A facelift is one of the most consequential decisions you can make about your appearance. The results live on your face for a decade or more, which means the surgeon you choose matters as much as the procedure itself. The right surgeon brings genuine credentials alongside judgment, artistry, and a commitment to understanding what you actually want.
At Westside Plastic Surgery in Fort Worth, Dr. James D. Goggin has built his practice around exactly that standard. Read on for what to evaluate before choosing a facelift surgeon.
Start With Board Certification, Then Dig Deeper
Board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the baseline requirement. It confirms that a surgeon has completed the required training and examinations to practice safely. Any candidate on your list should hold it.
Fellowship training is where surgeons set themselves apart. Those who pursue additional aesthetic fellowships spend dedicated time refining their technique under recognized leaders in the field. Dr. Goggin completed two: an Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Fellowship under world-renowned surgeon Dr. Dennis Hammond, followed by a competitive year-long Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at The Plastic Surgery Center in Sacramento.
Look for Facelift-Specific Depth
Facelift outcomes depend heavily on how much of a surgeon's practice is dedicated to facial rejuvenation specifically. When evaluating surgeons, look for:
- Proficiency with multiple facelift techniques, including deep plane and SMAS approaches
- A before-and-after gallery with natural, balanced results across a range of patients
- A commitment to preserving your individuality and avoiding an overdone result
- Experience combining facelift with procedures like neck lift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery when the anatomy calls for it
The deep plane facelift works by repositioning deeper facial structures, producing more natural movement and results that tend to hold longer. Fewer surgeons perform it well. Those who do have a more refined understanding of how the face ages at a structural level.
Pay Attention to How the Consultation Feels
A surgeon's consultation style reveals a great deal about how they practice. The right provider will review your medical history, listen carefully, and set honest expectations for realistic outcomes based on your specific anatomy.
Watch for whether recommendations feel tailored or formulaic. A surgeon who offers the same plan to every patient, regardless of anatomy or goals, is a clear warning sign. Dr. Goggin's consultations are built around individualized planning: reviewing before-and-after photos together, discussing technique options, and building a surgical approach that reflects each patient's specific anatomy and vision. If a consultation feels rushed or your questions were met with vague answers, that's worth paying attention to.
Start Your Facelift Journey at Westside Plastic Surgery
Dr. Goggin's board certification, dual aesthetic fellowships, and peer-reviewed contributions to plastic surgery literature place him among a select group of surgeons with both the credentials and the hands-on expertise to deliver genuinely natural facelift results. At Westside Plastic Surgery, that level of training translates into a patient experience built around individualized care at every stage. Schedule your consultation today to discuss your goals with Dr. Goggin.
