R. Merrel Olesen

If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, ask detailed questions to find a qualified surgeon and facility for the procedure. When meeting with a cosmetic surgeon, look for red flags that suggest that you should consider a different doctor.

Preparation for a skin peel depends mainly on the type of skin you have and will ultimately be decided by your doctor. Fair-skinned people may not need to be treated before peeling. If you have skin of color, however, then you're at increased risk of developing dark spots following your peel. In this case, a pretreatment regimen including glycolic acid, hydroquinone, and Retin-A (retinoic acid) is frequently suggested to help minimize the possibility of postoperative hyperpigmentation, make your peel more uniform, and decrease your downtime.

You've heard the terms plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, and reconstructive surgery bandied about, and you're confused. No wonder. You'll see both medical and marketing uses of these terms and when you see them, you need to know what they mean. When you hear the word plastic, you probably think of the modern material that's molded into myriad products — patio chairs, kids' toys, kitchen glasses, and airline knives and forks.

Saline and silicone implants both have advantages, and both types of implants can and do produce excellent breast augmentation results. Because of current FDA restrictions, for most women having breast augmentation, saline implants are the only option. Silicone implants can be used for reconstructive purposes during augmentation procedures — if you have had previous breast reconstruction or a chest wall deformity, if there's a large difference in your breast sizes, or if you also need a breast lift at the same time.

You may have exercised hours each day and watched your calories but still don't look the way you want in your dress or bikini. Or perhaps you just want to be your best and have decided to give yourself a present. You've decided that liposuction may be just what you want. A careful preconsultation evaluation of your own body and the goals you want to reach will make your consultation and decision-making process easier.

Only when you are realistic about the real risks of having cosmetic surgery, the costs, and the recovery can you make the best possible decision for yourself. Remember, you're in the driver's seat here, and the choice is yours. You can say "aye" or "nay" to cosmetic surgery. One thing is certain: You'll be the one who has to live with the consequences, whatever you do.

Choosing a surgeon is the single most important decision you will make when it comes to cosmetic surgery. Take enormous care going through the selection process, and ask these questions, that a good, dependable surgeon should willingly and openly answer: Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon? (If not, are you board eligible or does your training and certification include the procedure I’m considering?

Your cosmetic surgery can be performed in a hospital, independent surgery center, or office-based surgery suite. Wherever the surgery is done, make sure it’s a safe, accredited facility, so ask these questions: Is my surgery going to be performed at the hospital or an ambulatory outpatient surgery center? These facilities have to adhere to the highest safety standards.

Searching for a cosmetic surgeon is more manageable when you use a clearly defined system to make the choice — consider all options and weigh them cautiously. If you’re consulting with a cosmetic surgeon and any of the following red-flag situations occur, you might want to consider looking for a different surgeon: During an appointment or pre-consult The phone isn’t answered promptly or is answered by a machine.