By Angela Bronner, AOL Black Voices

BE CLEAR
Why are you really getting plastic surgery? "Is it to feel better about yourself?" asks plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Ronel who practices in New Mexico. "If you're doing it for someone else, or because you think you're going to rekindle your love life, that's a problem."

BE HONEST
Are you healthy enough? "If you have medical problems, you have to tell," stresses plastic surgeon Dr. Kimlyn Long, who says this includes high blood pressure, diabetes and even surgeries you may not consider like tubal ligations. Also, telling the doctor if you've ever had problems with anesthesia is a must.

BE INFORMED
Have you done your homework? Do your due diligence on the procedure itself and its potential risks:
National Institutes of Health
Breast Implant Information
Body Image & Plastic Surgery
Questions to Ask Your Doctor

DOCTOR CHECK-UP
Do you know your doctor? You can check your local medical board "You want to make sure that the doctor is capable of doing what he says he is," says Dr. Long. "Board certification is key. You also want to have some idea of what they've done in the past. Photos are very important."

FULL DISCLOSURE
Are you telling the whole truth? Disclose as much as you can both to the plastic surgeon and your medical provider. Just as you have to tell your plastic surgeon about your health, you have to tell your medical doctor that you are considering plastic surgery. "There are those patients who are embarrassed to tell their medical doctor that t hey're having a procedure," says Dr. Long. "But their doctor can determine if they're ready."