In the US, thousands of men and women have had a facelift. The goal of this procedure is to make a person appear younger by lifting the jowls and correcting the neck waddle.
While complications are rare, a person may experience bleeding, infection, bruising, and hematoma if they don’t pick the right surgeon for the job.
Choosing a facelift surgeon isn’t difficult, but it is a lengthy process. There are so many questions you’ll need to ask. It’s almost like conducting a job interview.
You’ll also need to read client testimonials and explore a surgeon’s disciplinary history. Check out this guide to learn about all the things you should avoid when shopping around.
Choosing a Surgeon Without a Board Certification
The first step to becoming a cosmetic surgeon is going to medical school. All professionals need to have both an undergraduate and an M.D. degree from an accredited school.
Their education isn’t over after graduation. They also have to spend a number of years getting hands-on experience in a residency. From there, they’ll choose a specialty and train for a few more years.
After all of this, they can finally become a board-certified facelift surgeon. If you run into a potential surgeon that hasn’t done the legwork, they definitely are not the right surgeon for you.
Not Looking for a Specialist
You wouldn’t let a doctor perform your heart surgery if they specialize in general family care. The same applies to your facelift surgery.
Ask potential surgeons how many facelifts they’ve performed and how long they’ve been in the field. If they’ve been working as a facelift surgeon for more than 5 or 10 years, there’s a good chance that you don’t have to worry about experiencing any complications.
Not Reading Online Reviews
If you come across a surgeon that you’re considering, type their name into Google. That will give you a list of online reviews from past patients. If there’s something fishy about a surgeon, you’ll find out what it is by reading the comments.
Keep in mind that many of the reviews you’ll read will most likely be negative. That’s why it’s important to look for patterns.
Many surgeons also have testimonials on their sites. We recommend reading those to get a mixture of positive and negative reviews.
Failing to Check Out Their Disciplinary History
You’ve been weighing your options for surgeons for months. Finally, you’ve settled on one you think you’re going to love. That is until you check out their disciplinary history.
It turns out that they have a habit of scamming their patients. They also have several malpractice charges on their record.
If you don’t check with your state board, you could end up as another one of their victims.
Failing to Ask a Surgeon About Their Safety Protocols
When it comes to getting any surgery, the most important thing is sanitation. If your surgeon doesn’t follow the right safety protocols during your procedure, you may develop an infection.
Ask any potential surgeons how they protect their patients and learn how they tackle complications both during and after surgery.
Something to keep in mind is that a surgeon can’t hold a board certification if their facility breaks basic sanitary and safety standards.
You also want to make certain that the surgery center they are using is state licensed and nationally accredited.
Not Getting a Referral
If you have a regular physician, they can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to looking for a facelift surgeon. There’s a good chance that they’re currently networking with at least a handful of them.
If someone you know recently received cosmetic surgery, and you love their results, ask them who performed the procedure.
Failing to Ask About Insurance Coverage
For the most part, insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic surgery. The only exception is if it’s a medical necessity.
It has to fix a defect or improve your physical well-being in a huge way. For example, in some instances, getting a nose job may be necessary to help a person breathe better.
Coverage won’t matter much if your facelift surgeon doesn’t take your insurance, however.
The Surgeon Makes Lofty Promises
One of the biggest red flags to look out for when choosing a facelift surgeon is lofty promises. If they claim they can change your entire life, start your search again.
A real professional will sit down with you and discuss your surgery goals. From there, they’ll help manage your expectations by letting you know if your goals are even possible. Most will show you both before and after images, so you can get a good idea of what you’ll look like after everything is said and done.
Not Going With Your Gut
When asking for referrals and reading online reviews, it’s important to go with your gut. A surgeon that comes highly recommended by your physician may not be right for you.
If your surgeon rushes your consultation and treats you more like a customer than a person, or you don’t feel comfortable talking to them, that’s a good enough reason to look for someone else.
Getting a facelift is an ongoing process. You’ll be in contact with your surgeon throughout your entire recovery. That will prove difficult if you don’t like them enough to schedule a follow-up appointment.
Choosing a Facelift Surgeon That’s Right for You
There’s a lot that goes into choosing a facelift surgeon. You’ve got to make sure they’re certified to handle such a delicate procedure. You should also ask about their safety protocols and look out for any red flags.
At the end of the day, listen to your gut and follow these tips to find someone that has your best interests at heart.
Are you ready to schedule your facelift? Schedule an appointment online or give us a call at (402) 391-4558 to get started.
