I look like myself 25 years ago! Dr. Jeffrey Joseph in Lafayette, LA is phenomenal!

I could only put one procedure down to submit a review, but I had multiple procedures done all at once. I had Facelift with Platysmaplasty, Cervical Liposuction, Pre-Trichal Browlift, Bilateral Upper Blephs, Subnasal Upper Lip Lift, and Excision of Forehead Osteoma.

The total cost of all these procedures done in one surgery plus the surgical center fee was $16,500. The anesthesiologist fee and pathology fee for the osteoma is extra. My insurance covered the osteoma excision.

My review in a nutshell... Dr. Jeffrey Joseph is an AMAZING surgeon, and hits 5 stars in all areas. His friendly, reassuring demeanor, enthusiasm, the staff, the facility, and most of all, his patience and artistry as a facial plastic surgeon, along with excellent pain management made my experience as a surgical patient actually enjoyable. Seeing my younger self emerge during recovery was astonishing. I'm 64 years old with no prior face, brow or neck lifts. I now look like ME about 25 years ago, and it was SO worth it! No weird Hollywood cookie-cutter surgery appearance. ALL of my doctors from my optometrist, internist, dentist, dermatologist and gynecologist, when told about my upcoming cosmetic surgery commented that Dr. Joseph does beautiful work, that he's REALLY good, that I'm in great hands, and that I'll be happy with his work. They were 100% correct. I can't recommend him enough!!

WHY I CHOSE DR. JEFFREY JOSEPH: I searched internationally on Real Self for years. I'm an entertainer, and my age (64) was getting harder and harder to conceal by taping loose facial and neck skin back and covering with wigs, so surgery was my only option if I wanted to continue in my business. I had saved up for surgery, and this was going to be a one shot deal. No savings for revisions, so I did my due diligence in searching for the best for me, wherever they might be. I had considered Dr. Harley in Asheville, and a doctor in Costa Rica. When I saw Dr. Joseph on Real Self with a 5 star rating, and I researched him, I would have chosen him even if he wasn't local to me based on reviews, that out of state surgical nurses go to him for their cosmetic surgery, and the stunning, natural looking before and after pics. I love that he is also a talented artist (painter), whose artwork can be found all over the city. It requires a unique skill set, patience, and vision to create what's in the mind's eye, and that transfers to his skill set as a facial plastic surgeon. Also, he was featured in a book called, "The Beauty Makers", featuring 30 of the best plastic surgeons in the USA. He also is an educator, speaking at plastic surgery conferences throughout the US. His office takes up the whole 2nd floor of the 3 story building, which also houses the outpatient surgical center, lab, x-ray, all affiliated with Ochsner Medical Center. His office has an ENT practice, facial plastic surgery, and Acadiana Skin Care. Dr. Joseph is a Board Certified ENT, and Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon. It was also a bonus that I live less than 10 minutes away.

THE CONSULT
At my initial consult, Dr. Joseph addressed all of the things I wanted done by first listening to me, and then making his recommendations. He actually said no to a procedure I wanted (upper lip filler), and recommended a surgical lip lift instead, explaining that my upper lip was rolling under, and filler would only make it look weird, and require upkeep. The lip lift would unroll my lip back to the normal, balanced position it was when I was young, and it would require no upkeep. Loved that idea. He showed me how I would look by lifting my face upward and how my neck would look after surgery. He recommended a pre-trichal brow lift because my hairline had receded quite high as I aged, and this procedure would enable him to simultaneously lift my brow and lower my hairline. Liked that idea. My upper blephs eventually hooded over my eyelids, and I always had one eyelid droop a bit more than the other. He saw the drooped eye was caused by a muscle in my brow, and that he could fix that, as well as remove the excess eyelid overhang. Happy about getting more symmetrical eyelids. He showed me where all the incisions would be made, and answered all of my questions. His nurse commented reassuringly to me that the cervical liposuction and lip lifts he does are just beautiful. I was excited about getting all this done. When the consultation was done, I went to the finance office to discuss fees and the surgical center. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how reasonable his fees were for so many procedures. I put down a $500 deposit to get the ball rolling on getting all my doctors to clear me for surgery in order to schedule the date. Their staff takes care of that, but I also contacted my doctors myself to make sure they submitted the clearance to them timely.

I WILL UPDATE DETAILS OF THE PRE-SURGERY CONSULT, SURGERY DAY AND RECOVERY SOON. STAY TUNED... I've posted lots of photos.

Once all my doctors' cleared me for surgery and the surgery was scheduled, I had a pre-surgery consult with Dr. Joseph and his nurse. At the consult, his nurse reviewed all my medical history again, and gave me a packet with all the information, instructions, do's and don'ts, and what to expect throughout the process. She reviewed all of it with me and answered questions regarding the info in the packet. They provided me with prescriptions for pain management, antibiotic ointment and capsules, sleep aid, and anti-nausea, which they called in to my pharmacy. They provided me with a bag containing pharmaceutical grade Vita-Medica vitamins, supplements, and homeopathic tablets with specific instructions when to start and stop taking each one. (two weeks before and two weeks after surgery). These are specifically formulated for pre-surgery and post-surgery recovery to minimize excessive bleeding, bruising and swelling during and after surgery, and aid recovery. I was also given a list of supplements and medications to stop taking for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery to minimize excessive bleeding.

Dr. Joseph reviewed all of the procedures he was going to perform, and showed me in the mirror once again what the result should look like. He addressed the one dimple I have and the hollows under my cheekbones, and whether or not I wanted to keep it. I chose to keep my dimple and to leave the hollows under my cheekbones alone, since part of my work is a performing as Cher in a tribute show, and the hollows accentuated my cheekbones. Fixing the hollows would have created a more youthful appearance, but I declined that offer. Dr. Joseph said I would look 10 years younger. I'm 64 now, so I expected to look as I did at 54. I went to the finance office, got a breakdown of procedures and fee breakdown, and I made the payment in full.

Also in my packet was info to take to the surgical center, which was conveniently across the hall from his office on the 2nd floor of the building, just off the elevator. I went there, and took care of payment for my surgery. They advised they'd call me the day before to tell me when to arrive.

Also in my packet were orders for EKG, lab work and chest X-ray. That was also conveniently located on the first floor, just off the elevator, where Ochsner Medical Center has a facility for that. So easy to get all that done in one stop.

Note: Dr. Joseph's office does not accept checks, and charges 4% on all debit/credit card purchases. They do accept cash. I chose to pay in cash to avoid the debit/credit card fee.

DAY OF SURGERY 1/10/24:
I arrived at the surgical center before sunrise. I was immediately checked in and brought to a suite resembling a large hospital room, where I changed into gown and got prepped for surgery. The nurses were very nice and accommodating. The anesthesiologist met with me, and assured me he would do his best to protect my vocal cords while I was on the ventilator. I sing for a living, so protecting my vocal cords was important to me. Dr. Joseph visited me, and was enthusiastic about the surgery and its outcome. I was given "feel good" medication in the IV, and the next thing I remember is waking up in the same spot, told it went very well, and the nurses attended to me, never leaving me. It was in the early afternoon. My surgery was 5 hours long. I felt fine. My head was wrapped up in cotton with a compression bandage going under my chin. My head was resting on a foam cradle to prevent head turning. I was encouraged to drink water to help flush out anesthesia, and because I had nothing in my stomach since midnight the night before.

Dr. Joseph came to see me, and told me, "It went phenomenal." I was happy to hear that! After what seemed like a couple hours, I was encouraged to sit up and try to get up to go to the bathroom. Once I sat up, I felt nauseated and got sick. They were prepared with a special bag for that. I was given anti-nausea medicine in the IV port in my hand. I was wheeled to the bathroom and when I returned to the suite, I changed into my clothes, they put compression socks on me, and I was wheeled out, down the elevator and to the building entrance, where my husband was waiting with the car.

Shortly after I got home that evening, Dr. Joseph called me to check on how I was doing. He again told me how well it went, answered questions I had, and he reminded me of my appointment with him the next morning. I appreciated the call! Photos are me in makeup before, first thing in morning on surgery day, pic before changing into gown for surgery, and shortly after I returned home in head bandage after surgery.