What questions should I ask my facelift (rhytidectomy) surgeon?

We have a section – Cosmetic Surgery: General FAQs - which contains useful information on this.

There are questions which apply to any surgeon whatever his/her specialism and these can be found in this section. They include questions about the following:

• How many years have you been doing this procedure?
• How many operations have you done?
• Do you only do this surgery or do you perform other types of procedures?
• What can I expect from this procedure?
• How much pain and/or discomfort can I expect?
• What are the risks/complications and how likely are they to happen?
• If something goes wrong can I contact you?
• How long will the recovery take? How much time will I have to take off work?
• What are your success rates?
• Can I speak to any of your other patients who have had this surgery?
• Do you have any ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs I can look at?
• What aftercare will I get?
• Am I likely to need further surgery in the future?
• What does your quote include (and what does it not include)?
• Do I have a choice of clinic or hospital where the surgery will be performed?

In regard to specific questions about facelift surgery then consider asking the following:

1. Am I suitable for facelift surgery?
2. Are there any other procedures that I should consider along with facelift surgery to achieve a better effect?
3. Will I experience pain during or after the surgery?
4. What will the facelift achieve?
5. What cannot be achieved by a facelift?
6. Can you explain the facelift procedure in full?
7. How long will the results of facelift surgery last and will I need further surgery?

As well as ensuring that your surgeon is both experienced and competent, it is important that you like him or her. You are going to have several meetings with him/her not to mention that fact that you are placing your trust in him/her. So, it is important that you like and feel comfortable with your surgeon.

Your surgeon should be objective, compassionate and professional. He or she should be accessible and able to put you at your ease. Your health and wellbeing should be his or her only concern.

If your surgeon is pushy, impatient or tries to pressurise you into surgery then talk to someone else. Do not feel pressurised into making a decision or choosing to undergo a procedure which may not be right for you.

What can help is to take a checklist of questions in with you and then each one off in turn.

A good surgeon will only want what’s right for you. If you are not suitable either because of your medical history or other factors then he/she will tell you. It should not be about ‘making a profit’.

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?