A facelift surgeon will often encourage patients to come to their consultation prepared with clear questions and an understanding of what the procedure involves.
A consultation is not only about discussing surgical details but also about making sure you have the right information to make informed decisions. Preparing well for this appointment can make the discussion far more productive, as you’ll know what to ask and what details to pay attention to.
In this blog, we’ll give you some tips to help you prepare for your consultation with your facelift surgeon.
Why is preparation for a facelift consultation important?
When you meet with a facelift surgeon to discuss facelift surgery, the consultation will be the chance to discuss your suitability, what you want to achieve, how the procedure will be performed, and more.
It’s not a rushed chat, but a structured appointment where your medical history, current health, and goals for surgery are all considered. The surgeon will also examine your facial structure, skin quality, and any relevant anatomical details.
Preparing beforehand means you can give clear, accurate answers about your health and lifestyle, which helps the surgeon tailor their advice. It also means you’ll avoid leaving with unanswered questions, something that can easily happen when you try to take in a lot of technical details all at once.
What medical information should you bring with you?
It’s important that you come to your consultation with a full list of any medications you currently take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.
Your surgeon will want to know about allergies, past surgeries, and any chronic conditions. Even details that might not feel relevant, like occasional headaches or a history of blood pressure issues, can influence how your surgery is planned.
You may also be asked about your lifestyle, such as smoking, alcohol intake, and exercise habits, since these can all affect healing. Having this information ready helps keep the consultation efficient and ensures the surgeon has a clear overview of your health.
How should you approach questions about the procedure itself?
Asking about the surgical technique is one of the most valuable parts of the consultation. A facelift can be performed in a few different ways, and your surgeon will recommend an approach based on your anatomy and the areas of concern you’ve mentioned. For example, you can ask which layers of tissue will be adjusted during the procedure and how this relates to the results you can expect.
Questions about the length and placement of incisions are also useful, as they give you an understanding of what scars you may have and how they will be managed. This is your opportunity to get specific details rather than broad descriptions, so it’s worth writing down the questions you want to cover beforehand.
What should you ask about recovery?
Recovery is an important part of the procedure process, so discussing this in detail during your consultation is key. You’ll want to know how long you can expect to take off work, when you can resume exercise, and what short-term side effects are common.
Swelling and bruising, for example, are expected after a facelift, but the extent and duration can vary. Asking about follow-up appointments is also important, as these visits allow the surgeon to monitor your healing and address any issues early.
It can also be useful to ask about practical aspects of recovery, like whether drains will be used, how the incisions will be dressed, and when sutures are typically removed. Since every procedure is personalised, you can expect to receive recovery instructions that are tailored, designed to help you support your body’s healing as much as possible.
How do you discuss expected results with your facelift surgeon?
A consultation is the right time to have a realistic conversation about what results can be achieved.
You can ask about how your individual facial structure and skin quality might influence the result, as well as how long the effects of the surgery usually last. While every patient heals differently, surgeons often provide a general timeframe for when swelling will subside and the results will become more evident.
It’s also reasonable to ask how long the results are likely to remain noticeable and whether maintenance procedures might be recommended in the future.
What should you know about risks and complications?
Every surgical procedure carries risks, and a facelift is no exception. During your consultation, your surgeon should go through potential complications, such as infection, bleeding, or any issues that can happen with wound healing.
It’s also appropriate to ask how complications are managed if they occur and whether revision surgery might be necessary in rare cases. Discussing risks in relation to your personal health history, surgical history and lifestyle factors is the most important part.
This is an aspect of surgery that can determine whether or not it’s suitable for you to undergo the procedure, and help both you and your surgeon plan to minimise risks as much as possible if you do decide to have the surgery.
How do you talk about costs during the consultation?
Facelift surgery is generally considered to be an extensive procedure, which can naturally be reflected in what the costs will entail. Costs will typically need to include the surgeon’s fee, hospital or facility fees, and anaesthesia fees.
It’s important that you ask for a detailed breakdown so you know exactly what is included. Some clinics may provide a detailed written quote after your consultation, which can be useful to review in your own time.
Have a consultation with facelift surgeon Dr Hunt in Sydney
Based in Sydney, Dr Jeremy Hunt is registered Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in performing both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
When you feel you are ready to book in your consultation, you are welcome to contact our team.
Further reading about facelift with Dr Hunt:
- What is a facelift (Rhytidectomy)?
- How much does facelift surgery cost in Sydney?
- How to prepare for face lift surgery?
- What questions to ask your surgeon before facelift?
- Are there any age restrictions for facelift surgery?
- Does facelift surgery leave scars?
- What is a jowl lift (lower facelift)?
- What can you expect after facelift surgery (day by day)?
- How to reduce bruising and swelling after face lift surgery?
- How to sleep after facelift surgery?
- What should I know about the post-facelift facial massage?
- How to protect your face from the sun after facelift surgery?
- What should you not do after a facelift?
- What procedures can I combine with a facelift?
- How lifestyle habits can affect face lift results?
Medical references about facelift:
- https://plasticsurgery.org.au/procedures/surgical-procedures/facelift-surgery/
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/facelift
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11023-facelift
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/facelift-meloplasty
- https://www.realself.com/surgical/facelift
