By Michael Saul, Partner at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors
Finding a reliable cosmetic surgeon who has the necessary training and experience to do the particular operation you are interested in having can help to lower the risk of a failed aesthetic procedure.
So, here is our six-step checklist to assist you find a reliable and secure cosmetic surgeon, whether you are thinking about having a cosmetic procedure done.
1. Be clear about what you want
You must first be honest with yourself about your motivations and your goals for a surgery before you can start your search.
Answering the question, “What motivated your interest in cosmetic surgery?” is crucial. Consider whether there might be other suitable options with reduced physical, financial, and emotional risks before beginning your search for a surgeon. This could involve going through counselling or therapy to address issues with poor self-esteem or a negative self-image, or choosing a non-surgical method that could produce the same outcomes.
2. Get recommendations
To determine whether or not you are being reasonable and specific with your expectations in what you want the operation to achieve, you might find it helpful to reach out and speak to people who have already undergone the procedure in question.
Asking around is also helpful to confirm that the surgeon you have chosen is as competent as they claim to be. Word of mouth is a good place to start when looking for a surgeon.
You might want to consult internet forums or talk to friends and relatives who have undergone the treatment in question to get their opinions.
Additional reliable information sources include:
- Your GP
- The General Medical Council’s (GMC) specialist register
- British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
- British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
- Royal College of Surgeons
3. Check out for qualifications
A useful way to narrow your search down is to compare the credentials of the surgeons you have found to the list below. You should look for a surgeon who is:
- Working for the NHS
- Registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)
- Listed on the GMC’s specialist register in the area of practice relevant to your procedure
- A member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
- A member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
- An expert in the part of the body you want operated on
Once you have found two or three surgeons who meet all the above criteria, it is then time to arrange consultations and decide which suits you best.
4. Be prepared to pay
Cosmetic procedures are costly, which is justifiable given their complexity and the degree of skill required to carry out such a big procedure with potentially life-changing implications. This indicates that during your research, you should be ready to pay for any first meetings with surgeons. You should also try to meet with at least two surgeons so that you can compare their costs and success rates.
You should be suspicious if a surgeon offers you a consultation for free because their time is valuable, so you should find out why they are doing it that way.
It is significant to note that many hospitals and clinics do provide free consultations with their clinic manager or patient care coordinator. These administrative staff members will most likely be able to help you through the financial and administrative aspects of surgery by advising you
Even while it can be helpful to obtain a sense of a hospital or clinic, it is crucial to chat with the surgeon who will be performing your procedure before you make any decisions.
At this stage of your investigation, it may be tempting to look for less expensive options, such as discounted operations abroad, but these options may end up costing you more in the long run.
Finally, deals that seem too good to be true frequently are. A buy-one-get-one-free deal, simple financing conditions, or other financial incentives should all be avoided.
5. Get the answers you need
When meeting with your surgeon for the first time during your initial consultation, take the below questions with you, and make sure you are satisfied with the answers provided.
You may find it helpful to take notes so you can refer back to them at a later date, and also use their answers to compare against other surgeons:
- What happens during the procedure – before, during and after?
- Will the results of the procedure match your expectations?
- How many times has your surgeon performed this operation in total? How many of these procedures took place in the last 12 months?
- What are the possible risks, side effects and problems?
- What is the aftercare and recovery time?
- What happens if something goes wrong or if you’re not satisfied with the result?
- How much will the surgery cost, including aftercare or any follow-up treatments?
- Is your surgeon insured to perform cosmetic surgery in the UK?
- Is your surgeon aware of any and all medical conditions you have or medications you’re taking?
During your consultation, you should look for a surgeon who:
- Took their time during your appointment and didn’t rush you
- Was specific and realistic about the predicted outcomes of the operation
- Did not try to sell you any additional surgeries
- Fully answered all of your questions to your satisfaction
6. Take your time
One final piece of advice is to take your time before deciding to have any surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Our recommendation is to wait at least two weeks after your consultation before deciding to have surgery.
Before deciding to undergo surgery that could have a significant influence on your physical, financial, or emotional wellness, it is crucial to properly finish all of your research and carefully weigh all of your options. The effects of surgery can last a lifetime.