I didn’t want to click on the link; I knew it was not going to lead to me being any more productive on a Monday afternoon. Between Facebook, Twitter and Reddit I definitely had more than enough good excuses to waste a few minutes on the Internet, but I’m only one man, and the title of the site was so well crafted, my resistance was futile. Awful Plastic Surgery is a website akin to celebrity gossip but specifically focused on plastic surgery procedures of our favorite celebrities. the title might have been somewhat misleading, since most of the pictures weren’t actually that awful, but some were clearly botched surgeries, and their unlucky recipient in less than flattering poses to highlight the bad craftsmanship of the surgeon.

How could a celebrity, in this day and age, become the victim of a bad plastic surgery? I was under the impression our celebrities had access to the best and brightest medical professionals. It’s always the responsibility of the patient to determine the qualifications of their surgeon, especially when it comes to elective procedures like plastic and cosmetic surgery. Celebrities have some of the finer luxuries at their disposal, unfortunately determining surgical acumen is indifferent to fame and fortune. Here’s a quick set up tips that can help if you’re considering plastic or reconstructive cosmetic surgery.

1) not Choosing a ABPS Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Not everyone knows this, but not all surgeons are qualified to do plastic surgery. often times, the term board certified may be used without referring to a certain medical board. Unfortunately some patients (and celebrities) have had to learn this the hard way. the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only board recognized under the American Board of Medical Specialties. Possessing a certification from the ABPS tells the patient this surgeon has been specifically trained in the latest techniques for plastic and cosmetic surgery. would you want a professor of Economics instructing a class on Art History? probably not.

2) Choosing Heavily Discounted Surgery

I love a great deal just as much as the next person, I haven’t paid full retail price for a piece of clothing since 2005. there are certain things worth splurging on however, and your health is definitely one of these things. Cut-rate discounts on plastic surgery procedures might be easy on your checkbook, but you could end up paying for it in the long run. Board-certified plastic surgeons typically aren’t cheap, but the natural-looking results are worth it. if a doctor is offering out-of-this-world discounts on cosmetic procedures, this should be a warning sign that quantity is more important to them than quality – a terrible stance to take when it comes to procedures designed to enhance your outward appearance. Spend the extra dough on a qualified surgeon and be happy with the results, it’s worth it.

3) Insufficient Procedure Research / Having Unrealistic Expectations

A doctor is someone you can trust for medical advice and assuming you’re visiting a board-certified plastic surgeon, they will be able to provide you with a full run-down of the specific procedure you’re consulting with them for. however, it’s the patient’s responsibility to do enough background research about the procedure so that a real expectation can be set for the patient and met by the doctor. A face lift will tighten the skin around your face, and give it a more youthful appearance, but it won’t help you look exactly like Brad Pitt. doing proper research will allow you to ask directed questions and identify specific concerns prior to a surgery so there are no surprises when the bandages come off.

4) not Allowing Sufficient Time For Recovery

Our lives are busier than ever, we want things in our life to be quick and convenient – we demand instant gratification. Surgeons know this and offer a variety of minimally invasive and non-surgical techniques to enhance the outward appearance; you can get an anti-wrinkle injectable treatment and be back at work within an hour. With other procedures, like a breast augmentation or a rhinoplasty you need to be prepared to give your body ample time to recover before the full effects of the aesthetic procedure can be noticed. Bruising and swelling are part of the healing process, sometimes it can take weeks or even months before full recovery will be achieved. so be patient; your new nose will look fantastic, but not right away.

The Top 4 Mistakes People Make When Choosing Plastic Surgery