In 2014, success is measured by your appearance. Whereas make-up used to do the trick, people are now looking to celebrity influence for immediate and enduring perfection, whatever the cost. And there are plenty of unregulated companies willing to gamble with your looks in exchange for your cash.
The Government recently announced reforms for the cosmetic surgery industry in order to improve patient safety, and while some of the proposed measures are welcome and overdue there have been criticisms that the changes do not go far enough.
Whether you like it or not, cosmetic surgery in the UK is now big business with an estimated 700,000 surgical and non-surgical procedures performed each year. The dramatic rise in the number of young people opting to have cosmetic procedures may be explained in part by the ever watchful eye of social media, pressure from mainstream media, and a perceived need to constantly 'look good.' Horror stories - such as Leslie Ash’s botched lip surgery, the tragic case of Claudia Aderotim who died in the US after an unapproved substance was injected into her buttocks, and of course the PIP breast implants scandal - are timely reminders that procedures are not without risk. Despite these isolated cases, the popularity of breast enhancements, botox and tummy tucks is ever increasing.
It can be hard to prove that practitioners in the field have adopted an approach that breaks the rules or cannot be endorsed by the majority of the profession. Until the law is in a stronger position to protect you and to avoid having to resort to legal action at all, it is wise to take all steps that you can to protect yourself. So what are some of the things someone should look out for when contemplating cosmetic surgery?
Check how experienced your treatment provider is, both generally, and with respect to the proposed procedure. Can they tell you their success record? Beware ‘have a go’ inexperienced clinicians who are trying to move into a more lucrative field of cosmetic surgery without the requisite skills, training or experience.
Ensure any clinic you are considering for treatment is licensed with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). If the procedure involves surgery, check the treatment provider is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and a member of BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons). Only 43,000 of the 700,000 annual cosmetic procedures performed in the UK last year were done by BAAPS approved registered clinicians. BAAPS has thorough training and accreditation standards and so membership can reasonably be seen as a hallmark of quality.
Have you been told of (and shown photographs of) possible complications that may result from the treatment you are considering? Typically these include infection, bleeding, wound breakdown, delayed healing, thrombosis, unfavourable scarring, asymmetry, and in extreme cases even nipple necrosis and gangrene. Most competent surgeons will overstate the complications, rather than the reverse
Who is being tasked with obtaining your consent – the clinician performing the procedure or just a nurse or salesperson? You should insist on the former as you need to be properly informed of the risks as well as the benefits of the procedure in order to be able to give proper informed consent to proceed.
Make sure that it is contractually clear, prior to treatment, who is responsible for monitoring your condition after surgery and dealing with a poor surgical outcome and who will be financially liable for the correction of any complications. This is important because there is currently no legal requirement placing a duty on clinics or surgeons to provide aftercare where a patient is harmed as result of a cosmetic procedure. There is talk of the government creating a system of redress if things go wrong. However, at the moment, the patient usually ends up going for help to the NHS, often through a local Accident & Emergency department.
Be extra careful if you are contemplating having dermal fillers or Botox injections which are available to members of the public without prescription and are currently no better regulated than ballpoint pens or toothbrushes! Government ministers have very recently announced that they may make it illegal to offer such procedures without training but nothing has yet been set in stone.
If you've had a bad experience with a cosmetic cowboy, Curtis Law would love to hear from you. You can visit their website www.curtislaw.co.uk or call them free on 0800 008 7450.
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