Medical Malpractice

The facelift is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed in the entire world. People have the surgery with the goal of retaining their youthful appearance by having their skin tightened and repositioned. If you're seriously considering this surgery, it's important to ask questions and be prepared during the consultation phase. You should treat the consultation phase as a way to audition potential surgeons. You want to find the person who makes you feel the most comfortable and confident that the operation will go off without a hitch. Here is a guide to which questions you should address during the initial interview:

Get an Idea of the Surgeon's Background
You'll want to discover the history of the surgeon. See if they're board certified, specifically with the American Board of Plastic surgery. They're considered to be the most prestigious society for these kinds of doctors. Make sure you ask how long they've been practicing plastic surgery and how long they've been working in their current location. You want to work with somebody who has had his or her office established for several years, if possible. Make sure the surgeon has a relationship with a hospital, in case you need to be admitted. You'll also want to verify that they have a valid medical license in the state the operation will be performed and that the surgeon carries malpractice insurance. If the surgeon doesn't have a carrier that is willing to cover them, then you're dealing with a big red flag. While the overall plastic surgery experience is important, you'll want to make sure they have some major facelift experience as well. Discover how many of these surgeries the surgeon performs each year and see if you can get some before and after photos and testimonies from previous patients.

Sort out the Financials
You'll want to know right away what the final cost of the procedure will be. Make sure the surgeon includes the costs of the anesthesia and surgical facility fees. Ask about any additional costs, as many people like to sneak in hidden fees after the surgery has been done. You'll also want to know if you're required to purchase medications and what they cost. If you have to deal with follow-up visits, learn about any future fees. If you're not paying in cash up front, you'll have to work out a loan with the surgeon. Learn everything about the financing options and policies, as you don't want to sign on the dotted line on anything you don't understand.

Understand the Post-Operative Phase
Make sure the surgeon gives you some instructions for how you'll need to take care of yourself after the facelift. They should be able to tell you how many days you'll need to recover and what supplies should be kept on hand while you're confined to a bed. Ask how long it will take for you to be able to start driving and exercising again. Planning a schedule around your recovery time is important; as you'll need to make sure you have somebody around to cover your important tasks while you're unable.