Dangers of Plastic Surgery

With so many options open to people seeking a medical answer to there physical appearance it’s important to know who you can trust. Do you know the credentials needed to practice in the UK? Do you know what to do if something goes wrong? If you are unsure follow the guidelines below to find a safe route to plastic surgery.

Have the right information

Find out as much information as you can about the procedure that you are considering. Make sure you are aware of all the positive and negative aspects associated with the procedure. Get information from more than one source to make sure that the information is in no way bias.

Choose the right doctor

Ideally you should get a referral from you GP. This will ensure that he / she can provide for you if something goes wrong or if you need advice after the procedure. It also means that any vital information about your medical history will be passed on to you chosen cosmetic surgeon if you wish.

If you chose not to involve your GP in your decision to have cosmetic surgery it is very important to choose a recommended surgeon and to get as much information about that surgeon before making your choice. You should be given an initial consultation with the surgeon where you will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the practice and the procedure.

Do not feel afraid to ask about details that you think are important. A good surgeon will not be offended by answer questions on his / her credentials. If you leave this consultation with more questions than you started with it would be wise to find another surgeon. Be sure to ask if your chosen cosmetic surgeon is on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register.

All doctors practicing plastic surgery from April 2002 must be on the register. Surgeons operating before that date may not be on the register, but they will be required to keep their practice up to date.

Research the clinic or hospital

Your GP will be able to suggest a suitable clinic or hospital for the procedure which you are intending on having. If you are not involving you GP then make an appointment at a selection of surgeries to compare prices, services and facilities.

The Healthcare Commission Private and Voluntary Healthcare Directorate keeps a register of all Private clinics and hospitals registered to perform cosmetic surgeries in the UK.

It is advisable to be sure that the facility that you are looking at is on this register because yearly inspections are carried out to ensure they comply with national minimum standards, including on the quality of the service they provide.

You can request the register from the Hospital or Clinic that you visit. The Scottish Executive has produced Standards for Specialist Clinics which works in the same way for hospitals and clinics in Scotland.

When things go wrong

If you are unhappy with the results of your procedure inform the clinic or hospital.

They could suggest an additional procedure to rectify the problem. Cosmetic clinics and hospitals are required to have a written procedure set up to handle any complaints.

If you are still not happy with the way your complaint has been dealt with you can make a complaint to the Independent Healthcare Forum at 020 7379 8598 or the Healthcare Commission at 020 7448 9200.

If you are unhappy with the actions of a doctor you can complain to the General Medical Council on 020 7580 7642.

By following these guidelines you can avoid the pitfalls and dangers of plastic surgery which unfortunately are a very real problem in the cosmetics surgery trade.