Peter Vila, MD

When there's a somehow, there's a way

62 years young, and full speed ahead.

This lovely patient met with us after consulting with multiple surgeons, and I was privileged to be able to perform her surgery.

She is pictured 1 month out from:

✅ Preservation deep plane facelift
✅ Deep neck lift
✅ Upper blepharoplasty
✅ Brow lift
✅ Fat transfer
✅ Laser resurfacing

Recovery varies widely from patient to patient, and Zipp is a lovely example of how to be patient and let recovery happen, as it can be difficult for active people to turn off their brains for a moment. Luckily, we have a fantastic team that helps patients through that vulnerable recovery period.

Thank you to this wonderful patient for allowing me to share her photos and for her trust in me and our practice.

To talk about turning back the clock, visit portlandfacedoctor.com to set up a consultation, and follow for more!
 

Is it best to do everything at once?

One of my favorite approaches in facial plastic surgery is a comprehensive, all-in-one facial rejuvenation from the top down. This commonly includes the brows, upper and lower eyelids, a face and neck lift, along with treatments like lasers and fat transfers, all performed in a single plan.

Yes, it is a larger surgery and yes, it is more transformative. There is a significant recovery involved in any surgery, and the benefit is that you go through that recovery only one time.

Some patients prefer to stage procedures and focus on one area at a time. Both approaches are valid. It's important to understand that each surgery comes with its own recovery. This typically includes a couple of weeks of bruising and swelling, about a month to look more like yourself, 3 to 4 months for everything to settle, and 6 or more months for full healing.

That same timeline applies each time you have surgery. When procedures are combined, you experience that recovery once. When they are staged, you go through it multiple times.

There are situations where staging makes sense, including financial considerations. However, when possible, combining procedures can be an efficient option for patients who prefer a single recovery and a complete, cohesive result.

If you are interested in exploring what approach is best for you, visit portlandfacedoctor.com to book your consultation. I look forward to creating a plan that aligns with your goals while keeping your comfort a priority.

Serving up our superpowers for our awesome patients!

To witness this in person and see what we can do, head to portlandfacedoctor.com.

Avoid these 3 things if you want the best results after surgery:

🚫 Focusing on Small Asymmetries

This is the rule, not the exception. There are almost always little things in the healing process, whether it’s a bit of swelling or a stitch that doesn’t look perfectly even compared to the other side.

First, our faces are naturally not perfectly symmetric. Second, these small differences are very common and typically resolve on their own. Within the first couple of weeks, the more noticeable changes improve significantly, and over the following months, everything continues to settle, flatten out, and look more natural again.

🚫 Any Use of Ni****ne

Whether it’s smoking, va**ng, or any oral products, avoiding ni****ne is extremely important during your healing process (and leading up to surgery). In the first few months afterwards, your tissues are actively healing and need as much healthy blood flow as possible.

Ni****ne constricts those blood vessels, which limits the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to the area. Think of it like laying down new lawn without watering it. It makes it much harder for everything to heal properly and can impact the results you’re working toward.

🚫 Vigorous Exercise

Right after surgery on your face or nose, there are small sutures in place holding everything together as you heal. The last thing you want to do is put stress on them by pushing your limits too soon.

High-intensity workouts like weightlifting or CrossFit-type activity are not recommended for at least the first 3 to 4 weeks. Light walks are encouraged, and you can gradually ease into a light jog after a few weeks. It’s important to be fully healed before returning to more intense exercise so everything heals properly and evenly, helping reduce the risk of complications and additional procedures down the road.

Plot twist: she scheduled her own surgery

Here are the top 3 surgeries we do at Portland Face Doctor:

💥Facelift💥

Patients often first notice changes in the jawline or neck, which can be an early sign of facial laxity. What they are truly seeking is a restoration of structure, with tissues repositioned to a more youthful, natural position as it once was.

This is one of my favorite procedures because of the meaningful transformation it can provide, helping patients look as vibrant and refreshed on the outside as they feel on the inside. I use a preservation extended deep plane technique to restore my patients’ faces in the gentlest, yet most impactful way possible.

💥Eyelid surgery/Brow lift💥

This may involve a brow lift, an upper or lower blepharoplasty, or a combination of these procedures. The goal is to address the eye area, which is often one of the first places to show signs of aging, sometimes as early as our 30s.

When guiding patients, I take the time to understand their specific concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan aligned with their goals.

💥Rhinoplasty💥

This is another one of my favorite surgeries, as it often addresses a concern patients have carried with them for many years before deciding to make a change. When performed thoughtfully, a rhinoplasty is one of the most undetectable procedures, allowing patients to feel more like themselves, with greater confidence and less focus on their previous insecurity.

If you’re noticing something you’d like help with, head to portlandfacedoctor.com to book your consultation. I look forward to meeting you soon.