The Search for A Great Plastic Surgeon: Finding THE ONE!
- Jude Sikora
- Jun 7
- 8 min read
Guest Blog
My name is Jude. It's been two years since Dr. Jean-Paul Azzi transformed my look, my confidence, and my life at age 69. I underwent 5 facial procedures, all performed without general anesthesia. Read on to discover how I realized he was THE perfect facial plastic surgeon for me.
For many women starting on their facelift journey, finding the perfect plastic surgeon can quickly become a whirlwind of unexpected crazy emotions, ranging from mild stress to overwhelming anxiety.
I see it all!
However, I must say that as a very satisfied (2-years post-op) facial plastic surgery patient,
-and-
Founder of a private facelift support group on Facebook,
-and-
Content Creator for a YouTube channel dedicated primarily to facelift-related content…
the degree of mental strain and worry women impose upon themselves searching for “The ONE” has been surprising and shocking!
Please don’t misunderstand, there are many women who take the search for a great Plastic Surgeon in stride, calmly scheduling consults with different Doctors every few weeks; acting as if the entire endeavor is simply one big college research project. Those women breeze through the process!
However, for a segment of ‘facelift seekers,’ the job of finding the perfect Surgeon can spiral into a frenzied, never-ending maze of medical interviews, with no resolution in sight. The more Doctors consulted with, the tougher the decision becomes. The selection process, which appears fairly simple at the onset, can quickly evolve into information overload.
Don’t Rain on My Parade!
Many women confide to me that they trace the origins of their stress back to “sticker shock:” They have real concerns about costs and budget!
Initially optimistic and excited, skepticism grows over time. The goal of finding an exceptionally talented Doctor that fits both their budget and aesthetic standards can begin to feel like ‘mission impossible,’ leaving many hopefuls despondent and defeated. They share these concerns frequently in online posts, worried they may not find their surgical guru anytime soon.
Friendly Intervention!
Through my Facelift Group on Facebook and/or my YouTube Channel, a segment of these women reach out privately to me for advice and guidance. By the time I meet them, most are at their wit’s end, unsure about what to do next. Many are even toying with the decision to pause their search, because they are overwhelmed and worn out!
That’s the exact moment when I suggest the very best Double-Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon I know… Dr. Jean-Paul Azzi!
Finding Dr. Jean-Paul Azzi: The Backstory!
I had the incredibly good fortune to meet Dr. Jean-Paul Azzi in the most serendipitous of ways, in December 2022; six months after having recovered from my first elective surgery, a breast reduction and lift!
The breast reduction surgery went exceedingly well, leaving me feeling confident and truly eager to take on my aging face and throat next.
At age 69, my legendary youthful looks had been adversely impacted by that nasty thing known as age, along with months of intense UV light damage walking on a bridge over water twice daily and the stressors of moving cross-country.
I had aged by 10 years seemingly overnight. Yikes!
At that point, I knew it was time to fight back! I knew that I was ready to have some work done.
(Sometime later, I made a video about how facial plastic surgery saved my face!)
But, I must tell you- I had absolutely no sense of the blessings that destiny had in store for me!
‘Spiritual Winds At My Back’
After meeting with three geographically-desirable Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons, I knew intuitively that I hadn’t found The ONE. While one of the three did seem somewhat promising, my inner voice told me to keep searching.
And that’s how I came to find Dr Jean-Paul Azzi. The man whose incredible talent, experience, and intellect single-handedly changed the course of my “Chapter 2” post-retirement years!
How It All Went Down!
In 2022, I was relatively uneducated about what attributes I absolutely needed in a Plastic Surgeon. I just trusted that my strong intuitive sense would guide me to a sound decision. So, I ran yet another Google search for a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, based solely upon geographic proximity to my home. I know it sounds crazy, but stay with me here…
In retrospect, knowing what I know now about the many non-negotiable elements necessary for the best possible facelift outcome, I can honestly say that I was either very, very lucky, or… the Universe was looking out for me. I absolutely believe it was the latter.
My experience and outcome with Dr Azzi completely surpassed my greatest hopes and expectations.
In my heart, I believe he was heaven sent!
‘My Body, My Temple’
What drew me in initially was the website headline suggesting that he performed Deep Plane Facelift Procedures sans general anesthesia! I was intrigued! Facelift without the risks associated with General Anesthesia, at age 69, was a BIG DEAL!
While I had just undergone breast redux surgery with general anesthesia very successfully, I hadn't been offered a healthier alternative such as twilight sedation or ‘local’ anesthesia. I had a cursory understanding of general anesthesia being ‘bad’ and ‘toxic,’ but I didn't realize just how bad general anesthesia really is for the body.
Through research over the past 2 years, I’ve come to understand the many risks general anesthesia poses to the body’s cardiovascular system. I have also witnessed the emotional havoc it can cause in the early stages of facelift recovery, leaving women with temporary bouts of depression and days of extreme fatigue. And then there is the nausea and vomiting, risk of stroke and chance of life-threatening embolism...
During the Consult, Dr. Azzi kindly explained that he would be using Oral Sedation (Valium) and Numbing Shots to get the job done. He assured me that I would sleep through the procedure(s). I recalled having had an upper blepharoplasty performed 4 years earlier under local anesthesia (no valium, just numbing shots) in another state, and it being a very positive experience. So, I had absolutely no concerns with the idea of local anesthesia, and truth be told, was elated to be able to experience facelift surgery in the ‘healthiest’ way possible!
(One year later, I produced a video about my experience to enlighten women interested in having a facelift without general anesthesia.)
I was even more delighted to learn that I would not need to undergo blood tests, an EKG and other standard pre-surgical medical approvals, which are mandatory for general anesthesia! A ‘no hassle’, stress-free surgery prep, sounded amazing!
A Heaven-Sent Quality Control Process!
When I reflect back upon my own search for a Plastic Surgeon, I realize that my lack of knowledge (blissful ignorance!) insulated me from much of the self-imposed stress and mental anguish I see so many women experience!
Much of that stress and anguish is directly related to finding a Surgeon with just the right credentials and the greatest likelihood of producing beautiful, botch-free results!
For some mysterious yet-to-be-known reason, I was intuitively guided to not-just-any-doctor, but a Doctor with the perfect credentials and skills to deliver a knockout punch (metaphorically speaking!) Dr. Azzi holds Board Certification in the area most relevant to facelift expertise: Facial & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery.
He represents the gold standard!
Dr. Azzi is solely focused on facial plastic surgery (not breasts, extremities and butts,) which makes him best prepared by training, fellowship and hands-on experience, to be a true ‘Master’ of the deep plane facelift, and the many nuanced, detailed off-shoots associated with it! I couldn't have been luckier to happen upon the guy who “has it all,” as they say!!
More Nuggets…
And there were other benefits and blessings that accompanied my selection of Dr Azzi:
Dr Azzi doesn't use neck drains! He knows how to get the job done without them!
Dr Azzi is focused on the procedures he truly believes will make a clear, discernible difference in your facial aesthetic. He will refuse to perform gratuitous procedures that other Surgeons are all too eager to agree to do, if he sincerely believes that they won't give you the result you're looking for! In other words, he’s not going to load up your dance card unnecessarily.
Dr Jean-Paul Azzi is focused, honest and empathetic. Unlike many in his profession, he doesn’t assess your needs with a revenue-driven eye!!
And, finally-Dr Azzi is distinctively innovative! His enhanced stitching and closing techniques are mindfully selected to achieve a faster recovery with a reduction in visible scarring!
Lead With Your Lips!
I often get asked which of my 5 facial plastic surgery procedures impacted my look the most… The answer is easy! My husband and I agree that aside from my amazing new face shape/chiseled jawline and smooth throat, the Lip Lift Dr. Azzi gave me truly transformed my entire face from droopy and sad looking, to perky and youthful.
Dr Azzi’s Deep Plane Lip Lifts are exquisite, instantly adding back youth and proportionality to the face! With meticulous precision, the Magician Azzi cleverly conceals all of the stitches at the base of the nose, leaving the patient with a perfectly shaped, fuller upper lip and delicate Cupid’s Bow! (No lip filler needed!)
Did you know, it’s rare to find a Plastic Surgeon even willing to do a Lip Lift these days (most are not trained to do them) and even more difficult to find many Plastic Surgeons equally capable of hiding the stitches so effectively?
So, a huge salute to Dr. A and bring on the lip gloss, please! Let’s GOOOOOO!
(Nine months later I made a video showcasing the changes in my lips, post Lip Lift!)
Slaying The Dragon!
It’s funny.
Every time I post status-update selfies on Facebook, friends and followers leave comments remarking on how happy I look. Some even say I’m glowing!
The truth is, I’m not just happy, I’m ecstatic!
I couldn’t feel more blessed!
I feel like I won the ‘youth lottery!”
(I made a video about my facelift experience, during month 4 post op!)
My Deep Plane Facelift, Neck Lift, Lip Lift, Temporal Brow Lift and slight Upper Bleph Revision collectively created a seismic change in my spirit.
I truly feel “ReBorn!”
It’s been 2 years since I had the work done, but I’m still pinching myself. Every time I glance quickly in a mirror, I let out a silent gasp of joy!
And, it wasn’t very difficult. I took a Valium, fell asleep… and when I awakened, I could instantly see a much younger version of me! OMG!
Recovery was seamless; very little discomfort, just enough to require Extra Strength Fast Acting Tylenol Capsules for the first 48 hours. That’s it!
Swelling and bruising ensued for a month or so, but my favorite concealer and foundation quickly covered the evidence!
I had so much excitement and curiosity each morning as I would bound out of bed to see my new youthful look emerge and evolve…
And a deep sense of gratitude, realizing my post-retirement years would be so much better, happier, more optimistic and confidence-fueled, because I felt like I had been given back the precious gift of time…
Time to feel young again.
Time to feel pretty again.
Time for a new chapter of self-love and self-care.
And, I owe it all to one smart, talented, kind-hearted, awesome Plastic Surgeon, who helped me slay the ‘age dragon’ and, in doing so, get my groove back!
Dr. Jean-Paul Azzi
I definitely found “The ONE”. And, I sincerely hope you do, too!
All video’s referenced in this blog can be viewed on Jude’s YouTube Channel and/or on her website: judereborngirl.com
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