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Wish I Had It Done Sooner!
I first heard about this procedure in my late teens, but didn’t delve too far into it upon learning that the preferred age is 25+. I hoped that my face would gradually slim out over the years and I was quite afraid of surgery.
I started thinking about it more seriously after turning 30, as I wasn’t seeing much change in the shape of my face. I knew that I wanted to find a local surgeon close to home in case there were any post op complications. I was looking into a few clinics including 8 West, but after a casual conversation with my hairstylist, I learned that her and her family were familiar with Dr. Buonassisi and she had several positive comments to share about him. She also mentioned that her daughter wanted rhinoplasty, but was advised that she could achieve the look with non-surgical options. I decided to book a consultation with Dr. Buonassisi shortly thereafter.
My consultation was in June, but I had a few conversations with the patient care coordinators beforehand which was very helpful and they patiently answered all of my basic questions (e.g. type of anesthesia, procedure length, post op care, recovery time etc). I mentioned that I have positional vertigo (I can’t lie flat on my back) and Sarah kindly checked with Dr. Buonassisi before I paid the consult fee to see if the procedure could still be done.
Dr. Buonassisi was honest, straightforward, knowledgeable, cautious and an attentive listener. I did not feel pressured and he actually told me that while I was a candidate, my results could be quite subtle and this would be the risk for me (versus looking gaunt with age). He explained how this procedure is not like a face lift where the skin can be manipulated and it depends on how much fat is inside your cheeks which can’t be fully determined until you’re opened up.
I left feeling undecided and Sarah spent a lot of time afterwards explaining how results are often enhanced with additional procedures (e.g. cheek/chin fillers, lip lift, jaw surgery etc) and to take this into consideration when looking at before/after photos. She encouraged me to take some time and think it over.
I spent the next week reviewing more photos and I felt that majority of them had great results; however, I came across one reviewer who had the same surgery done at 8 West, but there appeared to be an intense line post op one year and then I found myself conflicted again so I called up Sarah again.
Sarah offered a second consult with Dr. Buonassisi and he explained that makeup contouring and/or fillers could be contributing to the reviewer’s appearance. He reassured me that buccal fat removal does not produce this result.
After a lot of back and forth, I finally confirmed my surgery date and felt confident about my decision. Dr. Buonassisi and Sarah were both very patient and supportive throughout the decision making process and exceeded my expectations. Dr. Buonassisi’s philosophy and personality were a great fit for me and my surgery goals and I will definitely be returning for other procedures. I only wish that I had found 8 West earlier!
Will follow up with more posts/photos about the surgery itself and recovery.
I started thinking about it more seriously after turning 30, as I wasn’t seeing much change in the shape of my face. I knew that I wanted to find a local surgeon close to home in case there were any post op complications. I was looking into a few clinics including 8 West, but after a casual conversation with my hairstylist, I learned that her and her family were familiar with Dr. Buonassisi and she had several positive comments to share about him. She also mentioned that her daughter wanted rhinoplasty, but was advised that she could achieve the look with non-surgical options. I decided to book a consultation with Dr. Buonassisi shortly thereafter.
My consultation was in June, but I had a few conversations with the patient care coordinators beforehand which was very helpful and they patiently answered all of my basic questions (e.g. type of anesthesia, procedure length, post op care, recovery time etc). I mentioned that I have positional vertigo (I can’t lie flat on my back) and Sarah kindly checked with Dr. Buonassisi before I paid the consult fee to see if the procedure could still be done.
Dr. Buonassisi was honest, straightforward, knowledgeable, cautious and an attentive listener. I did not feel pressured and he actually told me that while I was a candidate, my results could be quite subtle and this would be the risk for me (versus looking gaunt with age). He explained how this procedure is not like a face lift where the skin can be manipulated and it depends on how much fat is inside your cheeks which can’t be fully determined until you’re opened up.
I left feeling undecided and Sarah spent a lot of time afterwards explaining how results are often enhanced with additional procedures (e.g. cheek/chin fillers, lip lift, jaw surgery etc) and to take this into consideration when looking at before/after photos. She encouraged me to take some time and think it over.
I spent the next week reviewing more photos and I felt that majority of them had great results; however, I came across one reviewer who had the same surgery done at 8 West, but there appeared to be an intense line post op one year and then I found myself conflicted again so I called up Sarah again.
Sarah offered a second consult with Dr. Buonassisi and he explained that makeup contouring and/or fillers could be contributing to the reviewer’s appearance. He reassured me that buccal fat removal does not produce this result.
After a lot of back and forth, I finally confirmed my surgery date and felt confident about my decision. Dr. Buonassisi and Sarah were both very patient and supportive throughout the decision making process and exceeded my expectations. Dr. Buonassisi’s philosophy and personality were a great fit for me and my surgery goals and I will definitely be returning for other procedures. I only wish that I had found 8 West earlier!
Will follow up with more posts/photos about the surgery itself and recovery.
Provider Review
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
300-1788 W. Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia