Toronto Office
Dr. Richard Rival
501-1881 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4S 3C4
Phone: (866) 229-3223
Outside Ontario: (905) 830-6711
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Newmarket Office
Dr. Richard Rival
712 Davis Drive, Suite 101A
Newmarket, ON L3Y 8C3
Phone: (905) 830-6711
Outside Ontario: (905) 830-6711
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Ask the Right Questions During Your Facelift Consultation
Facelift surgery provides long-lasting, transformative results. Because of this, most people seeking a facelift do a good amount of research on both the procedure and potential surgeons. Once you’ve narrowed down the pool of facial plastic surgeons to perform your facelift here in Toronto, you can make the most of your consultation by asking the right questions.
Question #1: Are you board-certified?
Typically, this information will be available on the surgeon’s website. In the event that it isn’t, however, asking about the surgeon’s expertise is a good way to begin your consultation. Your surgeon should be happy to talk openly about his or her credentials. Look for a surgeon who is experienced in facial plastic surgery. For example, I’m a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, I’m also board certified in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery as well as in facial plastic surgery.
Question #2: Do you have examples of previous work?
Just as artists and writers have portfolios to showcase their work, aesthetic surgeons have before-and-after galleries of their best cases. You can look at photos on the surgeon’s website or ask to see them during your consultation. Looking at photos will help you understand the breadth of your surgeon’s expertise as well as the type of results you might expect.
Question #3: What can I expect from surgery?
An important part of the consultation is discussing the type of results that are possible for your unique face. After a thorough physical evaluation, your surgeon should be able to give you a clear answer and set expectations regarding the type of results that are possible. I like to use computer imaging software that allows me to manipulate a photo of the patient’s face to help us both envision the same result.
Question #4: Can a facelift help me reach my goals?
It depends what those goals are! This question is closely tied to #3. You should feel comfortable sharing your aesthetic concerns with your surgeon and having a dialogue about whether or not a facelift can help. In some cases, you may be a better candidate for eyelid surgery, brow lift, neck lift, injectable fillers, or a combined approach.
Question #5: How long will it take to recover?
The recovery experience can vary quite a lot between patients, depending on the specifics of his or her surgery and unique anatomy. While you’ll likely feel ready to return to work within a couple of weeks, you should take extra time away from physically demanding activities. Your surgeon will provide you with more specific guidelines both before your surgery and during the follow-up process.
Question #6: How much will surgery cost?
This is the most pressing question for many of my patients, and rightly so, as cost is a major factor when considering elective surgery. Although a facelift is not something you should bargain shop for, I want to make sure my patients feel like they received a good value for their money—1 that exceeded their expectations and will provide many years of enjoyment and confidence. The cost of facelift surgery is variable based on the specifics of each procedure, and we’ll provide you with a written quote for your consideration after your consultation is over.
Ready to put these tips into action? Contact my office and request your own consultation. I’m looking forward to helping you plan the perfect facelift.
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