Surgeon qualifications

Hi all,

I think I've been confused regarding surgeon's qualifications. Just checked my surgeon's CV and I can see he's not a member of BAAP or BAPRAS. He's listed as on the GMC specialist register as General Surgery and has FRCS(Eng.), FRCS(Edin.), FRCPS (Glas.) and FRCSI(Dublin) - these are all general surgery qualifications.


However, he is the following - 
1. A member of association of Breast Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England,
2. a Royal College Assessor (RCS England) for appointment of breast surgeons, 
3. Lead Clinician for breast services at Jasmine & Diana Centres, Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Bassetlaw Hospital,
4. Consultant breast surgeon at Capio Park Hill Hospital (Doncaster)
5. is a Cosmetic/Plastic representative on the MAC Committee and
6. and Chairman of Clinical Governance Committee at Ramsey Park Hill Hospital, Doncaster

Is this ok? I thought as he's a member of associations specialising in breast surgery this is enough, was I wrong?
Thanks

Hey honey, not sure what any of these qualifications are hopefully someone with a bit more knowledge can help, but I would of thought him working in a hospital would be a good sign . My surgeon wasn't BAAPS registered and he's done a fab job xx

Hi didn't want to read and run. It's hard to say what's it ok it's up to you to judge if the surgeon is ok for you which can be difficult depending on what you need. The main thing is that he's qualified.  I personally wanted a BAAPS surgeon because my operation was going to be a challenge so I wanted the extra reassurance xx

I was completely happy with my choice but then read a thread on here somewhere about quals and it's kind of freaked me out a bit. It suggested that if a surgeon isn't BAAP or BAPRAS registered then they should at least be on the GMC register as a specialist Plastic Surgeon rather than general surgery - this is what panicked me. It likened it to heart surgery and that even though a general surgeon could perform it you'd obviously want a heart specialist.

Hmm. I think sometimes I can read a little too much, I'll always manage to find something negative.
On the plus side, he performed Ind94's ba just a couple of weeks ago and I have never seen scars so neat!!

Yes reading too much can sometimes just confuse you further with things like this. Try not to worry about it or read anything unless you have to. Once I decided for definite I tried not to think about it or even look on here apart from researching to prepare myself for recovery. I even read too much into that really x

Hey Hun just to give you some peace of mind he specialises in breast surgery and works for the NHS as well. Baaps is an elective society so maybe he just doesn't want to join or I have read that you must be British to join baaps, nevertheless I will obviously praise him as I am so happy with my results and haven't heard a bad word about him ever:) hope you can put your mind at rest :) xxx

That makes sense if they aren't British they cant be baaps registered.
My surgeon im meeting is registered but hes not British and not baaps, but he is a specialist and extremely experienced. And hes on GMC. Cant wait to finally get ball rolling feels a long wait all this consultations stuff. Girls did you all take a crop top first time to try implants on? x

they gave me a tight vest top almost made of lycra, and a sports bra where I inserted the implant sizers into :) x

You don't have to be a British National to be a member of BAAPS.

Each new member has to be recommended by two current members that are fully aware of his/her ability and knowledge in the field of cosmetic surgery. The association maintains a high standard of cosmetic surgery training among its members, by means of courses, bi-annual association's meetings and international participation of its members.

Quote from BAAPS website.

You DO have to have trained in this country though and have held a consultation position within the NHS.

You can NEVER read too much of anything, if alarm bells go off - RESEARCH!

There are many 'fly in' surgeons in this country that fly in on a monthly basis, job done, fly back out to their own country. These surgeons are generally working within the large commercial clinics.

It was my post you read about comparing a 'general surgeon' to a 'specialist surgeon' and if its made you stop and think I'm glad about that.

THINK about what YOU want for YOUR body. This isn't like buying a dress that you can take back if you don't like it or if there's a fault in it, this is a surgeon and ANY doctor can call themselves a surgeon taking a scalpel to your body and will be changing it forever.

So if there's any doubts at all - research further MissyM.  Its YOU who has to feel comfortable with your decision and its likely to be one of the biggest you'll ever make in your life, so be sure you're fully confident sweety before going ahead with anything.

Hi, just joining in on the conversation. I'm somewhat confused. Im looking into surgery in Belgium and the surgeon is a member of GMC under specialist surgeon-does this mean he is qualified and how do I find out what area he actually specialises in??

GMC is a general medical register. All surgeons should be listed on here. If you go to the GMC website, you can search for your surgeon, and it will tell you whether he is a general surgeon, or a specialist breast surgeon. Do a bit of googling and you'll be able to find his exact qualifications.

For what its worth, the savings you make going abroad aren't necessarily for the best if you then need to use the aftercare. Be 100% before going ahead with surgery abroad.

Thanks, Dr Orlbrandt is coming up as a specialist surgeon on GMC website but it does not state what the specialism is. I tried using a well know surgeon in the uk and the same applies to him- just states on specialist register- any advice cause I don't want a surgeon who is a specialist knee surgeon and not breast. Xx

As far as I can tell, he is a specialist in Plastic Surgery. This doesn't mean hes a breast specialist, he is a catch-em-all plastic surgeon. It depends what you're happy with really. my surgeon wasn't on the specialist register, but I'm perfectly happy with my results. Its up to you to do the research, and decide what level of qualification/specialisms you are happy with.

Its a mind field out there, I thought this would be easy but so far all Ive done is research every day for 4 weeks, talking to clinics etc. Im trying to research this guy on the Belgium society for surgeons but its proving to be a bit of a nightmare as the page doesn't drop down when its translated into English. Does anyone have any contact numbers/websites to find out qualification surgeons abroad (Id like to think if someone was considering UK surgery it would be much easier than I'm experiencing).I cant seem to find a number for GMC to ask them?? x