Further information and advice for people considering cosmetic surgery

More and more people are opting to have cosmetic surgery. Choosing the right surgeon and clinic can be difficult unless choice is informed by balanced advice.

Provision of cosmetic surgery in England

A report for the Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson.
Published 28 January 2005.

More information and reports

The Cosmetic Surgery Interspeciality Committee - made up of experts representing the different type of doctor who perform cosmetic treatments - offers the following suggestions.

Research the procedure

Read as much as you can about the procedure or treatment you are interested in having. This will help make sure that it is right for you and that you are aware of the pros and cons of treatment. For example:

The Department of Health has produced a booklet for women considering having breast implants. See the link below Breast Implants - Information for women considering implants
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) provides information on a wide range of cosmetic surgery procedures. Advice line: 020 7405 2234 or see the link below The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
The British Association of Otolaryngologists/Head & Neck Surgeons provides information on cosmetic surgery performed by ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons. Call 020 7404 8373 or see the link below The British Association of Otolaryngologists/Head & Neck Surgeons
The British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS) provides information on oculoplastic surgeons who do specialised plastic surgery of the eyelids, periocular region and face. See the link below The British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS)
See Annex for further organisations

Information for women considering breast implants (opens new window)

Breast Implants - Information for women considering implants (opens new window)

MHRA link to information on breast implants (opens new window)

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) (opens new window)

The British Association of Otolaryngologists/Head & Neck Surgeons (opens new window)

The British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS) (opens new window)

The British Association of Aesthetic Breast Surgeons (BAABS) (opens new window)

Association of Breast Surgery (ABS of BASO) (opens new window)

Annex to Cosmetic Surgery Interspeciality Committee

Choose the right doctor

Get a referral from your GP, as appropriate - they can make sure that, with your permission, any important information about your medical history is passed to the cosmetic surgeon. It also means that your GP can provide for you if you have any problems or need advice after the procedure. If you do not wish to involve your GP, make sure you choose a surgeon who has been recommended to you or obtain as much information as possible before you make your choice.

You should be offered an initial consultation with the doctor who will perform the operation/procedure. Do not be afraid to ask the doctor about his/her qualifications and expertise in the procedure you are interested in. You may want to ask how many times they have performed the operation and how often complications occur. Feel free to take someone with you, together with a note of any questions you'd like to ask during the consultation.

The Royal College of Surgeons of England has a leaflet that suggests questions patients having any operation may want to ask. For a copy call 020 7405 3474 or see the link below The Royal College of Surgeons England - Having an Operation?
Find out whether a cosmetic surgeon is on the General Medical Council's Specialist Register by calling 020 7915 3630 or see the link below The General Medical Council. All doctors setting up as cosmetic surgeons for the first time from April 2002 must be on this register. Some cosmetic surgeons practicing before that date may not be on the specialist register but they will be required to keep their practice up to date.
The Independent Healthcare Forum has produced a guide on the standards that cosmetic surgeons should meet. For a copy call 020 7379 8598 or see the link below The Independent Healthcare Forum

The Royal College of Surgeons England - Patient information (opens new window)

The General Medical Council (opens new window)

The Independent Healthcare Forum (opens new window)

Good Medical Practice in Cosmetic Surgery (updated May 2006) (Independent Healthcare Advisory Services) (opens new window)

Find out about the clinic or hospital

You can choose a clinic or hospital through your GP, if appropriate. If this is not an option, make an appointment at a few clinics, so that you can compare the services offered and prices.

The Healthcare Commission Private and Voluntary Healthcare Directorate holds the register of all private clinics and hospitals that are registered to provide cosmetic surgery in England. It carries out inspections each year to make sure they comply with national minimum standards, including on the quality of the services that they provide. The latest inspection report can be obtained from the Hospital or Clinic by requesting it.
The Scottish Executive has produced Standards for Specialist Clinics in Scotland, including those offering cosmetic surgery.
All cosmetic surgery clinics and hospitals are required to provide a Patient's Guide detailing the services they offer, the cost, as well as information on making comments, complaints or suggestions. Ask the clinic for a copy of its Patient's Guide.

Know what to do if something goes wrong

Tell the clinic or hospital where you had treatment if you are unhappy with the result. They may offer you further treatment to rectify the problem.

Cosmetic surgery clinics and hospitals are required to have a written policy and procedures for handling complaints. Ask to see a copy of this.
If you continue to be unhappy with the way the clinic, doctor or hospital have handled your complaint and if you have explored all ways with the organisation you were treated, you can make a complaint to the Independent Healthcare Forum on 020 7379 8598 or the Healthcare Commission, which can take action against a clinic if it is in breach of the standards it is expected to meet. Please see the link below for more details on how to Complain or comment about the private health service
If your complaint is about the conduct or performance of a doctor, you can complain to the General Medical Council. Call the GMC inquiry line 020 7580 7642 or see the link below The General Medical Council

Complain or comment about independent healthcare services

The General Medical Council (opens new window)

Cosmetic services abroad

The following information is a guide only and is not an exhaustive list. This has been developed after receiving many enquires about this topic. It seeks to provide a checklist of things you may wish to consider regarding cosmetic surgery or aesthetic procedures abroad:

It is important before making any decision to have surgery that you understand exactly what is being provided, including any before and after care. Research the procedure to make sure you understand the pros and cons and whether it is right for you.
While abroad, you must be able to communicate with the doctor in order to ask questions and understand the answers. Will you need a translator?
It is important that you ask the doctor about his/her qualifications and expertise in the procedure you are interested in. You may want to ask how many times they have performed the operation what the risks of the procedure are and how often complications occur.
Consider taking someone with you when you meet with the doctor, together with a note of any questions you'd like to ask during the consultation.
It is important to know where a procedure will be carried out and where you will be cared for in the recovery phase. It is also important to know who will be there to look after you and what are their clinical qualifications
Check whether the doctor and clinic have insurance which covers your procedure and whether it takes into consideration that you are from another country.
Ask what will happen if something goes wrong either during or after the procedure. For example, what follow-up care is available should there be complications while you are abroad? How will you get back to England if you need to?
It is also important to know that not all countries have the same regulatory framework as England so standards may vary considerably.
Remember that the Healthcare Commission, which is responsible for regulating and checking private cosmetic surgery in England, does not cover procedures carried out abroad. Unfortunately, it will not be able to help you if you have any problems while overseas.

Appendices

Consumer warning
MHRA Press Release: Consumer warning - Lipostabil

Annex
Cosmetic Surgery Interspeciality Committee: Advice for people considering cosmetic surgery

MHRA press release: Consumer warning - Lipostabil (PDF, 26K) (opens new window)