1. Always have at least one consultation and do not leave without taking away plenty of literature which should be informative and not some glossy and flashy ad type mag. Ask to see pictures of previous patients, and if possible speak to them.

2. Make absolutely sure that the clinic has malpractice insurance. If things do go wrong, you need to be confident that you can sue.

3. The consultation should be with the person that will be carryiing out the actual surgery or procedure, not some nurse or colleague. Have a list of questions prepared before you visit. Never ask the doctor what HE thinks you should do, or what treatment HE thinks you need. It leaves yourself open to abuse.

4. One consultation is essential for you. Two would be useful and helpful to help you undestand the procedures, but if you go for any more you must ask yourself if you actually want to go through with the operation. The more reassurance you need, the more doubt there must be in the back of your mind. Is this reeally what you want?

5. Think many times about having your procedure abroad. It is a false economy. Although some countries do have great surgeons others unfortunately do not. So if anything does go wrong with your procedure your surgeon could be thousands of miiles away and there would be little you could do to get it corrected, or take action against the clinic.

6. Try and resist advertising gimics and free consultation offers. Good and reputable doctors have waiting lists months if not years in advance and they don't have to advertise. Their custom tends to come from word of mouth recommendations. Always ask around.

7. Never allow a doctor to inject your face with permanent or semi permanent fillers. If you don't like how it looks they are almost impossible to remove.

8. DO NOT feel pressured into haveing your treatment immediately. Allow yourself time to think. Cosmetic surgery procedures are never an emergency. If you are offered a special rate for booking 'today', maybe it's them that are desparate for the business.

9. Always go with your gut feeling. When you visit the clinic and meet the doctor or practitioner, you will get a feel for him or her, and the place. If you don't like the look of things, or get a bad feeling, look elsewhere.

10. During your consultation, if the doctor tells you he he never has any problems, or he says he is the only doctor offer this or that, or he starts naming celebrities he's worked on, you should walk out. A true professional would never make such claims.