99% of people make this one mistake when researching procedures: they look for the cheapest option.
The “Bargain” Surgery That Cost Double
My friend wanted a rhinoplasty and found a clinic in another country offering a deal that seemed too good to be true. He thought he was being smart and saving thousands. The result, however, was a botched job that left him with breathing problems. He had to spend the next two years saving up again to have a top-tier revision surgeon in the US fix the first doctor’s mistakes. In the end, his “bargain” cost him double the money, time, and emotional trauma. Your face is the last place you should be bargain hunting.
99% of patients make this one mistake when getting filler: they don’t know what type or brand of filler is being used.
The Mystery Injection
A colleague went to a local medspa for lip filler. It looked great. A year later, she went to a different, more reputable dermatologist for a touch-up. The new doctor asked her, “What brand of filler do you have in your lips?” My colleague had absolutely no idea. The doctor explained that different fillers have different properties and longevities, and not knowing what’s in your face can be problematic for future treatments. I learned then to always ask, “What is the exact product you are putting in my face?” and to keep a record.
99% of people make this one mistake when considering a surgeon: they value their social media following over their board certifications and reviews.
The Instagram Star vs. The Quiet Professional
I was looking for a plastic surgeon and was drawn to a doctor with a huge Instagram following. His videos were slick, and he had celebrity clients. But then I looked him up on RealSelf and saw his patient reviews were mediocre. I ended up choosing a double board-certified surgeon with a boring social media presence but hundreds of glowing, detailed reviews from real patients. His results were fantastic. I learned that clout is not the same as credentials. A surgeon’s reputation among their patients is more important than their follower count.
99% of people make this one mistake before a procedure: they don’t stop taking blood-thinning supplements and medications.
The Fish Oil That Led to a Black Eye
I was getting a small amount of filler under my eyes to help with dark circles. It was a simple procedure. The doctor asked if I was on any blood thinners, and I said no. I completely forgot to mention the high-dose fish oil and aspirin I took every single day for my health. The procedure resulted in a massive, dark purple bruise that took two weeks to fade. The doctor said it was because my blood was too thin. That “healthy” supplement had caused a very unhealthy-looking problem.
99% of patients make this one mistake in a consultation: they don’t ask to see before and after photos of patients with similar features.
The Portfolio That Didn’t Look Like Me
During my first consultation for a rhinoplasty, the surgeon showed me a beautiful portfolio of his work. All the “after” photos were amazing. But all the “before” photos were of people with completely different noses than mine. I finally got the courage to ask, “Can you show me results for patients who started with a nose similar to my own?” The next set of photos he showed were much more modest. It was a crucial step in managing my expectations and understanding what was realistically possible for my specific anatomy.
99% of people make this one mistake after a procedure: they don’t follow the post-care instructions perfectly.
The Identical Treatment with Different Results
My friend and I got the same laser treatment on the same day. I followed the aftercare instructions like my life depended on it—I stayed out of the sun completely and used the specific healing balm they gave me. My friend was more casual. He went for a walk outside the next day and used his regular moisturizer. A week later, my skin was glowing. His was still red and had developed new spots of hyperpigmentation. We learned that the procedure is only 50% of the result; the other 50% is the aftercare.
99% of people make this one mistake when getting Botox: they go to a “Botox party” or an unqualified injector.
The Crooked Smile I Got at a “Party”
My friend convinced me to go to a “Botox party” at her salon. An aesthetician, not a doctor, was doing the injections for a huge discount. I was hesitant, but the price was tempting. The result was a disaster. The injector hit the wrong muscle, and for the next three months, I had a crooked smile. I was mortified. I ended up paying a real dermatologist more money to try and fix it. I learned that Botox is a medical procedure, not a party favor, and the injector’s skill is what you’re paying for.
99% of people make this one mistake when getting a hair transplant: they don’t realize they need to be on medication for life to maintain it.
The Transplanted Island
A man I know got a fantastic hair transplant. His hairline looked incredible. Thinking he was “cured,” he stopped taking his daily hair loss medication. Over the next few years, the transplanted hair stayed put, but the native, non-transplanted hair around it continued to recede. He was left with a strange-looking island of hair on the front of his head. He learned a hard lesson: the transplant fills in the gaps, but the medication is what stops the ship from sinking further.
99% of patients make this one mistake when discussing goals: they bring in a photo of a celebrity instead of focusing on enhancing their own features.
The “Ryan Gosling” Jawline I Couldn’t Have
For my first filler consultation, I brought in a photo of a celebrity. “I want his jawline,” I told the doctor. He patiently took out a mirror and showed me my own facial structure. He explained that my bones were completely different and that trying to replicate that look on my face would be impossible and look unnatural. Instead, he showed me how he could use filler to enhance my existing features. I learned the goal is to become the best version of yourself, not a poor copy of someone else.
99% of people make this one mistake with “tweakments”: they get them too frequently and end up looking “done.”
The Slow Creep to Pillow Face
I had a friend who started getting a little bit of filler. It looked amazing and very natural. But then she started going back every four months for a “top-up,” chasing that initial fresh look. Because the change was so gradual, she couldn’t see it happening in the mirror, but over two years, her face became puffy and unnatural. She had lost her baseline. I learned that the best injectors are the ones who are not afraid to tell you “no” and to make you wait.