PEOPLE recently profiled Neda, Dr. Karam’s wife, who chose her husband to perform his signature Vertical Restore® facelift after noticing familiar signs of facial aging in photos (jowls, softened contours, and a change in facial shape). One year later, she says she “feels the way I did in my 30s” and loves taking photos again.
The feature highlights what thousands of patients have already experienced at Carmel Valley Facial Plastic Surgery: that natural rejuvenation requires more than just lifting the skin. It demands deep anatomical understanding, artistic vision, and decades of focused experience.
As a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon and creator of Vertical Restore®, Dr. Karam has spent over 20 years refining this advanced deep-plane approach to restore the face’s youthful vertical orientation without distortion or telltale signs of surgery. His results, including Neda’s, demonstrate how precise technique and personalized care can help patients look refreshed, recognizable, and confident at every stage of life.
What PEOPLE Covered
- Procedure: Vertical Restore® facelift in San Diego addressing the lateral brow, midface, jawline, and neck—the “four-in-one” lift that creates a vertical, youthful vector.
- Complementary refinements: Lower-eyelid skin pinch and strategic fat transfer for a youthful appearance and eye freshness.
- Anesthesia & time: Approximately 2.5 hours under IV sedation (not general anesthesia).
- Recovery rhythm: Swelling peaks days 3–4; bandages off around day 7; by weeks 1–2, patients generally look “like themselves” with residual swelling that steadily settles month by month.
Why Vertical Restore®?
Traditional facelift techniques typically pull the skin horizontally. In contrast, Vertical Restore lifts and repositions descended tissues upward, helping to restore a youthful shape to the lateral brow, midface, jawline, and neck.
This approach yields a refreshed appearance that doesn’t appear overly done. This method is the foundation of our two-pronged philosophy, which combines surgical rejuvenation (Vertical Restore® plus fat transfer) with daily skin health (KaramMD Trifecta).
What Neda’s Recovery Can Teach Future Patients
Every journey is unique, but this timeline matches what our team prepares you for pre-op:
- Day 1: Return to normal activities and light hosting; discomfort managed with over-the-counter medication.
- Days 3–4: Peak swelling.
- Around Day 7: The bandages are removed; the “teardrop” facial shape (youthful verticality) becomes apparent.
- Weeks 1–2: You look like yourself again, just slightly puffy; improvements continue for months as swelling fades.
Begin Your Own Vertical Restore® Journey
Neda’s story is a poignant reminder that facial rejuvenation is more than a procedure; it’s a deeply personal journey toward regaining your sense of self. Coverage like this also validates what our patients value most: natural results, a clear plan for recovery, and a specialist who consistently performs the same focused procedures, day in and day out. It’s an opportunity to demystify facelift surgery and set real expectations, helping you approach your transformation with clarity and confidence.
At Carmel Valley Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Karam and our team guide you through every step with the same care, expertise, and artistry that have transformed thousands of faces—and lives—around the world. Whether you’re ready for Vertical Restore® or simply exploring your options, we’re here to help you make informed, empowered choices about your next chapter.
Congratulations to Dr. Karam and Neda, and thank you to PEOPLE for spotlighting a modern facelift philosophy centered on natural, identity-true outcomes. This philosophy continues to inspire patients everywhere to look as young as they feel.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
Schedule your private consultation with Dr. Karam to explore your personalized plan and experience the Vertical Restore® difference.
Editorial note: This post references details reported by PEOPLE on October 14, 2025 (procedure, timeline, and price context). For individualized medical advice or pricing, please schedule a consultation.
