When selecting a facelift surgeon, look at their credentials and experience first. Then, examine their quality of work by looking at before and after photos.
Wonderful plastic surgery results require an artistic understanding of facial contour, balance and symmetry. Your surgeon should be able to demonstrate this by showing you photos of previous facelift patients.
Look for Credentials
Facelifts are among the most popular facial cosmetic procedures. They reduce the effects of aging and gravity on your face and neck by lifting and repositioning the tissues that define the cheeks, jawline and jowl. The goal is to create a youthful appearance while producing natural results, not “overdone.” For men, it is particularly important to choose a surgeon with experience performing facelift surgery for male patients; the anatomy of the face is very different from that of a woman and requires a highly-trained approach.
Over the years, plastic surgeons have adapted and improved upon traditional facelift techniques to fit the needs of their clients. Consequently, there are now hundreds of variations on the facelift procedure. This can be confusing for some patients. If you see the best facelift surgeon in San Francisco using terms like short scar facelift, Q lift or mini-facelift, ask them to explain how this variation differs from the traditional facelift.
Consultations are a great way to discuss your goals and learn more about the facelift options available. Your surgeon will take the time to develop strong relationships with you and make you feel comfortable. This allows you to express your concerns or ask questions. He will examine your neck and face to determine whether you are a candidate for a facial lift and what other procedures could enhance the results.
View Before and after photos.
When choosing one, it is better to see before and after pictures of a surgeon. These photos will help you understand how an aesthetic surgeon works and whether or not they can achieve the desired result.
The facelift is a surgical procedure to reposition the facial tissues and remove excess skin to reverse the effects of aging. This can reduce sagging and loosening of the neck tissue, tighten the underlying muscles, and eliminate deep wrinkles or folds around the mouth, such as nasolabial folds. During a facelift, surgeons can remove any excess fat deposits in the neck and cheek area for a youthful look.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all patients will achieve the same result. This is because a facelift is a customized procedure that addresses each patient’s concerns. Therefore, you must carefully examine a surgeon’s before and after photo galleries, taking note of the similarities between the two pictures.
The most effective plastic surgeons will have a wide range of before and after photos of various facelift procedures, demonstrating that they have experience with a full spectrum of facial rejuvenation techniques. This will help ensure that they can provide the results you are hoping for, regardless of your unique facial structure.
Ask Questions
Finding a surgeon who can clearly and comfortably answer your questions is important during your consultation. They should be willing to discuss their surgical approach, the results you can expect, and any potential complications that may arise during or after your surgery.
Ask how often they have performed the procedure and when was the most recent time they did so. Also, ask whether they perform facelifts in their private clinic or a hospital. Smaller clinics typically need specialized medical equipment to handle serious facial surgery complications.
Another question you should ask is, “Have you ever had a complication with facelift surgery?” While significant complications are rare, any surgeon with enough experience will have experienced at least one minor difficulty in the past. Your surgeon should be able to explain the details of their experiences, both good and bad, with facelifts and how they handled them.
Finally, you should ask your surgeon if they are committed to keeping up with the latest facial plastic surgery techniques and technological developments. New methods are always emerging, and your surgeon should be willing to stay on top of them. This shows that they care about their patients and are constantly trying to improve the quality of their work.
Seek Referrals
The best way to determine if the surgeon is right for you is to meet and discuss your facial goals. A good plastic surgeon will listen to you carefully and take the time to explain your options in a clear, understandable way without any gimmicks or hard sales techniques.
Ask the surgeon for a list of references and a selection of photographs of patients who have undergone the procedure you are considering. Call the authorities and talk with them about their experiences with the surgeon. Also, ask your family doctor or an operating room nurse for recommendations.
Many different facelift techniques are available, each with its aesthetic outcome, recovery time and risks. Often, surgeons will tout the benefits of their preferred method and claim that it is superior to other approaches. However, each surgeon’s policy should be tailored to the patient’s unique anatomy and goals.
For example, some patients may be good candidates for a mini facelift, while others require more extensive work to address their sagging neck, skin and jawline. A surgeon who employs a comprehensive neck lift technique is likelier to achieve a natural result lasting longer than results from more minimal surgical methods. Ultimately, the best way to determine which surgeon is the right fit is to meet in person and examine their before and after photos.