Dr. Farhad Rafizadeh in Morristown 2023
A brief overview of the practice and purpose of the website: I have reached a stage in my practice that allows me to do what I do best and give my patients unparalleled results. The purpose of this website is to inform my patients. I do realize that I have to spend more time on this website as we do not use developers and marketing agents.
Office hours: I hold office hours two days a week on Mondays and Thursdays, from 9 to 5. On these days, I offer consultations with patients who come in to schedule surgery or receive office treatments. We also see patients in follow-up after the surgery. The office hours are not strictly adhered to, as I may see patients on other days including weekends if they need to be seen after surgery or for suture removal. For example, if stitches need to be removed in 5 days and that falls on a Saturday, my nurse and I will make a special trip to the office to do it and not wait until Monday. As usual, the patients and their care are the primary focus of my practice. I firmly believe in administering all injections myself to ensure the best possible results and utmost safety for my patients. I am using Dysport as our neuromodulator, as well as the Restylane family of fillers for facial contouring. I have found Restylane to be the best filler on the market, as it offers a variety of Hyaluronic acid fillers for different areas of the face. For example, Restylane Lyft and Contour are great for volumizing the face and enhancing the cheeks, chin, jawline, and temples. While Restylane Kyss is perfect for lips and lines around the mouth, allowing us to sculpt these areas creatively. Lastly, the traditional Restylane is ideal for under the eyes and lips.
Treatments offered: Today I still offer most cosmetic surgery procedures on breasts, abdomen, and arms, but my practice is increasingly focusing on the face.
Surgery: The majority of my surgery is performed at the Ambulatory surgery center next door to our office. We also do smaller procedures such as lip lifts in the office. Most facial plastic surgery is performed under local anesthesia and moderate sedation with a monitoring nurse. The use of an anesthesiologist is an option for patients who desire heavier sedation. Surgeries are scheduled well in advance, typically on the three other days of the week.
Personal Activities: After thirty-eight years of practice as a plastic surgeon, I still enjoy my surgery and my patients more than anything else that I could do. This is why I continue to work. In order to remain in practice for as long as possible as my patients beg me to do, I try to stay in shape, eat well, and exercise. I engage in fun activities like tennis, paddle, ping pong, walking, and hiking. I also play backgammon competitively and try to get better at the game. Backgammon at a higher level is like chess. Painting is another one of my hobbies. These days, I mostly paint on my iPad using the Procreate App. This takes less time to set up and clean up.
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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