POSTED UNDER Deep Plane Facelift Reviews
100% Natural Deep Plane Facelift Results -an Amazing Surgeon!
ORIGINAL POST
100% Natural Deep Plane Facelift Results -an Amazing Surgeon!
WORTH IT
If you are considering facial rejuvenation with Dr. Cakmak and are searching for a quick answer to ’Is it worth it?’, the answer is absolutely, 100% worth it. Dr. Cakmak is a magician of a surgeon and a caring person, which is a rare combination appreciated by any patient, but especially someone coming to Turkey with a bit of nerves from overseas. He and his team were fantastic. I am so happy with my final results.
I am grateful to all the reviewers who paved the way with their generous comments. Coming to Turkey was the right decision, but it was not an easy decision - I had many questions. It’s been 6 months since my own surgery, so it’s my turn to pay it forward. For those of you looking for detailed info on what to expect, read on. The disclaimer is, as usual, that these are my subjective experiences and opinions -I am just one individual.
My Procedures
My approach was comprehensive, and I believe that’s the way to go so that the facial tissues are readjusted and heals in tandem:
Deep plane facelift
Brow lift
Neck work/lift
Facial fat transfer
Upper blepharoplasty
Minor rhinoplasty (nose wing correction)
The Doctor
Dr Cakmak is a bit of a brilliant nerd. Aside from practicing, he publishes and gives lectures on improving surgical outcomes. I saw this as a good sign because I was searching not just for an established plastic surgeon, but for a practitioner who is aware of innovations in his field and who regularly contributes to these innovations. I wanted to understand exactly what will happen to my face and Dr. Cakmak never patronized me. He was willing to take the time to explain the procedures and techniques in detail. His English is very good, including medical terminology. He does multiple facelifts per week, so experience-wise, he is on top of his game. My surgery and anesthesia lasted a long time, from noon to 8:30pm or so, as I was getting a bunch of things done at once. At 11:30pm the same night, Dr. Cakmak was in my hospital room personally with his assistant, checking up on me. Two and a half hours later, at 2am, he picked up his cell when the overnight hospital nurse called to tell him I had some nausea. At 10am the following day, he was back in my hospital room to take out the drains. I was doing math in my head, when does the man sleep? A total workaholic, that one, and very patient. Respect.
Facial Beautification vs Rejuvenation
Not looking artificial post-surgery, like I had a lot of work done, despite having a lot of work done, was important to me. Pictures speak louder than words -please see my before and afters - I am thrilled with my results, you be the judge. I have no visible scarring btw -everything is hidden behind the ears, under the chin, and behind the hairline.
However, if you are looking to wake up ‘beautiful’ in the vein of Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner, and so forth, Dr. Cakmak may not be the right surgeon for you. From talking to the doctor, I got a very clear impression that his goals were to rejuvenate his patients -not to make them look generic. Instead, his point of pride was to keep his patients looking very much like themselves post-op. If, like me, you dream of taking 10+ years off your appearance, then he is the one you want. There is a right surgeon for every customer, so please take these words to heart. Besides being a great surgeon, Dr Cakmak is a sensible person who appreciates sensible, realistic patients. His specialty, in my opinion, is facial rejuvenation.
Is it painful?
You may have watched a bunch of YouTube videos where happy patients recall nothing but mild discomfort and tightness post-op, and are hoping this will also be you. And, truth is, this might be you, depending on your age, elected procedures, and your body’s natural ability to heal itself. But it may also not be you. Let’s just ask yourselves, for instance, do paper cuts hurt? Well, we notice them stinging, sometimes for days after the event, right? Now let’s compare a paper cut to the facelift, neck lift, brow lift, and associated procedures, often done in tandem. Your tissues at the deep level will be tightened, major ligaments released and skin re-draped, with deep sutures all around behind your ears and in your hairline. The fat and excess tissue in your neck is removed in one go and your jawline is tightened. Could any of this possibly be painful? Hmmmm…lol… well, dahlin’, it’s not a day at the spa. But let’s also remember, everything I just mentioned are elective procedures, so imo the main question should be, ‘will this be effective, will this give me the look I am hoping for?’ And with Dr. Cakmak, it will. However, if your focus throughout is on pain and anxiety, your surgery experience will in fact be about pain and anxiety. Once committed, enjoy the ride, with gratitude for the fact that you can afford this luxury whereas many people can’t -this is my perspective. My own experience was overwhelmingly positive, despite some expected pain and discomfort.
The Team
If you’ll be travelling from overseas, you’ll be interfacing a lot with Dr. Cakmak’s coordinator, Aycha. I have so much love and respect for this capable and bright gal. With a sense of humor, a heart of gold, and excellent English, she is a great ally to the patients and an integral part of the team. Just like the doc, she has a warm and humane touch.
Hospital/Post-Surgery
Dr Cakmak consults his patient in his office but performs surgery out of a nearby hospital. His office space is what you’d expect: modern, sparkling, posh. The nearby hospital deserves a separate mention since you’ll be undergoing your surgery there and staying overnight. Acibadem hospital is well-equipped and considered one of the best in the country. I had to laugh out loud at the reception areas coming from the States: our hospitals, um…don’t quite measure up. But then again, Acibadem is a private hospital, and an average Turkish person cannot afford to be treated there. Anyway, you’ll be getting a large private room with a nice bathroom/shower to yourself, plus an impressive nurse to patient ratio to boot. I may have even had my own overnight nurse -I am not sure, or pretty close to it. This last luxury was lost on me however, as I couldn’t speak a lick of Turkish, or my overnight nurse -English. Besides eventually managing to communicate that I had nausea with crude hand gestures, my general attempts at communication during the night were touch-and-go, which brings me to my next and very important point.
Navigating Surgery Alone?
I travelled to Turkey with a close friend but told him to stay behind in our Airbnb for the day/night of my surgery, figuring I’d be too out of it to care. In retrospect, that was a mistake. I was correct about being out of it post-op but having just gone through upper eyelid surgery among other procedures, I wasn’t able to use my contacts, glasses, etc. with Google Translate. I was also nauseous post- anesthesia, which is very normal, but it took some effort to communicate this fact to the overnight nurse and for her to find an English-speaking supervisor to make sure that she was getting it right. Sleeping that first night was pretty much out of the question and I think that’s common. So yes, the hospital is luxurious, and you’ll get your own interpreter to escort you around and fill out the paperwork during the day. Yet it’s the nighttime, post-surgery, which counts the most. Bottom line, I do recommend having someone there with you after your surgery who’ll be able to communicate your needs on your behalf.
Your Accommodations
Istanbul is huge, so be mindful of distances when planning your trip. My friend and I decided to stay in a charming Airbnb in old town, which is a landmark area, crowded 24/7. In contrast, Dr. Cakmak’s office and the Acibadem hospital are in the contemporary part of Istanbul, with wide streets and modern city vibes.
If I were to plan my trip again, I would have stayed closer to the doc’s office/hospital. From my Airbnb, those were about 40 min. away by cab with no traffic. My Airbnb was also smack in the middle of the lights district (not as in Red Light lol, but as in LED light fixtures), with endless lights shops and delivery vans blocking narrow, steep streets during the day. It would have been fun for a pure sightseeing trip, but not ideal for what I had actually come to Turkey for.
You’ll be getting discharged from the hospital at 4pm the day following your surgery, which is rush hour in any city. That hour-long cab ride after my surgery in rush-hour traffic was rough. The cabbie also could not get through the traffic-blocked streets near our Airbnb, so I had to walk for about 5 min by foot to get to it-very weak, and looking like a zombie. Bottom line, pay attention to accessibility with your hotel accommodations, as well as city distances. Dr. Cakmak’s office provides reliable transport to and from the hospital, but it’s on you to make sound decisions regarding your hotel. I am sure the office has good suggestions -check in with them if in doubt to avoid my mistakes.
Bottom Line
These are my experiences and adventures. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. It’s so difficult to find a highly skilled surgeon who has a natural aesthetic and treats his patients with respect and care. Dr. Cakmak is a great guy and a great surgeon, and my results are exactly what I’d hoped for. I recommend him to anyone.
I am grateful to all the reviewers who paved the way with their generous comments. Coming to Turkey was the right decision, but it was not an easy decision - I had many questions. It’s been 6 months since my own surgery, so it’s my turn to pay it forward. For those of you looking for detailed info on what to expect, read on. The disclaimer is, as usual, that these are my subjective experiences and opinions -I am just one individual.
My Procedures
My approach was comprehensive, and I believe that’s the way to go so that the facial tissues are readjusted and heals in tandem:
Deep plane facelift
Brow lift
Neck work/lift
Facial fat transfer
Upper blepharoplasty
Minor rhinoplasty (nose wing correction)
The Doctor
Dr Cakmak is a bit of a brilliant nerd. Aside from practicing, he publishes and gives lectures on improving surgical outcomes. I saw this as a good sign because I was searching not just for an established plastic surgeon, but for a practitioner who is aware of innovations in his field and who regularly contributes to these innovations. I wanted to understand exactly what will happen to my face and Dr. Cakmak never patronized me. He was willing to take the time to explain the procedures and techniques in detail. His English is very good, including medical terminology. He does multiple facelifts per week, so experience-wise, he is on top of his game. My surgery and anesthesia lasted a long time, from noon to 8:30pm or so, as I was getting a bunch of things done at once. At 11:30pm the same night, Dr. Cakmak was in my hospital room personally with his assistant, checking up on me. Two and a half hours later, at 2am, he picked up his cell when the overnight hospital nurse called to tell him I had some nausea. At 10am the following day, he was back in my hospital room to take out the drains. I was doing math in my head, when does the man sleep? A total workaholic, that one, and very patient. Respect.
Facial Beautification vs Rejuvenation
Not looking artificial post-surgery, like I had a lot of work done, despite having a lot of work done, was important to me. Pictures speak louder than words -please see my before and afters - I am thrilled with my results, you be the judge. I have no visible scarring btw -everything is hidden behind the ears, under the chin, and behind the hairline.
However, if you are looking to wake up ‘beautiful’ in the vein of Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner, and so forth, Dr. Cakmak may not be the right surgeon for you. From talking to the doctor, I got a very clear impression that his goals were to rejuvenate his patients -not to make them look generic. Instead, his point of pride was to keep his patients looking very much like themselves post-op. If, like me, you dream of taking 10+ years off your appearance, then he is the one you want. There is a right surgeon for every customer, so please take these words to heart. Besides being a great surgeon, Dr Cakmak is a sensible person who appreciates sensible, realistic patients. His specialty, in my opinion, is facial rejuvenation.
Is it painful?
You may have watched a bunch of YouTube videos where happy patients recall nothing but mild discomfort and tightness post-op, and are hoping this will also be you. And, truth is, this might be you, depending on your age, elected procedures, and your body’s natural ability to heal itself. But it may also not be you. Let’s just ask yourselves, for instance, do paper cuts hurt? Well, we notice them stinging, sometimes for days after the event, right? Now let’s compare a paper cut to the facelift, neck lift, brow lift, and associated procedures, often done in tandem. Your tissues at the deep level will be tightened, major ligaments released and skin re-draped, with deep sutures all around behind your ears and in your hairline. The fat and excess tissue in your neck is removed in one go and your jawline is tightened. Could any of this possibly be painful? Hmmmm…lol… well, dahlin’, it’s not a day at the spa. But let’s also remember, everything I just mentioned are elective procedures, so imo the main question should be, ‘will this be effective, will this give me the look I am hoping for?’ And with Dr. Cakmak, it will. However, if your focus throughout is on pain and anxiety, your surgery experience will in fact be about pain and anxiety. Once committed, enjoy the ride, with gratitude for the fact that you can afford this luxury whereas many people can’t -this is my perspective. My own experience was overwhelmingly positive, despite some expected pain and discomfort.
The Team
If you’ll be travelling from overseas, you’ll be interfacing a lot with Dr. Cakmak’s coordinator, Aycha. I have so much love and respect for this capable and bright gal. With a sense of humor, a heart of gold, and excellent English, she is a great ally to the patients and an integral part of the team. Just like the doc, she has a warm and humane touch.
Hospital/Post-Surgery
Dr Cakmak consults his patient in his office but performs surgery out of a nearby hospital. His office space is what you’d expect: modern, sparkling, posh. The nearby hospital deserves a separate mention since you’ll be undergoing your surgery there and staying overnight. Acibadem hospital is well-equipped and considered one of the best in the country. I had to laugh out loud at the reception areas coming from the States: our hospitals, um…don’t quite measure up. But then again, Acibadem is a private hospital, and an average Turkish person cannot afford to be treated there. Anyway, you’ll be getting a large private room with a nice bathroom/shower to yourself, plus an impressive nurse to patient ratio to boot. I may have even had my own overnight nurse -I am not sure, or pretty close to it. This last luxury was lost on me however, as I couldn’t speak a lick of Turkish, or my overnight nurse -English. Besides eventually managing to communicate that I had nausea with crude hand gestures, my general attempts at communication during the night were touch-and-go, which brings me to my next and very important point.
Navigating Surgery Alone?
I travelled to Turkey with a close friend but told him to stay behind in our Airbnb for the day/night of my surgery, figuring I’d be too out of it to care. In retrospect, that was a mistake. I was correct about being out of it post-op but having just gone through upper eyelid surgery among other procedures, I wasn’t able to use my contacts, glasses, etc. with Google Translate. I was also nauseous post- anesthesia, which is very normal, but it took some effort to communicate this fact to the overnight nurse and for her to find an English-speaking supervisor to make sure that she was getting it right. Sleeping that first night was pretty much out of the question and I think that’s common. So yes, the hospital is luxurious, and you’ll get your own interpreter to escort you around and fill out the paperwork during the day. Yet it’s the nighttime, post-surgery, which counts the most. Bottom line, I do recommend having someone there with you after your surgery who’ll be able to communicate your needs on your behalf.
Your Accommodations
Istanbul is huge, so be mindful of distances when planning your trip. My friend and I decided to stay in a charming Airbnb in old town, which is a landmark area, crowded 24/7. In contrast, Dr. Cakmak’s office and the Acibadem hospital are in the contemporary part of Istanbul, with wide streets and modern city vibes.
If I were to plan my trip again, I would have stayed closer to the doc’s office/hospital. From my Airbnb, those were about 40 min. away by cab with no traffic. My Airbnb was also smack in the middle of the lights district (not as in Red Light lol, but as in LED light fixtures), with endless lights shops and delivery vans blocking narrow, steep streets during the day. It would have been fun for a pure sightseeing trip, but not ideal for what I had actually come to Turkey for.
You’ll be getting discharged from the hospital at 4pm the day following your surgery, which is rush hour in any city. That hour-long cab ride after my surgery in rush-hour traffic was rough. The cabbie also could not get through the traffic-blocked streets near our Airbnb, so I had to walk for about 5 min by foot to get to it-very weak, and looking like a zombie. Bottom line, pay attention to accessibility with your hotel accommodations, as well as city distances. Dr. Cakmak’s office provides reliable transport to and from the hospital, but it’s on you to make sound decisions regarding your hotel. I am sure the office has good suggestions -check in with them if in doubt to avoid my mistakes.
Bottom Line
These are my experiences and adventures. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. It’s so difficult to find a highly skilled surgeon who has a natural aesthetic and treats his patients with respect and care. Dr. Cakmak is a great guy and a great surgeon, and my results are exactly what I’d hoped for. I recommend him to anyone.
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