Have you scheduled an appointment with a plastic surgeon, felt like a ghostly presence in his or her waiting room, only to be rushed through a meeting with a "consultant" instead of the plastic surgeon so that payment could be discussed? This factory approach to your crucial decision to have cosmetic surgery is not what you will experience in our practice.

At the California Center for Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on the expertise and warmth of our staff. More patients than can be counted have chosen us because of the immediate feeling of trust, compatibility and genuine caring that they felt upon meeting us.

Linda Miranda
Patient Coordinator

The warm smile that greets you when you walk into Dr. Younai's office is that of Linda Miranda, who has worked with him since 1997. "He is a very warm and caring doctor who inspires trust from the day that you meet him," says Linda.

Linda loves working "face to face" with patients, and shares her vast knowledge about each cosmetic surgery procedure at the California Center for Plastic Surgery. Having had her own "Tummy Tuck" performed by Dr. Younai, she shares her experience and "Before and After" photos with the men and women who are investigating their surgical options.

"People tell me that they can't believe that I once looked like that," smiles Linda, who says she once hated how her clothes fit. "My surgery inspired me in every area of my life, motivating me to eat properly and to exercise."

Her experience enables Linda to counsel patients both authoritatively, and with compassion. "Sometimes people experience a range of emotions from a sudden change in body image," says Linda. "I assist them with their fears, and I help them to have realistic expectations."

Linda says that the immaculate state-of-the-art 7,500 square foot surgical center and the "wonderful" surgical staff is another bonus in her work. "Dr. Younai makes each patient feel important," says Linda. "He treats each one like the first patient of the day."

Vanessa Vega
Surgical Coordinator

"It's good to be happy to come to work," says Vanessa Vega, Surgical Coordinator at California Center for Plastic Surgery. "This is a wonderful practice environment, and we all work great together like member of a family." "The happiness of the staff transfers to the patients and makes them feel comfortable and secure."

Being Hispanic-American, Vanessa not only helps communicate with Spanish speaking patients, but is also able brings about her cultural perspective to the practice. Vanessa says that, when it comes to having an ideal figure, "Hispanic women have a different ideal. For example, for those who want to have liposuction, it is very important to get a curvaceous figure while preserving full buttocks and hips. Hispanic women just don't want to be slim, they want to be curvy."

Vanessa knows first hand what to expect with liposuction. "I can empathize with Dr. Younai's patients and counsel them," says Vanessa. "I know about the discomfort they will suffer, and the emotional ups and downs that take place for many men and women following surgery."

Today, Vanessa weighs more than 30 pounds less than she did before her surgery, and has adopted a healthier lifestyle. "Dr. Younai is such a skilled physician," says Vanessa. "Patients come back many times for the other procedures, and they often recommend Dr. Younai to their family and friends."

Lisa Raich, RN
Nurse Aesthetician

An experienced Aesthetic Surgery Registered Nurse, Lisa Raich, offers the latest in skin care treatments at the California Center for Plastic Surgery Medical Spa. Whether you seek laser hair removal, Botox, or any number of other non surgical options to improve your appearance, Lisa, who has practiced aesthetic nursing since 2000, will help you to look your best.

The Laser Skin Spa and the Skin Rejuvenation Spa offer a myriad of treatments. These include Microdermabrasion, Botox injections to treat heavy frown lines, and treatments with other dermal fillers, such as Collagen, Restylane, Hylaform, and fat injections. The California Center for Plastic Surgery also carries the finest skin care products for home use, such as the Glycolic Facial Gel, Vitamin C Eye Cream, and Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30.

"It's very rewarding to see people so happy with the results of their treatments," says Lisa. "They are minimally invasive; yet make a huge difference in their lives and the way that they feel about themselves."

Mrs. Raich, also serve as the Nursing Director at the Regency Surgery Center. In this capacity, she oversees the surgery center nursing staff and ensures the highest standard of patient safety and quality assurance.

Veronica Valerio
Patient Coordinator

Veronica finds working in a plastic surgeon's office particularly rewarding. "I love to see how people can be transformed emotionally and physically," she says. It gives me great satisfaction to be able to answer patient's questions and help prepare them for their surgical endeavor. Veronica says that "for most people it's their first time that they are undergoing surgery, and therefore they are nervous and have many questions and concerns. I tell patients that it is normal to be anxious about surgery, and It is our job (staff and doctor) to help make them feel secure and comfortable by educating them about their before and after surgical care. Veronica is always eager and available to answer patient's questions, either in person or by phone. "There is no such a thing as a stupid question, and I want our patients to feel comfortable to ask all their questions."

Veronica recently underwent her own rewarding transformation through Breast Implant surgery performed by Dr. Younai.

"I had a breast abnormality known as 'tubular breast deformity' that I felt bad about since I was 12 years old," says Veronica. "Dr. Younai has a way of putting himself in your shoes and has a great deal of compassion about how you feel about your body. For the first time in years, I don't feel shame or embarrassment about myself. I feel liberated and only wish I had undergone this procedure sooner."

Alexandra Contreras
Medical Assistant

A Medical Assistant at both the clinic and the surgery center, Alexandra Contreras, is there to help patients with every aspect of their before or after surgery care. Alexandra says that "It is very nice feeling to be appreciated by patients when you help them get dressed or when you change their bandages." "People can sense when you truly care about them" says Alexandra.

Alexandra describes Dr. Younai as one of "the most caring individuals" who she has ever met. "Whether he is reconstructing an accident victim's body, or helping cosmetic surgery patients feel better about their appearance, he is truly interested in them," she says. "The changes and the healing that happen here are amazing."

 

Laura Neydavoud
Office Manager

Dr. Younai pledges to answer each concerned patient's phone call, at any time of the day or night. "It doesn't matter where he is when his pager goes off – whether at home, a restaurant or an event," says Laura, who has managed Dr. Younai's office for many years. "He answers that call immediately. His concern for his patients, their troubles and their illnesses, is 24 hours a day."

Laura regards her most important job as keeping the staff and ultimately the patients happy. "We really are a family here," says Laura. "Each member of our staff is very knowledgeable and good at what they do – our work ethics are strong. And ninety percent of our patients tell me they find comfort in the warm environment here."

Regarding Dr. Younai’s surgical skills, Laura says she would "trust him with my own mother." And, she adds, there is tremendous fulfillment in witnessing his work day after day. "It's nice to see the huge difference in someone's life when Dr. Younai corrects something they didn’t like about themselves."

Dr. Blaine T. Zaid, DO
Director of Anesthesia

Patient safety and comfort under anesthesia is the first priority of Dr. Blaine T. Zaid, the anesthesiologist who partners with Dr. Younai during the cosmetic surgery procedures performed at the Regency Surgery Center.

Dr. Zaid received his Doctor of Osteopathy from Western University of Health Science, and is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. He completed his training at schools including USC, Boston, and Harvard Universities. He has extensive experience administering anesthesiology in open heart, trauma, and other "high risk" procedures.

"I believe in treating, not just heart and blood pressure, but the patient as a whole person," he says. "The human brain is still the best technology." He adds that he gets a "tremendous sense of fulfillment" from helping patients through procedures that ultimately boost their self-confidence.

Dr. Zaid says that his work at the Regency Surgery Center is done with the latest equipment, and with a staff superbly trained to monitor patients through the recovery process. "This is very important with anesthesia, where you must be very precise and constantly aware of coexisting disease processes." With this level of professionalism and expertise, Dr. Zaid also directs other staff anesthesiologists in the care of patients.

"He's so meticulous in monitoring each patient - he's like a computer in that respect," says Dr. Younai. Dr. Zaid has been working with Dr. Younai with plastic surgeries since 1999. Dr. Younai also says that "I have tremendous respect for Dr. Zaid's abilities as an expert anesthesiologist, as well as being a descent, caring, and honest physician. After all, he is the one that gave anesthesia to my wife and my mother for their surgeries." With such a personal recommendation, you should also feel secure with your anesthesia care.

Laura, CST
Surgical Technologist

Laura is an energetic and enthusiastic Surgical Technician who maintains the operating room facility and assists Dr. Younai during surgery. She is very meticulous and takes great pride in making sure that all surgical equipment are well maintained, the operating rooms are spotless, and that Dr. Younai has everything available to him during surgery. Laura says that "the key to a successful surgery is in preparation." Laura also takes time to talk to patients and to calm their fears before surgery. It is not uncommon for a patient to come back after their surgery and ask for Laura, in order to thank her for her compassion. Laura says that "I always try to put myself in the patient's shoes, and then see how I can make them feel better."

 

Joseph Chacon, CST
Surgical Technologist

"I always knew that I wanted to care for people," says Joseph Chacon, Dr. Younai's superbly trained operating room technician and assistant.

"The surgical technologist is the doctor's third and fourth hands," says Chacon, whose mountainous list of responsibilities includes maintaining the sterility of the OR, and ensuring that the patient's "pressure points" are protected, thereby avoiding potential nerve damage. Prior to every procedure, Joseph introduces himself to the patient. "I always pamper them a little bit," he says. "I let them know they are in the best hands."

Joseph says that Dr. Younai would "be my first stop" should he ever choose a procedure himself. "I see the care that he invests in each patient," he says. "I would trust him with any member of my family."

Dr. Younai says: "Joseph is my co-pilot. He is very hard working, caring and meticulous." Joseph, always tires to break the ice with the patients as they enter the operating room, while at the same time making sure that the OR environment is optimal for the them- from the room temperature, to the type of background music that they would like to listen to. That’s giving it 120%.

 

Dalarie Manda, RN, BS
Operation Room Manager

Dalarie Manda is a very capable Surgery Facility Manger and Nursing Director who takes pride in maintaining the highest standard of patient care at the Regency Surgery Center. Not only does she direct every aspect of the day-to-day operations of this AAAHC Accredidated and Medicare Certified facility, but she truly enjoys taking care of patients.

With a smile and warm hands of a caring nurse she welcomes patients in the pre-operative area and reassures them about the surgery that they are going to undergo.

When asked about the difference between working at the hospital which she used to work at and the Regency Surgery Center, Ms. Manda says that Regency is like a mini-hospital in terms of being a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery facility. The exception is that unlike a typical hospital we give every patient the individual attention and care.

Amanda Wonn, RN
Recovery Room Nurse

A longtime paramedic in Columbus, Ohio and trained as a Critical Care Nurse, Amanda Wonn now works in the Recovery Room of the Regency Surgery Center. She attends to both the pre and postoperative needs of Dr. Younai’s patients.

"I love working with cosmetic surgery patients," says Amanda. "People endure some pain, but then they come back and they feel so good about themselves. This is a happy place to work – like a newborn nursery."

Amanda is also able to counsel Dr. Younai's patients based on her own experiences -- having undergone Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery, and a "Thread" Face Lift at the Regency Surgery Center. "Dr. Younai is an excellent physician," says Amanda. "I'm very happy with my results. I'm able to share my perspective with patients, and show them my 'Before and After' photos."

Another plus, according to Amanda: the dedicated staff. "We have great teamwork here," says Amanda. "That's what is needed to ensure the best patient care."

"I am proud of our nursing staff" says Dr. Younai. "They are all not only superbly trained and experienced in Intensive Care Unit patient care, but each takes a very personal interest in the comfort and well being of every single patient."

Svetlana Zhivov, RN
OR & Recovery Room Nurse

Mrs. Zhivov, is an ICU certified Recovery Room and OR nurse who has had tremendous experience with patient care under the most critical circumstances. This level of training and experience makes her feel very confident in caring for patients during and after their cosmetic surgery.

Svetlana says that throughout her courier as a Critical Care Nurse she has cared for patients of all ages and with all levels of medical needs. "The thing that I like about taking care of patients who are having cosmetic surgery, is that they have chosen to have surgery, therefore, they are very motivated about doing well. Besides, it's also amazing to witness first hand what plastic surgery can do for people."

As an OR nurse, Mrs. Zhivov has witnessed Dr. Younai perform the entire spectrum of Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgeries- from the most routine to the most complicated and complex plastic surgery cases. She says that "I am always in awe to see how the latest in medical advances has enabled plastic surgeons to perform such complex surgeries such as a body or thigh lift for those who are left with redundant body skin after undergoing Bariatric surgery."

Rene Chitrit, RN, BS
Recovery Room Manger

Rene Chitrit is an experienced Intensive Care Unit nurse who has had much experience in not only caring for critically ill hospital patients but also those who have had cosmetic surgery on an outpatient basis. Rene is a very spiritual person, with a great sense of responsibility for the well being and comfort of every patient.
As the Recovery Room Manager she also supervises other nurses in the recovery and operating rooms in order to maintain the highest standard of care throughout the surgery facility.

Ms. Chitrit says that the care that each patient receives after cosmetic surgery is very important in ensuring a great esthetic result. That is why she spends much time with patients and family members to educate them about the pre- and post-operative instructions. Her care for patients doesn’t stop when patients go home. She continues to monitor and provide after-care advice by phone for several days after plastic surgery.

Harpreet Mahi
Patient Coordinator

When it comes to knowledge about cosmetic surgery procedures, there are very few people as familiar with every aspect of cosmetic surgery procedures as Ms. Harpreet Mahi. This is not just because of her long experience in cosmetic surgery practice, but because she is also a plastic surgery surgical technologist who at times assists doctor Younai with cosmetic surgery. Therefore, you can ask Harpret about every aspect of any cosmetic surgery procedure that you might be interested in.

As a patient coordinator, Ms. Mahi, provides her knowledge and experience to every person who makes an inquiry about cosmetic surgery. She is there for patients from the first time that they call, through their consultation, surgery preparations, cosmetic surgery, and recovery. It is no surprise that most patients form a very close bond with Harpreet.