Choosing to undergo plastic surgery is a significant decision that naturally raises many questions. Dr. David N. Sayah and his team at Chrisalys understand the importance of being fully informed before making this choice. Below are answers to the most common questions patients ask about plastic surgery in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. If you have additional questions not addressed here, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule a personal consultation.
About Dr. Sayah and His Credentials
Why should I choose a board-certified plastic surgeon?
Selecting a well-trained and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon is the most important step in your decision to have plastic surgery. Not all plastic surgeons have equal training or qualifications. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the most prestigious certifying organization for plastic surgeons in the United States. Dr. Sayah is a Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery, which means he has completed rigorous education, training, and examination requirements.
The certification process is challenging and begins in medical school, continuing through residency, fellowship training, and into practice. After starting practice, candidates must pass comprehensive written and oral examinations administered by a panel of board members who also review the surgeon’s performance and patient outcomes. By choosing a plastic surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, you can be assured your surgeon has completed extensive training in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the entire body and maintains the highest standards of the specialty.
What is Dr. Sayah’s specialty within plastic surgery?
Dr. Sayah specializes in creating natural-looking results that enhance rather than alter your fundamental appearance. Whether performing rhinoplasty that creates a nose harmonious with your facial features, body contouring through advanced liposuction techniques, or breast procedures that proportionally complement your figure, Dr. Sayah’s outcomes are characterized by authenticity and balance. With over 26 years of experience in all facets of plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Sayah regularly consults with patients seeking revision of unsatisfactory results from other surgeons. His expertise in restoring physical balance lost to cancer, trauma, or previous unsuccessful surgery represents the core skill that defines his approach to achieving beautiful, natural results.
What makes Chrisalys different from other practices?
Chrisalys is a boutique plastic surgery practice offering personalized attention in an exclusive Beverly Hills setting. Dr. Sayah personally performs all surgical procedures and oversees all non-surgical treatments. Our fully accredited surgery center maintains the highest safety standards with state-of-the-art equipment and experienced surgical staff. Dr. Sayah’s artistic background as an oil painter and sculptor, combined with his extensive surgical training at UCLA Medical Center and NYU Medical Center, provides a unique perspective that balances technical excellence with aesthetic sensibility. Our multilingual capabilities and international patient experience ensure comfortable care for patients from around the world.
Planning Your Procedure
Is it time for me to have plastic surgery?
Dr. Sayah emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy and youthful lifestyle through regular exercise and proper nutrition as outlined in his Health Continuum philosophy. Undergoing cosmetic or plastic surgery is an entirely elective decision meant to complement such a lifestyle rather than replace it. The decision about timing is ultimately yours to make based on your personal goals and circumstances.
As plastic surgery techniques have become more refined with reduced downtime, an increasing number of men and women choose procedures at younger ages. Many aesthetic surgeons believe it’s advantageous to have smaller, preventive procedures to maintain appearance over time rather than waiting for extensive aging that requires more aggressive surgery. The key is choosing the right time for your individual situation when you’re committed to maintaining results through healthy lifestyle habits.
How do I know which procedure is right for me?
During your consultation, Dr. Sayah will listen carefully to your concerns, examine your anatomy, and discuss your aesthetic goals. He’ll explain which procedures can address your specific concerns and provide honest assessment of what results you can realistically expect. His comprehensive approach considers your entire aesthetic picture rather than isolated features, ensuring recommendations that create balanced, harmonious results. Many patients benefit from combining procedures for comprehensive rejuvenation, and Dr. Sayah will discuss whether this approach makes sense for your goals.
Will insurance cover my procedure?
For insurance purposes, the distinction between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery is based primarily on why the surgery is performed. Cosmetic surgery reshapes normal structures to improve appearance and self-esteem. These elective procedures are not covered by insurance companies as they are not medically necessary. Reconstructive procedures address abnormal structures caused by birth defects, cancer, trauma, infection, or disease. Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most insurance policies when documented as medically necessary. We are happy to research insurance coverage for you prior to reconstructive surgery and provide necessary documentation to support claims for qualifying procedures.
About Your Surgery
What type of anesthesia will I have?
With the growing safety of plastic surgery and Dr. Sayah’s refined techniques, most procedures use light general anesthesia rather than deep sedation. With this approach, you are lightly asleep and entirely unaware of the surgery. You will not feel, see, hear, or remember anything about your procedure. As soon as surgery is complete, you awaken feeling clear-headed and comfortable. This method minimizes nausea and other discomforts sometimes associated with deeper anesthesia while maintaining excellent safety. Dr. Sayah works with experienced board-certified anesthesiologists who monitor you carefully throughout your procedure.
Is plastic surgery safe?
Before any elective plastic surgery, you will complete a physical examination by your primary care physician as well as appropriate laboratory tests. All results are carefully reviewed by Dr. Sayah and your physician to ensure you are healthy for surgery. Our fully accredited surgery center maintains rigorous safety protocols and is equipped with advanced monitoring equipment. Dr. Sayah’s 26 years of surgical experience and commitment to patient safety ensure complications are exceedingly rare. During your consultation, he’ll discuss specific risks relevant to your procedure and answer any safety concerns you may have.
Where will my surgery be performed?
Most procedures are performed at Chrisalys’s fully accredited surgery center in Beverly Hills, which has maintained the highest safety standards since 2002. Our facility features state-of-the-art surgical equipment, experienced surgical staff, and comfortable private recovery suites. For certain complex procedures, Dr. Sayah may perform surgery at one of his affiliated hospitals including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Saint John’s, or UCLA, where he maintains active surgical privileges. The location will be discussed during your consultation based on your specific procedure.
Recovery and Results
When can I return to work?
Minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques are among Dr. Sayah’s specialties, resulting in shorter recovery times compared to traditional approaches. Small, strategically placed incisions minimize visible scarring and reduce downtime significantly. Most patients return to desk work within one to two weeks depending on their occupation and the specific procedure performed. More strenuous activities and exercise typically resume after several weeks. Dr. Sayah provides detailed post-operative instructions customized for your procedure to ensure optimal healing and results.
How long until swelling subsides?
You can likely return to work one to two weeks after surgery, though swelling may still be noticeable to people who know you well. Others less familiar with your appearance typically cannot tell you’ve had surgery at two weeks. Generally, approximately 80 percent of swelling subsides within six to eight weeks after any type of surgery. The remaining swelling resolves over the following three to four months as tissues fully settle and heal. However, everyone heals at different rates, so these timeframes represent averages. Some patients experience faster resolution while others may take slightly longer. Dr. Sayah monitors your progress through scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing.
I don’t want an unnatural look. Is that possible?
Absolutely! Cosmetic plastic surgery has become highly refined, especially with the advanced techniques Dr. Sayah employs. In facial plastic surgery, you will look more youthful and refreshed, but the degree of rejuvenation can be customized to your preferences while maintaining natural expression and your recognizable features. The outdated upward-turned nose with saddle-type bridge has been replaced by balanced rhinoplasty that creates harmony with your facial features. For breast augmentation, Dr. Sayah carefully measures your chest dimensions and selects appropriate implant size and placement to ensure your breasts look natural and proportionate on your frame.
How long will my results last?
After your surgery, maintaining your results requires commitment to healthy lifestyle habits. Facelift results generally last ten to fifteen years, but you must protect your skin from sun exposure, maintain healthy nutrition, and exercise regularly. Your breasts will always look better than before augmentation or reduction, though they will change with hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, and aging. If you’ve had breast surgery, wearing a supportive bra helps counteract gravitational forces over time. After liposuction or tummy tuck, modest weight fluctuations of five to ten pounds are typically well-tolerated without significant impact on contours. Weight gain exceeding twenty pounds will affect your figure as expected. Taking advantage of your enhanced appearance by maintaining stable weight and healthy habits ensures lasting satisfaction with your results.
Specific Procedure Questions
Are silicone breast implants safe?
Since concerns arose in the 1980s, extensive research studies have demonstrated that modern silicone breast implants are safe. The implant shell composition and silicone gel formulation have significantly improved in recent years, reducing leak rates substantially. Silicone implants feel more natural to the touch compared to saline alternatives, though both options are safe and effective. The choice between silicone and saline ultimately rests with you based on your preferences and priorities. Dr. Sayah has no preference regarding implant type and will discuss the characteristics, advantages, and considerations of each option thoroughly until you feel confident in your decision.
Will I have visible scars?
All surgical procedures result in some scarring, but Dr. Sayah uses advanced techniques to minimize and strategically place incisions where they will be least noticeable. For facial procedures, incisions are typically hidden within natural creases, behind the ears, or in the hairline. Breast surgery incisions are placed in locations easily concealed by bras and swimwear. Body contouring incisions are positioned where they can be hidden by underwear. Dr. Sayah’s meticulous closure technique using multiple tissue layers and fine sutures promotes optimal healing. His published research in scar formation and wound healing directly informs his approach to minimizing visible scarring. Most scars fade significantly over time, becoming barely perceptible within a year or two.
Can I combine multiple procedures?
Many patients benefit from combining procedures to address multiple concerns during a single surgery, reducing overall recovery time and costs. Common combinations include facelift with eyelid surgery or brow lift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation, breast augmentation with lift for optimal shape and position, or mommy makeover combining breast and body contouring procedures. Dr. Sayah evaluates whether combining procedures is safe and appropriate for your specific situation based on overall surgical time, your health status, and aesthetic goals. He’ll honestly advise whether staging procedures separately would be safer or more effective for your circumstances.
Meet Dr. David Sayah
Dr David Sayah is a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills known for his natural approach to aesthetic surgery. With more than 26 years of experience, he combines surgical precision with artistic insight to deliver balanced and refined results. His philosophy centers on enhancing individual beauty rather than changing it.
A graduate of the UCLA School of Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr Sayah trained at leading medical centers including NYU and UCLA. His work in wound healing and scar formation research helps patients heal beautifully with minimal scarring. Fluent in five languages, he welcomes patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and across the world who seek exceptional, natural results.
Schedule Your Consultation to Learn More
If you have additional questions not addressed here or would like to discuss your specific concerns with Dr. Sayah, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation at our Beverly Hills office. Contact Chrisalys today to begin your journey toward achieving your aesthetic goals with confidence.
During your consultation, Dr. Sayah will take time to understand your concerns, answer all your questions, explain your options, and develop a personalized treatment plan designed specifically for you. We look forward to helping you make informed decisions and achieve beautiful, natural-looking results that enhance your confidence and quality of life.
