58-year-old female considering a deep plane facelift: what are the most important questions to ask the surgeon?

Question

I am a 58-year-old female considering a DPFL. Aside from the obvious questions (anesthesia, what are the risk/rewards, etc) what important questions should I be asking? The doctor I am seeing is extremely experienced so the number of procedures is not an issue.

Georgios Orfaniotis MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

I think once you are happy with your surgeon's experience and their results, the main question to talk is about aftercare. What's the protocol for follow up appointments, how many checks you need in the first 6 weeks, how long they will follow you up for, what's their recommendations for additional treatments to speed up the recovery and improve the scar and the outcome, who you will be talking to if you have any questions during your recovery, and so on. Ask whats their approach when things don't go to plan, i.e. if you are asking for revision. Also ask what do they recommend for you neck and whether an anterior neck approach is required. Some surgeons include deep neck contouring alongside deep plane facelift in their pricing but others don't. Lastly, its good to have an open mind about additional procedures you may benefit from (I.e. eyelids, brows, lip) but don't get talked into surgery to correct things you never thought they were a problem. Best of luck.

Brian M. Harmych, MD, FACS · Answer

The biggest questions to ask pertain to exactly what type of surgery will be performed. I have found that many surgeons say they perform deep plane facelift surgery and, in fact, are not. Few points below:
1. Is the proposed operation true deep plane facelift or extended deep plane facelift? Find out for sure what the surgeon means when they say "deep plane".
2. How long will the procedure take? Experienced surgeons take 4-5 hours and with rare exceptions, less time.
3. What is the extent of the dissection? Be knowledgeable about the extent of dissection performed and ensure the surgeon is comfortable completing the entire dissection.

Jigar Sitapara, MD · Answer

Good morning from Washington DC,Thank you for your question! Other than the basics (which you definitely have), I would ask the following:- When did they switch to doing deep plane facelifts? You may be surprised that this surgeon was doing SMAS lifts for 25 years and only recently switched. Ask them why they switched, and why do they prefer this technique for you. - Do they recommend doing any work deep to the platysma muscle in the central neck? This may or may not be necessary to get your desired outcome.- What is the extent of their deep plane dissection? Do they release all of the ligaments and mobilize the midfacial fat pad? Why or why not? Do they recommend addressing the buccal fat pad for you while doing the deep plane dissection? I know some of these were technical questions but I hope they show your doctor that you have done your research. I hope they take the opportunity to explain the relevant anatomy and the surgical details to your liking. That way, you are truly informed before you proceed. Best of luck!Jigar Sitapara, MDChevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You should ask what about deep plane facelift is better because I don't believe it is. Down side of deep plane: more swelling. Greater risk of nerve injury and probably more expensive. Just don't get talked into fat transfer as well.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

First of all it's very important to study your prospective surgeon's facelift photo Gallery to make sure that it is extensive with results that you like. Make sure the hair pulled back behind the ears on they've postoperative photographs so that you can clearly see the incisions. In our practice we perform high-SMAS lower face and neck lift which is much more safe regarding facial nerve branch paralysis issues with the deep plane facelift. Also important to ask if your neck is being rejuvenated as well

58-year-old female considering a deep plane facelift: what are the most important questions to ask the surgeon?

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