Are you considering cosmetic surgery? Advice for selecting a Cosmetic Surgeon in Merseyside, Cheshire or LancashirePublished on 20th May 2013
1. Research your practitioner thoroughly
Only choose a qualified, reputable Cosmetic Surgeon to perform your procedure and research that practitioner thoroughly. Find out whether they appear on the General Medical Council register, whether they are a member of either of the UK Plastic Surgery organisations (BAAPS or BAPRAS), which qualifications they have, which areas or procedures they specialise in (eg: face, body, breast etc), and you will gradually get an idea whether they are the correct surgeon for you, and for the procedure which you are interested in.
2. Meet your surgeon in person
It is imperative that you meet the surgeon who will carry out your procedure before the day of your operation. Some companies will arrange an appointment with a sales advisor and not all practices allow patients meet the surgeon who will actually perform the operation in advance. If you are advised that it is not possible to meet your surgeon in person ahead of treatment, it is certainly not advisable to proceed with such a practice, as it is so important to build a rapport and feel comfortable with the doctor who is performing your surgery.
3. Research the procedure which you are considering
Using technology today, it is much easier to obtain information on a cosmetic procedure and be informed before you proceed to a consultation. To understand more, there are videos and photographs available of procedures, and you are able to read accounts and personal experiences of people who have already had a procedure, plus there are reputable forums to refer to. There is information regarding the amount of time required to recover postoperatively and to help you to make an informed decision about whether this is the correct procedure for you, your lifestyle and family. One thing to be aware of it whilst researching is that each Cosmetic Surgeon may have their own recommendations for after care etc, so use the information available online as a guideline. You are then able to confirm all details during your consultation with your selected surgeon.
4. Understand the risks and benefits of surgery
During your consultation, the risks and benefits associated with the cosmetic procedure which you are considering should be fully explained, however non-invasive they are. During your consultation, your surgeon should be open and honest with you about the potential risks or dangers involved, and you should feel able to ask additional questions or clarify any points which you are unsure of. Any surgeon who claims there are no risks involved in the procedure is not to be trusted, and feel free to ask how many of these procedures they have performed, to give you a better idea of how specialised they are.
5. Do not let price or advertising influence your decision
A cosmetic procedure is potentially a life changing decision and certainly not something which should be offered at a discount, such as you would find in a supermarket or on a price comparison website. Remember the emphasis on quality rather than a cut price and focus on the reputability of the surgeon and the quality of the care, treatment and after care. Do not be persuaded in making a decision by marketing campaign or a financial offers, such as free Botulinum toxin (Botox) treatment when you have a procedure, or two for one offers on surgery. Research and take your time in making a careful informed decision, which is appropriate for you.
6. Request to see examples of their work
Feel free to ask to see examples of your surgeons work if you are unsure, as seeing photographic evidence of the results can assist in establishing a more realistic expectation, but it will also give you an idea of the capabilities of the surgeon. Ensure that these photos are actually of the work of the surgeon them self that you are seeing.
7. Do not aim to look like a celebrity
Ensure that you are considering surgery for yourself and not to aspire to look like a celebrity. One of the most significant criticisms raised in the Keogh report was the ‘trivialisation’ of some cosmetic procedures, feature on certain reality shows and amongst reality TV stars. Any cosmetic procedure is something to consider both seriously and carefully, and is not to be taken lightly. Some patients may have unrealistic expectations when trying to imitate the image of a TV personality of singer. Each individual is unique, and their proportions and profile are different, so what may suit one person may not necessarily look the same on another person in relation to their size and body/facial shape.
8. Confide in friends/family
Consult and discuss your idea with a friend or trusted member of the family before going ahead with a procedure, as their input could be very useful and questions may arise that you may not have thought about before. A surgeon must maintain confidentiality and if you select to undergo the procedure without consulting those around you, then this is your personal choice. However, do remember that this is a big decision and one which might be easier with support of a friend of member of the family.
9. Understand the recovery and postoperative care process
To be fully informed regarding the recovery process is fundamental to allow you to prepare yourself in advance for family arrangements and time from work. Patients often neglect to think about many important post-op factors such as: Will you need assistance leaving the hospital? How will you travel home? Will you be in any pain? How much time will you need to take off work? How often will I need to return to the hospital/clinic for any postoperative care? When are the postoperative follow up appointments? All of these factors should be discussed during your consultation and you should be informed of these thoroughly in advance, to allow you to make a plan.
10. Use your ‘cooling off’ period to consider the procedure fully
After your initial consultation with your surgeon, they should insist allow you to have a cooling of period, to enable you to think carefully about your decision. Use this time to think consider your options fully, do some further research and confide in your family or friends before making a final decision. If you feel like you need more information, use your second consultation to raise any further questions or to clarify any final points.
At Liverpool Cosmetic Clinic, we understand what an important and sometimes overwhelming decision it can be to select the most appropriate Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon.
We differ from the larger commercial companies by offering a very personal service, with a dedicated point of contact for continuity, and to provide support in assisting you to make such an important decision.
Our specialised Cosmetic Surgeons can offer procedures and consultations in Liverpool, Warrington and Ormskirk, for your convenience.
Call Melissa at Liverpool Cosmetic Clinic today for more advice on: 07793 738456
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