According to Rolling Stone magazine, when Britney Spears was younger she underwent breast augmentation and then had a change of heart. She had the breast implants removed in a second surgery when it turned out that both the teeny bopper and her chest were still growing. Additional breast surgeries, called breast revisions, are as common in the world of celebrity plastic surgery as they are for the rest of us. Knowledge of the financial and time investments required for this cosmetic surgery will help you to decide if the slice is right.

Scott W. Mosser, MD, a leading San Francisco plastic surgeon, states that any responsible surgeon will tell you that there is a “very high” chance for follow up surgeries in breast augmentation. A good doctor will address the costs of breast revision and financing for the total procedure in your initial consultation. While a timeline based on statistical research and historical data is still being developed “in plain and simple terms 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 women will have additional surgery within 10 years.”

Breast surgery is far from a quick nip and tuck—make certain your have enough vacation time to accommodate the surgery or ask HR if you qualify for medical leave. (Timing can vary depending on the person and the procedure.) You can expect to take time off for recovery, follow up visits, and frequent checkups right after the surgery. Patients will continue to see their surgeon regularly during the first 3 to 6 months and then annually. After 3 years, implant manufacturers recommend annual MRIs to check implants for leaks or hardening and to monitor breast tissue development.

Not every patient has Britney’s buyers’ remorse—the 3 most common reasons for breast revision are to change the size, adjust the shape or replace the implants. In fact, Dr. Mosser reports that 19 out 20 patients in his busy practice wished they had gone with larger implants. Also, as the body changes due to weight loss, weight gain, or aging patients may consider breast revision to preserve aesthetic continuity.

Check with your health insurance policy to see if it covers cosmetic procedures. Most insurance policies do not, but luckily private financing options are available. You could consult your insurance agent  for assistance or do an online search for private health insurance and credit card companies that specialize in loans for plastic surgery. One such provider is Capital One Healthcare Finance  , which markets healthcare financing options for elective procedures through board certified medical providers. Pam Girardo, a Capital One spokesperson, describes healthcare financing results as a “win-win situation” for practitioners and their patients. Capital One handles all the financial aspects of their installment loans which frees doctors from the hassles of paperwork and complications that may arise from “awkward discussions with patients about financing and credit decisions.” After a referral from a doctor in their network, most loans can be processed online in as little as ten minutes. Loans are then verified to confirm the details—amount, surgery dates etc.—and the contract is sent out to be signed.

Of course, as with any offer of credit, the interest rate and the amount of money you can receive depend on your credit score. Before filling out any applications, make sure you get and understand your credit report. This can go a long way towards helping you find the best financing to suit your needs.

Mark Coffey, a certified financial planner with over 17 years of experience, cautions patients who are considering financing cosmetic surgery to view it like any luxury item–if you cannot afford to pay for it outright in cash then financing will only put your further away from achieving your financial goals. Before purchasing luxury items like cosmetic surgery, expensive jewelry or vacations make certain that your most urgent financial goals—retirement saving, house down payments, and education funds - are on target. You might consider consulting a certified financial planner to make this assessment. Once you know that your finances are on track, you can consider using your income for nonessential purchases. When seeking financing, as with car leases, people often only look at the monthly payments to decide whether or not the option is affordable. They ignore the total repayment costs over the life of the loan which can quickly add up and hamper their financial future. Mr. Coffey offers that financing can be a good option for patients who can cover the costs with cash but whose money can be put to better use in another type of investment.

When choosing a doctor, Dr. Mosser recommends working only with doctors who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc . If you can not or do not feel comfortable asking friends, visit at least 3 different doctors. To get ready for your first meeting, prepare a list of questions and concerns—the Board website has list of questions to help you. Finally, after interviews and online research he urges each prospective patient to “go with your gut”. Choose a surgeon with whom you would feel comfortable having this very personal experience. While the decision to undergo plastic surgery can be an emotional one, it should be approached like all decisions—with knowledge of the possible risks and rewards.