1. I'm actually a dentist.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 8.7 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2003, an increase of 32% over 2002. In most states, any M.D. can perform plastic surgery without board certification. Do you want your dentist to perform plastic surgery on you? Make sure your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

2. That's not my specialty.

Board certification alone doesn't necessarily mean a surgeon is the right one for your procedure. A surgeon trained and specializing in reconstructive hand surgery may not be the best choice for your facelift. You'll need to select surgeons with training beyond board certification: ask what fellowship training they underwent, what the specialty of that training was and what they subsequently specialized in. How many of those procedures did the surgeons perform over what period?

3. This will last forever.

Plastic surgery isn't permanent. You'll still look younger than if you hadn't had surgery, but you will continue to age. Ask your physician how long results will last. Depending on the surgeon and the techniques used, a facelift may last 8 to 15 years.

It's your responsibility to maintain and prolong the results: if you had liposuction, for example, you must continue to exercise and eat right to stay slim. With a facelift, avoid the sun and follow physician-recommended skin-care programs.

4. My office may not be the best equipped facility in which to perform the surgery.

With greater frequency, plastic surgery procedures are being done outside of hospitals. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that, in 2003, 56% of all cosmetic procedures were done in an office (a 6% increase over 2002). Another 16% were performed in ambulatory (nonhospital) surgical facilities.

To ensure that the facility you’re considering is safe, ask whether it is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). These organizations define hundreds of standards that address everything from safety procedures to patient selection.

“Accreditation assures the public and the state that a given facility has met standards of care and is appropriately equipped and staffed," says Dr. Gerald Edds, president of AAAHC and a facial plastic surgeon in Owensboro, Kentucky. He notes that most facilities are not required to hold a state license.

One of the first and most advanced private clinics accredited in the U.S. was the North Shore Center for Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery^SM, a model for other facilities nationwide. This facility, located just north of Chicago, continues to adhere strictly to safety, operational, management and sterilization protocols set by the AAAHC. The center maintains consistently high standards in all areas that relate to the quality of patient care, quality management and improvement, clinical records, surgical and anesthesia services, environment safety, governance administration and professional development.

5. My consultations are closer to sales pitches.

Choosing your surgeon is the most important decision you can make when having cosmetic surgery. It's imperative to pick someone you feel comfortable with. Consultations should be friendly and candid. You should feel comfortable asking questions and addressing your concerns. Make sure that your consultation is with the surgeon who will perform the surgery, not with a resident physician, nurse or other staff member.

6. There are hidden fees that not included in the low-price quote.

Although fees for cosmetic surgery procedures vary greatly, the lowest price may not be your best bet. Some surgeons who are just starting a practice may charge a low fee, but may be short on experience. Some surgeons may add fees to the basic quote and surprise you after surgery with fees for items such as use of the facility, anesthesia services, recovery room, nursing care and surgical supplies. Most importantly, be sure to choose a surgeon with the right reputation and experience, who uses the safest techniques.  

7.  I offer discounts.

Prices for cosmetic surgery are not negotiable. To save money, consider having more than one procedure done at the same time. For example, address nose, forehead and chin and pay just once for use of the facility and anesthesia. You might save as much as 35%. 

8. I'm not sure how safe this is.

With the dramatic increase in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, there’s a temptation to use what’s popular, even though it may not be FDA approved. For example, Restylane^®, used to add fullness to lips and cheeks, was available in Europe and administered in the U.S. before receiving FDA approval.

Dr. Geroulis recommends against being the first to try new procedures. "Let's wait and see what happens over 5 to 10 years," he cautions. "Always stay with what has been used for the last few years that is tried and tested."

Source: "10 Things Plastic Surgeons Won't Tell You," Smart Money Magazine, January 12, 2005, from SmartMoney.com