A New York man has been convicted of performing cosmetic surgery, including a liposuction procedure, without a medical license, and now faces half a year in prison and $8,700 in restitution, according to The Associated Press.

Several women in the state received plastic surgery from the man in question, Carlos Arango, in 2011. He pleaded guilty on Friday, September 7, to the felony.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said that Arango visited spas in various parts of New York and Connecticut, where he recruited his victims. He and another man, William Ordonez, allegedly performed the cosmetic surgeries without general anesthesia. Their actions left some of their victims disfigured, according to the news outlet. Police are still looking for Ordonez.

Unfortunately, cases like this are relatively common, as many people are enticed by opportunities to pay less for plastic surgery. But the simple fact remains that cutting corners and seeking out back alley surgeries can lead to serious complications with the procedure, endangering the health, well-being, and sometimes lives of the victims.

"Never choose a doctor solely on the basis of lower cost," advises the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Instead, patients should do plenty of research into the doctor they are considering for their plastic surgery procedure. This holds true even for less invasive procedures, such as injectable cosmetics like Botox and Dysport.

In addition to researching the doctor's background, patients should ask questions about where the procedure will be performed. According to ASAPS, cosmetic plastic surgery should take place in a surgery facility or free-standing ambulatory facility that has received accreditation. On some occasions, procedures will be performed outside of a hospital, but in these circumstances patients should be sure that their doctor has permission to do so.