Deciding to pursue cosmetic surgery is often easier than choosing a professional to entrust with your face or body. It's important to do your research, both before meeting with a prospective doctor and during the all-important initial consultation. This guide will help you select a doctor who prioritizes safety while also delivering the results you want.

Deciding to pursue cosmetic surgery is often easier than choosing a professional to entrust with your face or body. It's important to do your research, both before meeting with a prospective doctor and during the all-important initial consultation. This guide will help you select a doctor who prioritizes safety while also delivering the results you want.

1. Ask around. If you're looking for a manicure, the phone book is a good place to start. But your hunt for a cosmetic surgeon shouldn't start with a flip through the yellow pages. Just as you would with any important decision, begin by asking friends and family members who've undergone procedures to recommend their doctor. The Internet is a safe place for people to rave (or slam) services they've received, so you're likely to get honest assessments.

2. Check certifications. A collection of diplomas on the wall is impressive, but, as the old joke goes: What do you call the person who graduates at the bottom of his medical school class? Doctor. To minimize safety concerns, be sure your physician has been certified by a surgical governing board, which has strict requirements about education and training.

3. Inquire about frequency. Board certified cosmetic surgeons can perform dozens of different types of procedures, but they don't do all of them every day. In fact, they may not perform some for months or years at a time. And just like any other skill, it's tough to keep cosmetic surgery skills sharp if they're allowed to rust for long periods of time. During your initial consultation, when the doctor discusses the procedure and answers any questions you have, find out if he specializes in the type of procedure you're interested in and how often he performs it. An answer of "daily" isn't necessarily essential, but you want to hear a number that's pretty frequent - weekly or at least monthly in most cases.

4. Beware of deals. Cosmetic surgeries are almost always an out-of-pocket expense, and no one wants to spend more than they have to. But when it's a matter of your appearance (not to mention safety), it simply doesn't make sense to take a chance on someone offering a cut-rate bargain. You want the best - not a doctor who needs to slash prices to attract clients. Though you'll be tempted to do a happy dance if your quote is much lower than your research suggests, it's even more important to be cautious in this case.

5. Be sure she's keeping it real. The truth is that not everyone is a good candidate for every procedure, and good doctors will tell you that up front. If you get a promise of amazing results before she has examined you, a warning bell should go off in your head. Depending on the type of procedure in question, doctors need to assess things like your bone structure and skin and muscle tone. They also may need to ask questions about your lifestyle, including nutrition and exercise habits. Keeping it real also includes discussing your expectation regarding the outcome of your procedure.

6. Watch out for the downplay. Complications happen even when you're under the care of the very best surgeon, and any doctor who glosses over possible side effects and complications of your procedure isn't one you want. It's natural for patients to want to stick their heads in the sand about the possibility of complications, but you need to hear the good and the bad about potential outcomes. Ethical doctors will lay everything out so you can make an informed decision, rather than downplay what could happen in an effort to get you to sign on the dotted line.

7. Do you get a used car salesman vibe? Your consultation should be a time for discussing the pros and cons of your procedure and overall candidacy. If you're feeling more pressure than professionalism, walk away. Keep in mind that the conversation should be a two-way street. The physician should welcome your questions about the treatment itself, risks and side effects, her qualifications, and even payment policies.

Cosmetic surgery can help you look and feel better than ever, and a beautiful result begins with a careful search for the right doctor.