ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumers looking to cut costs during the economic downturn cannot afford to cut corners on quality of care, warns the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). While it's one thing to temporarily substitute fillers for facelifts, ASPS says the worst thing patients can do is to put price before professional training. This concern was discussed recently at the ASPS annual scientific meeting in Chicago.

"The search for bottom-basement prices may impact safety, and patients should proceed carefully before putting their faces in the hands of just anyone," says John Canady, MD, ASPS President. "No one is more qualified than ASPS Member Surgeons to perform the full range of cosmetic medicine procedures, and patients can avoid costly mistakes by doing their homework."

Some questions to ask your plastic surgeon:

-- Are you an ASPS Member Surgeon? -- Where and how will my procedure be done? -- Who will be performing the procedure? -- What are the qualifications of any other medical personnel involved? -- How many of the procedures have you (they) done? -- How effective is the procedure? -- Is the product FDA approved for the use prescribed? -- What can I expect from the procedure? -- Can I see before-and-after photos that illustrate the procedure? -- What are the risks and complications? -- What are the after-effects and the recovery time? -- How long can I expect the results to last? -- Are there alternative procedures I could consider? -- What are the pros and cons of those procedures?

Some questions to ask yourself:

-- Am I basing my decision on credentials of the medical professional and not the price? -- Does this sound too good to be true (if so, it probably is)? -- What do I expect from my procedure? -- Are my expectations for results realistic? -- Have all my questions been answered?

ASPS says you can still save money by having non-invasive procedures, but you should never swap quality care for cost.

"ASPS Member Surgeons put safety and outcome satisfaction first. The point is, while less expensive procedures appear more desirable when money is tight, cheaper is not better if the procedure is being done by someone who is unqualified or not properly supervised," Dr. Canady says.

Consumers are encouraged to go to www.plasticsurgery.org to find an ASPS Member Surgeon who can provide the treatment they desire. In 2007, ASPS Member Surgeons performed nearly 10 million minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

SOURCE American Society of Plastic Surgeons