Any successful surgery starts with a consultation. To get the most out of your facelift consultation, you should ask the plastic surgeon some important questions.
Questions To Ask During Your Facelift Consultation
Are You a Board-Certified Surgeon?
One of the best ways to ensure a safe surgery and the best results is to choose a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Board certification is not easy to obtain, but it’s important because it indicates that a surgeon has:
- Received a thorough education and training in their field
- Demonstrated experience through an appropriate volume of peer-reviewed case work
- Completed rigorous testing to demonstrate competence in their field through
- Committed to adhering to strict standards of practice and patient care
Dr. Boggess is double board certified, by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology.
How Much Experience Do You Have Performing Facelift Surgery?
Experience matters when you’re entrusting your appearance to a facial plastic surgeon. A surgeon who regularly performs facelift surgery is more likely to have refined their technique to consistently achieve balanced, natural-looking results. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Boggess has performed more than 8,000 facial rejuvenation procedures, including more than 4,500 facelifts.
Asking to see before-and-after photos of their patients can also help you understand the surgeon’s aesthetic style and results.
How Will This Procedure Help Achieve My Goals?
Your surgeon should tailor your facelift surgery to your specific concerns and goals. After evaluating your facial anatomy, skin quality, and areas of concern, they will recommend the procedures best suited to your needs. In many cases, this will involve combining your facelift with other procedures, such as eyelid surgery or facial fat transfer, to enhance your overall result. This is your chance to be honest about the results you want to achieve so your surgeon can ensure your expectations align with what surgery can realistically deliver.
What Types of Anesthesia Are Available?
The majority of our facial rejuvenation procedures are performed using light sedation and local anesthesia. Using local anesthesia eliminates the risk and cost of general anesthesia, but we also offer general anesthesia for our patients who prefer it.
How Long Will It Take To Recover From a Facelift?
The Reflection Lift is a more conservative approach to traditional facelift surgery, so most patients can get back out in public within 1 to 2 weeks without visible signs of surgery. We typically recommend that patients allow at least 3 to 4 weeks for recovery prior to any major event, such as a wedding, reunion, or public speaking engagement or performance.
Recovery time can vary from patient to patient. However, you can help your recovery go more quickly and smoothly by taking a few important steps:
- Follow your surgeon’s postoperative instructions carefully.
- Apply a cold compress to your face for up to 20 minutes at a time during the first few days after surgery.
- Avoid exposing yourself to direct sunlight. If you must go outside, use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30.
- Keep your head elevated to help reduce swelling.
How Much Will a Facelift Cost?
Your facelift cost depends on the specifics of your surgical plan, including operating facility expenses, anesthesia fees, your surgeon’s fee, and surgical materials. Every surgery is different, so the price is largely contingent upon one’s goals and needs. By performing our procedures in-office using light sedation and local anesthesia, we are able to reduce costs compared to procedures performed in a hospital using general anesthesia. We can help break down the costs for you to see the savings.
Discuss Your Options With a Facelift Specialist
Don’t feel overwhelmed when selecting a plastic surgeon for your facelift. Go into your consultation with a list of questions so that you don’t forget anything and be sure to ask for clarification when needed. Our goal at Youthful Reflections is to make you feel comfortable and look great! Call Youthful Reflections at (615) 942-8016 to schedule a complimentary consultation or use our online form to request a consultation.
