How to
Choose Cosmetic Surgeon
Important
While most cosmetic operations are performed to high standards by fully
qualified consultants, some are not. Since 1990, more than £7 million
has been paid out in compensation for cosmetic surgery mistakes. Any
doctor can claim to be a plastic surgeon, so it is best to consider the
following advice.
Ask your GP who
they send people to or contact the British Association of Aesthetic
Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) for a list of their members.
Ask friends who have had cosmetic surgery to recommend someone but
remember, different surgeons have different specialities.
Ask private hospitals and clinics for information on the surgeons
available.
When you have a first consultation ask for a surgeon’s qualifications.
Check he/she is on the General Medical Council’s specialist register.
Visit www.gmc-uk.org
or phone the GMC helpline on 0945 357 3456. GPs will only refer to
someone who is on this register. Check whether they have just FRCS,
which all surgeons have, or if they have FRCS (Plast), which is a
further qualification in plastic surgery. Also check the registration
details of a hospital or clinic on the Scottish Commission for the
Regulation of Care website.
At the initial consultation ask what a surgeon’s specialities are and to
see their "book" of photographs of similar operations they have
performed. Ask how long they have been performing the procedure you
want, how many operations they performed in the last year and if any of
their patients needed further corrective surgery. Ask if you can speak
to some of your surgeon’s previous patients. If you are having a general
anaesthetic ask who the anaesthetist will be and check on them with the
GMC.
Be clear about what you want to achieve and ask about realistic results,
associated risks, side effects, complications and recovery time. You
should be given written details of these to study at home.
Ask what is included in the price for before, during and after
treatment, e.g. blood tests and x-rays, surgeon’s fees, charges for
accommodation, the cost of care if you need to stay longer, treatment of
complications and cancellation charges.
Ask what back-up facilities and staff are in place for cosmetic surgery
operations.
You don’t need to make an immediate decision. Discuss it with friends,
seek further medical opinions and if you decide to go ahead, allow at
least two weeks between the consultation and the operation date.
Also see Cosmetic Surgery Questions
