Frequently Asked Questions

As a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Chaboki is skilled in a range of facial rejuvenation techniques, both surgical and non surgical.  

Patients visiting us in Washington, DC, for facial plastic surgery or med spa services understandably have many questions. If you’re just starting to plan your procedure or treatment, please take some time to review some of the most common questions our past patients have asked. 

When you’re ready to visit us in person, please request a consultation online or call Dr. Houtan Chaboki’s office at (202) 800-2085. 

Facial Plastic Surgery FAQs

Does insurance cover facial plastic surgery?

Dr. Chaboki provides the finest cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery at affordable prices and participates with most insurance plans.  

Plastic surgery covers a broad area of medicine, including reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. If your procedure is medically indicated, some portion of the cost may be covered.  

The office accepts insurance in applicable cases and will contact your insurance company to determine if your procedure will be covered.  

How much time passes between the initial consultation and facial plastic surgery?

Generally, a minimum of 2 weeks are allowed from the consultation to prepare for surgery. Select procedures may be performed earlier.  

Can I combine procedures?

Combining procedures offers significant advantages. You will save money on a range of surgical fees and minimize downtime by having only one recovery period.   

Where is facial plastic surgery performed?

Dr. Chaboki performs facial plastic surgery at several DC area surgical facilities to accommodate his patients. Surgical procedures with IV (twilight) sedation or general anesthesia are performed at accredited facilities with a board-certified anesthesiologist, including: 

• Georgetown University Medical Center 
• MedStar Surgery Center 

Will I need time off work after facial plastic surgery?

Downtime depends on the specific procedure and areas treated. Facial plastic surgery patients should generally plan at least a few days to a week for recovery. 

When can I resume regular exercise after facial plastic surgery?

Strenuous activities or exercise after plastic surgery will increase the risk of bleeding, swelling, and bruising until an appropriate healing time has been allowed. This restriction during recovery varies based on the operation performed and the patient’s medical condition.  

Light activities, such as slow walking, may be performed soon after anesthesia. Heavy activities, such as aerobics, yoga, cycling, running, heavy lifting, or similar vigorous activities, are allowed after 2 weeks from the procedure. Contact sports are generally allowed after 6 weeks from surgery. 

What health conditions threaten a successful recovery after facial plastic surgery?

Dr. Chaboki performs a complete history and physical on all patients prior to surgery. Plastic surgery can often be perfomed safely despite many chronic, stable medical conditions. However, procedures may be delayed or canceled as needed for patient safety.  

Will smoking affect my recovery after facial plastic surgery?

Smoking adversely affects your recovery. One may develop pneumonia, and treated areas don’t heal as well or may become infected. The blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the tissues shrink up and prevent the necessary healing of the area.  

Patients must stop smoking for at least two weeks before surgery to decrease the risk of these complications and continue smoking cessation after the procedure. 

I’m only in my 20s but developing signs of aging. Do I need facial plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery should not be the first option for younger patients. Many non surgical choices exist to improve skin quality, decrease the signs of aging, and protect the skin from further damage.  

Initial treatment begins with basic skin care, which includes hydration, sun protection, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking. Secondary options include injectable facial fillers or BOTOX® Cosmetic. Topical dermatologic ointments such as Retin-A or hydroquinone may help reduce skin irregularity. Lastly, a skin resurfacing procedure with a chemical peel may remove sun damage and help create a smooth appearance. 

Med Spa FAQs

Med Spa procedures are non surgical treatments that can typically be performed quickly with little or no downtime. They are often combined with other procedures for more complete rejuvenation.  

How long are med spa procedures?

Med spa treatments are relatively quick cosmetic procedures. The length of treatment may range from 15 minutes to an hour. 

How much time passes between the initial consultation and med spa treatments?

Non surgical procedures can often be performed at the same time as the initial consultation, although some may need to be scheduled for a later appointment. 

What is recovery like after med spa treatments?

Downtime after cosmetic procedures usually ranges between a few hours to a day, depending on the specific procedure and areas treated. Most patients do not require any time off and may return to work on the same day. 

Where are med spa treatments performed?

Med spa treatments are performed in our Washington, DC, office.