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The Cosmetic Surgery Institute of Palm Desert is committed to providing each of our patients with excellent care, safety and comfort. From your first evaluation through our extensive post-surgical follow up services, the Cosmetic Surgery Institute is dedicated to ensuring the utmost privacy and safety, thus minimizing any risk of complication. Our fully accredited facility, with two state-of-the-art operating rooms and private recovery home, and experienced professional staff will guide you through the process with a keen eye towards making your visit with the Cosmetic Surgery Institute of Palm Desert an entirely positive one.

During our complimentary consultations, it is our desire and policy to recommend to our patients only those products, lasers and procedures (both surgical and non-surgical) that we feel will truly benefit you. That promise, and our willingness to personalize your care and treatment, and to greet you with a smile and sincerity is our privilege and guarantee to you.

Dr. Mo Zakhireh

Dr. Mo Zakhireh is a 1995 medical school graduate from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. Upon graduation, Dr. Zakhireh interned and was in residency at Harbor-UCLA. In 2000, after completing his residency and fellowship in plastic surgery, Dr. Zakhireh went into private practice and served as a clinical instructor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Utah, holding that post until his move to Palm Desert. Dr. Zakhireh specializes in breast contouring and tummy tucks, as well as liposculpturing and face lifts.

Dr. Zakhireh was welcomed to CSI in 2005 after careful consideration of his morals, ethics, humor and character, not to mention his eye for symmetry & aesthetics and expert surgical talents.

Dr. Bruce Landon

Dr. Bruce Landon, board certified plastic surgeon, joined the Cosmetic Surgery Institute of Palm Desert in 2008 after being drawn in part to CSI because of the comprehensive nature of the practice.  Dr. Landon is a 1988 medical school graduate from UCLA .  Upon graduation, Dr. Landon interned and did his residency at University of California, San Diego Medical Center.  In 1996, Dr. Landon moved to Florida where he entered private practice until 2008 when he decided he wanted to move back to Southern California and the Cosmetic Surgery Institute.

Dr. Landon specializes in facelifts, breast contouring (including augmentation, lifting, and reduction), liposuction and tummy tucks.  Dr. Landon is constantly in search of expanding his cosmetic knowledge to maximize his client’s benefits.  Dr. Landon states ”the striking feature of plastic surgery that sets it apart from other surgical disciplines is the ability to really do something different and creative every day, and that makes going to work exciting.”

FAQs

Q: With so many products, lasers, procedures, etc. how do I know or choose what I need?
A: The estheticians and nurses at CSI have been specifically trained for their jobs and they have years of experience. It is our absolute policy to only recommend various treatment modalities, various lasers, etc. that we honestly feel will give you the best result possible.

Q: With all the lasers you have, how do you know what is best for me?
A: We have a full-time laser specialty RN, whose expertise and years of experience are invaluable – not to mention her honesty and candidness in your options. If she has any questions, she will consult with one of our doctors.

Q: What is this new Levulan-Blu Light thing?
A: Levulan (aminolevulonic acid) is a clear, water looking material that is applied to one’s skin. After about half an hour, Levulan converts the sun-damaged cells of the skin into ‘receptor sites’ which when treated with our new Blu Light laser, or our pulse dye or IPL, helps get rid of the damaged red and brown cells, leaving the skin dramatically smoother – and rid of those pre-malignant cancer cells.

Q: Is there downtime with the Levulan Blu Light treatment?
A: Yes. There is definitely some skin sensitivity and downtime- the more sun-damage one has, the longer the recovery. Generally about seven days.

Q: Does it work for sun and acne damaged skin?
A: Yes. Once again, the more sun and/or acne damaged skin, the longer the recovery. Generally, from a few days to a couple weeks.

Q: To get rid of wrinkles, why do you choose the Sciton Erbium Laser over the CO2 laser?
A: We’ve been utilizing resurfacing lasers since 1994, and we learned that the Erbium Laser results in faster healing, less redness, and virtually no color change at all – versus significant bleaching at the jaw line and much longer healing with the CO2 laser.

Q: What is the normal downtime for the Erbium Laser?
A: From a few days to two weeks.

Q: How about facial surgery, what’s the recovery time like?
A: About 10 to 14 days.

Q: Is there much pain or discomfort?
A: It typically feels like a pretty good sunburn.

Q: How about liposculpture? What is the normal down time?
A: This depends on the areas involved, but from two or three days to seven to ten days.

Q: Will my insurance pay for any of the procedures?
A: No. We are not part of any insurance provider networks.

Q: Is financing available?
A: Yes. We do have financing options that are available, similar to obtaining a credit card.

Breast Augmentation
Q: Will I have to get my implants replaced every ten years?
A: No. The new generation of implants no longer become hard so it is not necessary to replace them every ten years.

Q: Will my risk of breast cancer or other diseases increase with implants?
A: No. Long term studies have shown no connection between breast implants and breast cancer or other diseases.

Q: Will I be able to breast feed after breast implants?
A: Yes. Our approach to breast implantation does not alter sensation to the nipples and it leaves the milk ducts intact so that breast feeding will be possible.

Q: Is there any difference between placing the implants over the muscle or under the muscle?
A: We place our implants under the muscle because the muscle layer massages the implants and keeps the body from forming scar tissue over the implants. Also, the radiologist uses the muscle layer as a marker when reading a mammogram so that the mammogram is read more effectively.

Lipo-Tuck™

Q: What is a tummy tuck?
A:In this procedure, the skin of the abdomen is lifted up to expose the muscles which are then tightened; then extra skin is trimmed away to rejuvenate the abdomen.

Q: What is a lipo-tuck™?
A: This is a tummy tuck procedure combined with liposculpture of the torso to give a sculpted hour-glass figure to the waistline.

Q: Who is a candidate for tummy tuck or lipo-tuck™?
A: Usually people have had their abdominal muscles stretched out due to pregnancy or excessive weight gain.

Q: Will my belly button be brought down?
A: No. Your belly button will stay in the same spot and will remain an “innie” belly button.

Q: How much weight will I lose from this surgery?
A: Depending on how heavy you are to begin with, on average 10-20 lbs and 4 dress sizes.

Q: Are there any other added benefits to tummy tuck?
A: The biggest benefit is that tightening the abdomen will leave the stomach with less room to expand so that you will feel full faster and end up losing more weight after this procedure.

General

Q: What is the price of consultations?
A: Consultations are complimentary with both Dr. Zakhireh and Dr. Landon.

Q: Where are you located?
A: We are located on Alessandro Dr. between San Pablo and San Luis Rey, north of Highway 111 in Palm Desert, CA

Q: Do you do Thermage?
A: No. We use a radiofrequency device that delivers almost seven times the energy to the collagen that Thermage does. We are currently in a FDA studey with this device, and in our humble opinion, for both the body and face, it blows Thermage out of the water!

The Cosmetic Surgery Institute of Palm Desert is located at:

Cosmetic Surgery Institute of Palm Desert
73-710 Alessandro Drive, Suite A1
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Tel: 760-837-0364