subject: Choosing A Face Lift Surgeon [print this page] It's best to start by putting together a list of various surgeons that you can organize by going through the names and ranking each doctor according to various factors. You'll probably have to make the list a mix of surgeons you research and surgeons that friends and family recommend because friends and family will recommend plenty of doctors. Check with the American Board of Plastic Surgery to make sure the doctors you initially add to the list are members of this board, otherwise they don't belong on the list in the first place.
Even a surgeon highly recommended by a close relative shouldn't be considered if they aren't on the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This board simply ensures a certain level of education, training and experience among its members which should be considered the minimum for a good plastic surgeon.
Once you have compiled your list you will first rank the surgeons by what they specialize in. Those surgeons that actually specialize in face lift procedures should be pushed to the top of the list, while those that don't should be moved to the bottom. Next, you should check each surgeon on the list for malpractice suits filed against them.
Rank the surgeons by how few malpractice suits they have, pushing those with the least to the top and those with the most to the bottom of the list. Keep in mind, however, that a few malpractice suits or less is to be expected of a surgeon with decades of practicing medicine under their belt, but if you find a surgeon with a high number of suits filed against their practice then consider throwing them off the list entirely.
In addition, you can rank each doctor by the educational institution where they studied medicine. Some schools have a greater reputation in general while still having a mediocre medical school, so be sure to properly rank each surgeon's educational background. Finally, you can rank each surgeon by the price they are asking for the face lift procedure you want to have done.
Keep in mind that you will need to wait until your consultation with your chosen doctor before you can be sure which procedure you are going to have, but the differences in prices for various rhytidectomy procedures should be evident.
At this point you should have a list of doctors that has been ranked several different ways. Which ever two doctors make the top of the most rankings should be called up to schedule an appointment for a face lift consultation. After each consultation with your two finalists, you will most likely know who you want as your doctor.
