I just sent this email to all the members of my tennis club. I am going to chair the social committee this coming season and I thought everyone should be aware of certain precautions. I am sharing that email here for the benefit of my patients.
I think it is important to understand what the COVID-19 virus is, how it is transmitted and what to do to protect ourselves. A virus is not a live organism. It is made of genetic code in the form of DNA or RNA that penetrates the cells in our body and commandeers the cell to make more viruses. These viruses are released and infect other cells and other organisms like humans and animals. Outside the body, the virus can stay infective for a few hours to a few days depending on what surface it is sitting on. It remains infective longer on hard surfaces like a countertop or a table. The Coronavirus family includes the common cold, the influenza (flu) etc. This particular virus, COVID-19, is part of that family. It started in Wuhan, China and has quickly spread around the world affecting countries like Italy and Iran seriously. It has the potential to become an epidemic in the USA and has already caused many cancellations of flights and meetings. It can spread from an infected person to others by direct contact like touching, hugging, or kissing. It can also be transmitted by sneezing and couching that create aerosol droplets containing the virus. You can also get infected by touching a contaminated object and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
So what should we do? We don’t want to stop enjoying our healthy activities. We want to continue our socials as usual unless things get a lot worse in New Jersey and the US. Here are some precautions that make a lot of sense to me.
1) No more handshaking, hugging or kissing.
2) Keep a safe distance between you and the next person. 6 feet is recommended.
3) After a game of tennis where everyone has touched the balls, wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before touching your face or grabbing a bite to eat.
4) If you sneeze or cough, make an effort to point yourself in a direction away from others, cover your mouth, and then please wash your hands.
Unfortunately, many people suffer from seasonal allergies. Those people can usually tell that what they have is allergies. If you feel that you are developing cold/flu symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, coughing or fever, then stay at home, call your doctor and possibly get tested. COVID-19 has an estimated mortality rate of 2 to 3 % depending on reports. This may change and be less serious considering that many people have milder symptoms and don’t get tested. In comparison, the normal flu or influenza has a mortality rate of 0.1 %. People with diabetes or chronic respiratory conditions are more seriously affected.
As the new candidate social chair and a physician, I will be watching the development of this virus in our area closely. Hopefully, this will get better by early May when we start our socials. I will provide you with more updates as we get closer to that time.
Common Questions Patients Search About Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
What is the best age to get plastic surgery?
There is no universal “right” age — the right age depends on the procedure and what's driving the concern. Rhinoplasty is appropriate once the face is fully developed (typically 16+ for girls, 17+ for boys). Lip lift is often best in the 40s and 50s when the upper lip starts to lengthen. Facelift is most commonly performed in the late 50s through the 70s. Dr. Rafizadeh's North Jersey patients span every adult decade; the decision is anatomy-driven, not age-driven.
How do I choose the right plastic surgeon?
Look for board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (not adjacent specialties like “cosmetic surgery”), a substantial volume of the specific procedure you want, a consistent before-and-after gallery, and independent reviews (RealSelf, Google, word of mouth). Ask how often they perform the procedure, what their revision rate is, and whether they use computer simulation during consultation. The right surgeon will answer all of these in concrete terms.
Does the age of the plastic surgeon matter?
Experience tends to matter more than youth. A surgeon who has performed thousands of facelifts over 30+ years has seen anatomic variations a newer surgeon hasn't, and complications they're better prepared to prevent. The right combination is a surgeon who is experienced enough to have refined their technique and engaged enough to incorporate genuine advances (computer imaging, lighter anesthesia, regional nerve blocks). Dr. Rafizadeh has been in practice in Morristown for 40+ years and continues to attend national and international conferences.
Am I too old for cosmetic surgery?
Almost never — what matters is health, not age. Many of Dr. Rafizadeh's North Jersey patients are in their 70s and 80s. The anesthesia plan matters more in this age group: local anesthesia with light sedation (his default for facial procedures) is dramatically safer than general anesthesia for older patients and avoids the cognitive concerns associated with deeper anesthetic exposure.
How much should a board-certified plastic surgeon cost?
Board-certified plastic surgeons typically price 20–40% higher than non-plastic-surgery providers (cosmetic surgeons, ENT-only practices, medspas doing surgical procedures). That premium pays for training, accredited facilities, and the lower revision rates that come with experience. In Northern New Jersey, expecting facelift or breast augmentation pricing below $10,000 should prompt questions about who is actually performing the surgery, where, and with what credentials.
What's the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon?
A plastic surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery after 6–7 years of dedicated residency. “Cosmetic surgeon” is not a recognized specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties — the term is used by physicians from other backgrounds (ENT, dermatology, OB/GYN, family medicine, even dentistry) who have taken weekend courses in cosmetic procedures. The distinction matters for safety, particularly for surgical procedures.
What should I not say to a plastic surgeon?
Don't ask for a procedure based on a celebrity's face — great surgeons design results around your bone structure, not someone else's. Don't ask for an arbitrary cup size or millimeter measurement without context; pre-specifying a number often produces results that don't fit. And don't hide your medical history, medications, or supplements — many of these affect bleeding and healing, and your surgeon needs the full picture to plan safely.
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