Facelift Consultation Checklist: How to Prepare for Your Surgical Consultation
Preparing for your facelift consultation is an important first step on your aesthetic journey. Your consultation is your opportunity to learn, ask questions, and understand exactly what a facelift can and cannot achieve for your unique goals. At Faceliftology, we help you walk into this appointment informed and confident by breaking down what to expect, what to bring, and which questions matter most.
A well-prepared consultation not only helps your surgeon understand your priorities, but also ensures you receive accurate guidance tailored to your facial anatomy, medical history, and desired outcome. The better you prepare, the more productive and empowering your experience will be.
The Facelift Consultation Checklist
- Before Your Appointment
- Consult with three board certified plastic surgeons.
- What Surgeons Evaluate
- Take note of the time they spend with you.
- Questions to Ask During a Facelift Consultation
- Speak with the surgeon’s staff.
- What information is provided to you about the procedure?
- Is it a heavy sales visit?
- Photos, Notes & Personal Goals
- Inquire about hospital credentials.
- Make sure you analyze and understand the procedures recommended, quoted for, and on your surgical consent form.
- Make sure the surgeon you consult with will be the same one doing the procedure. Double check the surgical consent form for this too.
- What Happens After the Consultation
Before Your Facelift Appointment
Begin by gathering a complete health history, including a detailed list of all current medications, supplements, and vitamins you take. Providing accurate information helps your surgeon assess surgical safety and plan appropriately.
It is also advisable to schedule a visit with your primary care physician to obtain medical clearance for surgery. Depending on your health history, your facelift surgeon may require a formal medical clearance letter prior to proceeding. Taking these steps in advance can help ensure a smoother preoperative process and minimize unexpected delays.
Consult with three board-certified plastic surgeons
Meeting with at least three board-certified plastic surgeons gives you a well-rounded understanding of your options, their surgical styles, and the realism of the outcomes they promise. Each surgeon may approach facial rejuvenation differently, so comparing their recommendations allows you to identify who best aligns with your aesthetic goals, medical needs, and personal comfort level. This also helps you spot any outliers—whether someone is over-promising results or suggesting an overly aggressive plan.
What Surgeons Evaluate During the Facelift Consultation
During your facelift consultation, the surgeon performs a comprehensive assessment to determine whether you are an appropriate candidate and to develop a personalized surgical plan. This evaluation typically includes:
- Facial anatomy and aging patterns – Assessment of skin quality, elasticity, thickness, fat distribution, muscle tone, and areas of volume loss or descent.
- Bone structure and structural support – Evaluation of jawline definition, chin projection, and underlying skeletal framework.
- Neck contour – Examination of skin laxity, platysmal banding, and submental fullness.
- Symmetry and proportions – Careful analysis of facial balance at rest and with animation.
- Overall health status – Review of medical history, medications, prior surgeries, and factors that may affect healing.
- Skin quality factors – Sun damage, smoking history, and other variables that influence recovery and outcomes.
- Aesthetic goals and expectations – A discussion about what concerns you most and what results are realistically achievable.
This consultation is both diagnostic and educational. It allows the surgeon to identify anatomical considerations while helping you understand your options, risks, recovery expectations, and potential outcomes.
Take note of the time they spend with you.
The amount of time a surgeon dedicates to your consultation is often a reflection of how thorough and patient-focused they are. A surgeon who rushes through your concerns or skips explanations may approach surgery with the same mindset. On the other hand, a surgeon who takes time to understand your goals, medical history, and facial structure demonstrates a commitment to individualized care. Your consultation should feel unrushed, informative, and respectful.
Questions to Ask During a Facelift Consultation
A facelift consultation can be overwhelming, so bringing prepared questions and taking detailed notes helps ensure you remember all the information needed to make an informed decision. Ask about technique, recovery time, risks, expected results, and alternative procedures. Writing everything down helps you compare surgeons later and prevents important details from getting lost in the moment.
During the consultation, take a note pad for your notes and maybe bring some photos of yourself from before you started showing signs of aging. Some great questions to ask during the consultation are as follows:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many facelifts have you performed in your career?
- How many facelifts do you perform every year?
- When did you last do a facelift?
- Will I be the only surgical patient on the day of surgery?
- Where do you have hospital credentials?
- Where will my facelift be performed?
- Will you be the primary surgeon to do my surgery?
- Do you have students, residents, or fellows that assist in surgery?
- How long do you anticipate my surgery will take?
- What kind of anesthesia will be used for my facelift procedure?
Speak with the surgeon’s staff.
The staff often plays a major role in your overall surgical experience, from scheduling to post-operative care. Observing how they communicate, how knowledgeable they are, and how comfortable you feel with them can tell you a lot about the practice’s culture. A supportive, professional team is a strong indicator of a well-run office and a positive surgical journey.
What information is provided to you about the procedure?
A good consultation should come with clear, comprehensive information about the facelift procedure including written materials, diagrams, or videos explaining the surgical approach including the specific type of facelift recommended, expected results, risks, and recovery process. You should walk away feeling more educated, not more confused. If a practice is transparent and thorough in explaining the procedure, it’s a sign they value patient understanding and safety.
Is it a heavy sales visit?
A facelift consultation should feel educational, not like a high-pressure sales pitch. If you sense that the surgeon or staff is pushing you to book quickly, upgrade procedures, or commit on the spot, it may be a red flag. Ethical surgeons prioritize your safety, readiness, and confidence—not closing a sale.
Photos, Notes & Personal Goals
Preparing thoughtfully for your consultation can make the conversation more productive and meaningful. Take time to reflect on your personal goals for facelift surgery and write them down. Consider which facial features concern you most, which concern you least, and what specifically feels “different” compared to earlier years.
Some patients find it helpful to gather a few photographs from 10–20 years ago. These images are not used to recreate a younger face, but they can help illustrate natural contours, volume distribution, and facial proportions that have changed over time. They also provide a helpful reference point when discussing subtle versus more comprehensive rejuvenation.
Bringing notes and photos allows you to clearly communicate your priorities while helping your surgeon better understand your aesthetic vision.
Ask to see Before and After Photos.
Reviewing a surgeon’s facelift portfolio is critical for understanding their aesthetic style and consistency. Pay attention to patients like you in age, facial structure, and concerns. Look for natural results, symmetry, and long-term follow-up photos when available. Seeing real outcomes builds trust and allows you to visualize what the surgeon can achieve.
Inquire about hospital credentials.
A surgeon’s hospital privileges confirm they meet safety and competency standards recognized by accredited medical institutions. Even if your procedure is performed in a private surgical center, hospital credentials offer reassurance that the surgeon is vetted and trusted to operate safely. This is a key element of verifying their qualifications.
Make sure you analyze and understand the procedures recommended, quoted for, and on your surgical consent form.
It’s essential to fully understand every procedure being proposed, not just what your surgeon recommends, but what appears on your written quote and your surgical consent form. These documents must meet your expectations. Understanding each item prevents confusion, ensures transparency, and protects you from undergoing unplanned or unnecessary procedures.
Make sure the surgeon you consult with will be the same one doing the procedure. Double-check the surgical consent form for this too.
Always verify that the surgeon you consult with will be the one to perform your facelift. Some practices use assistants or other surgeons for parts or all of the procedure without making this clear upfront. Confirming the surgeon’s name on your surgical consent form ensures you receive the expertise, experience, and personal care you expected when choosing your provider.