deepplane.com
Deep Plane Facelift Consultation Checklist
Bring this to your first surgeon consultation. Tick what you cover, write down the answers, and use the scoring grid to compare candidates afterwards.
1. Questions to ask
- 1Are you board-certified in plastic surgery or facial plastic surgery? What is your registry number?
- 2How many deep plane facelifts did you personally perform in the last 12 months? In the last 5 years?
- 3Can I see before-and-after photos of at least 10 patients similar to me in age, gender, and facial structure?
- 4What technique do you use — pure deep plane, extended deep plane, composite, or hybrid? Why this choice for me?
- 5Where will the surgery take place — accredited surgical centre, hospital, or office OR? What is the facility accreditation?
- 6Who handles anaesthesia — board-certified anaesthesiologist or CRNA? What type and depth of anaesthesia?
- 7What is your complication rate for hematoma, infection, nerve injury, and unsatisfactory result over the last 24 months?
- 8If there is a complication, who manages it, where, and at what additional cost?
- 9What is your revision policy if I am not satisfied at 6 months?
- 10How many separate follow-up visits are included in the quoted price? Over what window?
- 11What is the total all-in price including surgeon fee, anaesthesia, facility, hospital stay, garments, medications, and follow-up?
- 12When did you most recently update your technique training, and on what specifically?
2. Red flags to walk away from
- Cannot or will not show before-and-after photos of patients matching your demographic — strongly correlated with poor outcomes.
- Pressures you to book at the first consultation, or offers a same-week surgery slot for a discount.
- Quote does not break down line items (surgeon fee, anaesthesia, facility, follow-ups, garments).
- Vague or evasive on technique — "a modified deep plane" with no specifics, or contradicts published deep plane teaching.
- Quotes you 30–50% below the regional median without a clearly stated reason (e.g. fellowship-in-training case at a teaching centre).
- Discourages you from getting second opinions, or attacks other surgeons by name.
- Will not name the anaesthesia provider or facility ahead of time.
- Says "You won't need a revision" with no qualifier — every honest surgeon discusses revision frankly.
- Performs surgery in an unaccredited office OR for a procedure this complex.
- Online reviews show a pattern of complications managed defensively or dismissively.
3. Budget worksheet
| Line item | Surgeon A | Surgeon B | Surgeon C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeon fee | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Anaesthesia | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Operating room / facility | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Hospital overnight (if required) | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Pre-op labs & EKG | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Compression garment + supplies | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Post-op medications | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Follow-up visit package | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Touch-up reserve (10-20%) | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Flight (if travelling) | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| Hotel 10-14 nights (if travelling) | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
| TOTAL ALL-IN | $_______ | $_______ | $_______ |
4. Surgeon comparison grid
Score each surgeon 1-5 on each row, then compare totals.
| Criterion | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board certification + active licence | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Volume (50+ deep plane / year) | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Before-after gallery match to you | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Facility accreditation + safety record | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Communication & attentiveness | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Recovery + follow-up plan | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Total cost transparency | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Revision policy clarity | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Gut feel & rapport | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| TOTAL (out of 45) | _____ | _____ | _____ |
5. Notes from consultation
Surgeon name + date:
Recommended technique for me:
Quoted total all-in price + what's included:
Earliest available surgery date:
What I am still unsure about:
Next step / second opinion needed: