doctor male plastic surgeon with patient examine woman, draw on faceIf you’re a savvy shopper who uses the internet to find “great” deals, you’re most likely using sites or apps such as Groupon or Living Social.  Millions of users login to these sites, get email alerts, and even phone app notifications about deals that are “too good to be true.” While these companies can be a great help in getting an amazing deal on shoes or flowers, they are not an ideal place to find a plastic surgeon for your next cosmetic procedure.

There are a number of factors to not make a coupon your first priority when you are making a decision to go under the knife or have an injection performed on your face.  If you read the fine print, and you should ALWAYS read it no matter what the purchase, you might notice an expiration date for the promotion.  This can complicate things for a couple of different reasons.  The doctor or spa might have restrictions on when you can actually redeem the coupon.  So if you’re running out of time and they don’t have an appointment available, you’ll most likely lose out on the “special.”  While these companies might still give you credit for the amount you paid, you might not be able to get the same offer, leaving you stuck with a higher price.  The other factor that deals with time is you.  Cosmetic procedures should always be about YOU and how comfortable YOU are with the decision.  If you are rushed to make a decision before an expiration date, you might make a decision you’ll regret.

Lastly, and definitely the most import reason to shy away from making a cosmetic decision based on a coupon you find, is how comfortable you are with the doctor.  If you are pre-purchasing a medical procedure, you’re most likely not choosing a doctor you already know and trust.  Also, most medical surgeries or injections require follow up care, which the coupon price might not cover.  If so, how likely are you to go back to someone you didn’t have a good experience with?

There is nothing wrong with checking to see if the doctor is running a special, AFTER you’ve decided that’s the person you want to go with.  As a matter of fact, since these companies take such a big cut of the sale, you might be able to negotiate a better deal yourself with the doctor.

As with any cosmetic surgery or procedure, contact us for a doctor referral.