Tara Reid got a lot more than she bargained for when she had abdominal liposuction and a boob job. Instead of looking svelte and sleek with an incredibly hot rack, the actress was left with a body she was embarrassed to show off in public. In fact, she looked so bad that when the news of her botched operations leaked out, she quickly became a national figure of ridicule.
Make sure he or she is willing to answer all your questions, and will do so thoroughly. If a surgeon fobs you off, is condescending or tells you “not to worry your pretty head about it”, then go somewhere else.
“I was on the Web sites as having the ugliest boob job in the world,” the American Pie actress said in an interview with Us magazine. Her boob job, she said, was to rectify the fact that she had asymmetrical breasts, while she had lipo to give her the six-pack she felt was out of her reach, despite diet and exercise.
“First of all, I asked for big Bs, and he [the surgeon] did not give me big Bs,” Reid said. “He gave me Cs, and I didn’t want them. At all. Right after the surgery, I had some bumps along the edges of my nipples, but the doctor said, ‘Don’t worry. It’s going to be better.’ But after six months of ‘it’s going to get better,’ it started to get worse and worse.
“Guys I was dating would be like, ‘What’s wrong with them? They look really bad. You know, you should really get them fixed.’ [It's so] embarrassing,” Reid said. “I mean, you definitely need to turn off the lights, that’s for sure.” Her tummy, she added, was “the most ripply, bulgy thing.”
Luckily, Tara had the foresight – and the money – to have reconstructive surgery, and says she was able to get her life on track. But many people don’t. The result of bad plastic surgery can be a lot worse than just a bumpy boob job – and can include infection, skin-eating necrosis, and sometimes even death.
So how can you find a good surgeon you trust?
Finding the Right Surgeon
Choosing the right surgeon for the job is arguably the most important decision you’ll make when it comes to having plastic surgery. The American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) offers the following guidelines when looking for the right person for the job:
- Choose a Board-certified surgeon, one that is accredited by the ASPS or its equivalent. ASPS surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and have completed at least six years’ surgical training and experience (this includes 36 months or more in plastic surgery). They operate only in accredited medical facilities (not in their living rooms or a rented space adjacent to a nail salon) and continue updating their medical and educational qualifications. They are also duty-bound to adhere to a strict code of ethics.
- Make sure he or she is willing to answer all your questions, and will do so thoroughly. If a surgeon fobs you off, is condescending or tells you “not to worry your pretty head about it”, then go somewhere else.
- Ensure that your surgeon asks your opinion about the treatment recommended, and doesn’t pressure you into anything – or suggest hundreds of non-related procedures they can sell you at a bulk rate. They should also offer alternatives, when necessary and appropriate. If you’re 19 and considering a face lift, a good surgeon should offer non-invasive alternatives, such as a good facial or massage, and not give in to your demands.
- Discuss all prices beforehand, and find someone who welcome questions from you about their payment policies. They will also be happy to answer any inquiries about their professional qualifications, what the procedure will entail etc.
- Find someone who gives you all the information about the procedure you want and explains all possible risk, but in the long run leaves the decision to you. They might know better – from a purely professional viewpoint – but this is your body and the decision to have it altered should be entirely yours.
Top Tips
Other considerations should also be taken into account when looking for the right plastic or cosmetic surgeon. These top tips should help…
- Don’t believe everything you hear. The Internet is full of surgeons offering cut-price procedures, as are many women’s magazines. A healthy skepticism is vital for making the right choice. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Shop around. Make sure you have a consultation with at least three surgeons so you can do a bit of comparison-shopping, not only price but type of procedure etc. Most initial consultations are free so make the time and effort – not only your appearance could depend on it!
- Check before-and-after pictures, and investigate the hype behind the headlines. Talk to former patients, if possible (see below) and make sure they are satisfied not only with the end result, but with the care given, the price etc.
- Don’t base your final decision on the price of a specific procedure. Remember, this is your body – and price isn’t everything.
- Go with your gut instinct. If something doesn’t look right, feel right or even smell right, it’s probably not the right place for you. Your surgeon may be qualified to the highest standards and have an enormous list of satisfied patients. But if the two of you don’t get along and you feel uncomfortable or scared in his or her presence, look elsewhere.
Advice from a Pro
In her recent book, Men Are Stupid …And They Like Big Boobs: A Woman’s Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery, comedienne Joan Rivers offers advice to women who are contemplating going under the knife – and need to find a good surgeon. She advocates asking everyone you know, including your friends and acquaintances, your gynecologist, and even your hair stylist.
“He sees the hidden scars in hairlines and behind the ears day after day. He looks down blouses for hours, even though he’s got absolutely no interest,” she writes. “He’s seen good boob jobs and lousy ones. Believe me, he’s an expert on who does great work and who doesn’t.”
Once you’ve found someone, Rivers advocates checking their qualifications through the websites of both the American Board of Medial Specialties and the ASPS. Once their credentials have been verified, look at their website, call their office, and finally meet up face-to-face.
“In the waiting room, you’ll get to talk to some of his patients, see how happy/unhappy they’ve been. Believe me, unhappy patients will be bursting to tell you their complaints. Often, in the waiting room, doctors have binders of before-and-after photos to flip through — an excellent way to pass time,” Rivers writes.
“His waiting room should also have comfortable, clean seating, current magazines, nicely arranged, and some soothing music piped in. You’ll be spending a lot of time there. Why shouldn’t every aspect of the experience be pleasant?”
Finally, she issues two warnings which every woman must follow. “Warning #1: I beg you, do not be tempted by the classified ads in the newspaper, the type that screams, ‘Three-Area Lipo, No Money Down!’ The low prices might catch your attention. But is hiring a surgeon the right time to go bargain hunting? As a plastic surgeon friend puts it, “Doctors know what they’re worth, and they create a price list based on that.
“Warning #2: Get ready for sticker shock. The flat belly of your dreams? It may cost you the price of a renovated bathroom. A breast reduction? That’s your anniversary vacation in Paris. A year of Botox Cosmetic? Good-bye Hamptons rental. It’s about priorities. Do you want a new face or a new patio? Even if you’ve got a two-hour commute, you’ve got a twenty-four-hour face.”
If only Tara Reid had read Rivers’ book before she had the botched boob job…
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.
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