Plastic Surgery Advertisements: 3 Deceptive Tactics

You may have noticed an increasing glut of plastic surgery advertisements in local newspapers and beauty magazines. While most professions, especially those in the cosmetics industry, must advertise to attract potential clients and transmit new information, many of these ads are misleading. Guarantees of rock-bottom tummy tuck prices and lunchtime liposuction can sucker in uninformed consumers. When choosing to undergo a cosmetic procedure, no matter how non-invasive, it is imperative to avoid these deceptive advertising practices.

Bargains:
There are no bargains when it comes to plastic surgery. Your body isn't a used car, two-for-one coupon, or out-of-season discount. Some surgeons advertise specials for multiple procedures, claiming to knock down 10% if you choose a breast lift and augmentation combined. While you can save money by undergoing simultaneous procedures, calling it a discount is misleading. You simply aren't being charged for twice the anesthesia or use of the hospital. The biggest variable in cost is more dependent on location and demand for a particular surgeon. That being said, you can save some money by choosing a lesser known, but equally as qualified, board-certified doctor, traveling to a smaller area where due to lack of demand prices are lower, and choosing simultaneous procedures rather than spacing them out.

Doctored Photos:
Ads in newspapers and magazines are filled with impossibly perfect figures and complexions, juxtaposed with less-than-desirable before shots. While it is important to study and scrutinize a surgeon's before and after portfolio, don't be pulled in by one or two outstanding examples. You need to see several dozen that encompass not only the best results, but also outcomes that may be average or even below. That is because not every client is an ideal candidate for certain plastic surgery procedures, and perfection is an illusion. This is especially true with highly individualized cosmetic treatments such as rhinoplasty, where anatomy can greatly restrict the end results regardless of the surgeon's skill. As with most things in life, results will vary.

Costuming:
Nowadays, everyone wants a piece of the plastic surgery pie. Dentists and even gynecologists are offering patients jabs of filler for their face to smooth out wrinkles and plump limps. While they are legally allowed to offer such services, few have proper training and they are not board-certified. Cosmetic surgeons train extensively and are constantly upgrading their skills and knowledge of products throughout their careers, whereas other professionals are unlikely to keep up to date on this important information. You wouldn't ask a cosmetic surgeon to straighten your teeth, so don't ask your dentist for a liquid facelift. Avoid any medical professional that is costuming themselves as a cosmetic specialist without the proper qualifications.

While you'll want to watch for these common deceptive tactics, there are several great surgeons that advertise and even offer the occasional deal. Professional adverts won't emphasize results or guarantees, however, but rather the surgeon's skills or specialties within his field. Look for less of a focus on before and after, and more on practical facts. Deals are rarely advertised explicitly, but are available for regular clients or those who provide referrals.