DR. WALLACE: I'm about to turn 18, and I've been considering getting some cosmetic surgery done. In fact, I've been saving up my money for over a year to be able to either have a smaller procedure done or make a down payment on a larger one (and pay it off over time).

Some of my friends think cosmetic surgery is a great thing, but others have warned me to tread carefully and think long and hard. What's your take on this topic? — Have Considered Cosmetic Surgery for a While, via email

HAVE CONSIDERED COSMETIC SURGERY FOR A WHILE: Cosmetic surgery should indeed be carefully considered. The first thing I can tell you is that there should never be any rush to have a procedure performed, no matter what it is. Remember that you can always think about it and have it done at a later date — one that is more convenient for you or at a different juncture in your life.

You should realize that any procedure carries risk to you physically, so don't undergo any procedure on a whim or because you think it will increase your popularity. Also, don't ever view cosmetic surgery as a one-stop solution to a larger issue you may be facing, whether it be physical or emotional.

Once you are seriously considering having a procedure done, first be sure that you've exhausted all alternative methods, which may help you avoid potentially unnecessary medical procedures. To be sure the process you are considering having done is safe and effective, always select a board-certified and well-reviewed cosmetic surgeon to perform any procedure you ultimately may elect to go forward with.

MY MISTAKE PUTS ME IN A DELICATE SPOT

DR. WALLACE: I'm a 17-year-old guy who's dating a 17-year-old girl. The two of us get along well, and we've been dating each other for about six weeks now.

She knows a lot about me because I've been very honest with her, including disclosing a mistake I made about six months ago at a retail store. I took a defective product back to this store within a week of purchasing it, but they wouldn't take it back because they said it was not defective, even though it clearly was. After 10 minutes of pleading and arguing with the business owner, I let my frustration get the better of me. There were three or four people behind me in line who were obviously getting impatient, so I finally just took the item in my right hand, threw it against the wall, and it completely shattered. I then told the store owner, "Well, it's defective now," and I walked out of the store in total frustration.

Because there were witnesses, someone tracked me down, and I ended up in an anger management class. I completed everything that I was assigned to do, and all charges were dropped against me. I also learned a valuable lesson that I need to control my temper, no matter what.

But now, after dating this nice girl for a couple of months, she told me that her father found out through family friends that I have been enrolled in an anger management class, and he told her that if he saw me outside of their house, he would "let me have it," which I think means he would want to fight with me.

I've never been violent to any person ever, and I've never hit, pushed or shoved a woman in my entire life. Yes, I made a mistake that day in the retail store, but it was the only time I've ever had such a problem in my entire life, and that was just with an inanimate item, not a person.

Should I stay away from her father or try to go to their house and explain to him about my personal background? — Not Sure What To Do Next, via email

NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT: It's interesting that you were able to hear his apparent verbal threat secondhand, but he has apparently not forbidden his daughter from continuing to date you.

My recommendation would be not to confront her father directly but to ask one of your parents to make contact with this girl's parents. A simple introduction to say hello by telephone would be a good start, and if nothing is mentioned about anger management, so be it.

Monitor your friendship with this girl carefully over the next several weeks, but also be prepared to explain yourself and your situation at a moment's notice, in case the issue ever arises between you and one of her parents. Having your parents contact hers is a good idea here, and this could create a buffer in case it is ever needed.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: National Cancer Institute at Unsplash