Choose a surgeon you trust. Qualified surgeons are proud of their credentials and glad to share them.

Discuss your expectations openly.

Make sure you understand the risks as well as the benefits of the procedure.

Call your surgeon if you suspect any complication after the surgery.

Cooperate with your surgeon and follow all instructions exactly.

Beware of exaggerated claims about plastic surgery that promise perfection.

Do not expect to be able to completely redesign your anatomy. Age, skin condition and bone structure make this impossible.

Medicine is not an exact art, so there are no guarantees, and warranties are impossible.

Feel free to ask about fees and procedures. Qualified plastic surgeons want you to have all the information you need about your surgery, but they are not able to answer questions you don't ask. So, if you have a question, please ask.

Click here to view the "Art of Beauty" virtual museum tour presented by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.