Cosmetic surgery questions answered QUALIFICATIONS

Cosmetic surgery: your questions answered
The decision to have cosmetic surgery should not be taken lightly. Here, we answer the questions most frequently asked of Britain's cosmetic surgeons.
How much will the surgery cost? 
The total cost of the operation will be made up of the fees for the clinic or hospital (bed, operating theatre and other tests), the anaesthetist and the surgeon's time. You will normally be given a total cost which includes all these fees.
Who will pay for the operation? 
That depends. Most cosmetic surgeons in the UK are private, meaning that you will have to pay. Most health insurance programmes do not include cosmetic surgery except in times of medical need. Some plastic surgery operations are covered on the NHS, like reconstructive surgery for people disfigured by disease or injury, but the majority of cosmetic surgery is not covered. Some operations - like ear pinning and breast reduction - are available, but only in circumstances where the operation will relieve real psychological or physical distress. If the NHS does pay for the operation, you will not be able to choose the surgeon and you may have to wait a long time before it is carried out. One plastic surgery clinic in the UK runs training programmes for surgeons where the trainee will perform the operation under supervision of the surgeon for a lower price. The trainee will already be qualified as a surgeon, specialising in cosmetic surgery. If you are considering this option, contact Plastic Surgery Partners 0208 [url=tel:735 6060]735 6060[/url] or email enquiries@plasticsurgerypart.org.uk.
What will happen when I go to see a surgeon? 
Firstly, you will see your surgeon for a consultation appointment, where they will discuss with you what the surgery you want entails. Following the consultation, you will decide if and when you want to go ahead with the treatment. This is your opportunity to ask questions of your surgeon and decide if you are happy with them operating on you. You should always see the surgeon who will be doing your operation at the consultation, not a counsellor or advisor.
How much will the consultation cost? 
Most plastic surgeons will charge a normal consultation fee just like any other specialist. You are asking them for their professional opinion about your problem and they should discuss the range of options available. It's worth bearing in mind that they may not consider surgery to be appropriate. Some plastic surgery clinics do not charge for consultation as they are using the consultation as a promotion. It's up to you to decide whether you think this gives you a professional opinion or not.
How do I find a surgeon who specialises in a particular body area? 
All registered cosmetic surgeons will be regularly treating patients for the common procedures, including surgery to the face, eyelids, nose, breasts, abdomen and liposuction. There are a few surgeons who specialise in rare procedures such as specialist reconstructive surgery, or have an interest in a specific field, and these are available from BAAPS, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons which currently has 140 members. Call[url=tel:0207 4052234]0207 4052234[/url] or visit their website www.baaps.org.uk.
How do I know if my surgeon is fully qualified? 
Your surgeon should be on the General Medical Council¿s list of registered plastic surgeons. If your surgeon is registered with BAPS, the British Association of Plastic Surgery, or BAAPS, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, they are not only qualified and registered with the General Medical Council as specialist plastic surgeons, but have also been recommended by other specialists who can vouch for their ability and knowledge.
Can doctors who aren't on the GMCs specialist plastic surgery register call themselves a plastic surgeon? 
Yes. At the moment, any doctor can call themselves a plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon without any specific surgical training, but surgeons can't be registered on the GMC's specialist register for plastic surgery unless they have received training in plastic surgery. It is important to note that being on the specialist register for plastic surgery is not the same as simply being on the specialist register (which means that a doctor has specialist training in a particular medical field).
What can I do if it goes wrong? 
Most people are happy with their results, but undoubtedly there are some people who are left disfigured or injured by cosmetic surgery that has gone wrong. In these cases, the first step to take is to tell your surgeon that you're not happy with the result. A reasonable surgeon will often perform a second operation to correct the fault with no additional surgeon's fee (although you may have to pay for the hospital costs). If you no longer feel happy with that particular surgeon, they may arrange a second opinion for you or you can find another surgeon for yourself. If you visit another surgeon, make sure you work out in advance with all parties how the costs will be split.
If you don't want another operation, you may wish to take legal action. At present, you can only sue a surgeon for negligence - if they fall below an accepted standard of care - or assault and battery - if they carry out a procedure without your informed consent (for instance, if they fail to inform you beforehand of possible complications or carry out an extra procedure without your permission). If you do decide to sue, you should first contact Action for Victims of Medical Accidents in London ([url=tel:0208 291 2793]0208 291 2793[/url]) who hold a list of solicitors specialising in medical accidents. You will normally have to start the process within three years of the surgery, and most valid claims will be settled out of court to avoid publicity. However, if you are unsuccessful in your complaint, you may have to pay your own costs as well as those of the surgeon, so it's important to make sure you have a solid case.


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I think it's important to know the diffrence between a surgeon registered on the gmc and a specialist surgeon in plastic/cosmetic surgery .

Very interesting article mrsball and good to have it laid out that ANY surgeon can call themselves a plastic surgeon.. But that's not to say they specialise in plastic surgery!

That's like saying... Any surgeon can perform heart surgery, but if you had to have heart surgery are you going to allow the 'general surgeon' to perform this on you, or are you going to want the 'heart specialist' who has spent years researching everything about the heart and how fix things when things can go wrong..

Of course you're you're going to want a SPECIALIST! and there ARE surgeons that are on a specialist register for plastic surgery which is what a BA is and yet.... MANY surgeons doing BAs here in the UK (not BAAPS/BAPRAS surgeons) are only on the specialist register for 'general surgery'

So when when you're looking for a surgeon to perform a BA and you THINK about it... Who do you want to perform the plastic surgery? A general surgeon? Or a surgeon who specialises in plastic surgery?