You’ve seen all the latest “reality” plastic surgery TV shows - The Swan and Extreme Makeover – and by now you’ve probably seen a lot of risks and benefits of plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is also called cosmetic surgery, and most people who undergo this kind of surgery are often trying to look younger or simply better than they ever did. It is often an expensive way to get friends and lovers, but it is also a great way to deal with health concerns while regaining some self-esteem.

Plastic surgery isn’t just for celebrities anymore, and more people today are reaping the benefits of an improved appearance for work, overall health and confidence. Should you decide to undergo plastic surgery, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the benefits and drawbacks of this kind of medical procedure.

With plastic surgery, more is not necessarily better. For instance, too tight or too frequent facelifts may create a distorted, unnatural look. The result may be worse than having no plastic surgery at all. Find a board certified surgeon with a vast experience in the plastic surgery. Search thoroughly, compare different plastic surgeons, talk to their former patients.

It is somewhat more risky to have plastic surgery in a surgeon's office than in a hospital. If you are having an in-office plastic surgery, make sure that the facility is accredited by AAAASF (The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities).

Plastic surgery does not slow down the aging of the skin but may actually accelerate it. Therefore, plastic surgery is not a substitute for skin rejuvenation measures discussed in various articles at Smart Skin Care Site. Actually, after a plastic surgery you should be even more diligent in preserving your skin's youth. Before going for plastic surgery, give a few month try to topical skin rejuvenation treatments (see Treatments section of this site). The results may be dramatic enough to change your mind.

Plastic surgery is expensive. In the US, a facelift costs from $6,000 to $12,000. Any surgery is potentially dangerous, including plastic surgery. Complications are rare but they do occur, ranging from scarring to fatalities. Plastic surgery may be particularly risky if you have certain health conditions (e.g. diabetes).

Everyone is different. Some people do much better than others, even when treated by the same plastic surgeon. It may take several weeks or months before your face fully recovers from plastic surgery. Plastic surgery might adversely affect the physiology of your skin and underlying tissues, speeding up the aging process.

Be careful in what you do and how you decide to go about your procedure. So a fair bit of research about the procedure you want done and make an informed decision so that you can benefit from plastic surgery.