A facelift is not to be taken lightly—one that has the potential to restore your youthful appearance, improve your self-confidence, and make you feel like yourself once again. But as with any surgery, outcomes are in great part a product of the skill, talent, and wisdom of the practitioner you choose. Your surgeon is most important to your well-being but also to happiness. With all of the options, it is helpful to know what to look for.
Follow these top tips on how to select the best facelift surgeon to suit your needs, wants, and comfort level.
- Verify Credentials and Board Certification
One of the first things to check is whether the facelift surgeon is board-certified. Board certification means the surgeon has undergone rigorous training and testing in their specialty, demonstrating competence and a commitment to high standards of care. You’ll want to look for someone certified in plastic or facial cosmetic surgery, as this ensures they are trained specifically in procedures involving the face and neck.
Don't feel afraid to inquire about a surgeon's credentials. A professional would be proud of his or her credentials and would be more than pleased to discuss his or her credentials.
- Seek Out Facelift Experience
Plastic surgeons can technically do any type of procedure, but a facelift procedure takes a special type of skill set. Seek out a facelift surgeon who has done a high volume of facelifts specifically—not always other cosmetic surgery procedures.
Ask how many facelifts a year the surgeon performs and for how long. The more, the greater will be their experience. More experienced surgeons are also better at delivering natural-looking results.
- Review Before-and-After Photos
A mirror of a surgeon's skill is to take a look at her before-and-after album. The photographs tell of the surgeon's aesthetic sense, attention to detail, and consistency of outcome.
Look for patients with similar facial concerns or facial structures like yours. Notice the balance, harmony, and natural look of the overall outcome. Excellent facelift results will look rested—never tight, overdone, or artificial.
- Schedule a Consultation and Get Your Questions Answered
This is also the period during which you can know more about the surgeon, his or her temperament, and whether or not you can or cannot feel at ease with him or her from now on. Have questions ready, and don't hesitate to insist on open and honest responses. Some excellent questions to ask are:
What is your approach to facelift?
What can I reasonably expect?
What are the risks or complications?
How is the recovery?
What type of anesthetic will be used?
What if I'm not happy with the outcome?
An honest facelift surgeon will be direct with your questions, explain the procedure in a way that you can understand, and never push you to decide.
- Evaluate Communication and Rapport
In addition to experience and credentials, you also wish to select a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable. You should be able to say what you need to say, be heard and listened to when explaining what you are attempting to do. A thoughtful, personal listener who is compassionate when counseling is more likely to provide an acceptable outcome and experience.
It is also in your best interest to be comfortable with your surgeon, especially with pre-op care and post-op recovery.
- Check Hospital or Surgical Facility Accreditation
Even if some of these procedures are done at private surgical centers or clinics, ensure that the facility is reputable, in good standing, and has the utmost degree of safety. Accredited facilities are carefully inspected on a routine basis and strictly regulated in the areas of sterility, highly trained personnel, preparedness in the event of an emergency, and equipment.
If your procedure will be performed in the hospital or clinic, make sure that the facility is licensed and capable of handling emergencies if an unexpected circumstance is encountered.
- Read Reviews and Patient Testimonials
Testimonials and online reviews can be one helpful window into another patient's experience. Search for overall sentiments regarding the surgeon's professionalism, bedside manner, and aftercare following surgery. Since all surgeons will have negative and positive reviews, a trend toward positive sentiments is a comforting assurance that the clinic is sound and patients are satisfied.
You may also ask the clinic to arrange for you to meet some of their previous patients who may speak with you and tell you about their experience.
- Never Put Price Above Quality
We know that you may consider the price of a facelift operation, but price should not be the main consideration. Choosing a surgeon to carry out a facelift just because it is less expensive exposes you to greater risk of an unsatisfactory result, complications, or even revision surgery—at your greater cost in the future.
That said, the pricier doesn't always denote quality. Pay attention to the qualifications, experience, and result of the surgeon rather than the cost. Most clinics also offer payment plans so that it will be affordable.
- Look for Follow-Up Care and Support
The successful lift is not the one that you wake up with in the operating room. Aftercare is of the highest priority to monitor recovery, monitor progress, and iron out complications. Ask your surgeon what he/she does as a follow-up practice—how frequently they follow up with patients, how the recovery tapers off once some time has elapsed, and how they iron out complications.
An experienced facelift surgeon will also more than likely have good aftercare and will be there if you do happen to have some questions or abnormal symptoms when you're in the recovery process.
Final Thoughts
Picking the ideal facelift surgeon can be among the most critical choices on your cosmetic journey. It takes research, discernment, and an openness to ask questions you need to ask. From verifying credentials and examining real results to evaluating communication and postoperative care, with each step nearer to a capable practitioner, you pay in advance for peace of mind and a result you'll appreciate.
A facelift is such a personal decision, and when you get it right, not only will you appear younger, you'll be more confident, and you'll be even more you—your natural good looks still present. Don't hurry it, go with your instincts, and seek a facelift surgeon who not only understands what you're after but your values as well.
