If you’re ready to take the step of having a facelift, the most important decision to make next is which plastic surgeon you’ll choose to perform your procedure. Choosing the right plastic surgeon for your facelift is a personal yet crucial decision when it comes to the ultimate success and the satisfaction you feel with your procedure.
Of course, referrals from friends and family are often very helpful in getting you started. Once you’ve gotten the names of potential surgeons and you’re ready to do deeper research, here are some key points to consider when you’re choosing the right plastic surgeon for your facelift.
Reviews and results
Reviews
Scan online reviews. While there will typically be a mix of reviews for any surgeon, look for the overall trend in reviews about your prospective plastic surgeon to lean heavily toward positive feedback about the experience, results, bedside manner of the surgeon and the surgical team that will be helping care for you before, during and after your procedure.
Before and after galleries
In addition to the reviews, look at your prospective plastic surgeon’s before and after galleries to see the results they achieved with previous facelift patients. There should be an adequate sample of facelift before and after images to give you a good idea of the surgeon’s work, showing many patients in the before and after gallery who have similar aging concerns to yours.
Past patients
You may also ask your potential surgeon to connect with patients who have recently undergone a facelift with them. A top surgeon will have patients who are happy to talk to people who are considering a facelift with the surgeon who worked well for them. You may also ask your potential surgeon to connect with patients who have recently undergone a facelift with them. A top surgeon will have patients who are happy to talk to people who are considering a facelift with the surgeon who worked well for them.
Board certification and experience
Board certification
Your plastic surgeon should be board certified by ABFPRS or ABPS. Board certification is the professional benchmark that indicates a high standard of experience and expertise, and a rigorous background of education and training. Ensure that your surgeon is capable of performing a structural facelift, also called a deep plane or SMAS facelift.
Number and frequency of facelifts performed
Find out what experience your prospective plastic surgeon has with facelifts, specifically. This procedure requires special finesse and expertise. Many surgeons will perform less than one facelift per month. Dr. Weber performs 2-3 facelift procedures every week.
Hospital privileges
Finally, confirm that your surgeon has local admitting privileges and surgical privileges at a local hospital/ ambulatory surgery center. While it should be very rare to admit a patient to the hospital after a facelift, if it ever is required, “privileges” ensure that your surgeon has been vetted by and is in good standing with local hospitals.
Trust your gut
If it doesn’t feel right, keep searching for the perfect fit. Take your time in selecting the most qualified plastic surgeon with whom you feel you can trust your face. You should feel comfortable, welcomed, and at ease with your surgeon, and in their practice.
Dr. Stephen Weber’s state-of-the-art practice is focused on cosmetic facial surgery. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Weber provides the highest standard of expertise and artistry for patients to achieve rejuvenated, refined, and sculpted features. To learn more about the facelift experience with Dr. Weber, please call today for a consultation.