Doctor Selection · Consultation Questions
What Questions Should I Ask Before a Facelift?
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Haute MD Editorial Team
Before scheduling a facelift, ask: Are you ABPS board certified and fellowship-trained in facial plastic surgery? How many facelifts do you perform per year and which technique do you use? Can I see before-and-after photos of your facelift patients specifically? What technique do you recommend for my anatomy and why? What is the realistic recovery timeline and what results should I expect at 6 months? What happens if I am unhappy with my result?
Technique-specific questions
What technique do you perform — SMAS, deep plane, or extended deep plane? Why do you recommend this technique for my anatomy specifically? Do you perform the deep plane facelift? How does your technique address the neck and jowls? Will you combine the facelift with any other procedures (fat grafting, blepharoplasty)?
Experience and volume questions
How many facelifts do you perform per year? What percentage of your practice is facial surgery? Can I see results from patients with similar concerns and anatomy to mine? How do you handle complications from facelift surgery?
Recovery and logistics
Where will surgery be performed and what anesthesia will be used? What does the week-by-week recovery look like? When can I return to work and exercise? What post-operative care will I need and who will provide it?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should facelift before-and-after photos be taken post-op?
Ask to see photos taken at 6-12 months post-operatively — not just early dramatic comparisons showing swelling reduction. Long-term results at 12+ months show the true quality and longevity of the technique.
Should I choose the deep plane facelift over a SMAS facelift?
This depends on your anatomy, degree of aging, and the surgeon's skill set. Deep plane facelifts produce more natural, longer-lasting results in most patients — but the technique requires advanced training and not all surgeons perform it. A highly skilled SMAS facelift by an expert may produce better results than a deep plane facelift by a less experienced surgeon.
Is it worth traveling to see a facelift specialist?
For a deep plane facelift or complex case, traveling to see a subspecialist with high facelift volume and consistently natural results is often worthwhile. The difference between an excellent and a mediocre facelift result can be dramatic and difficult to correct.
What is the right age for a facelift consultation?
Most surgeons first see facelift consultation patients in their 40s-60s, though results are individual. There is no absolute right age — a consultation is appropriate whenever facial laxity is concerning to you and non-surgical options are no longer producing adequate improvement.
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