and luxurious experience.

Q: Some people look to non-invasive alternative procedures to fight the aging process. Do they work?

Dr Smaili: Let's put it this way. Any time you can accomplish a procedure with non-invasive options it translates to less down time for the patient, no visible scars and reduced cost. This makes non-invasive procedures very attractive. Now let's consider which patients fit into the category of those who can achieve the results they want. Not everyone can.

Q: Obviously, few non-invasive techniques produce the lasting results that surgery can. Do you combine non-invasive with surgical procedure?
Dr Smaili: The wonderful realization is ...it's not one or the other. In most cases a combination produces the most desirable results. In younger patients it's possible to do more non-invasive/non-scarring procedures. For example: the Mid-Facelift procedure that I do the ENDOTINE LIFT has half the down time of a regular facelift without any scars. Incisions are made in the mouth and can't be seen. I use an Endotine Implant attached midface via a small incision in the hairline above the temple that is invisible. The implant is absorbed by the body within six months leaving no trace of any procedure, but the result lasts seven to ten years.

TUMMY TUCK (Adominoplasty)

This flattens the stomach, helps stretched muscles/skin after pregnancy and those who have lost a great deal of weight. The procedure removes excess skin from the middle and lower abdomen, tightening abdominal wall muscles.

Q: You have a reputation for doing the best Tummy Tuck in Beverly Hills
Dr Smaili: I do a high lateral tension Tummy Tuck and the belly button procedure is basically flawless. Unlike the traditional Tummy Tuck, my incision scar is straight, very low and easily concealed under a bikini. I combine Liposculpture on the sides to shape the waist. Approximately 90% of the tummy tucks I do are referrals from patients whose tummy tucks I have already done.

NOSE SURGERY (Rhinoplasty)

Reshapes, reduces or increases the size of the nose, changes the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrows the span of the nostrils, changes the angle between nose and upper lip and corrects birth defects, injury or relieves some breathing problems.

Q: I'm certain you've seen your share of ‘cookie cutter' noses - no matter the shape or the size of the face the surgeon puts the same nose on everyone. What's your take on nose in proportion to face?

Dr Smaili: People comment on beautiful eyes, lips, cheeks...everything except ‘nose', unless it doesn't fit the face. I don't imitate a nose that someone sees in a magazine or try to make a ‘beautiful' nose. I make a subtle nose that fits the rest of the face. When a patient realizes that is our goal - that's when they have the best results. The noses that I perform are closed technique meaning that there are no scars anywhere.

FACE SURGERY (Rhytidectomy)

Age, gravity, sun exposure and stress take a toll. Deep creases form, the jawline sags and fat deposits appear. A Face Lift can't stop the aging process, but it can turn back the clock by removing fat, tightening muscles, and re-draping skin on the face and neck. Many times a face lift in conjunction with a Forehead/Eye Lift or nose reshaping provides the maximum aesthetic results.



Q: What combination procedures are producing the best results for people in their mid years?

Dr Smaili: It's important to see the face as a unit. I have patients look in a mirror and then, tell me what bothers them the most. For instance, you can't just do an Upper-Eye Lift expecting good results on a person who also needs a Forehead Lift. I do Brow Lift in conjunction with Upper-Eye Lift because and Upper-Eye Lift can change the position of the brow. I do Mid-Face Lift in conjunction with Lower-Eye Lift. A crucial part in any Face Lift is the condition of the skin envelope (skin tone). Therefore, I put patients on a regimen of prescription strength skin products for wrinkles, pigmentation and to generate new skin. Fat transfer from the leg works well to augment portions of the face such as deep folds on the sides of the mouth and under the eye. In some cases I also combine Thread-Lifting.

BREAST LIFT SURGERY (Mastopexy)

Pregnancy, nursing, and gravity take their toll on a woman's breasts and skin looses elasticity, shape and firmness. Breast Lift reshapes sagging breasts and reduces the size of the areola (dark skin surrounding the nipple). Small breasts or those which have lost volume are helped with the addition of breast implants, inserted in conjunction with mastopexy.

Q: Brest Lift and Breast Augmentation are separate procedures. But, do you ever combine the two to achieve a better aesthetic result?

Dr Smaili: Yes. I do a special Internal Vertical Breast Lift that leaves the outside skin underneath the breast intact. This makes all the difference in how natural the breast looks after the surgery.

Q: In L.A. ‘age appropriate' has little meaning for those seeking a nip here or tuck there. In your opinion what is a reasonable age when someone can consider ‘updating' their look?

Dr Smaili: There is no specific age. It depends on how a person feels about themselves. In my opinion no one needs plastic surgery unless they feel it will help. A surgeon has to be upfront with a patient regarding realistic expectation the, decide whether or not that patient understands realistic result.

Q: In a city overflowing with plastic/cosmetic surgery offices, how does one go about making the correct decision when choosing a plastic surgeon?

Dr Smaili: Anyone that is considering plastic surgery has to do his/her homework. A person can go to our website (www.californiasurgicalinstitute.com) and check links that directly connect to a surgeon's credentials. Any surgeon being considered must be a Plastic Surgeon. There are numerous surgeons who say that they are Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeons... but they are not recognized by the American Board of sub-specialties. Ask to see before/after photos. Get testimonials from other patients who already have had surgery. Chat rooms on websites exist that offer unbiased opinions/remarks from patients. A surgeon's qualifications should top the list.

Q: Realistic Expectation shouldn't be just for a patient, but also apply to the surgeon. Just because a surgeon does a fabulous face doesn't mean he does fabulous breasts. How can one judge the best ‘hands-on' surgeon for a particular procedure?

Dr Smaili: Most surgeons will be honest as to their specialty. Plastic surgeons have big egos, but it's vitally important to get a plastic surgeon whose ego does not overshadow his surgical ability. If I believe that I can't achieve the best result on a tough case - I have no problem sending that patient to a physician whom I believe can do a better job.

Q: People go in for plastic surgery and expect to come out looking young. No matter how good a plastic surgeon is no one 50 or 60 is going to look 20 ever again. What do you say to people whose expectations are completely unrealistic?

Dr Smaili: Part of our job is to know when not to operate. It's important for patients to realize that ‘perfection' comes with improvement. As long as the patient is looking for realistic improvement and the surgeon sees that then...the patient and surgeon will both be happy.


CALIFORNIA SURGICAL INSTITUTE
866.372.3288
www.californiasurgicalinstitute.com