Surgeons ask for increased UK cosmetic surgery regulations
With cosmetic surgery continuing to grow in popularity, it has been asserted that patients need to be assured that their treatments will be carried out by experienced and ethical professionals to achieve their desired result.
That’s why the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) is calling for stricter regulations on plastic surgery, ensuring that patients receive the proper care and advice before, during and after their procedures.
The Times recently reported that the number of patients undergoing cosmetic surgery procedures with audited professionals in the UK has tripled since 2003, but many more patients are being lured by black market practitioners. According to the newspaper, these unethical clinics are “fuelled by internet promotions, magazine advertising and aggressive discounting,” and patients who seek out a cheap fix could experience lasting physical and psychological harm.
One of the major areas that unethical surgeons fail to take into account is patient psychology, as it is vital for patients to be given the proper advice before and after their surgery to ensure they achieve realistic and desired results. Patients should also be provided access to information on a wide variety of procedures and alternatives, including non surgical treatments, to allow them to make a better informed choice.
When choosing to undergo a breast enlargement, liposuction or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, patients should ensure that their surgeon and clinic are recognised by authorities such as the General Medical Council (GMC), and that surgeons are fully qualified and experienced to carry out such procedures and help achieve the desired result.