Following the General Medical Councils announcement to doctors who offer cosmetic procedures, I offer the following thoughts to complement their recent guidance.
- Check your surgeon’s credentials: Ensure that the surgeon is on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council and who is a member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) or the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
- Do your research: If a price sounds ‘too good to be true’ it generally is. Do not ever feel be pressurised into committing to surgery because of a ‘discount’ or ‘special offer’.
- Talk to a past patient: Try and talk to people who have had the procedure that you are considering. Independent online review websites are useful but preferably discuss this decision with someone you know or have met.
- Be prepared for your consultation: Make sure to ask any questions you have about the procedure you are interested in. It is important that your consultation should be with the surgeon who will be performing your procedure. Also, bring a close friend or family member should you want additional support when you meet a surgeon.
- Be open-minded: It is important to bear in mind that the procedure that you enquire about may not be the most suitable for you in order to achieve the results you want. The surgeon will discuss the alternatives, along with all associated risks and the pros and cons.
- Meet the team, look round the hospital: Ask the surgeon if you can meet the team who will be looking after you. It is important that you gain a visual perspective of where you’ll be staying and who’ll be caring for you. Do not be afraid to ask questions concerning any matter with your care.
- See your GP: It is always a good idea to talk through your plans with your GP as they know your medical history and can talk in general about the implications of surgery.
- Take your time: A good surgeon will not take a booking on the day of consultation and offer you a ‘cooling off’ period so that you can thoroughly consider your options.
- Get a price: The hospital should offer a fixed price package, which should include hospital, surgeon and anaesthetist’s fees as well as any implant costs and aftercare. If insured, clarify that surgery is by your insurance company’s policy.
- On-going support: Ask how many post-operative visits are included within the aftercare package and make sure you’ll have the follow up appointments with the surgeon who performed your surgery.
