How do I find a reputable facelift (rhytidectomy) surgeon?

Don’t underestimate the importance of this. A highly qualified and skilled surgeon with many years of experience in facelift surgery is worth their weight in gold.

After all, you are placing your life in his or her hands so you need to be certain that you have made the right choice.

So, where do you start…

A good place to start is to ask your GP. If you are looking to the NHS to pay for your surgery then he/she will be able to advise you and, refer you to a reputable surgeon.

If you are ‘going private’ then he/she may still be able to recommend a surgeon. He or she may also know of a patients support group who will have information about cosmetic surgeons.

If you have a friend or know of anyone who has had this surgery then ask them for a recommendation. Word of mouth is still one of the best forms of recommendation.

Contact leading organisations such as the GMC who hold a Specialist Register of Plastic Surgery. Other organisations include BAAPS or BAPRAS. These are the most highly regarded cosmetic surgery organisations in the world and it is extremely difficult to gain membership. If your surgeon is a member then you can take this as a ‘seal of approval’.

Ideally, your surgeon will hold an NHS consultant post or will have held such a position. He or she may also be a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS).

There are various cosmetic surgery websitses which hold details of cosmetic surgeons.

What you are looking for is ‘quality’ and not a ‘bargain’ or ‘cut price’ surgery. You may be offered what looks like a good deal but think about why this is so cheap? Price is a consideration but you want a surgeon who is qualified and skilled in his/her field and that comes before cost.

It is a good idea to obtain the names and details of several cosmetic surgeons, say a list of three or four ‘possibles’ and interview each of these in turn. Everyone is different, with individual needs and you want to be sure that you find the surgeon that suits YOU.

Facelift Surgery Guide Index:

• What is a ‘rhytidectomy’?
• Who should consider a facelift ?
• Who is not suitable for facelift surgery ?
• Why shouldn’t I have facelift surgery?
• How much does a facelift surgery cost?
• Can I get help towards paying for my facelift?
• Can I have a facelift on the NHS?
• Can I have facelift surgery abroad?
• I am interested in a facelift what do I do next?
• How do I find a reputable facelift surgeon?
• What questions should I ask my surgeon?

• I have decided to go ahead so what happens next?
• How do I prepare for my facelift surgery?
• What will happen on the day of my facelift surgery?
• What is the facelift surgery procedure?
• What will happen after my facelift surgery?
• What does recovery from facelift surgery involve?
• What are the benefits of facelift surgery?
• What are the risks of facelift surgery?
• Is there an ‘aftercare’ service for facelift surgery?
• How long does a facelift surgery last?