We’ve all heard the horror stories. A young woman goes in for a cosmetic procedure and comes out with a botched job. It doesn’t just happen to random people in the news, either. Many celebrities have generated buzz after stepping out after a cosmetic procedure including Kim Novak, Goldie Hawn, John Travolta and Joan Rivers.

The difference between celebrities and everyday people is that celebrities have money. We can assume that they get the “best” doctors and have the “best” procedures lined up. If they can end up with procedures that bad, what does that mean for the rest of us?

It’s difficult to say why some celebrity mishaps happen, but some speculate it’s because they get carried away and start making lots of changes. They forget what they used to look like and continue to make changes on top of changes. Also, even though we do see the bad cases of cosmetic surgery, there are far more good ones. The difference is that plastic surgeons don’t get credit for those. Mother Nature tends to get it instead.

So, if you’re considering having a cosmetic procedure done, it’s recommended that you follow these tips.

Investigate Your Surgeon

Do not hire a surgeon because they are less expensive and seem nice enough. Usually, the ones that are cheaper are not certified. And you certainly won’t save any money if you have to hire costly lawyers and have additional procedures done to fix the mistake. Save yourself the trouble and headache by hiring a board-certified surgeon. Find out your surgeon’s credentials by visiting certificationmatters.org.

Learn Their Track Record

In addition to being certified, it’s also important for your surgeon to have a strong track record. By accessing this information, you can learn about any malpractice suits, disciplinary actions taken by the state’s medical board and more. Plus, it’s nice to know about the surgeon’s reputation and how happy past patients have been.

Ask Plenty of Questions

Cosmetic surgery is surgery, and you should approach it just as you would if you were having your gallbladder removed. Make sure all of your questions are answered and that you feel comfortable moving forward. Your surgeon should be honest and upfront yet compassionate and understanding.

Start Slow

If the surgeon you meet with starts recommending multiple surgeries, be wary. Money could be the motivating factor. Cosmetic surgery is still a procedure with risks, and any qualified surgeon knows this. They would rather you start small and focus on “restoring” your youth rather than changing you completely.

Follow these steps and you’ll be sure to avoid plastic surgery gone wrong. Contact Dr. Berlet in Bergen County, New Jersey today to schedule a cosmetic surgery consultation.