The best way to choose a surgeon for your facelift is to look at their credentials and experience first, then examine their quality of work by looking at before and after pictures. Find out about their after care. Are they listening to your questions? Are they answering your questions? Are they interacting with you in a way that makes you feel comfortable?
It’s important to look past how a surgeon is marketing to you; what they’re putting on the Internet and advertising on social media. Instead, think about whether they can deliver the results that you want. Ask yourself if you think that surgeon will be there if things don’t go as planned. Certainly, many surgeons like myself believe all their surgeries will come out perfectly, but people heal differently and sometimes problems arise. It’s the nature and risk of surgery.
Most patients think that the best technical surgeon is the one that is best for their facelift, but that is not always the case. A doctor who makes you feel heard, who has demonstrated results that you’d like to see in yourself, is easily accessible, and who has the skill to give you what you want catered to your own individual needs, is the best choice. Every person is different and should be treated as such.
Some people travel for their surgery to get the best doctor, but there are some downsides to that. If your surgeon is in Brazil and you can’t reach them for post operative care or questions, or if you can’t travel back to them for problems, that could be a real issue. This is not to say that you can’t work with a doctor in a different state. Just make sure that along with their credentials that they offer a way to stay connected over the miles.
I have a lot of out of town patients and with the use of the Internet, and being able to send screenshots and video chat, I am able to bridge the gap. One thing that I do, and I’ve done this for 36 years in every year of my practice, is that I give all of my cosmetic patients my cell number. It makes my inbox a little overloaded sometimes, and I have a lot of calls to make at the end of the day, but my patients feel more comfortable which makes me happy.
Choosing the right surgeon can be difficult. I have patients who come to me wondering if I am the best guy. They read about me on the Internet. They read about others on the Internet. They weigh the odds while trying to make an informed choice.
During the first few minutes of meeting a new patient, I’m not going to tell them who to choose. I’m certainly not going to tell them to choose me. While I’m a person with a lot of credentials and can do the job, the patient has to be comfortable with me and like my style and results. Cosmetic surgery is not an exact science, it’s an artistry. The best option is to choose a surgeon that you think will listen to you and that will be there for you. Make a list of your goals, aesthetically and physically, as well as what you would like to see in your surgeon.
I often have to do a few consults before someone is comfortable enough, and sometimes I get a phone call right beforet surgery even after I’ve done a consult and pre-op because the patient gets a little nervous. By answering their questions and communicating with the patient, it makes them feel more secure in their choice.
Call me, email me. I’ve done this for a lot of years. I love practicing what I do every day of the week. It would be great to see you in my office.
Have questions about facelifts?
Email Dr. Sykes at [email protected]
Read More
What Is the Best Age for a Facelift?
What’s the Difference Between a Facelift and a Mini Facelift?
What Is a Natural Rhinoplasty?
Facelift Before & After Photos
About Dr. Jonathan Sykes
Dr. Jonathan Sykes is a world-famous expert plastic surgeon who performs all cosmetic and functional plastic surgery procedures on the face and neck. He is a past president of The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and served on their Board of Directors for over 10 years. He is also a Professor Emeritus in Facial Plastic Surgery from UC Davis Medical Center, and the former Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at that institution.
He is known as the expert’s expert, and is often called to consult and advise other plastic surgeons in both Northern California and Beverly Hills. He has a special interest in eyelid and browlift surgery, facial rejuvenation surgery including facelifts, and rhinoplasty. He also has a particular interest in facial feminization surgery. Have questions? Email Dr.Sykes at: [email protected]
