Best Facelift Surgeon Istanbul? USA Patient Experience
Joanne's USA-to-Istanbul journey for a natural short scar facelift, brow lift & more with Dr. CBS. See her 5-day results & story!
Joanne's Quest for a Natural Refresh
At 42, Joanne, like many women navigating their vibrant forties, felt a disconnect. While energetic and youthful inside, the reflection in the mirror was starting to tell a slightly different story. Subtle signs of aging – a softening jawline hinting at early jowls, a little laxity in the neck, brows feeling heavier, making her eyes look tired even after a good night's sleep – were becoming more noticeable. Joanne, hailing from the USA, wasn't looking to drastically change her appearance or look like someone else. Her goal was clear: she wanted to look like the best version of herself – refreshed, rested, and naturally youthful, restoring harmony to her features. This desire sparked her extensive research into facial rejuvenation options, eventually leading her across the globe to Istanbul.
Why Istanbul? Finding Expertise for Comprehensive Rejuvenation
The decision to travel internationally for surgery isn't taken lightly. Joanne meticulously researched surgeons specializing in facial aesthetics, particularly those renowned for natural-looking results. She wasn't just looking for a plastic surgeon; she sought an artist with deep anatomical knowledge and a proven track record in complex facial procedures. Her research highlighted Istanbul as a hub for high-quality plastic surgery, offering advanced techniques and experienced specialists.
Keywords like "best surgeon for facial rejuvenation Istanbul," "natural looking facelift results USA patient," and "board certified plastic surgeon Turkey" guided her search. It was during this process that Joanne discovered Dr. Cem Berkay SINACI (Dr. CBS). His credentials – double board certification (Turkish and European), ISAPS membership, international fellowship training (notably with facial rejuvenation expert Dr. Raul Gonzalez), and a gallery showcasing consistently natural outcomes – stood out. Patient testimonials spoke of his meticulous approach, warm demeanor, and importantly for an international patient, his fluency in English and experience managing care for those traveling from afar. The fact that his clinic was certified by the Turkish Ministry of Health as an international health tourism center provided additional reassurance.
The Consultation: Building Trust Across Continents
Joanne initiated a virtual consultation with Dr. CBS. This initial meeting was crucial. She immediately felt comfortable with his professional yet approachable style. Dr. CBS listened intently to her concerns and aesthetic goals. He performed a thorough virtual assessment, explaining the anatomical changes contributing to her appearance – the early descent in the mid-face affecting the jawline, the subtle brow ptosis contributing to tired eyes, and the skin quality changes. He didn't just propose procedures; he explained the why behind each recommendation, ensuring Joanne felt informed and involved in the decision-making process. This collaborative approach built a strong foundation of trust.
Crafting the Plan: A Synergy of Advanced Techniques
Understanding Joanne's desire for a comprehensive yet natural refresh, Dr. CBS proposed a tailored combination of procedures designed to address her specific concerns harmoniously:
Short Scar Face & Neck Lift: To address the early jowls and neck laxity, Dr. CBS recommended a short scar facelift (sometimes referred to conceptually alongside hidden scar facelift techniques due to incision placement). This approach is ideal for patients like Joanne who require refinement primarily in the lower face and neck without the need for the longer incisions of a traditional facelift. While focusing on a shorter scar, Dr. CBS's philosophy embraces principles seen in advanced techniques like preservation facelift and deep plane facelift concepts – meaning meticulous dissection, respecting anatomical layers, and repositioning the deeper SMAS tissues for a lasting, natural lift, rather than just pulling skin. The goal was to redefine her jawline and smooth her neck contour subtly and effectively.
Endoscopic Brow Lift / Temporal Lift: To combat the tired look and heaviness around her eyes, an endoscopic brow lift was planned. This minimally invasive technique uses small incisions hidden within the hairline and an endoscope (a tiny camera) to elevate the brows to a more youthful, natural position. It often includes a temporal lift component, specifically addressing the outer brow and temple area, opening up the eyes without creating a surprised look. This addresses the root cause of the "tired" appearance more effectively than just focusing on the eyelids alone in some cases.
Upper Blepharoplasty: Complementing the brow lift, an upper blepharoplasty was included to remove the excess skin on her upper eyelids. This combination ensures comprehensive rejuvenation of the upper third of the face, creating brighter, more alert-looking eyes that harmonize with the lifted brow. Combining procedures like facelift, blepharoplasty, and brow lift is common for achieving balanced facial harmony.
Facial Fat Injection (with SVF potential): To restore subtle volume loss that contributes to an aged appearance (often in the cheeks, temples, or tear troughs) and improve overall skin quality, fat injection (fat grafting) was planned. Dr. CBS utilizes techniques that can enrich the fat graft, sometimes incorporating SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction) components or processing it into nanofat. This not only adds volume but the regenerative cells within SVF and nanofat can significantly improve skin texture, tone, and luminosity for a truly rejuvenated glow.
Abdomen Liposuction: Addressing a separate concern Joanne had mentioned, abdomen liposuction was added to the plan. While focusing on facial rejuvenation, Dr. CBS also performs body contouring, and this allowed Joanne to address another area she wished to refine during the same surgical session, optimizing her trip and recovery. This is a common request for patients seeking comprehensive improvements, sometimes falling under the umbrella of procedures sought by women after 40.
The Journey and the Day of Transformation
Joanne's traveling to Turkey for plastic surgery experience was carefully coordinated. From her arrival in Istanbul, she felt well-cared for by Dr. CBS's team. Pre-operative consultations were finalized, ensuring all questions were answered. On the day of surgery, entering Dr. CBS's modern, certified clinic, Joanne felt confident and calm, knowing she was in the hands of a meticulous, double board-certified surgeon. The procedures were performed under general anesthesia, combining technical precision with Dr. CBS's artistic eye for balance and natural aesthetics.
Early Recovery: Witnessing the First Glimpse
The first few days after comprehensive surgery involve swelling and bruising, which is entirely normal. Dr. CBS and his team provided attentive post-operative care, monitoring Joanne's progress closely. Despite the expected swelling, even in these early stages, Joanne started to see glimpses of the changes – a subtle lift, a smoother contour. The short scar facelift recovery time initial phase was manageable with prescribed care instructions.
Joanne's 5-Day Post-Op Reflection (Video Testimonial)
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Just five days after her procedures, Joanne was already feeling well enough to share her initial thoughts on video. This milestone is significant because while final results take months to fully settle, the early positive changes and the patient's well-being are already evident.
In her testimonial, Joanne expressed her immense satisfaction, even at this very early stage. She highlighted feeling surprisingly good and mobile. Looking in the mirror, despite the expected swelling, she could already appreciate the natural-looking improvements – the lift in her brows opening her eyes, the cleaner jawline emerging, and an overall refreshed appearance. She emphasized how pleased she was with the natural look, exactly what she had hoped for. Joanne spoke warmly about her experience with Dr. CBS, praising his skill, calm demeanor, and the excellent care she received from him and his entire team throughout the process. She felt supported and reassured every step of the way, making the journey from the USA feel seamless and worthwhile. Her positive energy and early results are a testament to the carefully planned surgery and dedicated post-operative care.
Looking Ahead: The Journey Continues
Joanne's story is a wonderful example of how combining advanced surgical techniques like a short scar facelift, endoscopic brow lift, blepharoplasty, and SVF-enhanced fat grafting can achieve significant yet natural facial rejuvenation. Her decision to travel to Istanbul to work with a specialist like Dr. CBS allowed her to access a high level of expertise tailored to her specific goals. The addition of abdomen liposuction addressed another personal goal concurrently.
While her full results will continue to refine over the coming weeks and months as swelling completely subsides, her 5-day video provides a powerful glimpse into the positive transformation underway. It underscores the importance of choosing a surgeon whose aesthetic vision aligns with yours and who possesses the technical skill and credentials to deliver.
Dr. CBS's commitment is to provide results that enhance his patients' natural beauty, boosting their confidence while ensuring they still look like themselves, just refreshed and revitalized. Joanne's early satisfaction reflects this philosophy in action.
Are you considering facial rejuvenation or traveling for plastic surgery? Explore more patient stories and procedure details on our website, or contact us to schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Cem Berkay SINACI.
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