| Simply stated, bad plastic surgery does occur. In spite | | | | unqualified fraudsters seek to entice patients in this |
| of the fact that medical and professional standards in | | | | field. They can sound very convincing. Be wary, and, |
| the U.S. exceed those of other nations, departures | | | | at a minimum, check that they are a Board Certified |
| from those standards do arise, occasionally with | | | | plastic surgeon. |
| heartbreaking results. | | | | 7. Get pictures and testimonials: Any doctor who has |
| Your appearance in some important ways may be | | | | a good track record will show you pictures of former |
| making you unhappy and you are hoping that | | | | patients and provide testimonials. It's a good idea to |
| cosmetic and plastic surgery can lead to looking | | | | see if you can speak with prior patients. |
| better and feeling better about yourself. In choosing | | | | 8. Be certain you understand the costs of cosmetic |
| plastic surgery, the last outcome you anticipate is the | | | | surgery: A doctor offering a cut rate may be |
| exact opposite of what you're wishing for. | | | | unqualified. If you are considering leaving the United |
| Even though cosmetic surgeons have professional | | | | States for cheaper surgery, bear in mind that many |
| and legal duties to adhere to appropriate standards, | | | | other countries do not observe U.S. standards. Do |
| you should not rely on that to duck taking | | | | the math, including air fare, hotel, meals, etc. |
| responsibility yourself toward minimizing risks that | | | | 9. Be aware of the risks of plastic surgery: All |
| your plastic surgery will go wrong. By following the | | | | surgeries carry risks. Among the risks are infection, |
| guidelines suggested below, you may become well | | | | anesthesia, reaction to medications, blood clots, |
| equipped to diminish the chances of an | | | | respiratory difficulties and death. Plastic surgery is no |
| unsatisfactory, if not a tragic outcome. | | | | different. |
| 1. Ask if your doctor is Board Certified: Be sure that | | | | 10. Think twice about having multiple surgical |
| the cosmetic surgeon you select is board certified. | | | | procedures done simultaneously: This poses increased |
| The doctor you choose should be certified by the | | | | risks, all of which should be discussed with you by |
| American Board of Plastic Surgery. This assures that | | | | your surgeon. |
| the physician specializes in cosmetic and | | | | A couple of additional points need to be considered: |
| reconstructive surgery, has received years of | | | | Cosmetic plastic surgery is elective and is not |
| cosmetic surgery training, undergone stiff | | | | covered by most forms of medical insurance. For |
| examinations and established the necessary | | | | those on a limited budget, it's well to think about |
| competence in this specialty. | | | | whether paying for surgery for cosmetic reasons will |
| 2. Verify that your Doctor specializes in the | | | | leave you so financially strapped that the anticipated |
| procedure you're seeking: A plastic surgeon whose | | | | outcome will fail to outweigh the distress of financial |
| specialty is breast implants may not be the best | | | | hardship. |
| choice to rearrange your nose. | | | | This raises the question of having plastic surgery |
| 3. Your expectations should be realistic: While | | | | performed in another country. While costs can be |
| cosmetic surgical procedures can deliver astounding | | | | substantially lower in countries like Thailand, Brazil and |
| improvements in appearance, the precise aesthetics | | | | India, you need to take into account the costs of air |
| you desire, in reality, may not be attainable. Scrutinize | | | | fare, hotels, meals, etc. Many seemingly attractive |
| your motives and be realistic and levelheaded. | | | | packages are promoted, but, in the final analysis, |
| 4. Determine that your physical and emotional health | | | | many people report that the only justifiable rationale |
| is good: A complete examination of your past and | | | | for exiting the U.S. is for the sake of anonymity |
| present physical health, emotional health and motives | | | | (many celebrities do this), or simply to mix the |
| for wanting plastic surgery should be conducted by | | | | surgery with a vacation. |
| your doctor. | | | | Your own common sense, armed with the |
| 5. STOP SMOKING! - if you're a smoker: Smoking can | | | | information you assemble following the steps |
| lead to complications and hinder achieving the desired | | | | suggested here, will strengthen your chances of |
| result. | | | | having a wonderful new you and preclude a bad |
| 6. Consult at least one more physician: Too many | | | | plastic surgery outcome. |