As a holiday marketing strategy, the swank Chicago nightclub Reserve offered the first 200 patrons a coupon for $500 off liposuction or breast augmentation at a local cosmetic plastic surgery practice. While this pretentious club may have been the ideal place to market plastic surgery, this practice raises significant safety and ethical concerns. Offering discounts, cut rates, early bird specials, gift certificates and prizes of plastic surgery mistakably liken these procedures to the sale of a handbag. Experts remind prospective patients that unlike the purchase of a handbag, there is no 30-day return policy if something goes wrong or you are unhappy.

One of the major problems with offering plastic surgery as a door prize is that it may encourage people not considering plastic surgery to pursue an unwanted procedure. This promotional practice also leaves out a crucial step in having a safe plastic surgery experience: the initial consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Before undergoing plastic surgery, it is imperative to have an interview, physical exam, and detailed discussion with a qualified and experienced board-certified surgeon. Here, you can discuss your goals and learn more about the risks and benefits of your desired procedure and determine if plastic surgery is right for you.

Another problem with plastic surgery prizes is that there is no way to ensure the doctor offering the promotion is qualified to perform your desired procedure. Anyone with a medical degree can claim to be a plastic surgeon. While some dermatologists, gynecologists, and other medical specialists can received extensive training to become plastic surgeons, many just complete a short course, get a certificate, and call themselves plastic surgeons.

In order to find a qualified surgeon, you should ask your prospective practitioner the following three questions: Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon? By which board are you certified? What is your specialty? Concerning the first question, it is essential to find a board certified plastic surgeon. There are over 120 “boards:” most of which have nothing to do with qualifications and experience. A plastic surgeon should be certified by a board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialty.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)—both recognized by the ABMS—expect that there members will refrain from offering surgeries as prizes at charities or fundraising events. These groups also warn that the choice for plastic surgery needs to be self-motivated. People should not base their major decision to have plastic surgery on a door prize.