What is Acceptable Background to Do Facelift Surgery?

Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology are 2 different specialties. The background of your surgeon is only one of the important questions to ask before your facelift. In general, most facelifts today are performed by board certified plastic surgeons and board certified facial plastic surgeons.
But there are surgeons within each of these 2 specialties who rarely (or not at all) perform facelifts, because their interests are elsewhere. Less frequently, otolaryngologists/ head & neck surgeon without facial plastic surgery specialty training, ophtholmologists/ oculoplastic surgeons, dermatologists, and oral maxillo facial surgeons perform facelifts.
"Who is best qualified" is a common question leading to differing opinions mixed with a little "turf talk". Well-qualified surgeons learnt facelift surgery during their residency and fellowship training, AND perform a good number of these procedures in their current practice.
Best of luck!

As a minimum qualification for a surgeon working on your face, he or she should be Board Certified in either Facial Plastic Surgery or Plastic Surgery.  You should chose a surgeon based on his experience with facelifting, knowledge of facial anatomy, and training/background.

A physician certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology with additional training in facial plastic surgery or a board certified plastic surgeon are acceptable credentials for facelift surgery.

Dr. ES

When I answer this question, I think of who I would send my Mother to. I would only send her to a Board Certified, Fellowship trained Facial Plastic Surgeon or a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with a special interest in Facelift Surgery. It makes sense to see a surgeon who specializes in faces and these are the only two groups who match that criteria.
A little explanation is necessary regarding an issue frequently brought up: The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and Facial Plastic Surgery. When it comes to using the ABMS as the defining compass in determining who should be performing Facelifts, Rhinoplasty, Belpharoplasty, etc., the answer by state legislatures and the American Public has been "No".
Facial Plastic Surgery is a sub-specialty of Otolaryngology devoted exclusively toward cosmetic and reconstructive challenges in the face and neck. The lack of inclusion in ABMS of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) is purely political and not qualitative. In other words, there are no grounds based on training, education, or board certification which would exclude the ABFPRS from ABMS. Because of this excellence in training and the rigorous nature of the certification process the ABFPRS is considered ABMS board equivalent in Florida, Texas, California, New York , and every State that requires disclosure of ABMS or ABMS equivalent board certification. Facial Plastic Surgery is recognized by and represented in the AMA subspecialty House of Delegates and in numerous state medical societies.
A number of years ago, a political compromise was attempted between Plastic Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery to form a new ABMS specialty described as "Plastic Surgery of the Head and Neck". This was not politically possible, so we now have two very capable groups of surgeons who perform Facelifts: Facial Plastic Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons.

Facial plastic surgery is most often performed by plastic surgeons or ENT surgeons. A nice place to find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area is on the website, www.surgery.org. This is the website of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dear nhcent:
It is unlikely that your doctor is board certified in both ophthalmology and otolaryngology.
First, be aware that no residency program provides sufficient training in facelifting. This includes ophthalmology, otolaryngology, general plastic surgery, or dermatology.
There are individuals in each of these specialities who have gone on to do additional training to develop special expertise in performing a face lift. These training programs include informal preceptorship with experienced surgeons and more formal programs like fellowships in cosmetic and aesthetic surgery, facial plastic surgery, dermatology surgery, and oculofacial surgery under the authority of various specialty organizations.
Should an ophthalmologist be performing a facelift? The answer is no if their sole training is their ophthalmology residency. Currently, no ophthalmology residency offers adequate training for an ophthalmologist to be proficient in this specialized procedure. However, if the ophthalmologist has gone on and done a two year fellowship approved by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, then yes they have appropriate training. Current fellowship numbers indicate that oculofacial surgeons are performing more face lifts in their two year fellowship than otolarygologists in a respective facial plastic surgery fellowship. It is important to recognize however, that individuals and individual programs vary. Credentials alone are not sufficient.
Finally, also be aware that a Quicklift is a proprietary version of an S-lift. These are small incision type facelifts. Inherently, there is nothing wrong with this type of surgery, if it is right for you. However, some of the small incision facelifts get done in cookie cutter fashion meaning that your facelift may or may not be ideal for your particular face. There is no substitute for finding a very experienced facelift surgeon whose work you have had an opportunity to review and are personally comfortable with. Ultimately there is no substitute for confidence in the surgeon you have choosen.