Many plastic surgeons also refuse to operate on a pack a day smoker. This is because smoking delays healing and can cause a very dangerous condition known as necrosis (skin death.)

Depending on what procedures you have had you can recovery time of at least a month and in many cases up to three or four months. You may not be able to attend work for up to three weeks as that is how long your face may seem swollen. Be prepared for some discomfort and restricted movement, especially during first three days after operation as you may not even be able to turn your head without pain or disrupting healing. You are also not advised to sleep on your back so you may experience back problems or cramps from sleeping propped up all time.

Be aware too that many people find recovery phase which can involved a bandaged face, pus, bleeding, scabbing to be very difficult to handle emotionally. You must be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo a face-lift. Many people experience depression after a plastic surgery as bruising and swelling makes it hard to look at oneself in mirror. This is why people who already suffer from depression, manic depression or chronically low self-esteem are not great candidates for plastic surgery.

******* (c) 2005 Kelly Altodona - All Rights Reserved

Kelly Altodona is a cosmetic surgery freelance author.

Unless hair loss was result of an accident or a disease, health plans do not pay for hair replacement surgery. However, if you are employed as an actor or model you could possibly claim hair replacement as an income tax deduction.

If keeping up a certain image is important to you personally or to your career also keep in mind that you will not be able to wear a hairpiece over your transplants for at least three days after each transplanting session. This is because wigs and toupees delay healing of scabbing around implants and regrowth of new hair.

To avoid disappointment that is associated with many hair transplant surgeries, make sure that you check out doctor's qualifications and accomplishments before you sign on dotted line. An excellent surgeon will be able to provide at least a dozen of "before" and "after" case photos for you to review so that you feel confident in his or her abilities.

******* (c) 2005 Kelly Altodona - All Rights Reserved

Kelly Altodona is a cosmetic surgery freelance author.