Before You Go Under The Knife

Read a book review of The Essential Cosmetic Surgery Companion by Robert Kotler, MD. The Essential Cosmetic Surgery Companion is a handy and helpful guide for anyone considering undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Did you know that taking some herbal supplements in the two weeks before or after having surgery can be dangerous? Most people don't think about the risks of mixing herbal supplements and surgery, but surgeons are trying now to make patients more aware of the dangers.

Chasing Beauty, My Cosmetic Surgery Takeover, by Jamieson Dale, delves into one woman's struggle with what can only be described as plastic surgery addiction. Read a book review of Jamieson Dale's Chasing Beauty (My Cosmetic Surgery Takeover).

A children's book about plastic surgery? My Beautiful Mommy is a book by board-certified plastic surgeon, Michael Salzhauer, MD. Its purpose is to provide a tool for parents who are undergoing plastic surgery. The book aims to explain plastic surgery to children in language they can understand. The trick is how to do so without scaring kids.

Do you know what comes before the scalpel? Dr. Panchali Dhar does, and the answer is anesthesia. The risks and benefits of various types of surgical anesthesia are discussed in the book, "Before the Scalpel - What Everyone Should Know About Anesthesia". Read a book review of "Before the Scalpel".

If you are considering plastic surgery, you must not forget to ask questions of your plastic surgeon. One important question that many people forget to ask is "What is your revision policy?" Cosmetic surgery revision accounts for ten percent of all cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. today. You should know what your revision options are before you agree to have any sort of plastic surgery.

Choosing the right surgeon is the first step to avoid becoming a victim of bad plastic surgery. Even the best surgeons, though, can make mistakes. More importantly, even if no mistakes are made, the outcome can still be negative. Learn how to minimize your plastic surgery risks.

Bad plastic surgery happens for a number of reasons, including insufficient training or specialization, poor judgment on the part of the surgeon or a lack of follow-up after surgery.

After having bad plastic surgery, patients may be wary of seeking out another surgeon to correct the problem. However, although corrective surgery - also known as revision surgery -- presents its own set of challenges, it can be beneficial, even life-changing, for some.

With the exception of many reconstructive surgery procedures, the cost of plastic surgery is generally not covered by insurance. This leaves many people wondering how to go about financing their cosmetic surgery. Some pay for surgery with their credit cards or home equity, while others finance plastic surgery through specialized medical financing programs.

The potential rewards of plastic surgery are varied, and to some patients, great. However, so are the potential risks. Explore both sides of the plastic surgery debate, and perhaps you will have an easier time deciding if it could be right for you.

How you take care of yourself can affect every area of your life, but it's especially important when you are considering undergoing plastic surgery. Read about how what lifestyle can mean to your safety on the operating table, your recovery time, and the outcome of your surgery.

One of the first questions plastic surgery patients should ask is what are the risks. Some risks are specific to a particular procedure, while others, such as anesthesia risks, apply to all surgical procedures. Regardless of the type of anesthesia used - general, iv sedation, regional, or local anesthetic - there are inherent risks which should be considered.

Many people want to know if their health insurance plans will cover the cost of plastic surgery procedures, whether cosmetic or reconstructive in nature. Learn more about whether or not an insurance company will cover plastic surgery costs.