When plastic surgery goes overboard

A little plastic surgery in the right places can do wonders for a person.

It can erase years off your face and give you a youthful, healthy glow. 

Injections of the powerful neurotoxin Botox can soften the look of wrinkles on your brow and banish the crows' feet around your eyes.

Breast augmentation procedures, be it through implants or injectible fillers, can give flat-chested women new-found confidence.

In some cases, plastic surgery serves an even greater purpose by fixing the physical damage left behind by accidents, assaults and illness.

Broken noses are made whole once more, while faces damaged in horrific accidents can be made presentable. Breast cancer survivors who have had masectomies reportedly derive great psychological benefit from breast reconstructive surgery.

But what happens when people take the face lifts, breast enlargements and botox too far?

Celebreties as well as normal, 'everyday' people, have taken their need to look good to an extreme - with questionable results.

Take a look at these photos and decide for yourself when one more procedure is just one too many.

For those who are toying with the idea of getting plastic surgery, make sure you pick a good surgeon. The New Straits Times recommends that you ask the following questions before you decide on a doctor:

1. Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

2. How many years have you exclusively practised plastic surgery?

3. Are you certified by the governing board?

4. Have you ever had your medical licence suspended or revoked?

5. Where will the surgery be performed?

6. How long will the procedure take?

7. What are the risks involved with my procedure?

8. What type of anaesthesia will be used?

9. What is exactly involved in the surgery?

10. What will be expected of me to get optimal results?

11. How many times have you done this procedure?

12. What is your complication rate with this procedure?

13. What other medical staff will assist with the procedure?

14. Will I need to take time off work? If so, how long?

15. What are the options if this procedure is not done?

16. How long a recovery period can I expect?

17. Can I see many before and after pictures of patients on whom you have performed similar procedures?

18. Can you provide me with references to patients on whom you have performed this procedure?

19. What kind of help will I need during my recovery?

20. What is the breakdown of fees for this procedure?