The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery [Paperback]

M.D., George Semel (Author), Ph.D., Jeff St. John (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: April 17, 2001

The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Cosmetic Surgery will give those contemplating cosmetic surgery up-to-date information on today's most common procedures, including: what they cost, what's involved-with before and after photos, how to prepare - physically, mentally, and financially, potential risks and side effects, and how the healing process occurs. Readers will also learn what to look for when selecting a doctor, how to avoid hidden costs, and what questions to ask in order to optimize their chances of a successful outcome.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

If you are considering having cosmetic surgery, this book will tell you about the most common procedures. Besides learning the costs and the risks of the operation, you can learn what to look for in selecting a doctor and what questions you should ask before undergoing surgery.

About the Author

George Semel, M.D., is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in the cosmetic surgery capital of the world-Beverly Hills, California. He is published in several medical journals and has made numerous television appearances related to the pros and cons of cosmetic surgery. He received his M.D. from the Boston University School of Medicine and his plastic surgery certification from the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Semel is a member of both the AMA and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. .

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Jeff St. John, Ph. D., was the lead therapist at Washington Medical for three years, where he counseled patients suffering from eating disorders and body dismorphia. He recently completed a training series with Cory Everson, Coping with Stress Through Food and Exercise, and is the author of two health and fitness titles on the upcoming Complete Idiot's Guide Web site. .

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1 edition (April 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028639936
• ISBN-13: 978-0028639932
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,804,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The 'Cliff Notes'version of a Plastic Surgery guide-useless, March 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery (Paperback)

I'm considering plastic surgery and ordered 3 books to research it. This book, at [$$], was a total waste of money. I guess thats one of the problems buying a book online-you can't page thru it and see how material is presented. Had I been at a bookstore, this book would have quickly gone back on the shelf.
The style of writing, the 'oh too cute' notes and cartoons, the lack of serious content and presentation are insulting to a mature person. Who wants to look at cartoons-my body isn't a cartoon! I wanted to see pictures of real people who have had real surgeries, not line drawings.
The Complete Idiots Guide is just that-for idiots and not for a serious contemplation of a potential life changing surgery procedure. The authors think liposuction is the cure for 75% of plastic surgery issues.
Even worse, the specific topic I bought this book to learn about was given 1 paragraph consisting of "Don't do this". Maybe these doctors don't like to do 'Tummy /Tucks' but they are done world-wide for valid reasons.
Not every potential patient is looking for "Plastic Surgery Lite" but in need of information presented in a truly useful manner.
Total waste of time and money.
BTW- the best of the books I have purchased so far are: Dr. Marfuggi"-Plastic Surgery-What you need to know" and Dr Loftus-"The smart womans guide to Plastic Surgery".

4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy on head and neck. Lighter on breasts and abdomen., August 17, 2011

By 

Cynthia Danute Cekauskas, LCSW "Lithuanian Am... (Savannah, Georgia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cosmetic Surgery (Paperback)

Personally I did not find this book to be as helpful to me personally as Cosmetic Surgery For Dummies. It may well have just been the fact that THIS book emphasized more the strictly cosmetic aspects of plastic surgery rather than the reconstructive elements. There simply wasn't as much written about preparing for, undergoing and recovering from breast reduction surgery, abdominoplasty or abdominal liposuction as was in the other book. There was MUCH written, however, about improving the cosmetic appearance of your face, neck and shoulders. Additionally there were more chapters in THIS book which might be of interest to MEN in particular i.e. Chapter 16 For Men Only:Pectoral Implants, Chapter 22: Bigger Isn't Necessarily Better:Penis Enlargement and Chapter 26:Hair Transplants and Removal.

In the process of recovery from abdominal liposuction surgery myself, I DID like when the author wrote in Chapter 17 Meeting in the Middle:Liposuction of the Midsection that even though "liposuction usually has a high success rate...it can be painful to recover from." There ARE some postoperative tips included at the end of this chapter but they are just not as extensive as those offered in COSMETIC SURGERY FOR DUMMIES.

I think this is a very comprehensive book offering a lot of information from head to toe. I DID like the suggestion of the use of arnica and other herbal supplements in controlling and reducing bruising. This was offered in Chapter 6 Smoothing Out Your Forehead but was extended as a suggestion for bruising in other areas of the body as well. I also like that the author warns the reader both in the introduction and throughout the book NOT to take cosmetic surgery lightly--that it IS, after all, major surgery, pain CAN be expected and there is a recovery time that is different for everyone. I am so tired of the kind of books that tell the reader they SHOULD be recovered from a surgery by such-and-such a time. Everyone is different and the long end of recovery should be something estimated as well as the short end. I believet his book does much to really PREPARE you psychologically for the surgery even if not offering more complete information in the KINDS of plastic surgery I personally underwent. I would recommend it.