Questions to Ask During Your Facelift Consultation
The goal of any facelift procedure is to achieve natural-looking results by enhancing the patient’s own distinctive beauty. Careful planning prior to your facelift procedure is essential to achieving these results, and a productive, successful preoperative consultation is an important part of the facelift planning process. Here, Dr. Hause provides questions you should ask during the appointment.
Are You Board Certified?
The first thing you want to know is that your physician is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification means that your surgeon has received the necessary training and is genuinely committed to patient safety. Board certified plastic surgeons have, at minimum, five years of surgical training, have passed comprehensive oral and written examinations, and have completed an accredited residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery. All of this is of the utmost importance for your safety and, ultimately, the success of your results.
Am I a Good Candidate for Surgery?
You may go into the appointment convinced that you want a facelift, but first you should make sure that you are a good candidate for the procedure. Generally, suitable facelift candidates have visible signs of aging such as deep wrinkles and creases around the nose and mouth, fallen or displaced fat and sagging skin in the mid-face or along the jawline. If you have other, different concerns, another procedure might be more appropriate.
What Happens During Surgery?
Facelift restores a youthful appearance to the middle and lower portions of your face by tightening the skin, smoothing wrinkles and improving other signs of aging. The surgical incisions are inconspicuously placed along the hairline and ears, so any scarring will not be noticeable. Facelift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under anesthesia and typically takes one to three hours.
What is Recovery Like?
You need to know what to expect during recovery in order to facilitate the most positive experience and results. Patients must rest during recovery, avoiding strenuous activities. Typically there is a certain degree of swelling and bruising, which subsides within a few weeks. Your surgeon should provide detailed instructions on post-operative care, restrictions and any physical limitations for recovery, as well as a timeline of when it is safe to return to work and other normal activities.
How Much Will the Procedure Cost?
This is an important question because facelift is considered elective surgery and, as such, you will be ineligible for insurance coverage. Your surgeon should be forthcoming with a customized quote including his or her fees, anesthesia and operating room costs.
Consult with Dr. Hause
If you would like to discover how you can reverse the telltale signs of aging and looks years younger, please call (916) 646-6869 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Hause.