Makeover Fever

There's some risk in every surgical procedure. Before deciding upon cosmetic surgery, make sure your doctor is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (www.plasticsurgery.org) or the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (www.facial-plastic-surgery.org) or the American Board of Plastic Surgery (www.abplsurg.org). Interview several different surgeons to get alternate opinions and options. Make sure you are compatible and comfortable with the doctor you choose. Check your physician's medical liability his-tory at the National Practitioner Databank (www.npdb-hipdb.com). Ask if your surgeon has hospital privileges. Not everyone who performs plastic surgery does. Finally, be realistic about expectations. After the bandages come off, and the swelling goes down, you're still going to be the same person.