How To Choose A Safe Cosmetic Surgeon

If you have made the decision to have a cosmetic procedure, finding the right cosmetic surgeon will likely be your next port of call. It is crucial that you understand how to find a safe cosmetic surgeon.

Contents

Be clear with your goal Be prepared to pay Get recommendations Check for qualifications Ask questions Things to think about Step 1 Step 2 Author Bio

How do you determine who to believe, where to look, and what to look out for?

Here is a guide to help make the process easier.

Be clear with your goal

It is crucial to identify your goals and determine whether they are realistic and healthy before deciding whether you would like a cosmetic procedure and the sort of surgery this requires. You should be asking the following questions to yourself in order to be able to respond to those queries:

What prompted your interest in cosmetic surgery? Be honest about your motivations.
Have you spoken with a counsellor about your motivations? Issues of low self-esteem or negative self-image may be better suited to treatment from a counsellor or therapist.
Have you investigated non-surgical alternatives?
What do you want your operation to achieve?
Are you being realistic and precise with your expectations?
Have you spoken with anyone who has already undergone the procedure?

Once you have decided that surgery is the best and healthiest option for you moving forward, then you can begin the process of finding the right safe cosmetic surgeon for you.

Be prepared to pay

Once you have made the decision to go ahead with the procedure, you will need to be honest with yourself about the costs. The best possible treatment requires the best surgeons, and that means paying top prices. Deals that originally appear to be a good value frequently wind up costing patients much when the result leads to issues.

Always stay away from:

No-fee or free consultations – your surgeon’s time is valuable, if they are giving it away for free then make sure to ask why.
Cheap surgery abroad – this may sound like a good idea, but can often end up costing more in the long run.
Too-good-to-be-true offers – be wary of loyalty card schemes, a buy-one-get-one-free offer, easy finance terms or other financial incentives.

Get recommendations

Talking to individuals who have first-hand experience of the procedure you desire is one technique you can use to determine which safe cosmetic surgeon may be ideal for you. It’s crucial to consult with other people who have undergone the procedure. You should also examine the General Medical Council’s (GMC) specialist register and ask your GP for recommendations of reputable local surgeons or clinics so that you can consult with multiple surgeons before choosing one.

Check for qualifications

Once you have decided to arrange a meeting with a surgeon, it is crucial to look for the necessary credentials to verify that you are in capable hands. You ought to seek out surgeons who are:

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 Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons or the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAAPS or BAPRAS)
An expert in the part of the body you want operated on. A good way to check this is to make sure that they have been added to the Specialist Register which indicates that they are experts in their field.

Ask questions

When meeting with the surgeon, it is important to ask the following:

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? In the past year?
What are the possible risks, side effects and problems?
What is the aftercare and recovery time?
What happens if something goes wrong or 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?
Are you consulting with the person who will perform your procedure?

Things to think about

You should then take the time to go through an in-depth thought process to determine whether the safe cosmetic surgeon is right for you.

Step 1

Have you taken at least two weeks ‘cooling off’ time before committing to surgery?
Have you thought through the practical considerations of who will look after you and how you will get home after the operation?
Did the surgeon fully answer all your questions to your satisfaction?

Step 2

Did you consult with a surgical consultant, patient care coordinator or clinic manager (who often have no medical training)?
Was your surgeon vague about the outcome of the operation?
Did your surgeon rush through your appointment?
Did your surgeon claim they could perform an outcome that no other surgeon could claim to be able to deliver?
Did your surgeon try to sell you additional surgeries?

Consider finding a different safe cosmetic surgeon if any of the Step 2 questions you responded “yes” to. Prior to undergoing any surgery or non-surgical cosmetic procedure, it is crucial to take your time. Surgery is often permanent and non-reversable, so it’s crucial to hold off on having a procedure until you have done all the necessary research and thought through all your options to ensure your safety.

To get the help you require if you have suffered from cosmetic operations gone wrong, it is essential that you consult with a cosmetic surgery solicitor as soon as you can.