You log on to the internet and you get to see another botched plastic surgery procedure. While they aren’t always that common, when they do happen, we get to see all the gruesome details live on nation television and internet home pages. It is enough to make some people vow that they will never have a cosmetic procedure, even though they have aspects of their body that they absolutely can’t stand. It doesn’t just hurt the reputation of the physician that is responsible; it also makes potential patients wary of their own surgeon. So how do you avoid being the next headliner on the nightly news?First thing you should do when you are considering having plastic surgery is your homework. You should know the basics of what your procedure will entail. You don’t have to know or understand the ins and outs of the procedure, but you do need to know the basics of what to expect. You should know things like the basic steps of the procedure, how long the procedure should normally take, and how long the average recovery time is. If there is anything you don’t know or understand, write it down. That way you’ll have all your questions ready for when you see your physician.Before settling on one doctor over the other, you should do your homework on them as well. You need to know if they’ve had a problem with botched surgeries in the past. Check with the medical board in your state to see if there are any complaints against this physician. You trust the doctor to make you look beautiful. The last thing you want is to hire someone who is known for having plastic surgery mishaps. Also, talk to the physician before the consultation. Interview him as though you were hiring him for a job, because you are. Ask the tough questions and take a look through his portfolio of before and after shots so you can see firsthand what his work looks like.Before you have your plastic surgery, take the time to have a through consultation with your doctor. Ask him about the procedure and make him explain anything you don’t understand. If his explanation differs greatly from your own research, ask him about that. Make sure you understand what is going on. Some women complain about botched procedures simply because they didn’t get what they thought they were going to get. Those cases are simply matters of miscommunication. Also, depending what the procedure is, take into account your physicians recommendations so that you will be truly happy with what you get.Those nightmare cases you hear about are not the patients fault. But by doing your homework, you can make sure it doesn’t happen to you. Be aware of what is going to happen to your body and know your physician. Finally, make sure that your doctor is certified to perform plastic surgery. This certification can give you that extra peace of mind that you need.