Trying to decide whether or not to take that needed vacation or get that nose job you've always wanted? With more and more women finding themselves in this same predicament, many are finding it possible to both take a vacation and get their cosmetic procedure done by having plastic surgery abroad.

The advantage of having plastic surgery abroad while on vacation is that you can often get both the surgery and the holiday for the same price you'd spend on one or the other. As an added benefit, you can take time to heal without worrying about running into someone you know. The downside, however, is if something goes wrong with the surgery, you can be left without the medical care or support you need.

If you're thinking about getting plastic surgery abroad, the following are some tips on playing it safe:

Talk to friends and family who have had plastic surgery abroad. Word-of-mouth is quite often the best way to gain information on what you can expect. If someone you know had a positive experience at a certain hospital or surgery center abroad, chances are will experience something similar.

Do your homework! You can never research enough about the country, city, or facility where you are considering having your plastic surgery abroad. Call and talk to the staff over the phone, read about the surgery and the facility on the internet, etc. The more research and planning you do, the better you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Check with your health insurance company. Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by health insurance. However, you should still check with your insurance company to make sure you are covered if something happens to you while in the foreign country of your choice, both related and not related to your plastic surgery abroad.

Give important contact information to a family member or friend. Even if you hope to keep your surgery a secret, it's important to let at least one person know where you are and the name of the medical facility and doctor performing your surgery.

Schedule your travel wisely! Consider what the impact to your health will be as a result of having to travel after your plastic surgery abroad has been performed. For example, if you are planning on having liposuction, it won't be safe to travel by air due to the high risk of developing a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis. Traveling several hours after a butt lift or major nose surgery may not be wise either.

Taking advantage of cheap vacation offers and lower plastic surgery prices abroad can be a great way to explore the world and get the cosmetic procedure you've always wanted all at the same time. The more research and planning you do ahead of time, the better your plastic surgery abroad will be.