We’ve constantly stressed the importance of finding a great (preferably) board certified plastic surgeon to help you get the best cosmetic facelift results possible. Not only is a licensed, quality top plastic surgeon going to give you the best chance of getting a great cosmetic facelift, but they will be held to the highest standards of quality and service, especially if they want to keep their license in good report.
As you may know, there’s a process to which you find your surgeon. We’ve covered the basics of networking and narrowing down a list of potential doctors, scheduling consultations with them and prescreening the office environment via phone calls. All of these things are important in order to assess the level of comfort you’ll have as a patient and the amount of respect, courtesy and professionalism you’ll feel as a client, all of which contribute to the overall quality of service you’ll receive throughout your plastic surgery procedure.
If you are thinking about having any type of plastic surgery, you need to do your homework first. Cosmetic procedures are not to be taken lightly and done on a whim. You should carefully consider the procedure, find the right surgeon and weigh risks. Here are some important questions to ask a surgeon before having a procedure:
1. Are you board certified and licensed? This is essential because doctors can attend weekend seminars on procedures, call themselves cosmetic surgeons and perform the procedures. Board certification ensures that the surgeon has been through the most rigorous training and education. He also must continue his education and get re-certified.
2. What is your experience in performing this procedure? The more times a surgeon has performed a procedure, the more adept he should be and the more comfortable he is when the unexpected happens.
3. Is the facility accredited and prepared for emergencies? This ensures that it is a sterile facility and has the necessary equipment and a staff trained to use it in times of emergency. This is very important any time anesthesia is used.
4. What technique/equipment do you use? You want to know how up-to-date he is on advances in plastic surgery technique as well as the safest and most efficient equipment.
5. What type of anesthesia will be used? If a local can be used, there is less risk involved. But, if your plastic surgery requires general anesthesia, you must inform your doctor about any allergies and medical conditions that could complicate things.
6. What are the risks? This just helps you prepare for all possibilities and do your part ahead of time to mitigate the risks.
7. Can you look at his before and after photos? Every doctor should have a portfolio of before and after photos in his office and even on-line so you can see the kind of results to expect.
8. How long is the recovery? Again, this helps you plan for time off and get help around the house if necessary. Being prepared and knowing what to expect facilitates the process.