It will take some effort, but in the end it will be worth it to find the right surgeon for your facelift. While it is obviously important that you make sure your surgeon is board certified, there are several other factors you should take into consideration before making your final choice.
First, verify the surgeons you are considering are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Board-certified surgeons are required to not only pass rigorous oral and written tests, but also to have at least two years of plastic surgery training and three years of training in general surgery. They are also required to adhere to a strict medical ethics code.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only one that has these stringent standards. That is why you should try to steer clear of any doctors who are not certified by ABPS. There are many physicians who are board certified, but that does not automatically make them qualified to perform a facelift.
If you are considering a facelift, it is also extremely important that you know the difference between a "cosmetic" and "plastic" surgeon. A cosmetic surgeon can be an Ob-Gyn or even a dermatologist. Just as you wouldn't want a plastic surgeon operating on your heart, you wouldn't want an Ob-Gyn to perform your facelift. There are many surgeons who advertise that they do this kind of procedure, but they are not board-certified plastic surgeons. In order to have the best possible chance of seeing the results you want from your surgery, you need to do the due diligence necessary to make sure your doctor is highly qualified.
Once you have narrowed down your choices to three or four ABPS-certified doctors, talk to each one of them and get a feel for how they work. Each doctor should take the time to provide you a thorough consultation to explain exactly what you can expect before, during, and after your procedure. The way you are treated in each doctor's office will provide a good indication of how you'll be treated should you become a patient. If a doctor doesn't spend at least 30 minutes with you during your initial consultation, you will likely be better served going to another one.
Be leery of cosmetic surgery centers that offer deep discounts. While price shopping is fine if you're purchasing a piece of furniture or a dishwasher, your appearance is a different matter entirely. You have to make sure the surgeon performing your facelift is experienced and effective. This isn't like getting a haircut from a cosmetology school; this is an extremely important procedure, and the results of that procedure will last for as long as you live.