Elliott B. Lavey, MD

I have had a few non-invasive procedures, Sculptra, fillers and Botox, but they can only do just so much especially when you're 70. I have been lurking around Real Self for a few years and decided to just bite the bullet and start in earnest looking for a good doctor especially since a lot of us are housebound and can wear a mask. My jowls are genetic and I had the Deputy Dawg look.
I contacted a few doctors in the Bay Area but they were either too far away or starting fees for a face lift were out of my comfort zone.
I chose Dr. Lavey because of his outstanding qualifications, reviews and an extra bonus was that his office is a 5 minute drive from my home. His office is tasteful and peaceful. Front desk, Mariah, is a lovely young lady.
He does charge a fee for a consultation but he also spends as much unhurried time with you and takes your personal medical history himself. I think what really sold me is when he asked if I could remove my mask and then studied my face. I told him I did not want anything done with my eyes. He did ask if he could feel the skin on my lower and upper eyelids and I must have passed the skin test. He also asked me to grimace and suggested a neck lift along with some liposuction. He says all face lifts are different. It is not a one size fits all (my words). He does not use staples because he thinks they look Frankensteinish and also uses outside removable sutures because dissolvable may leave railroad track lines.
I returned the next day to have the head dressing and drain removed, and said that I could wash my hair if I chose. I did. He wanted me to ice my face as much as possible, sleep on a wedge pillow and use Bacitracin on the incisions. I came back to the office a week later to have the stitches removed.
Here are a few pictures. I will post monthly results as it is ever-changing and as noted in other reviews it can take up to a year to see final results.
Thanks to all of the brave ladies who have posted photos Every person's recovery rate is different and having this forum has helped tremendously with any angst that I might have had if I had not known what to expect.

Updated on 18 Apr 2021:

Dr. Lavey performed my 1st facelift (including eyes and forehead) in 2002, when I was 55 years old. I chose to do the procedure 11 weeks before my daughter's wedding -- a great decision! My goal, which was to basically look like a "well rested" version of myself, was exceeded. And a bonus -- great wedding photos! I never thought I would choose to have a 2nd facelift, but 11+ years later, at almost 67, I decided to go for it again, with the goal of turning back the clock a bit. So glad I did it! Whereas I am not trying to hide my age, just want to look the best I can. I can't help the inner smile when people think I am my grandchildrens' mother. I thought that both of my recoveries were easy, and actually a welcome opportunity to have a "forced time out and rest" from my many work, family, volunteer and social responsibilities.

I am one of Dr. Elliott Lavey's recent patients. I am age 82. Most of my friends and business associates told me I was too old to try to improve my appearance. These same critics have now seen my improvements obtained by Dr. Lavey's plastic surgery, and many of these critics now want to have a consultation with Dr. Lavey.
Everything from my first meeting with Dr. Lavey through viewing my great results was done the right way. I was informed about the risks, the surgery, and what I needed to do to have the best possible improvements. I am sure I could not have selected a better professional.

Deciding on whether or not to use fillers is difficult but I was entirely confident in the options offered by Dr. Lavey. I did not want any extreme change and had no experience in this. I was looking for something minimal and, obviously, natural. Dr. Lavey listened carefully to my concerns and provided me with best choices. I have no regret.

I've worked with Dr. Lavey for approx. 20 years, having various procedures. He's not only an excellent doctor but a quality person; he gives honest advice and suggestions, not doing procedures he doesn't feel would be of benefit for the results I want to achieve.
--I highly recommend Dr. Lavey as well as his medical assistant, Kathy. She's not only a true professional but also a very kind, caring individual who makes one feel very comfortable.
--We need more doctors like him! Betty M.

I had a rhinoplasty done by Dr. Lavey in 2013. I have always been self-conscious of the bump on my nose. Dr. Lavey is a highly professional and good-natured plastic surgeon. I felt at ease and trusted him completely through the whole process. Dr. Lavey exceeded my expectations so much that I now see him regularly for cosmetic procedures. He is simply the very best.

I had a little extra fat in midsection that I wanted to get rid of. Dr Lavey is an amazing Doctor and a great guy. He and his office staff did an amazing job from start to finish and I could not be happier with my results. He made me feel comfortable at all times and his work on my liposuction was amazing. I would and do recommend him to any and all friends and family considering having any cosmetic procedures.

Dr. Lavey performed a breast augmentation with saline implants about 10 years ago. He performed a rhinoplasty at the same time. My natural breast size was a double A, ie: non-existent! I am now a really pretty, natural looking size C. Since my surgery I have had a baby and successfully breast fed and they still look amazing!

I chose to have a rhinoplasty because I had a large nose and was really self-conscious about it. I'm extremely happy with the results. My face looks more balanced and I can wear my hair up without worrying that I'm "all nose!"

My entire experience was really positive. Dr. Lavey and his office staff were kind, professional, and supportive throughout the whole process. The surgery and recovery were much easier than I anticipated. I highly recommend Dr. Lavey!

Backstory:
Since I was 10 or 11 years old, I have had this gut (almost looked like I was pregnant), despite always being an active kid that was enrolled in at least 2 sports year round. As I got older, the "gut" would fluctuate, but even when I was at my lightest, it was still there and even began to sag. While I have always been mostly healthy and active, I have definitely always been on the bigger side. I decided that I wanted to change that, so I worked hard and ate right, and lost 18 lbs (this was in the 10 months before surgery) and while I was losing lbs and most of my body was getting smaller, to my dismay, my stomach did not change and my jeans fit the same. This is when I started researching tummy tuck options and found that I was probably a good candidate.

Actual Surgery Process:
I then set up two consultations where both doctors told me I was a good candidate for the surgery and couldn't figure out why I had my skin was so elastic. I ended up getting the surgery (tummy tuck an lipo of the upper and lower flanks) done with Dr. Elliot Lavey (review below) and could not be happier! Even though I am only 4 weeks out, I am already VERY pleased with the results - he removed 8 lbs worth of skin and fat. The only really unbearable pain I felt throughout the whole process was on the first day after I woke up from surgery - after that, everything was very manageable. I don't want to set any unrealistic expectations as I have always had a high pain tolerance, but I took pain meds for the first 7 days post op. I then switched over to Tylenol when I went back to work on day 8 at my very sedentary desk job. It definitely wasn't the most comfortable, I was still pretty hunched over most of the time when walking, had to hide my drain tubes in my clothes, and exhausted at the end of the day - but I needed to get back to work, and it was manageable.

Updated on 10 Jul 2015:
The results are better than I even expected.

I didn't realize that the belly button scar takes as long to heal as the stomach scar- but they're both coming along nicely. I'm treating the scars with Mederma advanced scar gel.

I'm so happy I found Dr. Elliott Lavey in Danville! He made me feel so comfortable and answered all my questions about the procedure, I was considering a face lift I was still
working at the time and wanted a fresh look. After my initial consultation I knew I had
found the right plastic surgeon and it was the best cosmetic decision I ever made! I was so happy with the results, the healing took a short time and I was back to work in two weeks. I referred my two dear friends to Dr. Lavey and they were equally as satisfied with their procedures as I was with mine. I continue to go to Dr Lavey for facial fillers and Botox as needed. I would never consider going to any other Plastic Surgeon. He and his assistant Kathy make you feel so welcome and cared for! He is the Best!