Finding a Safe Cosmetic Surgeon
If you have decided to undergo a cosmetic procedure, deciding who will carry out that surgery should be the first thing that you think of after your initial decision. Many people often fall victim to poor cosmetic surgery practices and suffer as a result of cosmetic surgeons carrying out malpractice.
Book a consultation
Before deciding on your surgeon, always schedule a consultation with the person who will do the treatment.
Ask them:
- How many times they have carried out these treatments
- What training and credentials they possess
- If they are a part of a recognised professional organisation that demonstrates that they have the necessary education and experience
- About the procedure's most frequent side effects
- Who will take care of you and what kind of aftercare you may expect
- What to do if anything goes wrong or the outcome doesn't satisfy you
- How much it will cost and whether additional fees will apply for any necessary follow-up care
The doctor should explain to you in detail what the procedure entails, including:
- The process of the procedure
- How long will it take
- If anaesthesia is required
Additionally, they ought to explain to you what to anticipate following the operation, including:
- What suffering you might anticipate afterwards
- The length of time necessary for recovery
- The possible dangers and difficulties
- The length of time the effects will last
- What to expect from your appearance following the operation
After the consultation
After your consultation, your doctor should give you some time to consider whether you want to proceed with the surgery.
A booklet from the company that makes the product the surgeon will use would be a good piece of information to ask them for, so you can consult the document and educate yourself about the product beforehand.
Things to avoid
Never pay for a procedure before having a consultation to see whether it is appropriate for you.
Also stay away from:
- Group beauty sessions or alcohol-related gatherings e.g. a filler party where all party guests are able to get dermal fillers while they drink
- Coupons for services offered as part of group discounts offered online
- Transportable services that perform treatments in settings like hotels or private homes
- Practitioners who solely use social media for advertising
Check the qualifications
If someone is registered with the appropriate expert association and has received the appropriate training, you can determine their level of qualification.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) requires that all independent hospitals and clinics offering cosmetic surgery in England be registered. Ask them to show you the hospital or clinic's certificate, or verify that it is registered with the CQC.
Hospitals and clinics are required to ensure that all personnel are appropriately trained to do their duties safely, as the CQC publishes quality ratings online.
Our friends at Save Face also have a handy tool that helps you check the safety of a cosmetic surgeon. Try out their tool here.
Doctors and surgeons
In England, cosmetic surgery can only be done by registered doctors.
You should check the General Medical Council's online registry to see if someone is a registered physician or surgeon.
A cosmetic surgery certificate from the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) is held by some surgeons. This indicates that they have passed a test, received a rating, and satisfy a recognised national standard.
An RCS list of board-certified cosmetic surgeons is available here.
Take your time
One last piece of advice before you commit to any surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedures is to take your time. The official advice is to take at least two weeks of ‘cooling off’ time before committing to surgery following your consultation.
The impact of surgery can last a lifetime, and it is essential to carefully complete all of your research and fully consider your options before committing to an operation that could profoundly affect your physical, financial or emotional wellbeing.
Contact us
If you have had cosmetic surgery that has gone wrong, then our team of solicitors can help you. Learn more about making a breast implant claim here, or if you have had a rhinoplasty that has gone wrong, then you can learn more about making a rhinoplasty claim here.
We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, with a 95% success rate on claims pursued after obtaining medical evidence.
Call us now on 0808 271 3278, or use the contact form and we will call you back at a time that suits you.
