Defining who a "top" surgeon is for a particular type of surgery can be difficult. Remember that the vast majority of board certified facial plastic surgeons or plastic surgeons are excellent at what they do. The US has an excellent credentialing process and ensures that board-certified surgeons excel at their specialty.A few things to keep in mind:-The "top" surgeons you may see on TV or in magazines are often established through connections or paid advertisements. While they are all most likely excellent surgeons, they are not the only "top" surgeons to consider.-All surgeons perform certain procedures more than others. Talk to your potential surgeon in consultation and get an idea of how many facelifts he/she does per year. For example, one plastic surgeon may perform 10 facelifts per year, while another performs more than 100 per year.-Think of a "top" surgeon more as "the best surgeon for you." This depends a lot on things like good communication, personal service, attention to your specific needs, and availability both before and after the surgery. You can learn about these things with a good, comprehensive consultation with a potential surgeon.-Price of the surgery does not always correlate with quality of surgeon. Patients will pay a premium to have their surgery in big markets like NYC or Beverly Hills. You can often get an equivalent surgery (or better) in other cities in the US and pay less.-The best and most honest ratings and referrals are by patients! If you can, talk to a surgeon's recent patients and get an idea of what the experience was like.The remainder of factors to consider are well described by other answers here. Finding a "top surgeon" is all about determining what factors are most important to you and discussing those during a one-on-one consultation.Best of luck in your decision.
There are many excellent plastic surgeons well qualifies to perform facelifts. The following are some questions you can ask to help you find the ideal plastic surgeon for you. TRAINING1. Where did your doctor attend medical school?2. Was it a top tier medical school?3. Did your plastic surgeon receive training from a prominent medical university?4. How many years of formal surgical training did they receive?Certifications and Memberships1. Is your doctor a member of Alpha Omega Alpha?2. Is your doctor Board Certified?Before and After Photos1. Does your plastic surgeon have a number of quality photographs of the procedure you are considering from three different perspectives and are all of the photos of work performed by your surgeon?3. Do all photos have consistent lighting, cropping, and position4. Does your surgeon have previous surgical patients you can speak to? Surgical Facility1. Is surgery performed in an accredited facility?2. How is my privacy protected on the day of surgery? 3. Does a board certified anesthesiologist administer anesthesia care during surgery? Does the anesthesiologist remain at the bedside of the patient for the duration of surgery?4. What other medical professionals are part of the surgical team? 5. At what local hospitals does your doctor have privileges to practice? Additional Questions1. Does your surgeon really listen to you and understand your goals?2. Do you feel comfortable and confident with your surgeon's staff? 3. After a consultation did you feel pressured in any way to schedule surgery? 4. What is included in the price of surgery?
