Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

Getting ready to learn whether a procedure suits you

Your health, your goals and your anatomy

Candidacy for most facial procedures turns on three things: your health, your goals and the anatomy of your face. A surgeon looks at all three in person, and arriving with the right information makes the answer you get a useful one.

Health, goals, money and the ride home

Candidacy has several parts, and you can prepare for each. First, your health history. Write down your medicines, supplements, allergies and past surgeries. Reading how a surgical society describes eyelid surgery is a plain way to learn the basics before you go.

Second, your goals. Put in your own words what you want changed and what you would rather leave alone. A clear goal helps a surgeon tell you where they can help and where they might suggest something else. The EyeWiki article on upper eyelid blepharoplasty is an example of how eye doctors describe the upper-lid operation.

Third, the money. A national plastic surgery society has a page on eyelid surgery cost that helps you think about what a quote should spell out. Ask what is and is not included.

Then the local picture. If you live around Redmond, plan who can drive you home and who can check on you in the first days. A surgeon may ask about this.

Health list, goal sentence, one direct question

Bring your health list, your goal sentence and your questions to the consult. Ask the surgeon directly: "Based on my exam, what would you advise, and what would make you advise against it?"

If the answer is no

No reading can decide whether you are a candidate. A licensed surgeon can, after an exam. If you are told no, asking why and getting a second opinion are both reasonable.