Who should perform your eyelift surgery?

Though eyelift surgery is usually cosmetic and not a medical necessity, all surgeries are serious and potentially problematic. For this reason, it is extremely important that you do your homework before deciding on a surgeon to perform your eyelift.

Some people are on such a budget that they go directly for the surgeons that cost the least. But without proper research, you could end up paying more in the long run by needing another surgeon to fix the mistakes your cheaper one made. Remember that you can't undo the procedure, so you really want to make sure that you find the best surgeon.

There are a few basic questions you should ask potential surgeons to help choose one. But before you start there, you may want to attain referrals from others. If you don't know anyone who has had the procedure, ask potential surgeon office to give you the names of some satisfied patients who are willing to give testimonials (these people will have already given the office permission to release their names and information for this purpose).

The first thing you want to find out about is certification. Is this surgeon Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons? Is the surgeon an Oculoplastic Surgeon? Some cosmetic surgeons perform the procedure without actually being trained specifically in eyelift surgery. You might also ask about Advanced Cardiac Life Support training, which is important for handling any possible cardiac emergencies during or after procedures.

Discuss with potential surgeons what is involved in your procedure and what risks may be associated with it. Be honest about any other medical conditions you have so that your surgeon can make a fair assessment of your individual needs.

Get a good idea of what type of results you can expect from your eyelift. Make sure that the surgeon is more concerned with safety and quality, rather than promising to make you into a new person. What is the surgeon's policy on touch-ups? If the surgery doesn't turn out quite right, will you have the opportunity to have it fixed for free?

Recovery time from an eyelift is crucial, especially if you are taking time off of work. Discuss the estimated recovery time for your procedure and what to expect during that time. Find out what you will need ahead of time to prepare for your recovery.

For those looking for a board certified plastic surgeon in their area, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has a surgeon locator on their website at http://www.plasticsurgery.org .