There are a lot of situations where surprises are absolutely wonderful but this does not apply to cosmetic surgery. Your surgical journey should always start with a thorough consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.
By the end of your consultation, you should feel completely at ease with the entire process and have full confidence in your surgeon’s abilities.
If you’ve been considering a facelift for quite some time and have finally booked your consultation, this article will give you a better idea of what you can expect when you meet with your facial surgeon.
A Brief Guide to Your Facelift Consultation
Here are the main things that you will be discussing during your consultation with Dr Michael Zacharia.
Your Aesthetic Goals
To begin with, your surgeon will want to know all about your reasons for wanting a facelift and what you’re hoping to achieve. Make sure that you are clear on your expectations prior to your consultation so that you can provide your surgeon with as many details as possible. Being clear on what you hope to achieve will also help your surgeon create a surgical plan that will cater to your needs. It’s important to remember that your surgeon is also there to provide you with their professional opinion and to help you set realistic expectations, so listen to what they have to say.
Your Medical History
Before it can be determined whether you’re an ideal candidate for a facelift, your doctor will need to review your medical history. Your safety is a number one priority, which is why your surgeon needs to have as much information as possible before going ahead with your surgery. Even if you don’t think something will be relevant, rather mention it to your surgeon, this includes any medications, vitamins or supplements you might be taking or any eating plans you might be on.
Your Lifestyle
Your lifestyle habits will also need to be taken into consideration prior to your facelift. Alcohol and caffeine consumption and the use of cigarettes and recreational drugs can all affect your surgery and your results, which is why it’s important to discuss these lifestyle habits with your surgeon during your consultation. It’s recommended that patients stop smoking at least 3 weeks before their surgery and abstain from consuming alcohol several days before their surgery to minimise bleeding.
Your Physical Health
Since the underlying structures of your face are an important part of your surgery, a physical examination will also be necessary during your facelift consultation. Your surgeon will closely examine and measure your face before taking photos from several different angles. A physical examination ensures that your surgeon has considered every possible factor before scheduling your facelift.
Your Questions
Your surgeon may have determined that you’re an ideal candidate for a facelift but you still need to decide whether your surgeon is the right professional for this procedure. It’s important to ask as many questions as you can during your consultation, including questions about your surgeon’s qualifications, training and experience. It’s also a good idea to look through before and after photos of past facelifts to decide whether your surgeon is capable of producing the results you’re hoping for.