Choosing the right facelift surgeon is essential for achieving natural-looking results and having a positive surgical experience. Start by looking for a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience performing facelift procedures, then evaluate their before-and-after results, patient reviews, communication style, and the quality of the surgical facility. A qualified surgeon will take the time to understand your goals, provide honest recommendations, explain the procedure and recovery in detail, and set realistic expectations.
This guide outlines the key factors to consider to help you make a confident decision.
A facelift is more than a skin-tightening procedure – it repositions underlying facial muscles, removes excess skin, and artistically re-drapes tissue to refine the jawline and neck. Precision and artistry are essential, as incisions are discreetly placed around the ears and hairline. The right surgeon customizes the procedure to your unique facial structure and aging pattern, producing natural results without an artificial appearance.
Credentials are the foundation of your decision. Confirm the surgeon has the training and certification to perform facial surgery safely.
Board certification is the single most important credential to verify. For facial plastic surgery, look for a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This certification signifies the surgeon has:
Graduated from an accredited medical school.
Completed years of dedicated residency training specifically in plastic surgery.
Passed comprehensive written and oral examinations in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Committed to ongoing education and the highest ethical standards.
At LA Plastic Surgery, Dr. Melinda Lacerna is a double board-certified plastic surgeon, holding certifications from both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
Beyond board certification, look for memberships in respected professional organizations. Dr. Melinda Lacerna is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). These affiliations show a surgeon is held to a peer-reviewed standard and stays current with the latest advancements. A reputable surgeon will be transparent about credentials and happy to share them.
Experience is where training turns into skill. Look for a surgeon who not only performs facelifts regularly but is proficient in modern, sophisticated techniques. Dr. Melinda Lacerna has performed over 1,000 procedures and brings more than 20 years of experience to her patients. She is the inventor of the Plasma LYFT™ and Plasma Browlift™, and offers her Signature Facelift, which combines facelift and neck lift techniques with regenerative medicine, fat grafting, PRP, and Renuvion plasma resurfacing.
When you meet with a surgeon, ask direct questions:
How long have you been performing this procedure? Longevity often translates to refined skill across a wide variety of patient anatomies.
How many facelifts do you perform each year? Frequent facelifts indicate high technical proficiency and a practice where facial surgery is a primary focus.
Credentials tell you what a surgeon can do on paper. Reputation tells you what patients actually experience.
Personal recommendations carry real weight. If you know someone who has had a facelift, ask about their experience from consultation through recovery.
Ask your GP. Your primary care physician often knows reputable surgeons in the area. Since medical clearance from your primary care physician is required before surgery anyway, this is a natural conversation to have early.
Online reviews and testimonials give you a broader view. Look for patterns rather than single comments. Do patients consistently mention clear communication, listening skills, natural-looking results, and a smooth recovery? You can also explore our facelift gallery to see how outcomes match the reviews you read.
The consultation is your chance to see how a surgeon thinks, communicates, and plans. It should be a comprehensive, unhurried conversation.
Come prepared. Bring photos of your face from the front and each side, since these are often requested to plan your procedure, and write down your goals and questions in advance. LA Plastic Surgery offers virtual consultations via Zoom or FaceTime, which is helpful if you’re traveling. Note that procedures are never performed on the same day as the consultation – a good surgeon takes time to plan.
How a surgeon talks to you matters as much as what they say.
Look for honesty. A trustworthy surgeon gives a realistic picture of what a facelift can and cannot do, and is transparent about recovery. Final results develop over several months as collagen rebuilds and tissues settle – honest surgeons explain this timeline clearly.
Pay attention to whether they ask you questions. A great surgeon is a great listener, as interested in your goals, concerns, lifestyle, and medical history as in explaining the procedure.
Be wary of anyone who oversells additional services. Complementary procedures, such as a neck lift or eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), may be appropriate, but you should never feel pressured. The focus should stay on your goals.
Bring these questions to every consultation:
Will you be performing my procedure? In a private practice like LA Plastic Surgery, the surgeon you meet is the surgeon who performs your procedure. Be wary of practices where you meet a consultant instead of the surgeon.
What can you do for my face? This open-ended question allows the surgeon to demonstrate their aesthetic judgment and explain which techniques, such as a deep-plane facelift, best fit your anatomy and goals. A candid answer shows a surgeon who respects informed decision-making and has safety protocols in place.
Where your surgery happens is just as important as who performs it.
Your facelift should be performed in an accredited surgical facility. Accreditation from organizations such as the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) ensures that the operating room meets stringent national standards for safety, equipment, and staffing, comparable to those in a hospital.
A few warning signs should give you pause:
A surgeon who won’t clearly confirm their board certification.
Pressure to book surgery quickly or on the day of your consultation.
Vague answers about facility accreditation or who will assist during the procedure.
Heavy upselling of unrelated treatments.
Reluctance to discuss the procedure openly, to answer your questions, or to provide results that seem too good to be true.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s worth pausing and reconsidering.
Knowing how to choose a facelift surgeon comes down to a clear checklist: confirm board certification in plastic surgery, verify hands-on facelift experience, research the surgeon’s reputation through recommendations and reviews, use the consultation to gauge honesty and communication, and ensure the surgical facility is accredited and safe.
Dr. Melinda Lacerna brings double board certification and over 20 years of experience to facial rejuvenation. Take your time, ask questions, and choose the surgeon whose skill and approach give you confidence in your results. Learn more about our practice and providers at LA Plastic Surgery.
About the Author
Dr. Melinda Lacerna
Dr. Melinda Lacerna, a board-certified plastic surgeon, has over 20 years of experience providing exceptional cosmetic care. Her pioneering techniques have transformed the field of aesthetic surgery, earning her global recognition. Surgeons from around the world visit her center to learn and observe her innovative methods, which are soon to be featured in leading medical journals.
July 16, 2026
