Although the number of cosmetic surgery procedures in this country continues to grow rapidly, and more and more baby-boomers are considering it as an anti-aging option, choosing to go under the knife should never be a decision that is taken lightly. The scary part is that our eagerness to experience a younger and fresher appearance, if not coupled with prudence and the proper information, could result in huge regret.

The Safest Route

Most people that have chosen to undergo cosmetic surgery find their surgeons through advertisements or referrals, which isn`t always a bad thing. However, this should be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to choosing which doctor will make the incision. The bottom line when it comes to cosmetic surgery is very simple and should not be deviated from: Find out everything you possibly can about the surgeon and the procedure and if you have any doubt whatsoever about any part of the experience, do not proceed until you feel comfortable and safe.

How Do You Know Your Surgeon Is Qualified? What Questions Do I Ask?

Don`t underestimate the risk involved by not choosing a qualified surgeon - take the time necessary to be informed, no matter how long it takes. The first thing you will want to ensure is that your surgeon is a Board Certified plastic surgeon. The difference between a surgeon who is board-certified and one who is not could be the difference between you living with a botched face-lift for the rest of your life. Board certified surgeons are endorsed by an accredited hospital which tells you that the hospital stands behind the surgeons skills and experience enough to be affiliated with the doctor. Board certified surgeons perform the majority of their procedures in hospitals which are better prepared to deal with complications than the clinics with doctors who are not certified. So if you`re considering skimping a little on the quality and experience of your surgeon to save yourself a little money - think again. Spend the extra money and make the investment to ensure that you get results that you can live with.

Always check with the resources available to you when investigating a surgeon:

Federation of State Medical Boards (Provides information regarding disciplinary actions)

Department of Insurance (In your state - will have information regarding insurance claims filed)

Department of Professional Regulations (Checks for pending claims against surgeons)

Knowx.com (Searches public records)

Medical Board

Questions to ask your surgeon: How many people will be involved in my treatment? (The less, the better). How many of these procedures have you performed? How many of these procedures do you do a week, a day, a month? What will my recovery be like? How will we handle any aspects of the procedure that I am not happy with? What are the possible complications and side effects? Can I see pictures of your work? Can I speak with your previous clients.

So you`re safest bet is: ask, ask, ask; research, research, research; and don`t take any chances on your face!

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