Are you considering undergoing a plastic surgery procedure? Been looking around for the right place to go, but can’t quite decide?
Here, we will break down everything you need to know before you undergo any cosmetic or plastic surgery.
Difference between plastic and cosmetic surgery
When you’re reading information online, it can often become confusing and overwhelming. There’s so much information available, it is often conflicting, and you could easily be persuaded by marketing campaigns. So it’s understandable that many people do not truly know the difference between ‘plastic’ and ‘cosmetic’ surgery.
A plastic surgeon will be fully qualified and, within the UK, will be registered with the GMC. Plastic surgeons will complete their plastic and reconstructive training under the NHS authority. Plastic surgery focuses on repairing the body, rather than enhancing. For example, plastic surgeons will treat a woman who needs breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, or a burns patient. However, plastic surgeons may not be qualified to do all cosmetic procedures, they will need further training in aesthetic surgery.
Cosmetic surgeons work with aesthetics. It focuses on enhancing someone’s appearance and is considered an elective surgery. As a result of this, cosmetic surgery will generally not be covered by the NHS. Cosmetic surgeons do not have to undertake the extensive training that plastic surgeons do. Therefore, it is important to check the qualifications of your cosmetic surgeon prior to your surgery.
Do you trust the surgeon?
Before deciding on a company, do your research on the surgeon. At a minimum, they should be registered with the GMC and will have insurance to perform surgery in the UK. Find out how much experience they have with the procedure you are electing to have. Surgeons will generally be able to provide you with before and after shots from previous surgeries, so you can see their work and get an idea of the results they will be able to achieve for you. At legitimate places, you will be able to meet with the surgeon prior to your surgery.
Do they offer consultations?
Before having a procedure, you will need to have a consultation. This allows for the surgeon to meet you, go over your medical history, establish what procedure you want and whether you are an appropriate candidate. It also gives you the opportunity to answer any questions. While having the consultation, check to see whether the surgeon you met with will be the one who is performing your procedure. This will allow you to get to know the surgeon and know if you are comfortable with them.
At Centre for Surgery, you will see the same surgeon from start to finish – in the consultation, procedure and during the aftercare and recovery period.
What is said about the company, clinic or hospital online?
You should be able to find the hospital, clinic or clinic on the CQC database, which is a register of all providers. CQC advises you to not undertake procedures with company’s who are not in this database.
Look if the company has social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and how active those profiles are. Look if the company has reviews on Facebook and Google – this will give you a good idea of the experience’s former patients had. If the company doesn’t have much of a presence online or has a lot of negative reviews, it’s probably a good idea to avoid them.
How cheap are the prices?
Sometimes some things will feel too good to be true. This is the case for cosmetic and plastic procedures which are offered for what appears to be a cheap price. Prices that are too cheap may not include costs such as aftercare, which is important, particularly if you have any complications or side effects. Costs are generally high as you will have to pay for the surgeon, anaesthetists, the surgical room and the aftercare. If prices are low, the company may not be using the best quality products (in the case of implants) or be performed by a qualified surgeon. While many clinics overseas offer discount prices for procedures, when something goes wrong, patients often have to seek revision surgery in their home country, which can end up costing more than the original surgery.
Have any more questions about plastic and cosmetic? Interested in one of our procedures? Contact us today to book a consultation.