As you look in the mirror, are you beginning to show signs of aging that you’re not pleased with? You’re not alone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, women make up 92% of cosmetic surgery patients hoping to look younger or correct issues. As a result, you may be considering getting a facelift to help turn back the hands of time. This type of cosmetic surgery is quite invasive, so you want to ensure you find the right facelift surgeon for the job by asking the right questions.
1. What Are Your Plastic Surgery Credentials?
Never cut corners by letting an inexperienced or uncredentialed doctor perform a facelift on you. Unfortunately, many people have suffered irreparable damage or even death by getting cosmetic surgery from an unqualified medical professional. One of the first things you should do is ask to see proof of any board certifications. The AEDIT provider network is a great way to check for a credentialed facelift surgeon near you. You should also ask about your surgeon’s hospital privileges. Even if you have an outpatient procedure, you still want a surgeon that has good hospital access for patients.
2. Do You Have Before and After Photos?
If you hire a contractor to do work on your home or car, you’d most likely want to see proof of their work. When it comes to cosmetic surgery, this same rule applies. You should see how a surgeon’s hands can transform another patient’s face. They should be more than happy to show you a collection of photos taken of their previous satisfied clients.
Of course, don’t just look at the “after” shots. If the surgeon only presents the “after” photo of a patient with relatively smooth skin, how do you know that the surgeon produced that result? The “before” shot allows you to see what the patient looks like beforehand, showcasing exactly how the surgeon was able to change it to a better result. Seeing before and after photos allows you to fully grasp the talent that your potential facelift surgeon has and what the results might be like for you.
3. What Is the Recovery Period Like?
As mentioned, getting a facelift is an invasive procedure. Your surgeon has to make incisions into your face, cut away tissue, pull things back, and so on. Due to the nature of the surgery, you’ll need time to recover. The recovery from a facelift varies based on the person getting the surgery. Things such as your health, age, and the skill of the facelift surgeon can affect how quickly you recover. Plus, if your plastic surgeon gave you specific directions after the surgery, such as avoiding smoking or taking certain types of medication, those things can also impact your healing process. In our experience, it can take about a week or two to get back to normal activity. That said, you should avoid intense exercise for two weeks afterward.
Due to the nature of the surgery, expect to see bruising for the first four days afterward. However, by the fifth day, the bruising and swelling should begin to decrease. Your doctor will provide compression garments to help with the swelling. You may also need to see your facelift surgeon again for a post-operation checkup.
Other Considerations
While these are three of the main questions to consider as you assess the right surgeon for your facelift, they certainly are not your only considerations. You can always begin with a referral from your trusted friends and family. In other words, if someone in your inner circle has had a successful facelift and you like the results, consult with the surgeon they used.
In addition to researching their professional credentials, don’t forget to listen to your instinct. How do you feel when talking to the facelift surgeon? Do you like the vibe and rapport that you had with them? How about the office staff’s customer service? When you look around the office, was it clean and professional, or did it seem like a makeshift office?
You have many options to restore youthful looks. If you’re not into temporary dermal fillers, you might want a more permanent solution that only a facelift can provide. A facelift is a major operation you should never trust in the hands of an amateur. When you’re ready to take the next step in improving your looks and regaining confidence, contact our local cosmetic surgery team at Artisan Plastic Surgery today.
