Finding a plastic surgeon
The plastic surgery market is saturated with clinics and practitioners, so it's essential to find a reputable and trustworthy surgeon if youre considering a procedure. Here's how to do it.
Why do I need to be careful about finding a surgeon?
It seems unbelievable but not every practitioner is trained in the procedure and accredited to a professional body. Avoiding a badly performed operation is crucial to your health and wellbeing, so finding a good surgeon is key. As Adam Searle, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) says: "There are many potential sources for cosmetic plastic surgery but not all are equally credible, which is why there is a real need to take responsibility when choosing a surgeon and ask the right questions."
How do I find a reputable surgeon?
Firstly ask friends for recommendations. If you don't know anyone who has had plastic surgery, go to the Find A Surgeon section on the BAAPS website; all the surgeons listed there are held to strict ethical standards by BAAPS. When you locate a surgeon, arrange for a consultation with them. Ensure this is with your actual surgeon, and not a clinic advisor or nurse, because it's essential to know whether you feel comfortable with the person performing the procedure before you agree to it. Finally use the BAAPS checklist - SURE - to ensure you ask the right questions:
S: Check your Surgeon's credentials and qualifications. Your practitioner should be a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), and have further specialised studies in plastic surgery. Check that they are on the General Medical Council specialist register, and are a member of BAAPS, or a suitable professional organisation.
U: Make sure you Understand what's involved, and that you are informed about the potential risks of each procedure, be it surgical or non-surgical. It should take place in a supervised medical facility, not someone's front room, hotel or at the beauty salon.
R: You should be clear about the process of Recovery, and what the long-term implications are of any cosmetic treatment. You need to understand how much recovery time you need and after-care options.
"Don't let any clinic or surgeon talk you into doing anything for which you had little interest before the consultation."
E: Most important of all, make sure you thoroughly review your Expectations. It's essential that your hopes are compatible with what can actually be achieved.
What other questions should I ask?
Be sure you're clear about:
- The cost of the consultation, treatment and any materials you may need post-surgery.
- What happens if there are complications post-surgery.
- Whether there is a penalty if you change your mind about the surgery.
- How many of these procedures your surgeon has performed so far.
What do I need to know about post-surgery recovery?
Post-surgery information is important, so remember to ask:
- How much pain you will be in post-op, whether you will need pain relief and whether you will need someone to care for you.
- What's normal and what's not in days following your surgery.
- How much time off you need before you can go back to work and/or resume your normal life.
What else do I need to know?
BAAPS advises: "Don't let any clinic or surgeon talk you into doing anything for which you had little interest before the consultation." Also beware of `free` consultations and avoid booking fees or non-refundable deposits. AS BAAPS says: "Nothing is free and if the surgery is right for you there will be no need for you to be locked into going ahead by any financial cancellation penalties." Finally remember you can always change your mind right up until the time you go in for surgery. "No reputable surgeon" says BAAPS, "would normally impose any penalty for a cancellation."
What if I am going abroad for surgery?
While going abroad for surgery is often cheaper, checking out your surgeon's reputation and clinic is doubly important when it comes to safeguarding yourself.
- Ask the surgeon if they are a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in the Euro Zone or a similar organisation that regulates qualifications for plastic surgeons.
- Don't travel overseas unless you're happy with the clinic, the arrangements to follow up after surgery and how potential problems or complications will be handled.
- Think about the language barrier. If your surgeon doesn't speak English, will there be reliable translators around at all times?
Finally, tempting as it is to go for a great offer, be aware it's never wise to arrange a procedure via email or by simply viewing a website. Always meet your surgeon in person, research every aspect of the country you have in mind and question your surgeon thoroughly before deciding.
Written by Anita Naik
Print this page Email this page to a friend Add to favourites
