Plastic Surgeon Information:

• How long have you been a board certified Plastic Surgeon?

• What medical boards are you certified with?

• Are you certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

• Are there any malpractice suits that you have been involved with?

• Have you ever been disciplined by the State Medical Board?

• Do you have local hospital privileges?  If so, which hospitals?  If not, why?

• Do you see the patient yourself at all post op visits or does a nurse handle this?

• Would you perform this surgery on a loved one or a family member?

 

 

 Face Lift Information

• How many face lifts or facial plastic surgery procedures do you do in a year?

• Are revisions of this procedure common? 

• If so, how many revisions do you do on average?

• What is your office policy regarding revision surgery?

• Do you have some before and after photos I can view?

• Do you have any face lift videos I can view regarding this procedure?

• Do you only do this surgery or do you perform other types of procedures?

• What can I expect from this procedure?

• How much discomfort or pain will I be in?

• What are the risks and complications of having a face lift - and are they likely to happen?

• Are you on call after the surgical procedure?

• If something goes wrong, can I contact you?

• How many complications do you see in your practice from this procedure?

• What is recovery from a face lift like?

• What type of aftercare will I get?

• How long will this surgical procedure last?

• What will a face lift achieve for me?

• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

• Should I consider any other type of surgery for the best results?

• Can you explain the face lift procedure in detail?

 

 

 

Anesthesia and Surgery Information

• If I need to have a revision, will you be able to use the same incision again?

• Will the surgery be performed in a hospital setting or do you have your own surgical suite?

• Will there be someone trained in the surgical suite or the recovery area trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of an emergency?

• Is your surgical suite certified and accredited?  Do you have a CRASH cart in case of an emergency?  What agency is your surgical suite accredited with?

• Is your surgical suite accessible to an ambulance in case of an emergency?  What hospital would I be taken to in case of an emergency?

• Do you use a board certified anesthesiologist or a CRNA – Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?

• Does the anesthesiologist use anti-nausea meds in the IV during the procedure?

• What type of anesthesia do you normally use – twilight, general, local with sedation?

• What kind of monitoring does the anesthesiologist during surgery?

 

 

 

Risks and Complications

• What are the risks and complications I need to be aware of with having a face lift procedure?

• How often does a hematoma occur? 

• Have you been successful with correcting this complication in your practice?

• If a complication does occur, is this revision surgery on the patient or do you cover this?

• How often does it occur?  If a revision surgical procedure is needed for this complication, is this covered by you or the patient?

• What is your infection rate?

• If I do get an infection, what are steps are taken?

• What do you advise for your patients who smoke?  Do you have a timeline you want them to refrain from smoking?

• I am concerned about facial nerve paralysis.  How often does this occur?

 

 

 

Post Operative Care

• Are there any special instructions I should follow once I get home?

• Are there any supplies I should buy and keep on hand for my recovery?

• Will I need any special assistance in the days following surgery?

• What kinds of things should I be on the alert for that would indicate a possible emergency?

• What are your emergency contact numbers

• What type of pain medication will I be given?

• When can I resume normal activity

• When can I drive again?

• When can I return to work?

• What is the normal follow up visit schedule after a face lift?

• What about camouflage cosmetics - is this an option?

• Describe to me the healing process.

 

 

 

Financial Information

• What does your quote include (and what does it not include)?

• Is the anesthesia and surgery center cost included or are they billed separately?

• How much will this procedure cost me?  How much do you require to hold a surgical date?

• When should the balance be paid for in full?

• Are there any hidden costs that I should be made aware of?  Lab work, surgical center, hospital costs, postoperative appointments and medications?

• Do you work with any financial companies?  Is so, which ones do you recommend?

• Do you offer an installment payment program?

• Do you give a discount if the procedure is paid for in cash?

• Do you take credit cards – if so, which ones?

• If something should come up and I have to cancel the surgery, do you refund my money?