There’s no denying that making the decision to get any type of cosmetic enhancement, like a facelift, is an extremely personal experience. Where a medical surgery might be necessary for the sake of your health, a cosmetic surgery is merely a voluntary decision that stems from social and emotional triggers. Because cosmetic surgery is a big deal, it’s a good idea to consider a few things before going under the knife, especially for a facelift.

1. Make Sure You Choose the Right Surgeon

Let’s face it. Some surgeons are better than others for performing certain types of surgeries. When you get this sort of procedure done, you’re going to want to find a surgeon that you trust and feel close to. Be cautious of surgeons that don’t seem very talkative or interested in getting to know you before you allow them to reconstruct your appearance.

2. Make Sure You Can Afford the Facelift

Cosmetic surgery tends to be quite pricey, and unfortunately, some people don’t realize or figure this out until after they’ve undergone the knife. Know exactly what you’ll be billed for and make sure you can financially handle it in the long run.

3. Know What Will Happen During and After the Facelift

If you’ve chosen a quality surgeon, he/she will feel comfortable with discussing the details of the surgery, before, during, and after. They’ll openly share with you what exactly they’ll do while you’re receiving the facelift and what to expect while you’re in recovery. For example, they’ll fill you in on the bruising or level of pain you’ll likely endure while recovering.

4. What are the Possible Complications?

With all different types of surgeries, whether medical or cosmetic, there are risks and possibilities of complications. In some cases where surgery might not pose much of a risk, many people make the mistake of assuming that there is essentially a 0% failure rate. This is simply not true. Know what could go wrong and assess whether the facelift is worth this type of risk to you.

5. Will the Facelift Fix Your Problems?

This a great question to ask yourself before going under the knife. Many people expect cosmetic surgery to fix all of their problems. In reality, however, you are still going to have bad days at the office and life outside of your control will still carry on as it always does. Don’t depend on the facelift to fix all of your problems because it absolutely will not.

6. Can You Fix the Issue Without Surgery?

When you’re unhappy with a specific feature on your body, it’s pretty easy to easily jump to the conclusion that you need some sort of cosmetic surgery, such as a facelift. However, in many cases, the feature that you’re unhappy with can be fixed without permanently changing the appearance of it. It’s a good idea to consider other options that are less drastic before taking the plunge into cosmetic surgery.

7. Speak to Others That Have Already Had Facelifts

Lastly, confide in other people who have already gotten facelifts. Note how they felt before and after the surgery, and ask them whether or not they thought the surgery was worth it. These people are usually gold mines for information on cosmetic surgeries, so don’t neglect to consider them as a resource.