Making the decision to have cosmetic surgery is a big step; the next is to find a surgeon who has the knowledge and experience to successfully carry out the procedure. Sadly, every year there are cases where surgery doesn’t go to plan and where the patient ends up in a situation where they need to make a personal injury claim against the surgeon

In this guide, we’re going to highlight all the factors that you need to consider before deciding if surgery is right for you and then prior to signing up for the procedure.

Be Realistic 

Before you begin to search for a surgeon, it’s important to carefully consider why you want to have cosmetic surgery. It might be possible to get the same or similar results through a less invasive procedure, and that is likely to come with less risk and a lower financial cost.

Medical professionals also have a legal obligation to tell you of all the potential risks that come with having the surgery and will ask you to sign a consent form to confirm that these have been communicated to you. 

You might assume that if you signed a waiver, that you could not then claim compensation if there are problems following the surgery. However, this is not the case, and should you find yourself in this situation, then it’s essential that you get professional advice on how to proceed with a claim.

Consider Counselling First

Leading on from the need to be realistic, there are times when people can decide to change their physical appearance in the hope that it also alters their mindset. Low self-esteem or negative self-image is not always changed following surgery, and in this case, counselling or therapy would be a sensible choice, to begin with. 

Do expect a surgeon to want to understand your reasons for having the surgery and to ask you lots of questions. If they feel it’s not the right option for you, they may refuse to take you on as a patient. If, however, the surgeon seems to have little care for the reasons behind your choices, then that’s probably a pretty strong warning sign to find someone else.

Check Your Surgeons Qualifications

While you might assume that someone promoting themselves as an expert in cosmetic surgery really does have that knowledge and experience, that’s not always the case. In the UK, only a registered doctor can perform cosmetic surgery.

To check out your surgeons’ credentials, you should look for the following –

  • Working for the National Health Service
  • Are they registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)?
  • Are they listed on the GMC register as being a specialist in the practice of the procedure you would like undertaken?
  • Is a full member of BAPRAS, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons?
  • Has a membership of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)

All of the mentioned organisations have search functions so that you can, first of all, check out any surgeons you’ve already found and also see who else is in your area. 

Be Well Informed 

It’s recommended that you speak with more than one cosmetic surgeon and that you ask lots of questions. Remember to take notes so that you can then compare their responses. 

The type of questions you might ask include - 

  • What happens before and during the procedure and then in the aftercare period?
  • How often has the surgeon performed this operation in the last twelve months, and how many times in total?
  • What are the potential side effects and problems associated with the procedure?
  • How much swelling or bruising will there be?
  • How long will it take for the healing process?
  • What is the total cost of the surgery, including all aftercare?

What to Avoid

If you have any doubts or second thoughts, then it’s essential to provide yourself with time to consider if this is the right surgeon or the correct procedure to have. There should be no need to make any payment before having a consultation. 

If you are being pressured to make a payment or book an appointment, that should be a strong warning sign to walk away. 

Other things to avoid include:

  • Group treatments where you might be offered a discount for a bulk booking
  • Any event where alcohol is provided; you need to be completely sober to make what could be a life-changing decision
  • Vouchers for treatment that are sold online 
  • Mobile services where the procedure is carried out in your home or at a hotel
  • Practitioners who exclusively advertise on social media

Many people have cosmetic surgery every year and are delighted with the results. However, carrying out your research, gaining a range of opinions and taking your time all really pay off when searching for the right cosmetic surgeon for you.